Design Drama: How Vintage Color Helped ‘Melo’-drama Restore Her Mid-century Home
03/17/2020 | specs+spaces staff |
When vintage-loving stylist and photographer Krys Melo and her husband closed on their 1958 home in Palm Springs, Melo knew she had a lot of work to do to bring the home back to its Mid-century modern glory. Unique period architectural details like post-and-beam ceilings, a desert stone fireplace, skylights and walls of sliding glass doors felt lost under paint colors that made the home drab and dingy. The home, which was originally designed by iconic Southern California architect William Krisel, had been updated over the years and no longer fit the classic Mid-century modern look of its roots according to Melo.
For DIY maven Melo, the goal for the house was “to do a respectful renovation and restoration by bringing it back to its Mid-century roots by using both vintage and new materials." That restoration process began with the home’s paint colors. Melo used Dunn-Edwards White Picket Fence (DET648) — a Then, Now, & Forever Collection® color — to freshen up and brighten the interior spaces. The hue acted as a clean palette for her trademark vintage-inspired design that incorporates a lot of color. “We chose White Picket Fence because it was the only white that looked good in every room and every lighting situation,” Melo said. “It's also very reflective and bounces light from room to room.” Melo also loved the white hue because it felt incredibly "Palm Springs Mid-Mod."
Living Room Before
Living Room After.The home’s ceilings, walls, and trim all painted in White Picket Fence.
Melo’s meticulous adherence to Mid-century style extends from the clothing she wears, to the recipes she makes. Therefore, it's no surprise that — when Melo decided to implement authentic, Mid-century design into her home — she chose a a paint company that undertstands and honors Mid-century style, and values historic architecture and colors in general. “Many architects and builders at the time our 1958 house was built (including Krisel) used Dunn-Edwards paints in their homes,” Melo said. “It feels cool and authentic to be able to use the same brand and colors they were fans of.” In fact, Krisel contemporary, fellow Southern California architect Cliff May also worked extensively with Dunn-Edwards Paint colors, even creating his own color collection with Dunn-Edwards in the 1950s.
Bedroom Before
Bedroom After
Having moved from a rental, which was imbued with as much of Melo’s signature style stamp as possible, the new house offers her a space without limitations. Melo said, “I can elevate my style much more now that I own a place.” And there’s much more in store for the William Krisel-designed home. Melo plans to redo the kitchen, floors, bathrooms, exterior and more, all with the aim to bring the house back to a more era-appropriate look and feel.
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