Every home designed has a unique personality. Some interiors are bold and brazen with saturated paint colors and graphic patterns in wallpapers, tiles, and fabrics. Others are traditional and romantic, filled with millwork details, ambient lighting, and charming nooks for dining, reading, or relaxing. With personalities as varied as the people who inhabit them, due diligence in planning makes all the difference in defining each home’s character. A home’s personality is communicated visually, but it is also felt and experienced by its occupants. Details matter, which is why clients’ needs, wants, wishes, and points of inspiration are always top of mind in every design decision.
The clients in this particular home were in the early stages of building a custom home when I first met with them. They made the decision to build because they were looking forward to right-sizing their home accordingly for the two of them and their adorable little dog.
The couple hosts family gatherings, so they needed seating for a minimum of 10 to 12 people. To maximize seating, knee space was designed on two sides of the island to accommodate six counter stools. Additionally, a rectangular dining table was specified to seat up to eight people, allowing for a total of 14 guests during holidays and dinner parties. In the great room, upholstered benches flanking the fireplace were chosen instead of built-in cabinetry. These benches can be moved into the seating area when the couple is entertaining, providing seating for up to eleven on an everyday basis in the space.
The couple requested a neutral and warm palette; they wanted black and white only—no color. White quartz countertops with gold veining were specified in the kitchen, along with a creamy natural wall color, Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, throughout their social spaces. Cozy boucle and teddy bear fabrics were incorporated into the custom furnishings to amplify the design element of texture, while a light wood stain was selected for their cabinets and flooring. The lighter finishes contrast with broad brushstrokes of Sherwin Williams Caviar Black for their interior doors, shiplap accent walls, and the linear three-dimensional tile on their great room fireplace. A streamlined look was a priority for the couple, leading to a minimalist design approach that emphasized clean lines, tactile textures, and repetition of materials to create unity and harmony throughout the interior spaces. The finishes in the elevator, pantry, and laundry room reflect this intentional visual consistency. The earth tones and repetition of materials create a calming environment, mirroring the warmth and quiet confidence of the couple themselves.
This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Omaha Home Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
