NEW TRAD TIP
Stay Neutral
c
an a century-old home look contemporary without losing its soul? To answer that question, consider the light-filled rooms of the 1904 Craftsman home recently updated by Suzie and David Lucas, the sister-and-brother team behind Seattle-based Lucas Design Associates, who possess that rare knack of making outdated interiors feel new. Their trick? Take the best of vintage architecture—oversize windows, high ceilings, and intricate millwork—and infuse it with custom finishes, eclectic furnishings, and fresh textiles. The homeowner already had endured a few design escapades during her 25-year residence, including a 1990s episode involving green William Morris wallpaper, festooned with maroon grapes, in her front hall and large floral window coverings in her family room. It was a look she readily describes as “a tomb”—and an aesthetic she was eager to move past. When the Lucases first visited, they were struck by the lack of vivacity in the house, located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill (a neighborhood that’s itself a sometimes clumsy mix of historic architecture and trendy concepts). But they had hope. “Our client obviously loves beautiful art and objects,” David Lucas recalls, “and she’s open to new ideas.” »
A cacophony of colors is standard fare in traditional décor. If you’re striving to hit a modern note, we suggest a chord of neutral tones, starting with this cream-colored shagreen coffee table.
Shelby Coffee Table by Gabby, price on request at Hunt & Gather, Portland, huntgather.com.
GRAY ISSUE No. TWENTY-THREE
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