As a Seattle-based designer, Amy Vroom lives in a city where a large percentage of its residents are looking for a neutral home. “It’s a seemingly safe design choice,” she admits. “As someone who uses a lot of color and patterns, I tend to attract clients who want to challenge the norm, take a few risks and get excited about feeling slightly uncomfortable.”
In her own home, she got to take it a step further. “Our house is a Midcentury home, built in 1948, located in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle,” Amy explains. “The neighborhood is filled with tree-lined streets, historic homes, and great shops and restaurants. We won the neighbor jackpot when we moved in, so we feel lucky to be surrounded by such great people.”
Amy and her husband have owned the home since 2012. “It was in pretty good shape,” she recalls, “but it didn’t match our style. The walls were a sea of beige and the kitchen was dated with espresso cabinets, a glass-tiled backsplash and a difficult-to-access pantry. The millwork and the fireplace were far too ornate for a Midcentury home.”
They made some cosmetic changes—new paint and swapping out light fixtures—to hold them over until they could embark on a major renovation. Then, after a lot of patience, it was time to transform the home into a place that felt authentically theirs. She lists off the major tasks: “The kitchen was completely gutted; the fireplace wall was redesigned to include a gas insert; and the hardwood floors were refinished (or added where there was carpet) throughout the house. We did structural work to eliminate an awkward pantry and removed a window which allowed for wall-to-wall cabinetry and an integrated fridge. A built-in bar and beverage tap that includes hot, cold and sparkling water was added. We replaced a French door with a sliding door to the back deck which works better for that narrow space. All the millwork was also switched out with a squared edge molding more appropriate for the style of the home.”
Of course, this came with a lot of fun decisions too—and the interiors are eclectic, colorful, and soulful. In the kitchen, a bold quartzite countertop brings color and movement to the otherwise dark and moody space. The living room features vintage chairs—purchased by Amy long before she knew she’d use them in her own home—and striking artwork. And in her office, it’s as if The Residency Bureau, her design firm, has quite literally come to life, with wallpaper, texture, and brass details. Room to room, you can see details that celebrate the couple’s shared aesthetic alongside thoughtful details—like plenty of spots for pup Nutella to nap.
When asked what the biggest renovation challenge was, Amy has a surprising answer. “Myself! I found it paralyzing at times when I had to commit and make a final selection,” she recalls. “With a client, I can confidently make selections and recommendations and not second guess it. It’s a different story when it’s your own house! I obviously wanted the design to reflect our style and taste, but it’s also a reflection of what I do professionally so I wanted to make it the best it could possibly be. In addition, I wanted to design some things I could showcase that might not be comfortable for some clients, like dramatic countertops, black rooms and cabinets, bold wallpaper.”
The end result is decidedly anything but neutral. Take a tour (with tons of designer details) in the slideshow.
