Modern touches are all the rage these days, and Violet Marsh Interiors’ eye aligned with a client’s desire for a colorful, meaningful and midcentury modern moment.

The dining room table is a custom piece made of walnut atop a nickel base from Julian Chichester. Photographed By Tayna Lacourse

THE CLIENT

For Violet Marsh Interiors’ Tanya Lacourse, working with this bachelor with a tech history and a love for color, this Morningside project would prove to be a labor of love. Much of what drove the vision was a love for objects that come with a story and the design sensibilities of yesteryear. Thus, they would center the renovation’s narrative on what spoke to the client. Says Lacourse, “[He is] Nostalgic. He loves collecting— records, arcade games, pinball machines, old video consoles and games. He loves to cook… and is originally from New York. He bought this house because it reminded him of Greece.” After residing in a traditional home prior to this change, he had done the traditional look, and now it was time to have fun with his abode. Additionally, he loves hosting, so with a house decidedly a party house, it was time to make the interiors reach the already evident potential.

in contrast, the family room pictured here features a walnut veneer coffee table to tie in with the neutral kitchen.

The designer curated color saturation in the living room via decor pieces and furnishings like the custom coffee table made in a bright yellow

THE PRIORITY

With an affinity for minimal fuss and ornamentation, it was only natural that Tanya Lacourse’s client would opt for a midcentury modern lean combined with his love for color. He clearly articulated the atmosphere he was looking for, so it was a matter of making that vision come to life. The client chimes, “The inspiration for my home was driven by the nostalgia I was hit with when I realized how quickly physical items and activities had disappeared from my life—corded phones, radios, record stores, books,” says the homeowner. “From a design perspective, it was easy to attach the midcentury feeling as when these were a part of everyday life, and effort was put into how these items looked because they were real, not just 1s and 0s.” In addition to maintaining a sense of substance throughout the home, Lacourse would bend the midcentury modern look into a functional home that evoked a sense of place.

THE CHALLENGE

The decision was made to stick to white walls, so the team worked with a blank canvas. While that is all fun and games, the most challenging option was to narrow down all of the unique possibilities they could accomplish. How do they bring back the era of tactility, in a world saturated in technological advances?

THE DETAILS

Details are scattered in every corner of the home. Upon entry, you are greeted with the geometric scribbles wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries paired with a teal blue lacquer dresser and red gesso mirror. Already, there is the practice of layering through material and color. The client and Lacourse played with color in contrasting ways. In the living room, hues were implemented through furnishings, so the wall might remain white for the gallery effect and fluidity as you move through the home. Another pop of color comes through a cheerful yellow coffee table contrasted with a walnut veneer coffee table nestled closer to the kitchen. Another standout rests in the dining room. A custom walnut table boasts a nickel base as an ode to the tulip table. Every detail comes together to complete a colorful midcentury modern design.

THE OUTCOME

This vibrant home takes you back to the authenticity of the ’50s and ’60s nostalgia, a time when things were just a little simpler. Nonetheless, Tanya Lecourse worked diligently with her client to bring his discerning vision into every inch of this Morningside gem. Color invites and vintage decisions tell a story, and yet another house became a home through the passion for making beautiful spaces.

The home’s entryway features Phillip Jeffries wallpaper titled “Scribbles,” a Jonathan Adler teal dresser, and a red mirror by Julian Chichester hanging above.

The family room features a chair and sofa by Rove Concepts (which the client already owned) styled with Mod Shop media console and pillows by Room & Board, all atop a Johnathan Adler rug.

The living room features Design Within Reach chairs, Julian Chichester red side tables and art sourced from Thomas Dean Fine Arts.

The outdoor pool patio features loungers reupholstered in fabric from Perennials.

The open concept moves into the kitchen which features bar seating from Design Within Reach.

The primary bedroom features Bernhardt night stands, Blueprint wall scones and bedding by The Citizenry.

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE
Single-family home

LOCATION
Morningside

INTERIOR DESIGN
Tanya Lacourse, Violet Marsh Interiors
violetmarsh.com

RESOURCES

BRADLEY
Family room custom coffee table
bradleyusa.com

BERNHARDT Nightstands
bernhardt.com

BLUE PRINT LIGHTING
Wall sconces
blueprintlighting.com

DESIGN WITHIN REACH
Living room accent chairs
dwr.com

FOUR HANDS
Dining room chairs
fourhands.com

J.AARON CUSTOM WOOD COUNTERTOPS
Dining room table
jaaronwoodcountertops.com

JULIAN CHICHESTER
Dining room table base, entryway mirror, living room side tables
julianchichester.com

JONATHON ADLER
Entryway dresser, family room rug
jonathanadler.com

PHILLIP JEFFRIES
Entryway wallpaper
phillipjeffries.com

STARK CARPET
Dining room and primary bedroom carpet
starkcarpet.com

THE CITIZENRY
Bedding and Lumbar pillows
the-citizenry.com

THOMAS DEANS FINE ART
Living room art
thomasdeansfineart.com