With color, Weiss had to do a bit of negotiating. “She definitely pushed us out of our comfort zone,” Meegan says. While Benjamin Moore Simply White coats the majority of the walls, Weiss chose strategic spots for bold hues, including a credenza with royal blue panels in the family room, zingy yellow and green stripes on dining room chairs, and ochre upholstery for the living room sofa. “Lauren brought this bold, bohemian layer that we just love,” Meegan says. “And our yellow front door makes me smile each time I see it.” New built-ins flank the redesigned fireplace, where a vintage-look gas insert was installed. Some existing midcentury pieces, like the living room sofa, were reupholstered in brighter hues. A framed scarf hangs about the fireplace. Lauren embraced the family’s collection of mismatched dining chairs, freshening some with a striped fabric. Midcentury details are found throughout the home, including a cluster of pendants, each with a distinct shape. Herringbone wood flooring is made of reclaimed oak by California Wood Floors, Kevin’s company. Lauren put spirited wallcoverings to work, using them to add specific moods in several areas of the home. A pattern bursting with birds and cherries was chosen for a petite powder room, while a more subdued paper makes a calming statement in the primary bedroom. And a bright blue splatter design is a playful backdrop for the kids’ built-in homework and art station in the family room. In the sunroom, a framed textile brings in large-scale art at a fraction of what a piece of contemporary art might cost, while cherry red stools enliven the white kitchen. Lauren outfitted the lower-level family room with a desk for homework and a soft rug and floor pillows on the concrete floor for playtime. A console and cabinets provide storage that was lacking in the 1900s home. Bright yellow appears throughout the house, such as in Eames molded desk chairs. The powder room is a perfect spot to try a design element with big personality. With Josef Frank Paradiset wallpaper, “you really don’t need much else,” Lauren says. Both kids have definite ideas about their bedroom decor, Meegan says. She wanted to give each one what they love but stay aware that their tastes will likely change as quickly as they grow. Camille requested a big, fluffy rug where she can play with her dolls. Cian wanted his room to reflect a cosmic journey. “He is really into space,” Meegan says. A deep navy on the walls and ceiling mimic the night sky, and the red-orange accents suggest Mars. The primary bedroom is short on floor space but boasts 14-foot ceilings, and an extra-large paper lantern pendant helps visually drop down the ceiling. Lauren’s frequent advice on making decor choices: “Go big or go home. Lauren recommends trying wallpaper with a print or pattern that echoes the age of the house, like the Arts and Crafts-inspired paper seen here. Use it in small doses so it doesn’t feel like a film set. She has worked as a decor and home editor for Coastal Living, producing and styling content as well as art directing projects from start to finish. Liz is the founder of her eponymous company, Liz Strong Style, where she often collaborates with clients and publications, including Better Homes & Gardens, for editorial and advertorial features.
