One of Kole’s jumping-off points for the décor was the first piece of original art she ever owned, a gift from her husband for Mother’s Day. “It’s a painting by Kim Schuessler of three girls dancing. I absolutely love it. It will end up in the nursing home with me,” she says with a laugh. “My other starting point was the Duralee pinwheel fabric I used for pillows in the family room.” A magenta pink pulled from that lively print shows up in velvet pillows and a bold stripe for two club chairs, as well as in the back of the bookcases. The color doesn’t overwhelm or feel too feminine, as neutral upholstery and carpet and lots of white and gray accents temper it. “While I did use pink—my favorite color—the home is still essentially very sophisticated,” notes Kole. When choosing colors for the open floor plan, the designer linked the rooms together with complementary shades. “It has to flow, and I even considered the outdoor courtyard, which you can see from the living and dining areas.”
