This Hudson Home Is A Master Class In Balancing Colors

For years, home design has been a study in gray, as unvaried as an October sky.

“The industry was living with gold-jewel tones for so long, which then transitioned naturally to grays,” sighs designer Laura Yeager Smith. “But thankfully, color is making a comeback.” 

In this 6,730-square-foot Hudson home, Yeager Smith cleverly takes those gray expanses, and splashes them with fresh zings of greens and blues, building a contrastingly spunky yet sophisticated interior that’s just as colorful as the family of six that lives there. With four children between the ages of 6 and 14, the investment manager father and community-active mother needed a color palette that was both energetic and homey. 

So during planning, Yeager Smith worked with the family to select timeless neutrals for the light gray walls and crisp white trim, plus marble and natural wood tones for the floors and cabinetry. Metal finishes for the plumbing, hardware and lighting added some depth, contrast and sparkle. Juxtaposed against that gray-tone backdrop, the furniture’s fulsome colors pop like July fireworks.

“The homeowner has great personal style and loves the color green,” says Yeager Smith. “We carried this fresh green color with navy and raspberry accents throughout the first-floor furnishings.”

Those color wheel zaps in the great room are grounded by oatmeal and charcoal upholstery and leather. Yeager Smith worked with her design team at Laura Yeager Smith Home & Design in Hudson to select durable Crypton and Sunbrella fabrics that are extremely family-friendly. 

By pairing those functional neutrals with bits of color, both sparkle. A navy band down the back and face of the wing chair coordinates with the playfully shaped pouf ottoman footrest. And the custom window seat cushion pops from its contrasts of different grays, enlivened by a raspberry welt. Even the green club chairs grab the eye with strips of white.

The balanced contrasts continue throughout the home, and Yeager Smith cautions homeowners not to forget about the utility spaces and halls. Even the front stairs, with a jet-black rail and stark-white balusters, is a lesson in pairing opposites.

“We paid special attention to the front stairs,” says Yeager Smith. “A stark antelope pattern stair runner was applied up the gracefully curving staircase, which helps call attention to the beautiful architecture and craftsmanship.”

For some spaces, the right color was none at all. With four children constantly in motion, it was no surprise that the master bathroom was designed to be a spa-like retreat for the busy homeowners, its contrasts drawn from the muted and delicate Calacatta marble on the floors and walls. 

“We kept this space neutral for a calming effect to begin and end the day,” says Yeager Smith. “The marble itself has such innate beauty with the natural veining and warm undertones.”

But others needed injections of pep, like the family powder room that plays off the homeowner’s love of the color green. Yeager Smith selected a bold wall covering that was tempered by the crisp white wainscoting. The effect was a sense of cheerfulness that reflects the young, vibrant family. 

“We carried this fresh green color with navy and raspberry accents throughout the whole first floor,” says Yeager Smith. “When used in the right dose and paired with classic neutral elements, color can become so much more impactful.”

Power of Three

Not sure how to mix and match colors? Here are three keenly balanced color combos that you can really use.

Navy Blue + Kelly Green + Raspberry 

“Navy has a classic traditional quality with a grounding natural effect and pairs beautifully with the crisp green,” says Yeager Smith. “Raspberry adds a bold pop of complementary contrasting color to create just the right amount of tension.”

Cream + Blush + Metallic Gold

“This color combo is on trend right now. The cream and blush keep the space light and bright with a soft quality, but the metallic gold contrasts beautifully and adds a bit of edge and glamour,” says Yeager Smith. “Not a gold person? Substitute black to add even greater contrast and impact.”

Charcoal + Yellow + White

“This high-contrast combo offers a playfulness without being too colorful. Yellow is such a happy color. It can become garish when used in combination with too many other colors, so I like to pair it with white and charcoal,” she says. “They make the yellow really pop and also balance the palette as a whole.”