Interior designer Taylor Johnson loves the Des Moines neighborhood South-of-Grand so much, she named her business after it. “The winding roads are enveloped in mature trees, so as you drive through the neighborhood, it’s like the homes reveal themselves to you,” she tells us. “There are so many new developments popping up in the surrounding areas, but my heart lies in the older neighborhoods of this city.”
She says it’s here that her client, “a chic and intelligent businesswoman, shares a home with her adorable dog Tootsie.” Taylor was brought on for a complete remodel of the top level. “This space started as two bedrooms, which we transformed into an open, loft-style primary suite,” she explains. “We designed the full scope—from the layout to the finishes, furnishings, art, and accessories.”
The client wanted something unique, textured, and colorful that hinted at the mod era of the home—and the original beams had to stay. When you first walk upstairs, you’re greeted by large new windows and a cozy green lounge chair. “This area brings in tons of natural light and is the center of the space,” Taylor explains. “To the left is the large custom closet, which incorporates the warm, dark stain of the beams. The arched mirror across from the built-ins adds softness to an area that feels very squared-off because of all the drawers and cabinets.”
Curves continue throughout, with a standout feature being the rounded end caps on the pony walls that divide the closet from the bathroom. “In order to add plumbing to this floor, we had to build up the bathroom area and include a step-up, so the open transition felt more natural and allowed the spaces to flow together and feel more spacious,” the designer explains. “Inside this bathroom, we were very strategic with the layout to ensure the vanity was centered on the entry, and the rest fell into place.”
The shower features three different tiles, resulting in a modern color-blocking effect. “The pink walls were the perfect ground color for the milk glass vanity light and continued throughout the entire floor,” Taylor says.
Moving into the bedroom, a curved brown headboard and monochromatic bedding ground the extra-large artwork above the bed. “Her brother runs Moberg Gallery here in Des Moines, so her home was already filled with great original art,” Taylor explains. “She wanted to build on that to highlight the height of the wall above her bed.” The mushroom bedside lamps echo the brick color of the shower archway and contrast with the dusty blue bedding.
The project took about eight months due to some delays and the fact that the client lived in the home throughout the renovation. “I do remember she loved seeing the 3D model and renderings of the design proposal because it was so hard for her to envision what that space could even become based on where it started,” Taylor says. Take a look at the final transformation in the slideshow.
