Name: Nick, Kelle, and Bailey Dame (and dog Bennie)
Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Size: 1,400 square feet
Years lived in: 3.5 years; owned
Kelle and Nick's home is eclectic in the best sense of the word. Bold, modern, graphic patterns greet you at the front door — a striped hallway meets a trellis-stenciled living room wall. But as you progress through the home, the spaces get softer and more classic, with touches of country and glam. New meets old, clean lines meet ornate pieces, rustic meets luxe — in short, the whole space is filled with surprise and wonder.
Their house is from the 1970s, and one of the elements that attracted Kelle and Nick to it is the easy flow of the floor plan. The rooms are built in two circles, making communication between the various spaces easy. (The living room, dining room, kitchen, and family room comprise the first, and the master bedroom, guest room, two bathrooms, and Bailey's room round out the second.) Not only does the layout of the house facilitate movement, but the decor also keeps the eye active, following the stripes that connect one room to the next, an element that makes the home feel alive with energy. "I know some people find all the pattern a little crazy," Kelle says, "but I need that."
It's precisely this type of sincerity and insight that makes one feel at ease in Nick and Kelle's' home. It's clear that all their design choices were made with their personal inclinations and needs in mind. Kelle appreciates Dan Ho's philosophy of relishing imperfection, of simplifying and finding your personal style by thinking deeply about the things that you really want or need. She and Nick fervently believe in living to the fullest in the space that you have instead of constantly dreaming of trading up, and for both of them, making their home deeply personal is paramount.
There's nothing here that the family feels lukewarm about. Audrey Hepburn, one of Kelle's main inspirations, makes repeat appearances throughout the house. The couple proudly shows me the art they've collected from local artists, and when I visited Kelle's office downtown, she showed me a beautiful starburst mirror that she made using inherited silverware. Kelle and Nick's home is certainly stylish, but it's style in the service of love. Every object has a story, and many of their favorite items were pieces handed down to them from family, vintage items restored and re-made by friends (notably, Tori at Embellished Heart), or vintage objects to which Kelle immediately formed attachments.
While Kelle's particular passion for color and pattern comes through clearly, everyone in the family has followed their own style, pouring their energies and love into the home. Nick's passion for woodwork, mechanical projects, and other DIY endeavors has, among other things, provided the family with a number of meaningful furniture pieces, like Bailey's built-in bed and a custom oak media cabinet (pictured above). He has personally completed many of the renovation projects that they tackled upon moving in, and most recently, he installed the fireplace, the tile surround, and the built-ins in the family room. Nick's dad has helped with many of these projects, and Kelle's mom has stepped in a number of times as a seamstress. Bailey, the couple's precocious and friendly four-year-old, has also added her creative insight; within five minutes of my arrival, I was informed that pink was her favorite color, and I was given a grand tour of all of her favorite spots in the home. Even Bennie, their dapper dog, seems to have carved out a place of his own in the family room, right in the thick of the action.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Upbeat and fresh, classic with hints of vintage whimsy.
Inspiration: Always Audrey Hepburn's classic style and the fun, whimsical style of Tricia Guild. Kate Spade and Jonathan Adler.
Favorite Element: Vintage finds and meaningful family heirlooms. Of course, I am ALWAYS, always, ALWAYS a sucker for art!
Biggest Challenge: The fireplace renovation.
What Friends Say: You really love black and white, don't you?
Biggest Embarrassment: The exterior of our house. One would never guess that it is our house, and of course, our sad display of Christmas lights every year is made worse by the fact that we live on "Christmas Lane". We'll get better, we promise!
Proudest DIY: Our daughter's big-girl room.
Biggest Indulgence: Ummm… it seems that I always indulge in everything! I guess the hardwood floors through most of the house — and when it comes to art, antiques, framing, and lighting, I rarely compromise. They are my drugs of choice.
Best Advice: If you love it, go with it. No compromises for the sake of matching!
Dream Sources: Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Houzz.com, Apartment Therapy… I could go on!
