Design Brief: Real Teal

Real Teal

Project: Vernonburg grandkids’ room Principal: Carolyn Hultman, Hultman Interiors

PART OF A HOME that dates back to 1847, this room is on what we call the garden fl oor. Today, it’s a playspace for the grandchildren, but before the redesign we actually dubbed it the “Stephen King room” because it was kind of spooky and only used for storage — the homeowners even had monogrammed towels in the bathroom that said “SK”!

Now that it’s bright and bohemian-chic, the grandkids love it. When they come to visit, they go right to that room: it accesses the yard, all their toys are in there, and there’s a small table and chairs for arts and crafts. They’re so cute in the way that they use the space. Sometimes, they’ll spend the night and sleep in the daybed, which I painted and then added burlap on each end.

Between two original fi replaces and lots of exposed brick and beams, this area was probably a kitchen at one time. The doors are original and timeworn, and we worked with that look by hiring a specialty painter to transform the walls and create a decorative sponge technique on the concrete fl oor. The end result is very eclectic, with fabulous art — the portrait just above the daybed is of one of the family’s favorite dogs. — As told to Sara Watson