CREATIVITY AND COLOR ELEVATE A LIVELY HOME
“Don’t be afraid of weird.” It’s not a design request Amy Kartheiser hears often, but she immediately understood the assignment: go bold with color, pattern, art, and creative accessories that reflect the homeowners’ desire to make a statement. Call it dopamine design at its best.
![Serene living room adorned in calming shades of blue with arched windows, white walls, tall drapes, and striking statement furniture pieces.](https://amykartheiserdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shot_2_27-copy.jpg)
The Evanston home, originally built in the 1920s, already had a lot of personality. Inside arched doors and case openings add architectural interest; outside a large wooded lot, complete with a coach house, adds both natural beauty and privacy.
![Curated living room by Amy Kartheiser Design featuring white walls and an ornate mantle, complemented by contrasting burnt orange armchairs with colorful cushions and bold accent decor. A photograph above the mantle showcases a family swimming underwater.](https://amykartheiserdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shot_3_56-copy.jpg)
![colorfuldining Colorful interior design: Stunning dining area featuring a light blue ceiling complemented by a contemporary tiered chandelier adorned with gold gilded accents and crystals. The walls are adorned with a floral-patterned wallpaper against a beige background, serving as a backdrop for a simple yet elegant wooden dining set](https://amykartheiserdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shot_1_20-copy-711x1024.jpg)
The homeowners wanted to incorporate their existing, much-loved dining set into the design. “I didn’t know how it was going to work since it is much more mid-century than the rest of the home,” Kartheiser says. “But once we put in the wallpaper, that lacquered ceiling, and the chandelier, the juxtaposition just worked.”
![Vibrant and colorful powder room featuring a striking blue arched door and a maximalist floral wallpaper. The space is accentuated by a large round mirror, gold gilded hardware, hanging pendants, and a uniquely stained marble vanity top](https://amykartheiserdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shot_6_06-copy-727x1024.jpg)
In the show-stopping powder room, AKD added a custom arched door that mirrored those original to the house. “That marble top is gorgeous, and I love the wallpaper from House of Hackney,” Kartheiser says. “This room definitely goes with the theme — the bigger the better, the more the color the better … they were like ‘yes, yes, yes.’”
In the teal-toned office, custom millwork creates a bold backdrop for artwork, books, and personal treasures. Other living spaces reflect the homeowners’ love of music, reading, and creativity in general.
![A bedroom vignette by Amy Kartheiser Design featuring a deep red headboard complementing the neutral bedding and accent decor in the space](https://amykartheiserdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shot_10_19-copy-852x1024.jpg)
![](https://amykartheiserdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shot_9_16-copy.jpg)
In the primary bedroom’s seating area, AKD used color fearlessly. Custom furnishings, including a green sofa and blue chairs, sit in front of another teal moment with the custom bookshelves displaying the homeowners’ collection of pottery.
TEAM
General Contractor — Berliant Builders
Photography — Werner Straube Photography
Stylist — Darwin Fitz