Follow These Home Transformation Tips From Designers Around the Brandywine Valley

Courtesy of Airy Kitchens

Custom Made Easy

That artfully turned leg on one sofa looks fetching. The rolled English arm on another catches your eye. The boxed cushions on a third piece are a knockout. With custom upholstery, you can combine the features you like the most to create furniture that reflects your needs and taste. “You’ll spend many years sitting on sofas and chairs,” says Lisa Quale of Lisa Quale Interiors. “Being able to customize gives you the style, comfort and performance that works for you and your family.”

Manufacturers have different fill options for cushions and backs. Quale suggests trying different combinations in a showroom to test what feels best. “I recommend that anyone over the age of 50 upgrade to firm foam cushions or spring-down cushions, which have a coiled spring core in them like a mattress,” says the Glen Mills-based designer.

Photo by Christian Giannelli

Look at furniture as an investment—are you thinking short-term or long-term? “A plywood frame or sinuous spring piece will last seven to 10 years, which is fine if you’re getting something trendy or at the stage of life where the fabric will wear out faster than the frame,” Quale says. “If you’re investing in quality for the long-term, the gold standard is kiln-dried hardwood frames with hand-tied eight-way springs.”

Performance fabrics resist stains, but there are other considerations when choosing a fabric. “I only use upholstery fabrics with cleaning code W, which means they can be cleaned with water without leaving a dark spot,” Quale says. “The number of ‘double rubs’ a fabric has tells you how quickly it will begin to fray from use. For a busy family, I look for fabrics that test at over 50,000 double rubs.”

Lisa Quale Interiors
8 William Charles Drive, Glen Mills, (484) 995-3958

The Neutral Zone

Who says beige is boring? A skillfully executed, neutral décor offer subtlety, serenity and sophistication. Think cotton-cloud white, whisper-soft fawn and luxurious platinum. “Neutral palettes allow a person to effortlessly take in what is around them and appreciate a space without distraction,” says Kate Pechinka, founder of Kate Kelly Interiors in Chester Springs. “A sense of calm is created so that each piece of furniture, work of art and accessory can be admired for its detail and craftsmanship.”

Courtesy of Kate Kelly Interiors

In a monochromatic color scheme, it’s good to vary shades, sheens and contours to keep the design from falling flat. “Fabrics and finishes bring depth. Silhouettes of furniture, inlaid patterns and texture are all opportunities to create movement and energy,” says Pechinka.

Embrace the subtleties in neutral hues. Whites can be cool (tinged with gray, blue or violet) or warm (with undertones of yellow, cream and ivory). Pechinka’s latest love is Benjamin Moore’s Snowfall White. “I’d describe it as warm and cleansing. It has a subtle tint that creates depth and a touch of contrast,” she says. “It’s a beautiful white that can be appreciated in all kinds of lighting.”

Kate Kelly Interiors
Chester Springs, (484) 543-8853

Retro Refresh

A pair of West Chester homeowners loved the history of their original 1920s Art Deco bathroom, but the cracked pink tile was too far gone to revive, and the space felt dark. They envisioned a new bath with classic black-and-white tile—one that offers a luxe hotel vibe without sacrificing the vintage feel.

Courtesy of Airy Kitchens

Sean Lewis, creative director at Philadelphia’s Airy Kitchens, conceived a design that felt at home in an older house by referencing Art Deco details and modern materials. The white tile on the walls has black accents, and geometric floor tiles deliver an unexpected visual punch. A cramped stall shower was replaced with a custom glass enclosure to create a bigger, brighter space. The brass sink fixtures, sconces and mirror frame provide the bling factor homeowners were looking for.

Courtesy of Airy Kitchens

In reimagining a vintage room, Lewis encourages clients to consider the age of the home and create a space that fits the time period without making it look like a museum. “Don’t be afraid to mix new and old details for a retro look that stays current,” he says.

Airy Kitchens
88 W. Johnson St., Philadelphia, (215) 853-6060

Let There Be Light

Good lighting sets the mood for romance, helps us read without straining our eyes and keeps us from stubbing our toes. “I always say lighting is the single most important element in making your house feel like a home,” says Inci Porter of Porter Design Group in Chadds Ford.

Courtesy of Porter Design Group

When incorporating LED lighting, Porter opts for 2700K bulbs that offer a warmer, cozier glow than the 5000K variety. But a thoughtful home-lighting scenario is about more than wattage. For a home in Chadds Ford, Porter eliminated the recessed ceiling lights in the family room. She added Venetian plaster—prized for its translucent quality—to the ceiling to help carry the diffused illumination from LED fixtures hidden in the cove molding. “The Venetian plaster not only optimizes lighting in this space—it adds a contemporary element that the homeowners fell in love with,” she says. “We introduced beautiful, substantial lamps with linen shades on the updated English sideboard, as well.”

Courtesy of Porter Design Group

Elsewhere in the home, simple wall sconces add a softer element while further minimizing recessed lights. “We’re obsessed with lighting and love working with clients who appreciate its importance,” Porter says.

Porter Design Group
Chadds Ford, (919) 637-1988