As a Wayne couple geared up to celebrate their 25th anniversary, they realized they’d fallen out of love with their dark and dated condo. They tried painting the walls of their large, open living and dining area pale beige. It brightened the space a bit, but it didn’t lift their aesthetic spirits. To create a décor as colorful as their personalities, they turned to local interior designer Michelle Gage.
Her plan to add pizzazz included a sofa in bubblegum pink with an updated bench seat cushion, dining chairs upholstered in a purple peacock print, and kitchen cabinetry painted in an eve-popping chartreuse. Handmade teal tiles on the backsplash provide a colorful contrast to the cabinets, and pale gray countertops offer neutral grounding.
Gage selected velvet for the upholstered pieces—both for its luxurious feel and a tight weave that withstands wear and tear from pets.
In the bedroom, designer Michelle Gage kept the owners’ canopy bed, revving up the color quotient on the walls and ceiling with a cheerful floral print.
Handmade teal tiles on the kitchen’s backsplash provide a colorful contrast to the cabinets, and pale gray countertops offer neutral grounding.
The couple wanted to keep a vintage cabinet with bun feet, which is now at home in the foyer.
“The cabinets were in good shape but in a very dark wood stain,” Gage notes. “Refreshing the space with a great paint color, a new backsplash and countertops was the best way to make an impactful and efficient update to the kitchen and living area without a major renovation.”
In the bedroom, Gage kept the owners’ canopy bed, revving up the color quotient on the walls and ceiling with a cheerful floral print. The couple also wanted to keep a vintage cabinet with bun feet, which is now at home in the foyer.
How to protect new furnishings from these animal lovers’ two rambunctious cats? Gage selected velvet for the upholstered pieces— both for its luxurious feel and a tight weave that withstands wear and tear from pets. A pair of pale blue chairs in the living area have legs covered in velvet.
As for the kitties, they enjoy snuggling on an apricot velvet chair in the bedroom.
Michelle Gage Interiors
14 E. Hartwell Lane, Philadelphia, (610) 772-3361
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