If you are reading this blog, you most likely know that I am a pattern and color junkie. I’ve never had the restraint to live in an all white room, or even an all white bed. I’ve always had a lot of simultaneous ideas, and I think my home reflects this jumble of patterns, stripes, prints, textures and colors. I suppose I spent too many years in art school where anything goes. Yet they all play together and if they don’t work you move them to another sofa or bedroom.
When you mix and match (or don’t match) pattern and color, you create your own stories and your own narrative. Your rooms become a story about you and all of the things you hold dear. A tribute to the things you grab along the way and stuff in suitcases, the things you carry on flights and hope they don’t break. Fill up that white cube with pattern, color, texture, fill it up with the world - you will not be bored!
I hope you enjoy my house tour. I had help from so many artist friends, but most importantly interior designer and pal Sara Bengur.
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
The Living Room
The colorful living room really centers the entire house. The sofa is upholstered in a fabric I created for Duralee, table lamps are by Christopher Spitzmiller, and the dhurrie rug is a custom design I made in India with massive stripes in related and not related colors to the room. I also hang as much art from friends that I can possibly jam in. This room gets a lot of light and a good cross breeze which means it is one of the best spots to launch into a new detective novel.
Photo: Richard Powers for Elle Decor
Photo: Richard Powers for Elle Decor
The Kitchen
Who needs coffee with a kitchen this bright? Midnight blue cabinets paired with the pinkish-orangish walls are a lovely way to wake up. I painted the cabinets myself so there are some missed spots. I also have a great Richard Wrightman double seater chair in the kitchen so I can park myself on it and keep my wife Rachel company as she tosses around those pots and pans or, vice versa, as I cook quite a lot myself.
Photo: Richard Powers for Elle Decor
I love having a place in the kitchen where I can sit and drink my morning coffee before my yoga practice. I put colorful turbans on the wall after some of the plates fell off and broke (turbans are much easier!).
Photo: Richard Powers for Elle Decor
The Bathroom
This is the downstairs bathroom with nazar wallpaper. (I use this pattern everywhere.) The nazar block design is a symbol, or talisman, used to ward off and protect against an ‘evil eye’ (a curse). Don't be afraid to use dark colors or large patterns in a small space as it really can turn a little room into a big deal. I also put a durga (demon mask) looking over the loo which my wife calls the 'poop demon'.
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
The Master Bedroom
I love looking at art as I drift off to sleep. Art pieces change their story depending on their neighbors, it's good to rehang a room to create a new narrative. Since this shot I have taken down the Tapa bark cloth painting behind the bed and moved most of it around again. I also change out the rugs seasonally. I love wool in winter, and in summer I bring in my cotton dhurries.
Photo: Richard Powers for Elle Decor
The Guest Rooms
It's fun to create a theme in a room. This one is dedicated to Turkey Bird, our pet parrot. Covering all the walls including the ceiling in our Suka Moss wallpaper makes me feel like I'm inside a giant painting. You could also say it's a good twist on “Birds” by Hitchcock.
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
We make customized beds and headboards modeled after Mughal architecture. Each bedroom got its own shape and different block printed fabric.
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
The Nursery
When we found out our daughter Regina was on the way, we converted our second guest bedroom into a playful nursery for her. I like lots of art in a nursery. Never underestimate a baby's taste! I have a kite theme going on with actual fabric kites on the wall, and of course one of our tents!
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
The Upstairs Bathroom
The Kulina Moss wallpaper is one of our classic prints. I like using it unexpectedly in the bathroom. The custom Syrian bone inlay vanity is a nice complement to its jungle surroundings.
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
The Library
This library used to be my print studio before I turned it into a 'loungey, everything living space' (with the help of interior designer Sara Bengur). It was an old tobacco barn that was attached to the house, but with a small old house you always want more space. I quickly filled it up with books, and artifacts from my travels. Then I tucked in a sleeper sofa for my parents (they don't like the creaky old stairs going to the second floor).
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
Photo: Rachel Robshaw
The Garden
Outdoors is my wife Rachel's vision. I am just a humble weeder. I have started a rock garden, which isn't yet finished, but I hope to share soon. We also put in an outdoor shower which everyone loves, especially my parents. They think it's fun to shower outside at 80 years old.
Photo: Annie Schlecter for Better Homes & Gardens
Photo: Annie Schlecter for Better Homes & Gardens
Photo: Annie Schlecter for Better Homes & Gardens
Photo: Annie Schlecter for Better Homes & Gardens
Photo: Annie Schlecter for Better Homes & Gardens
Photo: Winnie Au for House Beautiful
