Denver Revision
Duet Designs infuses new life into a woman’s childhood home, making it a lighter, brighter haven for her own family
BEFORE
Yankee baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once notably opined, “It’s déjà vu all over again,” which likely describes the way the current occupant of a Denver residence feels every time she comes through door.
“We bought my childhood home,” says the wife, who grew up in the traditional colonial with two brothers, only to return with her own two sons and a daughter, all under the age of 8. “Setup-wise, it was a perfect fit,” she adds. But design-wise, not so much.
Classic good bones aside, the red dining-room walls and a crackle finish in the family room, coupled with a pervasive darkness, lacked the vitality of the next generation. The family tapped Duet Design Group to lead the transformation. Duet co-founder Miranda Cullen recalls, “We wanted to respect her parents’ choices while allowing the personality of a young family to shine through.”
“We actually purchased these chairs for our old home and transitioned them here,” the homeowner says
AFTER
“The goal was to be light and bright versus traditional and heavy,” says Cullen, who, along with business partner Devon Tobin, refreshed the family room with coats of creamy white, followed by grayish green over red in the dining room.
Whenever possible, they repurposed—reupholstering the living-room sofa in linen and topping the owner’s grandmother’s low tables with cushions to make benches. A new wingback touting a bold floral establishes a classical-meets-whimsical vibe, while a variety of new seating options in the family room—comfy sectionals ottomans and coffee-table-height stools—redefine the gathering space.
But the real bonus, the owner says, was the déjà vu moment of “going from being the child playing in the yard where my mother watched from those big windows to being the mom who watches my own kids.”
AFTER
Entry “We wanted to create a moment of pause, and the previous use of a bench and rug in the open foyer didn’t welcome you,” says designer Miranda Cullen, whose introduction of functional pieces like the Rooster Socks Furniture corner chair—a spot for removing shoes—combined with decorative elements like a Louis XV reproduction desk by Theodore Alexander, remedied the situation. Tufted ottomans from Highland House untuck from the latter to provide extra seating, and a Surya rug lightens the space.
BEFORE
AFTER
Fireplace Glass vases on metal stands by 3R Studios line the living-room fireplace. The designer turned tables that once belonged to the homeowner’s grandmother into stools with cushions wearing Romo fabric and Samuel & Sons welts and tassels. The geometric Stanton rug adds a contemporary touch.
BEFORE
AFTER
Powder Room “This room has received more attention than a lot of our designs,” Cullen says. Easy to see why, with the show-stopping Ellie Cashman Design wallpaper updating the previously upholstered walls. The Gramercy single metal washstand, classic wall mirror and aged brass faucets, all from RH, keep the drama going. “It still has a traditional aesthetic, but now it’s light and bright,” Cullen adds
BEFORE
BEFORE
Family Room “The designer put the word family back in the family room, where a Precedent sectional and chaise invite conversation, and Caracole ottomans do double duty as footrests and toy storage. Errant Legos can also be stashed in baskets under the existing console tables, where the Gosselin lamps are from Gabby Home. Come nightfall, a Visual Comfort chandelier casts a warm glow.
AFTER
AFTER
Upstairs Hall “There was just a blank wall there before,” says Cullen about the space on the second floor landing that has a renewed sense of purpose, thanks to the addition of new bookcases, painted Sherwin-Williams Seaworthy. The books, art, collectibles and stools are from the owners’ collection.
BEFORE
AFTER
Master Bedroom A Sferra duvet and euro shams, a Dea coverlet, and a Kevin O’Brien Studio hand-painted velvet lumbar pillow, all from The Brass Bed, bring a sophisticated and tailored edge to the bed in the master. Cullen used an existing rug but replaced the carpet and added a Domaine Blanc bachelor’s chest from Bernhardt with a dove-white finish as a nightstand. The lamp is by Robert Abbey.
BEFORE
Backyard Outside, the stately brick home the family purchased from the wife’s parents was perfect as is. The outdoor dining room gets regular use from the owners, their three young children and two Great Danes.
DESIGN DETAILS
INTERIOR DESIGNER Miranda Cullen, Devon Tobin Duet Design Group
