A Grown-Up Way to Do Pastels

HGTV Magazine visited a California family whose home is infused with a sophisticated take on sweet colors.
By: Kathleen Renda and Jennifer Berno DeCleene
pastel breakfast area

Teal and Purple Breakfast Area

In the breakfast area, a half-circle bench, upholstered in thistle-purple cotton, is paired with bamboo and resin bistro chairs in teal.

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

In the breakfast area, a half-circle bench, upholstered in thistle-purple cotton, is paired with bamboo and resin bistro chairs in teal.

Michelle and Jeff Bader didn’t plan on decorating their Sherman Oaks, CA, house in a palette of confectionery colors. As their hillside home was being built three years ago, Jeff envisioned pristine neutral-white rooms, while Michelle was gravitating toward rich burgundies and grays. But after teaming with designer Alison Kandler, they found themselves embracing happier hues, like purple, teal, lemon, and turquoise. “I was pregnant with the twins at the time, and it hit me that I wanted fun, kid-friendly colors,” says Michelle.

family photo

Jeff and Michelle Bader with their two kids

Jeff and Michelle with 2 1/2-year-old twins Asher, left, and Rosie

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Jeff and Michelle with 2 1/2-year-old twins Asher, left, and Rosie

To prevent the interiors from veering toward the sugary, the couple stuck to classic furniture and lots of white on the walls (Whisper by Dunn-Edwards). Repeated prints with a Marrakech vibe—a shout-out to Michelle’s Moroccan heritage—help the rooms feel connected. “We were surprised at how the house ended up,” admits Michelle. “But you can’t argue with the awesome results.”

Living Room
The California-casual living room is anchored by a plum-color sofa upholstered in pre-rumpled linen and a 5-foot-by-5-foot alder wood coffee table with plenty of space for games and crafting. Adding pops of graphic pattern: a Suzani-print-inspired love seat, a skirted side chair, and heaps of pillows in eggplant and aquamarine. The tough-wearing jute rug hides dirt and echoes the neutral color of the F. Schumacher linen drapes.

cottage living room

Living Room With Lots of Pattern and Pastel

This open living room has lots of pattern and soft colors as well as multiple french door

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Kitchen
Michelle serves help-yourself meals and party buffets on the 8-foot-by-4 1/2-foot island. Its vivid teal was “a little more Day-Glo than we anticipated,” she says. “But it’s amazing with the purple-tinged Moroccan tile on the backsplash.” Along with a dishwasher, a sink, and trash and recycling bins, the island includes roomy cabinets for stashing smaller appliances, like a slow cooker. The counter stools are from Restoration Hardware, the pendant is Italian milk glass, and the counters are cream-color Caesarstone quartz.

cottage style kitchen with island

Updated Cottage Kitchen With Pastels

A large cottage-style kitchen uses pastels successfully

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

I love the open layout. If I’m at the kitchen island, all the action in the living room is right there in front of me.
Michelle Bader

Dining Room
In the windowless dining room, a grape-color blown-glass chandelier from Horchow and a built-in wall of cabinets with mirrors help bounce light around. The glass-front cabinets are backed with Sister Parish wallpaper to showcase white serving ware. The cane-back chairs and round pedestal table are by Grange, and the graphic tablecloth is from Roberta Roller Rabbit.

contemporary dining room

Contemporary Dining Room With Purple Chandelier

This modern dining area features built-in cabinets with wallpaper backs

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Exterior
Jeff, who grew up near Boston, helped choose the bluestone patio tiles—they reminded him of the walkways around saltbox houses in Cape Cod. The turquoise Dutch door (Bahaman Sea Blue by Benjamin Moore) and ceramic planter hint at the upbeat colors to come. The white Adirondack chairs are from World Market.

Laundry Room
Sorting, washing, and folding is less of a chore in a laundry room energized with mustard yellow English ceramic tiles and hand-printed Pierre Frey wallpaper. Snowy white cabinets and simple white Caesarstone counters make a nice, crisp contrast.

young twin kids room

Young Twins Kids Room

Twins share a room with pastels and matching dribs

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Twins’ Bedroom
A checkerboard floor—painted Aspen Hush and Ash Gray, both by Dunn-Edwards—sets a playful tone in Asher and Rosie’s bedroom. The twins sleep side by side in matching cribs from The Land of Nod because “I bunked with my twin sister growing up, and Jeff shared his childhood bedroom with his younger brother,” Michelle says. Popped into simple frames, 1940s school charts morph into colorful artwork. The side chair is upholstered in Clarence House fabric printed with playful animals.

Bathroom
Worried that the pink, burgundy, and purple ceramic tiles accenting the master bathroom might seem too girly, Michelle chose an Arteriors chandelier crafted from 52 vintage soda bottles. “It instantly gave the space a more his-and-hers feel,” she says. Cubbies and ledges surrounding the built-in tub keep towels and bubble bath at the ready when Michelle finds time for a soak.

white and pastel master bathroom

Master Bathroom

An art deco look with pops of purple and pink are in this master bathroom with a tub and storage

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

I love the practicality of a surround tub, with all the storage around it.
Michelle Bader

Guest Bedroom
From the window seat upholstered in Osborne & Little fuchsia cotton to the cottagey painted floor, this bedroom puts a fresh spin on pink and purple. The distressed-wood crate, with Boston rubber shoe company stamped inside, is a swap-meet score—and a convenient spot for extra blankets. The bedding is from Bloomingdale’s, the floral shams are from Osborne & Little, and the purple-and-white sham is from Roberta Roller Rabbit. Above the bed, a framed vintage hooked rug depicting a house under the stars is hung as artwork.

purple cottage guest bedroom

Purple Cottage Guest Bedroom

Charming guest bedroom with purples and whites with painted floor and window seat

Photo by: Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

Mark Lohman (Styled by Liz Strong)

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