Designer Scott Yetman daringly uses white to give a sense of space, highlight details, and illuminate an outmoded home.
“I never get caught up in trends. I just look for the best solution for an interior,” explains Scott Yetman when asked if white is still considered “in.” Believing that the combination of black and white never falls out of style, the designer employed this striking contrast and a refreshing palette to underscore the uniqueness of this home in need of change. “Everything in the house—the flooring, the stairs—was brown. The decor was drab and uninteresting.” However, the owners were attracted by the generous spaces of the traditional-style home. Yetman has given it character and a new life simply by adding solid areas of white interspersed with sections of wallpaper. “The sociable homeowners have a family that includes many children and grandchildren. The choice of white may seem odd, but the owner wanted a welcoming, airy interior. I therefore opted for easy-to-clean materials and high-end fabrics throughout the living areas.”
Yetman has created a light-filled, visually stunning contemporary space, punctuated by vivid colour accents. The tone is set as soon as one enters the home: the white stone flooring in the front hall is enhanced by strategically placed black stripes and the unexpected combination of emerald green and lilac. The designer opted for minimal furnishings to increase the impact. Though he maintained the solarium’s original architecture and tiled floor, the contemporary furniture is perfect for family time and offers a place for children to play. The kitchen was redesigned and expanded since the owners enjoy entertaining. Now boasting two islands, the space is both inviting and roomy. Strategically located at the back of the house, it opens onto an eating area with an oversized banquette where children or friends can relax as well as an adjacent home office featuring butterflies on the walls. The adjoining formal dining room presents a clever blend of styles that coalesce around a Georgian-style table.
The accessories and fabrics all reflect the owner's strong sense of style and fashion.
The decidedly modern living room is furnished with cozy curved couches in a colour scheme that allows the two sea-blue armchairs a chance to pop. The same principle is at work in the main bedroom and its sitting room, transformed into an oasis of comfort by the mere presence of dark blue pieces. Throughout the house, Yetman paid particular attention to the lighting, with fixtures that vary from dramatic to discreet, depending on the room. As he notes, “The accessories and fabrics all reflect the owner’s strong sense of style and fashion.”
Photos Drew Hadley
