It might be hard to believe, but the Clare home—affectionately dubbed the “Paris Mountain Getaway”—began life as a wall-to-wall-white two-story townhouse before owner and interior designer Kerry Clare saw untapped potential.
“This home is a new kind of adventure for me,” Clare says, smiling. “I’ve never lived in a townhome before, and I’ve never lived in a brand-new build. So, when I found this one, I looked at it as a great opportunity . . . a true vanilla canvas that I could turn into something magical.”
Clare didn’t need or want sprawling square footage. Instead, the designer wanted to maximize the space within the home to flow and function with intention and inspiration at every turn, each room evoking a sense of luxury and peacefulness. Her personal eclectic style brought rich earth tones, sumptuous textures, art-centric vignettes, and glimmers of gold into harmony inside, while a new deck and screened porch accented in lush evergreen hues extended the living space and brought the outdoors into the home’s intimate embrace.
“My philosophy is this: We save up our money to go on a holiday, and we pick a great hotel full of amenities because of how it makes us feel when we’re there. Well, when I come home from work at the end of the day, I want to feel the exact same way,” says Clare. “I don’t live bland, so I’m not going back to a vanilla-looking place. Your home should be a sanctuary, a place of enjoyment . . . I want to relish in it every day, and think, ‘I love being here.’”
Before and After Photos
The Clares wanted a refined, moody look that gave a customized feel without having to start over from scratch. Pulling a few cabinets further out, such as over the refrigerator, gives the look of built-ins and adds depth. The upgraded cabinet pulls in a gold tone match the cloud-like light fixture above the island.
In the great room, a wood trim design makes a statement with minimal costs. An electric fireplace adds warmth to this all-electric house, and a green sofa adds a dose of vibrant color.
The Clares knocked down the wall between the mudroom and pantry to open up the layout. This gave them room to create a beverage bar and coffee station with cabinetry and pulls that flow with the color scheme of the kitchen.
The previous “super shallow” bathtub and awkwardly shaped shower door are gone, replaced by functional, durable pieces. The Clares used off-the-shelf builder-grade tiles that offer a luxurious look without breaking the bank.
Grasscloth wallpaper behind the bed in the primary bedroom adds texture and depth. The Clares were able to use the chaise, custom-upholstered bed and nightstand from their previous home. Dramatic bedside light fixtures eliminate the need for table lamps.
