Step Inside This Family's North Carolina Cottage: A Colorful, Whimsical Haven
The Brooks family's North Carolina mountain cottage is a testament to the power of color and whimsy in home design. With a distinct color palette and a playful approach to decor, they've transformed their 1990s bungalow into a space that's both functional and full of personality.
Elizabeth and Alex Brooks, along with their sons Felix and Ansel, have crafted a home that's a true reflection of their collective style. The couple's signature design look, affectionately called 'silly goose style', is a nod to a painting by Liz Wiesel hung in the kitchen. It's a style that embraces subtle, muddy colors and wood tones, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
The journey to this colorful haven began with a simple request from their son Felix. He loved the poppy hues in his and his brother's bedrooms and wanted to bring more color into the rest of the house. This sparked a cautious yet determined approach to color selection, with Elizabeth experimenting with different shades and tones using Canva.
The result is a six-color paint palette that not only made the selection process less overwhelming but also helped them save money by reducing the number of paint cans needed. The couple emphasizes the importance of starting small, adding color gradually until the space feels exactly right.
One of the key elements of their design philosophy is the idea of layering in color. In the dining room, for example, wood elements help ground the space and balance spirited colors and whimsical touches. Elizabeth's repurposing and repainting of the walls and details showcase her creativity and attention to detail.
The living room is another example of their design prowess. Alex built a custom frame for their TV, while Elizabeth camouflaged it with a lively gallery wall. The kitchen, too, has been transformed with a 1990s design renovated to suit their whimsy, featuring a breakfast nook built by Alex and brought to life with Farrow & Ball paint.
The upstairs of the house is a masterclass in color and pattern mixing, serving as the ultimate kid zone. A large landing serves as a playroom, connecting the boys' bedrooms and displaying expansive gallery walls of framed art and pennants. Elizabeth's thrift store finds and her own painting skills add a unique touch to the space.
The boys' bathroom is a mini lesson in pattern mixing, with Elizabeth bringing the paper's colors into the rest of the room through details and accessories. The wood vanity provides a moment of calm, while Felix's bedroom embraces brighter versions of the Brookses' go-to paint colors, creating a youthful and playful atmosphere.
In conclusion, the Brooks family's North Carolina cottage is a testament to the power of color and whimsy in home design. Their 'silly goose style' has transformed their bungalow into a space that's both functional and full of personality, showcasing the importance of starting small and layering in color gradually.
