A 1905 Queen Anne home in San Francisco has been transformed into a lively living space where each room wears a distinct color. The project, led by designer Emilie Munroe, architect Armour Architecture, and builder Peter Downey Construction, blends modern art with historical details through a carefully curated palette of greens, blues, and bold accents.
A Colorful Palette Refreshes Historical Details
The dining room’s natural wood wainscoting and built-in cabinets were painted to create a fresh, contemporary feel. Salmon-toned Holland Sherry wallpaper adorns the upper third of the walls, adding warmth to the space. “Painting the wood really opened up the room,” Munroe says, noting the shift from a “darker and more serious” atmosphere to one that feels energized and inviting.
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A Kitchen Centered on Flow and Function
The kitchen features a massive six-foot-wide island, ideal for family meals and gatherings. A cork wall serves as an evolving art gallery, with Munroe emphasizing its natural, age-friendly appeal. “Teenagers love them—they can drape twinkly lights from them,” she says. The layout ensures seamless movement, with a beverage fridge positioned to avoid congestion near the main entrance.
Munroe’s approach to design prioritizes client collaboration. Rather than presenting a preselected color board, she sources fabrics, wood samples, and finishes, allowing clients to curate their favorites. “It’s a very primal response that people have to color and pattern,” she explains, noting how this process results in a “nimble” and personalized space.
The living room, open to the kitchen, incorporates NanaWall accordion-style glass doors that connect the home to the backyard. In the primary bedroom, charcoal-painted window sashes frame views like art, while a darker ceiling adds depth to the curved areas. The primary bathroom uses vertical tile “wainscoting” to elongate walls, paired with crisp Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White for a sense of airiness.
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Each child’s room balances whimsy with maturity. The girl’s room features peacock blue and emerald green, with a papier-mâché chandelier from the family’s previous home.
While the project preserves the home’s architectural character, it introduces contemporary elements that enhance the family’s lifestyle. The living room’s “connecting colors”—greens and blues from adjacent rooms—create cohesion across the space. “Looking from one room to the next helps make the color palette feel grounded,” Munroe explains, a technique that ensures the home feels both unified and dynamic.
