LAURA RESEN
Interior designer Casey Hill often integrates blue , from millwork to wall paint , rugs and textured fabrics , as clients seem to have taken a liking to this color since the pandemic .
a master ’ s degree in architecture and trained under the late LA-famous decorator Suzanne Rheinstein — knows how to merge the two in a way that makes sense .
This season , maybe you want to try minimalism , but not in a way that feels stark or cold . For example , Hill is a self-described minimalist , but in a way that differs from modern design ( defined by simplicity , function and emptiness ). Rather , her focus is on decluttering . “ I encourage clients to be minimalistic in what they put out [ in the open ],” she explains . “ So much time and energy goes into designing your beautiful spaces — each one should be clean and tidy .”
And maybe you dig reemerging art deco style ( short for “ arts décoratifs ”), but not to the extent of gilded wallpaper and checked floor tiles . Perhaps intense color is cheerful in moderation , but only in moderation .
Here , Hill and McLaren share their tricks for incorporating the season ’ s trends in a way that feels authentically yours .
COLOR INSIDE THE LINES Hill ’ s portfolio of elegant yet whimsical rooms all embrace color — and lots of it . “ I never use a traditional white paint ,” she insists . “ There are just so many colors that really enhance a space . … I use color in every project .”
While brilliance dominates design showrooms this season , Hill prefers layering softer shades that have also made a comeback ( pink flush is a favorite that “ makes everyone in the room glow when the light hits it ,” she points out ) with a sea of blues or sunny yellows that “ are rich but not too saturated .”
From millwork and wall paint to Tibetan rugs and textured fabrics , blue is a color Hill integrates frequently , mostly at the behest of clients who seem to have taken a liking to it since the pandemic , she says .
While there ’ s no limit to the number of different colors that Hill will include in one room , the nature of a space determines hue . “ For example , a study or living area can [ handle ] more vibrance , while a bedroom should be more subdued ,” she says . Think muted blue-grays complemented by soft greens and cream to foster tranquility and rest .
Many Prairie clients favor McLaren ’ s earthy bent . “ Our palette is mostly neutral , and then we ’ ll pick one or two bright colors to pop in ,” she says . “ You have to be careful with color . … It ’ s a dance to find balance . … Too much , and it can look childish very quickly .”
Her solution ( so long as the client agrees , of course ) is to pick one item in a room to be the focal point of color — such as an emerald-print stair runner , a patterned sofa or even a piece of hotpink pop art — and pare it down with neutrals . She defines neutral as “ any color that is found in nature and has a little bit of brown in it — olive green , mustard yellow .”
Color cohesiveness is also something to consider , McLaren adds . “ Rooms don ’ t have to be twins , but they do have to be friends .” She suggests choosing a group of colors to be repeated throughout the home . “ Maybe one room is wild and the next is a little quieter , … but every room should connect in vibe and palette . … All rooms in a house should feel like they were [ decorated ] at the same time .”
ART DECO DETAILS Rising in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s , hallmarks of art deco style include bold geometric prints , rich color and lots of visual drama . ( Think “ The Great Gatsby ” or “ Midnight in Paris .”)
Some home design forecasters say this style is returning . McLaren suggests small details to hint at the time period rather than an all-over transformation . “ I appreciate this style , but it can get kitsch real fast ,” says McLaren , who finds subtler ways to satisfy a craving for decadent flair ,
52 SUMMER 2024 | LATITUDE33MAGAZINE . COM