Resources of Note:
FRONT LIVING ROOM
- • Paint color: flat black by Valspar and Mystique White by Valspar
• Curtains: Linen fabric with ribbon trim, sewn by Mom
• Light fixtures, vine lamp: repurposed from backyard and built by Nick
• Lamp shades from LeEsthers of downtown Kenosha
• Media cabinet, solid oak: designed by Nick and Kelle; built by Nick
• Vintage New Yorker magazine covers: estate sale finds, framed by ArtWorks
• Painted pedestal game table: Embellished Heart of Kenosha
• Apartment Sofa: Pottery Barn Carlisle collection in natural brushed canvas
• Black tufted ottomans: Target
• Painted emerald green end table: Embellished Heart of Kenosha
• Vintage Crystal chandelier lamp: Embellished Heart
• Silhouettes: painted by Kelle, framed by ArtWorks
• Trellis stencil: Cutting Edge Stencils on etsy.com
• Crystal stacked lamp and black shade: Target
• Vintage round floral pillow: Embellished Heart
• Black pillows: made by Kelle
DINING ROOM
- • Cherry dining table: Haus Amish Furniture Store
• White upholstered chairs: Hudson camel back from Restoration Hardware
• Chandeliers: Lowes
• Accessories: vintage painted tray from Gurnee Antique Mall, milk glass vase from Goodwill, glass dome from Embellished Heart
• Pillow collection: sewn by Mom
• Cottage window collection: antique store finds
• Draperies: faux linen in winter white, sewn by Mom
KITCHEN
- • White cabinets: Kraft Maid in Canvas White
• Counters: Corian solid surface from Dickow-Cyzak Tile Co. of Kenosha
• Kitchen artwork: Green apple acrylic painting, unknown artist, framing provided by ArtWorks; Peony photo by Kelle with metal thrift store frame; Framed Artprin from Third Drawer Down; "Love that tie!" by Richard Kruse with bowtie noodle frame
• Apothecary jars: various Home Goods locations
• Silver container labels with chalkboard inserts: Crate&Barrel
• Ruffled fruit bowl: Pier1 Imports
• Monogrammed towel: Mark & Graham in apple green
• Vintage looking cordless phone: Amazon.co.uk
FAMILY ROOM
- • Wall color: Mystique White by Valspar
• Accent wall color: Meadow Green by Sherwin Williams
• Built-ins accent color: Greenfield by Sherwin Williams
• Sectional: Pottery Barn Pearce sectional in Oat
• Coffee table: painted thrift store find
• Hammered Iron Console table: Pottery Barn
• Floor lamps: Target Threshold collection, painted black
• Lamp shades: Estate sale finds
• Fireplace stone: Carrara Marble subway tiles
• Side chair wicker/rattan: Malabar from Pottery Barn
• Built-ins Stencil Trellis: Cutting Edge Stencils on Etsy.com
• Pillows: Formosa floral from Whitlock and Co on Etsy.com; Xu Garden by Windsor Smith in Veridian from Lynn Chalk.com sewn by Mom
• Faux bamboo tray table: Baker Furniture from Leggy Bird Designs, Libertyville, IL
• Bamboo framed sketches: unknown artist, framing and matting by ArtWorks
• Accent wall stencil: basketweave from OMG stencils
• White Moroccan mirrors: Target Threshold collection
BAILEY'S ROOM
- • Built-ins: designed by Kelle and built by Nick
• Built-in hardware: repurposed vintage doorknobs
• Painted Moroccan style headboard: by Kelle
• Collage and frames: thrift
• Bedding: Polka dot sheets from JCPenny; floral shams made with Shalini Ivory Raspberry by Annie Selke from housefabric.com; Euro shams from Marshalls and Home Goods; square pink accent pillow from Embellished Heart
• Painted green dresser: family heirloom with hardware from Anthropologie
• White oval mirror: Home Goods
• Green and gold floral plates: Leggy Bird Designs of Libertyville, IL
• Bohemian glass chandelier: Amazon.com
• Painted black armoire: Target with hardware from Anthropologie
• Framed Madeline pages: from actual book, framing provided by ArtWorks
• Small owl accessories from Embellished Heart of Kenosha
GUEST BEDROOM
- • Wall Color and ceiling color: Babbling Brook by Valspar
• Black shaded chandelier: Amazon.com
• Euro shams and floral pillow shams: various Durlaee fabrics from LoomCraft, sewn by Kelle
• Black and white damask comforter and shams: Target
• Black headboard: repurposed thrift store find with a black slip cover sewn by Kelle
• Vintage pink Audrey with Cat: Embellished Heart
• Vintage 60's chrome side chair with Mongolian wool hide: Leggy Bird Designs of Libertyville, IL
• Side tables: family heirlooms
• Black urn lamps: Target, sprayed black
• Lamp shades: Target
• Abstract watercolor: Miss Bailey at age 3, framing provided by ArtWorks
• Small kidney shaped desk: vintage find from Schoolhouse Antiques of Somers, WI
MASTER BEDROOM
- • Ceiling color: Morning fog by Valspar
• Wall color: Babbling Brook by Valspar
• Capiz Shell pendant: West Elm
• Moroccan trellis design: hand-painted by Kelle
• Upholstered headboard in P.Kaufmann Suzani in Jewel: designed by Kelle, made by Nick
• White duvet cover: West Elm
• Aqua and white medallion sheets: Target, Threshold Collection
• Coral Pink City Maze pillow in Caitlin Wilson fabric: sewn by Mom
• White quilted shams: Pottery Barn
• Bedside table; Repurposed Kent Coffey piece found at Community Thrift of Gurnee, IL
• Crystal bedside lamp: Target
• Orchid and chinoiserie pot: Steins
• Handpainted jewelry box: Schoolhouse Antique Mall of Somers, WI
• White bow front dresser from Community Thrift of Gurnee, IL painted in Snowbound by Sherwin Williams
• Mirror: Pottery Barn
• Small crystal stacked lamp: Target
Thanks, Nick & Kelle!
