If layering color into your home gives you ALL the design stress—you’re not alone. I’m with you. I get you. You’re a neutral lover, but you still want your abode to radiate with personality, right? Well, hold tight, because today we’ve got the blueprint for that kind of home. Designer, Samantha Stein, is delivering a modern Nashville home with a dose of farmhouse vibes and her use of color is on point. With a white base as her canvas, she brought in contrast with statement blacks, blues, gorgeous rugs, and patterned tile. The result will surely inspire you to infuse more happy hues into your own home. Be sure to pin Caroline Sharpnack‘s images to your Pinterest board!

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Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this project?

It all started with a beautiful painting from a street artist in Bali. The piece is of an Ethiopian girl and is huge, rich in color, and visually stunning. We knew she would be the focal point of the main level, so we wanted to keep the palette very simple to allow her to shine. At the same time, we wanted to add elements of pattern and color to match her playfulness. We went with white walls and black doors to allow her to shine while still adding contrast and interest throughout the house.

How would you describe the style of this home?

Colorful modern farmhouse with an edge. We wanted to create a new take on a modern farmhouse. This is a tall and skinny house and we added so many edgier elements to reflect our clients’ taste.

We love the moody pops of black and blue in this home. Do you mind sharing the paint colors you used for those accents? That hood is killer!

Thank you! Yes, the black we used is Sherwin Williams Black Magic, Benjamin Moore Simply White for walls throughout, and Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray is the navy color.

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What advice do you have for those who want to layer personality on when going for all white walls?

Don’t be afraid to incorporate color in your tiles, artwork, pillows, rugs, and accessories. When you paint your walls white think of it as a blank canvas for you to now layer in color and pattern. You are allowing the things in your space to shine instead of competing with them. We love white walls because they create the best backdrop.

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This home feels luxe without being grandiloquent. What tips do you have for those looking to give their abode a high-end feel, while maintaining a modest, lived-in vibe?

Splurge on kitchen finishes. Kitchens will make or break a home. We love to use quartz on the counters for a sleek high-end look. Not to mention they are maintenance-free. We also believe mixing metals really elevates a space. You’ll notice we splurged on some gorgeous cement tile, but we also saved by using classic and affordable tile in new ways. Our favorite high-end look that didn’t break the bank was the master bath. We created a “rug” effect in front of the vanities as well as a motif on the shower wall all with subway and 1″ penny tile. It’s also important to make your spaces feel cozy. Textiles are a homeowners best friend. When we design we love incorporating vintage rugs for a casual lived-in feel. It’s so important to use antique, vintage, and new items in a home to really round out the spaces and give them a collected over time feel. We also love to mix up our pillows and use feather down inserts for a lived-in casual look. And don’t forget to dress your windows in linen! Linen is beautiful, elegant, and really softens up a space.

Love what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Samantha Stein Interiors · Photography: Caroline Sharpnack · Cabinetry: Markraft · Build: CW Building Group