Using rich textures and dramatic contrasts, designer Tamara Magel creates a glamorous and relaxed space for a busy family of four.
For
interior designer Tamara Magel, opening a second office in the
Hamptons was a game changer. Having spent the better part of a decade
outfitting some of the most prestigious residences in New York City and
D.C., the transition to the country required a shift not just in her
aesthetic, but her entire approach. "When I design in New York, it's all
about utilizing the space and making everything multifunctional," says
Magel. "It's the complete opposite with a house. It's all about
expanding instead of bringing in."
This
was the guiding philosophy with her latest project, a family home in
Scarsdale, New York. The clients, a young couple with two children,
approached Magel with a seemingly conflicting task: to design a home
that was fashion-forward, yet kid-friendly. Over the course of a year,
and thanks to the clever and edited use of textures and contrasts, she
crafted a space that achieves the perfect balance of both.
When you leave the city, you want to be comfortable, and let your home nurture you.
Since
she was brought on to the project in the early stages, Magel was able
to rework the interior walls, build a custom kitchen, and select all the
hardware, finishes and paint, laying the foundation for her design. She
skipped window treatments, opting instead to paint all the windows
black for an unfussy yet polished look. A palette of charcoals and cream
was used throughout to create a sense of drama and sophistication,
while providing a very livable environment for the family.
Magel
added brass accents for a dose of glamour, and layered in texture in
the form of luxe furs, chunky knits, bleached woods and cozy shearling.
"I look at my interiors more in terms of fashion," muses the designer.
But the use of plush textures goes beyond its fashionable appeal to
something simpler: comfort. "Coming to the Hamptons changed that for
me," she says. "When you leave the city, you want to be comfortable, and
let your home nurture you."
Take a tour of this cozy-chic home below.
In
the great room, a charcoal sectional from Restoration Hardware
accommodates the wear and tear of family life. A custom tufted ottoman
was upholstered in a faux leather from Holly Hunt to provide easy
cleanup for spills.
Ditching upper cabinets in the kitchen lets this custom black hood demand all the attention in this high-contrast kitchen.
Magel
designed a custom built-in to display the family's entertaining ware.
Chicken wire adds a rustic element, balanced by the sleek brass and
leather Apparatus chandelier and leather banquette in the breakfast
nook.
For
the designer, flat surfaces in dining rooms provide the perfect
opportunity to introduce texture- in this case: shearling dining chairs,
grasscloth wallpaper and a plaster painting by Peter Buchman. "When you
walk in the room, the texture makes it immediately interesting."
A white linen sofa was appropriate for the more subdued, grownup living room at the front of the house.
A
photograph by Bert Stern adds a pop of color and a feminine touch to
the master bedroom. "Upstairs, you can be more playful," says Magel.
"Clients are more open to doing things they typically don't do."
The master bath, Magel's favorite room in the house, features a sexy combination of marble and brass.
Cavern
Home's graphic "Tapestry" wallpaper is a playful choice that the
clients (and their 4 year-old son) won't tire of after a couple years.
Magel
painted the ceiling in the great room and powder room with Benjamin
Moore's "Raccoon Fur" to ground the design and play off the rooms'
dramatic contrasts.