(Images: present: Carolyn Purnell; past, Kelle Dame)
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You seem like the nicest family and your house is so bold and beautiful. Bailey's room is one of the best I've seen for a child her age (child-like and grown-up, all at once...), and AMAZING job on the built-ins!
Source for the portraits in the family room? I skimmed the source list but didn't see them...
Oops - see them listed in the living room. Great job on those!
Nice and fresh! Thanks for sharing!
Note to AT folks: The tour interview headings (Dream Sources, Biggest Indulgence, etc.) are great, but every time I think that it should be a requirement to have a photo of the "Biggest Embarrassment" item. Everything's a mix of good and bad, done and not done, and having that photo in the tour would help keep everything in perspective, keep it real. (But maybe it would effectively mean the end of house tours, and I wouldn't want that!)
Very nice. Great kitchen redo - nice being able to see the before photo. Like the quotation on the mirror. I've seen this before and wondered if it's been on there awhile if it'll still wipe off?
Great use of contrast and patterns.
Did you pick Bennie because he fits into your black & white scheme?
Just kidding, of course. :-)
Love the kitchen (and Bennie, too).
Love! So much fun!
This house is too graphic for me personally, but wow, it is both extraordinarily imaginative and beautiful!
While the house is not my style(too much colors and patterns for eyes), I can sense that a lot of love, creativity and hard work have been put into making this home.
I love the installation of windows on the wall in the dining room.
Love the explosion of pattern! And I need those floral pillows in the family room.
I completely agree with you, and I think it's really important to document the finished spaces AND the spaces that stilll need work. It's what makes homes feel real. The reason that I (and I assume other contributors) don't always do so, though is twofold: for one, we don't always have the questionnaires back by the time the photo shoot happens, so it's hard to match them up precisely, and two, people already feel a bit vulnerable having their space posted, and I try to make them as comfortable with the process as possible, which sometimes means leaving out a messy corner or an unpainted bathroom.
That said, I will totally try to keep this in mind when I shoot my next tour, since I think you're right!
Your home is beautiful and I LOVE your antiques (the spoon collection!) - they are my indulgence too!! :) Thanks for sharing your wonderful home!
One of my faves! The layered wall art is very cool - so original! I too loooove black and white with pink or turquoise thrown in. I also love before/after pics - think Im addicted - you did an amazing job transforming that house into a warm, stylish home.
you guys did an amazing job. extremely impressed — especially compared to the before. it's very refreshing and bold indeed. you guys definitely have it down. great set of eyes.
But, it's probably a bit too feminine for me. I could be wrong and it may just be not so in person but that's my impression.
Thanks for sharing it was a good afternoon treat for me.
The sense of print in this house is absolutely amazing and so inspiring! I want to duplicate that nursery. And those bold black and white stripes... uggh. The whole house just feels like it goes together, and it feels so right! Well done and thanks for featuring!
xx Liz
{celesteandpearl.blogspot.com}
Regardless if I would implement them or not, I LOVE all your bold choices. The thing is, after being wowed by these dramatic choices I get to the kitchen, and while it is lovely, it's almost too neutral and generic for the space.
I actually love the kitchen. I'm so happy to see something other than granite and I've had corian before and love how easy it was to take care of.
This home is perfectly executed. So crisp and clean. Especially impressive given the "Before" pictures.
