It Started with Wallpaper: Look Inside This Reimagined Richmond Colonial
Designer Anne Pulliam transformed this Richmond house into a bold, color-filled forever home. Wait until you see the wallpaper! Image: Gordon Gregory
Anne Pulliam Interiors is known for bold, colorful interpretations of traditional design. So, when a childhood friend of Anne’s reached out about her Richmond home, that was exactly the vision the designer had in mind. This Colonial estate in the Windsor Farms neighborhood had a timeless feel but needed a more vibrant edge to reflect the homeowner’s modern taste. And wait until you see what inspired the aesthetic!
Rather than start from scratch, Anne and her client took inspiration for the new design from something already in the home — the dining room wallpaper. The classic Thibaut wallpaper in robin’s egg blue was more formal than the new homeowner would have chosen for the dining room, but the colors felt fun and inspiring. “We let this paper set the tone for the rest of the house,” says Anne. “The client loves bold design, and she was down to do a bunch of color!”
Plus, there was an element of serendipity: in her previous home, she had chairs covered in the same Thibaut fabric. It felt like a sign, so they decided to let the wallpaper colors guide the home’s palette, with art by local Richmond artists taking center stage.
Throughout the dining room, Anne created a juxtaposition of traditional and modern elements. The homeowner’s faux bois dining chairs were recovered in a striking geometric fabric with an eye towards practicality. Anne explains, “She already owned the chairs, but we recovered them and had the fabric vinylized. They have two young boys, and wanted the dining room to stand up to having friends and family over.”
A black sideboard adds drama (a bit of black is always a welcome surprise in a light, colorful space!), while stark white on the modern light fixture and Made Goods mirror creates a sense of unexpected levity.
The dark wood stain of the classic dining table, a holdover from the home’s previous owner, grounds the lighter pieces.
In the living room, Anne faced the challenge of a large yet long space. She needed something to pull the area together and create cozier conversation nooks, while keeping it cohesive.
A pink-and-white Quadrille wallpaper mural with a design full of horizontal movement was the answer. It envelops the space, while adding an artful backdrop to the more traditional pieces. The fun, bright color was drawn from the dining room wallpaper, connecting it to the larger palette. “We wanted to envelope the room in something dramatic and large-scale. This wallpaper is the perfect complement,” says Anne.
Because the homeowner was game for going bold, Anne continued to push the boundaries of color. From the Highland House sofa in a green performance Schumacher velvet to the benches in a Virginia Kraft fabric, and the rich pink pillows, color became central to the room. Artist Kiki Slaughter was commissioned to create the large abstract, pulling all the hues together. “The client had always admired work by Kiki Slaughter, and we had her create this awesome piece over the sofa in the colors of the space,” says Anne.
The large, custom coffee table was purposefully designed by Oyster Creek Collective to showcase the homeowner’s collection of objects and coffee table books, while also providing enough room to spread out appetizers when entertaining. In the custom window seat, adjustable cocktail tables were added to make the space feel almost like a hotel.
Petite blue chairs in front of the large windows were chosen for their architectural details and feminine profile, as well as for their light weight, making them easy to move during the holidays when the Christmas tree takes over this prime location. Above the chairs, old photographs of the homeowner’s grandparents bring a vintage touch to the modern wallpaper.
All of the custom millwork, including the white oak built-ins (perfect for keeping the kids’ toys out of sight), provides a sense of story and charm to the space. An antique mirror and Urban Electric sconces over the fireplace add a sophisticated meeting of old and new.
Between her husband and two sons, the homeowner is outnumbered by the male energy in her house (even the dog is male!), so she wanted to incorporate feminine elements wherever possible. The breakfast room got a pop of hot pink in the cowgirl art from Scout Design Studio, which also nods to her mother’s Texas roots.
A modern, sculptural light from Stray Dog keeps the space feeling bright and fresh, while the dark wood table provides a traditional element.
The mudroom was designed to be a truly multi-purpose space. “This was an empty room that served as a catch-all, but we wanted to make it functional for the entire family, including the dog,” Anne tells us. She and her team turned it into something both beautiful and practical with lockers for the children, a sleek built-in crate for the dog, and a desk for the homeowner.
It’s a place where everything can land, yet everything has a place. The best part? When guests come over, it can easily be closed off.
The porcelain tile floor gives a slate appearance and stands in sharp contrast to the white cabinetry and walls, which allow the whimsical artwork of Lindsay Cowles and Claire Hill to shine.
The slate-look porcelain continued into the powder room, which was renovated from top to bottom. A Kiki Slaughter wallpaper added bold, modern movement, while a retro utilitarian sink gave the room a practical feel that’s right at home with a busy family. Nickel gap paneling added the final, sweet vintage touch.
The bedroom design was inspired by a KK Harris textile, which was used as the foundation for the custom bed. “KK Harris designed the bed and used her own fabric to have it upholstered. This is a piece that was completely custom for the project,” says Anne.
The traditional fabric called for modern elements to add a fresh and unexpected look, while keeping the vibe relaxing and calm. Enter a cozy wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries, a modern carpet from STARK, and deep plum nightstands, which worked together to create the feel of a chic boutique hotel.
Anne explains that the goal of the home’s redesign was to keep things as livable as they were beautiful. “This is a space where the boys can bring in their cars and trucks,” she tells us. “We wanted to make sure nothing was too precious.”
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Heather Bien
A Virginia native and professional writer of over 10 years, Heather is passionate about home decor, cooking and entertaining, travel, ballet, and coffee. You can find more of Heather's work in Southern Living, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Apartment Therapy, and Virginia Living.