Before Barbara moved into her new condo, she knew the interior needed a major makeover before it felt like home. The space had great bones, but it just didn’t fit with her style. “I am a very visual person. As soon as I stepped into the condo, I started to picture what I wanted it to look like,” says Barbara.
The first element of her vision was the color palette. “I dreamt of mixing shades of pink with black. Those colors felt dramatic and fun, which is exactly what I wanted for the space. They became the starting point for the rest of the design,” she adds.
To turn her dream into reality, she teamed up with Carol Temple of Pizzaz 2 Interiors. “We left no corner untouched with this renovation and added Barbara’s one-of-a-kind style to every inch of the condo,” says Carol.
One of the first and most important parts of the renovation was painting all of the woodwork, doors and shutters black. This intentional design choice highlights the classic architecture and adds undeniable character to each room. “The black trim and doors pop against the white walls and add such depth to the space,” mentions Carol.
Black anchors the design throughout the condo, found in every room whether in a metal coffee table, striped lamp or cheetah print chair. The hallway is also lined with a dramatic black-and-white wallpaper that makes a statement with its striking pattern. The ceilings are painted a soft blush, giving contrast to the darker hues and a subtle nod to Barbara’s favorite color. By keeping the foundational elements of the design bold yet neutral, the perfect backdrop for colorful accents was created.
Vibrant pops of color punctuate each room through custom artwork, playful fabrics and unique accessories. Pink serves as another focal point, also making an appearance in nearly every room, from blush velvet stools to a hot pink buffet. “While pink and black were the colors we really wanted to highlight, we pulled out other bright colors from the homeowner’s incredible art collection,” says Carol.
The lively and feminine colors found in Barbara’s unique collection of art, most by female artists, bring even more personality to the space. Greens found in chair fabrics and a lime green bench at the foot of the bed, vibrant yellow pillows and throws, and other colorful accessories tie the design together. Each piece feels expertly chosen and placed, but cohesive enough to fit in any room. “I wanted the items in my home to feel unique but go together enough where I could mix and match. You can easily move a pillow from the living room to the bedroom and it will still look great,” says Barbara.
Adding another unexpected pop of personality is the hall closet turned champagne closet. “When you first walked into the condo, there were so many black doors and it just wasn’t welcoming,” Barbara mentions. “And there was a hall closet that didn’t serve a purpose. We decided to turn it into something a little more fun,” she laughs.
The solid black doors were replaced with sleek glass panels, allowing the closet’s contents to be fully on display. Wallpaper lines the interior and custom shelving was built to hold Barbara’s impressive champagne collection. This closet overhaul added functionality and a conversation-worthy focal point to the main entryway.
From dark trim to pretty pink ceilings, the power of color truly transformed this space. The final product of this dramatic renovation captured the spirit of the project’s initial vision and now feels “effortlessly stylish, full of life and very Barbara,” says Carol.
