Desiré Greene

As someone who collects African-inspired art and textiles, I find this latest home tour particularly inspiring. Designer Sophie Ashby successfully blends modern and traditional with accents of Afro-themed prints, sculpture, and art. The balance is just right. Take the living room for example. An oversized print by Nigerian photographer Lakin Ogunbanwo hangs prominently atop a modern bookcase. Its well-edited shelves styled with accessories of all styles. I’ll undoubtedly incorporate some of Sophie’s tricks in my own home.

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“Clean and comfortable” is how I would describe this renovated, 1920s home. Though minimally accessorized, the design is far from austere. Well-chosen pieces — woven light pendants, assorted baskets, carved bowls — ooze warmth and give the home a global vibe. The design also incorporates natural tones to complement a dominant palette of white and gray. Overall, the home is a lesson in creating a comfortably modern interior within a century-old shell.

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We’re heading from Philadelphia to LA with a tour of TV producer Shonda Rhimes’ villa-inspired home. After falling in love with the home’s history, she enlisted designer Michael S. Smith to restore it to its past glory while adding warmth, function, and loads of natural light. Shonda became a fan of Smith after spying his work in the Obama White House. As she writes for Architectural Digest, “That ability to connect with whatever creates sparks in a person is part of what makes Michael such a gifted designer.”

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In her recent renovation, designer Emily Henderson shows us the simple cure for a cookie-cutter kitchen – paint! Painted cabinets can completely transform old spaces or add personality to new ones. Here, Emily chose a muted green (Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green to be exact) for this Portland home. Its contrast – opposite white marble countertops and a subway tile backsplash – creates a modern feel to an otherwise traditional kitchen.

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Though model homes are essentially home staging on overdrive, they can provide a treasure trove of design inspiration – especially when done this well. The Watermark model home found waaaaay up north in Calgary, is a lesson in balanced eclecticism. Dubbed “Prairie Modern,” its design style mixes traditional, rustic, and contemporary elements. The home also features custom millwork throughout (see the kitchen and bedroom for example). From brass accents to muted textiles, there’s a bit of inspiration for every decor.

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