Good Vibrations
We just had to throw a party in this beautifully designed interior by Alisha Gwen
Although most would call this space a “butler’s pantry,” this cheerful space is referred to as the “iced-tea nook” due to the clients’ devotion to this thirst-quenching brew. Adding an ice maker and beverage fridge seemed obvious. The tiles made by the kids of the house bring a special life to the space
Alisha Gwen Interior Design is just over five years old. Across over 20 projects a year, Gwen and her two employees help clients make crisp, clean choices for whole-house renovations, including furnishings and décor, as well as a number of kitchen and bath remodels.
Here’s a recipe for a beautiful interior: Combine a family new to Pittsburgh with a solid-as-a-rock foursquare house in an urban neighborhood, and blend liberally with the measured exuberance of interior designer Alisha Gwen. The results are family-friendly, great for entertaining, and fresh as a spring day.
The owners didn’t bring a lot of furniture with them, so Gwen started with a fresh slate. “My main objective was to maximize each space’s functionality for this busy family while still making sure the spaces were both welcoming to guests and comfortable for everyday life,” she recalls. Dark woodwork and drab colors were the first thing to go, brightened up mostly with a coat of white paint and a few amazing wallpapers.
The heart of the house beats in three interconnected rooms: kitchen, butler’s pantry, and dining room. “This family is full of personality and energy,” Gwen says with a smile, explaining the happy vibe she created for them. “The colors of the dining room were an extension of the light blue kitchen. I wanted to introduce another color in the dining room, but still have the spaces flow together harmoniously. After we discovered the dining room drapery fabric, we knew that color would be green. For the butler’s pantry between the kitchen and dining room we wanted an unexpected pop of color between the two spaces.”
“Because we had a whole house to furnish, completely gutting the kitchen was not in our budget,” Gwen explains. “We updated the space with a fresh color on the existing cabinets, a bold tile floor, new fixtures, and appliances. I like to call this a good, old-fashioned ‘kitchen facelift’.”
The homeowners are part of Pittsburgh’s sports community, and the revised kitchen is frequently the scene of some fairly intense party-prep for donor events, team get-togethers, and recruiting receptions. Gwen made sure all of that could unfold comfortably in the house with furnishings that are comfortable for all shapes and sizes, and fabrics and finishes that survive the inevitable spills from food and drinks.
It was perhaps inevitable that the family’s hospitable nature and Gwen’s welcoming design instilled in us a bit of party spirit. Our photo shoot became an indulgent sharing of desserts, and the logic of Gwen’s choices became even clearer. The layered patterns and the sequence of happy colors seemed to encourage us to enjoy ourselves. And we did.
The beauty of this American foursquare home comes alive thanks to the fresh look it was given by Alisha Gwen Interior Design. She brought a unique blend of new, vintage, traditional and modern these rooms.
Alisha Gwen’s colors and finishes inspire happy living. Placemats and napkins at KimSeybert.com. Green and blue plates by Richard Ginori at Glassworks on Walnut Street. Macarons by Gaby et Jules. Cakes and cupcakes from Giant Eagle.
Story by Keith Recker // Photography by Dave Bryce // Interior design by Alicia Gwen Interior Design // Styling by Alisha Gwen and Keith Recker
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