This has to be one of my most favorite House Tours ever! I loved the patterns and colors and textures and even though it different spaces everything ties into one another. I struggle with this myself and love having inspiration for doing it so well. This is definitely going on my pinterest board!! You've done an amazing job on your home. I think it should be an interior design book, ya know...so I can refer back to it more easily:)
Amazing! Loved this tour and I'd have to agree with previous posters, that this is a favourite house tour of mine! Great job!
cpurnell, thanks for the insight into the process!
I love this! Talk about Happy Chic! Thanks to you I am now ordering a stencil from Cutting Edge on etsy for our entryway! No more waiting and dreaming about wallpaper. Any tips or tricks I should know?
Black and white and amazing all over! You guys have created such a beautiful home with such bold choices. Thanks for sharing your home with us.
Your house just makes me feel happy!
oh me oh my, my favorite so far. I just love your home well done. A creative hub !
@ semisweet, congrats on purchasing a stencil! I am so happy to have inspired you to get going! i have a love/hate relationship with stenciling but the end result always keeps me coming back for more! I do have a couple tips for you: 1. Don't expect perfection. The little blobs and smears might not be noticeable once the entire design is finished. 2. Sometimes letting the paint build up on the stencil helps stop the wet paint from bleeding thru to the back. 3. If you can start in the middle of the wall and work your way outwards it will allow you to stencil on one side while the last section is setting up a bit on the last side. (Hopefully that makes sense!) 4. If you think you might need two coats, just roll on the first coat, leave it dry for about ten minutes, and come back and roll on the next.
Most importantly, try to practice on a piece of cardboard or scrap first.
If you have any trouble please feel free to email me @ kelledame@gmail.com
Best of luck!!
Kelle
i want to hate this but i cant. its too fantastic.
love a good daybed set up--that is perfect. and those curtains with pompom trim Just Too Cute.
Really happy and fun space. I admit this isn't my style at all, but you've done an absolutely beautiful job!
Before I even read the text, I was thinking ... Kate Spade and Jonathan Adler. HAha.
I agree with katemc on the daybed. Awesome!
@pottytalk, why would you want to hate this??
@gwen - too polished
@gwen - too polished
This is bold and soft and wonderful! Great work!
@kelledame thank you for the tips and sharing your email!
Congratulations on creating such a beautiful home. I love your style. My favorite piece was the stick/branch lamp. However, I do not feel that it gets the attention that it deserves on the patterned wall. It is hard to see. I think it would look better in front of a white wall where it will stand out.
Gorgeous. I love black and white too, so classic. The pops of color are just enough. I love pattern, but need to learn to edit like you did. My favorite part is that the average person could recreate this. Your little family is just too cute.
I felt so bad that your site was down and I couldn't comment as soon as I toured this lovely home. Kell and Nick definitely have a great eye for color and bold graphics. The Black & White striped wall has such an impact on the space. The colors used throughout are bright, bold but also tailored and polished. It's glamorous in a casual way. The rooms are composed and not matchy matchy. The space seems to be inspired by Jonathan Adler's aesthetics which is not a bad thing. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home!
Yay! WI represent again. Your house is beautiful and love the black and white!
Isn't Caroline the sweetest?! Thanks for sharing!
Not my cup of tea!
The whole color scheme is TOO intense!!! Feels stressful almost like living in a jail.
The horizontal stripes give the appearance of a carny fun house all that's missing is the mirrors.
Chill it out!!!
This home is IN-CRED-IBLE. Every room has so much thought and great detail. I love the pattern, I love the colors, I LOVE it!
Can you tell I like it?
I absolutely LOVE your home! It is so much full of charm and character!!! Love too how an average person like myself can find some of the great stuff you have. :) I'm also glad to see what an awesome renovation can do. Great job!
Whew-whole 'lotta skripes.... But loved it! Really nice!
Oh yeah....your kitchen...LOVE IT! Great job with everything!
Not my personal style but I enjoyed the tour. One very cool detail - the way you grouped the window frames on the wall (really interesting!) The kitchen remodeling was also great -- thanks for the before/after pics; don't we all love that kind of transformation??
I also have to say that this home screams "woman" to me..I do wonder how much input your husband had, if at all important to you (perhaps he did, perhaps he didn't care, but it is, to me, a very feminine -- pretty -- home.)
Fantastic tour! I'm thrilled to see a tour that's all about personal
choices and bold statements that reflect the owners style
and imagination. Choices that go beyond the monochromatic
white walls that are 90% of the tours we see on Apt. Therapy
these days. Well done and right on!