Located in the village of Irvington, New York, is a quaint 1930s family home filled with bags of country charm. Lovingly redesigned yet still sympathetic to its historic status, the designers incorporated as many vintage touches as possible, from whimsical floral wallpapers to antique lighting. The result is a colonial-style home that perfectly balances the past with the present.
Designed by the interior design studio White Arrow, the Irvington property teaches us a lesson in many things, from seamless storage to balancing the old with the new; it's not hard to pinpoint its many virtues. However, its ultra-chic color palette and heritage prints are what truly bring this home to life.
A home that nails the modern farmhouse style, the Irvington property is classically inspired yet liveable and cozy, and perfectly exhibits the power of color and its ability to revive, inspire, and comfort.
With its quaint blue seating area and rustic tiled floor, the mudroom welcomes visitors, providing them with their first glimpse of the home's charming color palette.
Acknowledging the best blue paints, the designers opted for a heritage-inspired blue that falls somewhere between a navy and denim. Framing the space, the shade provides interest without dominating, making a simple storage bench and window feel like a stylish statement. Balanced with touches of white and disty pattern, it's an area anyone would be happy to linger in.
A blue that falls somewhere between indigo and denim, Stiffkey Blue is an uplifting, heritage shade that brings life to the Irvington home's mudroom.
Channelling transitional design principles, the studio brought the dining room to life by fusing new touches with the old. The antique dining table and vintage-inspired dining chairs bring an aged feel that aligns with the building's history. The charming floral wallpaper enhances the vintage-inspired look, but is balanced by the refreshing blue paint color used on the window and door frames.
A sympathetic choice that provides depth and coziness without dominating, the room is a refreshing take on country decorating ideas. The classic vintage pieces and whimsical print are balanced by the soothing blue that accentuates the period architecture.
The wallpaper used in the dining room adds drama, but despite the deep hues to space doesn't feel dark. The pink accents and gentle floral print give a whimsical feel to the space.
Keren Richter, co-founder of White Arrow explains, 'I love the immersive feel of the dining room with its original built-in cabinetry, the new immersive scenic wallpaper, statement pendant light, and antique farmhouse table. The room is right off the kitchen, and you see into it when you enter the home from the entry.'
Taking inspiration from traditional dining room ideas, the designers balanced its period features with contemporary touches, straying far from fusty or old-fashioned. The unique blue contrasts with the dark wood accents and breathes new life into the space. The luxurious pendant light provides ambience, bringing elegance and delicacy that balances the dark colors.
The entryway is seemingly simple but is in fact filled with elegant, bespoke touches. Donning a classic white paint color, the space is refreshingly soothing, the perfect in-between space that's modern yet classic.
Many period features make up the area, from the wood parquet flooring to the quaint round window and curved bannister, the designers have allowed the architecture to shine. A textured jute runner adorns the stairs, providing the perfect contrast against the smooth floor and white walls. The antique pendant light and console are sympathetic to early 20th-century architecture, giving the space a vintage charm.
The living room has been decorated with blue and white, a heritage-inspired pairing that almost always radiates sophistication and timelessness.
Referring to the transitional style of the home, Keren says, 'The home features an eclectic variety of bespoke, vintage, and contemporary pieces, a mix of mid-century Swedish antiques alongside American Shaker furniture, and an eclectic range of exuberant British and Scandinavian textiles.'
The living room showcases this mixture, featuring an array of patterns from the armchairs to the cushions. These pops of print give the room a whimsical nature that's balanced with the more refined velvet.
A farmhouse kitchen that's refreshingly bright and airy, the space radiates tranquility. With clever built-in cabinetry and sturdy surfaces, the kitchen is a lesson in combining style with endurance.
'Our client has three young children, and throughout the project, we considered how to balance sophistication alongside functionality, explains Keren. There’s ample storage, durable fabrics, and a lovely, collected mix of new and vintage allows the home to feel layered, colorful, and comfortable.'
The arabescato marble counteracts the white kitchen, providing an alternate texture and pattern (and of course, a touch of luxury).
The perfect off-white, White Arrow selected this sophisticated shade to grace the cabinets and walls of the kitchen, entryway, and living room.
Situated in the corner of the kitchen is the elegant breakfast nook, perfect for the family to start their day in. A space that once again balances old and new, the designers have incorporated rustic furniture and heritage print to give it some charm and a country edge.
The rattan blinds allow light to filter through and enhance the rusticity of the space. Attached to the kitchen, the breakfast nook feels aligned in both style and substance, with its built-in window seat, it's a practical yet deeply stylish space.
The bedroom is an unexpected addition to the home. Decorated in a deep pink, the palette is deeply moody and enriches the space with warmth, inviting you to enter. Keren describes the room as one of her highlights: 'The cozy monochromatic primary bedroom, featuring richly painted Farrow and Ball walls, complemented by bedding, lampshades, and a burgundy painted Shaker dresser.'
Despite feeling one-of-a-kind in style and palette, the bedroom features familiar touches, such as the vintage floral bedding and the Scandinavian style geometric rug, which balance the heaviness of the rose paint.
A muted rose tone with plenty of warmth, sulking room pink is a classic shade that radiates elegance and comfort. It's so fitting for a bedroom.
The powder room has a familiar heritage feel that we've seen throughout the home. It's a refreshing take on vintage design. With the whimsical, ditsy wallpaper and the brass accents, it's the perfect ode to all things historic, yet still feels uplifting and welcoming. The marble pedestal sink adds to its grandeur and enhances its luxury, balanced by the aged tap and antique 1950s mirror.
This wallpaper is busy print that works perfectly in a smaller space like a powder room.
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Made of delicately folded paper and glass, this one-of-a-kind pendant undoubtedly makes a statement. You can see a similar style in the dining room of the Irvington home, both designed by Sabrina Landini.
The dining room features an array of classic china, much like this chic white ceramic vase from Astier De Villatte. Fill it with flowers and place it at the center of a rustic wood table for a charming arrangement.
Rustic wood is a common material used throughout the home. This quaint stool is smoothly finished and would make the perfect addition to a bathroom or your living room seating set-up.
Vintage textiles such as gingham and plaid are used throughout the Irvington home, particularly in the living room. This charming pillow will help you encompass the farmhouse style and uplift any piece you place it on.
This vintage curved mirror feels similar to the one seen in the powder room. It's simple but so elegant and will give any wall sophistication and grandeur, without dominating.
You'll notice plenty of woven rugs in the Irvington home, much like this flat-woven indigo style, which has parallels to the style in the hallway. It's a classic design that's rustic and cozy, perfect for recreating the farmhouse style.
This project proves that color and print can entirely transform a home, and even when a bold palette is used, it can still feel soft and livable. Each room feels unique yet still connected to the overall design, all featuring a mix of old and new decor and furniture. The vintage-inspired, heritage prints and sophisticated paint shades bring a sense of charm and comfort, giving the historic home a refreshing and revitalized status.
