See how designer Delia Kenza dreamt up chic, moody vibes on our blank-slate set
This joint living-dining space all started with a wallpaper crush.
About the project:
We tapped Brooklyn-based designer Delia Kenza to transform our bare-bones studio set into her no-holds-barred dream space. The only rule? There are no rules.
On knowing where to start:
“In this empty canvas, the first thing that comes to mind is use of the space,” says Delia, who opted for “a moody, earthy, living-dining combination.” In this case, inspiration struck with our Landscape Mural Wallpaper, and the rest followed.
“I have to admit: [the wallpaper] is a little outside my comfort zone,” says Delia. “At first glance, it looks traditional but, at second glance, it reads a bit more modern.”
On her design ethos:
“We often think it’s about the look, but I think a comfortable home is always a good look.”
“My design mantra is just do your thing.”
On how she makes design magic:
Delia’s work has been featured by the likes of New York Magazine, HGTV and more. Across projects, she leans toward clean, bold lines, natural materials and a neutral palette with thoughtful pops of color. Delia brought this look together with three guiding principles:
1. Pick something you love and run with it.
2. Don’t be afraid to go moody.
3. Have fun.
“Dark doesn’t mean depressing or gloomy,” Delia says. Her biggest piece of advice for redoing a space? “Don’t be intimidated, scared or worried,” she says. “Just go for it.”
“I wanted to bring the outside indoors here,” Delia says. She opted for Sherwin-Williams’s Shade-Grown (SW 6188) to create “calming, moody” vibes. “I wanted the space to feel like one of those days you want to snuggle up indoors.”
On living large when space is limited:
“Don’t be afraid to go big,” says Delia. “It can often make a small space look bigger.” To infuse max style into this living area, Delia thought outside the box—literally: “A coffee table doesn’t have to be one solid mass,” she says. Two side tables paired together are “functional, movable and can even be backup seating.”
On defining her look:
“I’m always trying to create something that’s timeless, not just about trends. My aesthetic as a designer is finding a way to take classic elements and make them modern.”
On hanging art:
“This is a million-dollar tip: When hanging art, it should be at eye level so you don’t have to look too far up or down.” This means the center of your art should be around 59 inches from the floor—the average human eye height—a rule of thumb used in museums and galleries for a reason.
“My aesthetic as a designer is finding a way to take classic elements and make them modern.”