By Candice Graham • Photos by Beacon Imagery
Mary Ghor focused on staying ahead of trends when designing her picture perfect home built by Dexter W. White Construction. “I like to incorporate what’s popular today – not two years ago. That way I can enjoy ‘now,’ and it will still feel current several years down the road,” she says. This philosophy led her to paint the brick exterior a fresh, versatile white. The home now has a clean-lined cottage feel, but could easily be transitioned to a new look tomorrow.
Throughout the interior, three colors take center stage: blue, green, and beige. Soothing and calm, the palette mirrors sweeping views of sky, trees, and clouds seen through the home’s large windows. In the living room, the shades appear in fresh potted plants and a delicate-hued Persian rug. Two gray satin couches with plush yellow and gold pillows give the space a luxe look, and a commanding charcoal fireplace offers a bold contrast to the adjacent light and airy kitchen. “I wanted a strong presence with a strong color. The idea was to balance masculine with feminine,” Mary explains. Ornate accessories like gold floating shelves and two tall floor lamps punctuate and polish the living room space.
In the home’s white kitchen, gold accents give the room warmth and pizazz and a patterned backsplash adds geometrical zing. A mix of marble and quartz countertops add extra texture, and buff gold pulls and faucet bring a current trend into the mix. “I wanted a touch of hip – something a little modern and different,” Mary says. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry provide ample pantry space. On the sink wall, glass-front cabinetry flanking a picture window displays eclectic dishware and baubles.
Knowing her family would seldom use a formal dining table, Mary turned the space into a music room. Now the showpiece is her daughter’s baby grand piano. Bright light streams into the room through large paneled windows, making it a cheery place to practice. Raised panel wainscoting adds elegance, and an intricate floor rug patterned after mosque ceiling tiles anchors the space.
In the master bedroom, an ethereal palette is accented by bright, feminine pops of color. Subtle, rose-cream walls blend with peaches and pinks in the Persian rug, and ample windows take advantage of panoramic views. “I like how it feels like a fifth-floor condo. All you see is the mountains,” Mary says. A dark wood four-poster bed frame offers a bold contrast to this soft backdrop, while velvet apricot-colored pillows and a chic candle chandelier give a touch of refinement.
Stylish and serene, the master bathroom couples streamlined surfaces with artful features. Gilt mirrors rest above shallow countertop sinks with brushed gold faucets. Black marble countertops, as well as a black marble backsplash designed by Mary herself, provide a backdrop for the glitz. Calacatta marble floor tiles add a modern edge, as does a standalone soaking tub and walk-in shower. Through a door in the bathroom, a walk-in closet outfitted with built-in drawers has a boutique feel.
In the back of the home, a screened-in porch continues the blue, green, and cream color scheme. “It’s like an outdoor living room,” Mary says. “In the mornings I sit here to catch up on emails, and in the evening we often watch the sunset.” Sink-in-your-seat furniture and an outdoor TV make it a great spot to unwind and spend time with friends and neighbors. A fiddle leaf fig and fern add a verdant touch, while a patterned rug and pillows inject the space with personality. In the fall, an electric fireplace provides a cozy spot to watch the colorful leaves and dancing fog. “It’s so pretty, how it moves and scatters,” explains Mary. “Every hour is different.”
