Condo makeover

Simplified spaces

Barr and Baldwin also had to grapple with a clumsy overlapping of doors, from an earlier era when rooms were closed off and heated individually. Removing a small butler's pantry and a cluster of doors that separated the kitchen from the dining room helped relieve the congestion. A built-in wine cabinet and counter doubles as a buffet. Now, with additional built-ins, the condo is a comfortable home for the couple and their infant son, Sam.

Design tips

A carefully controlled palette of materials and colors unifies the design and makes a compact interior feel more spacious.

Use accent walls. A bright orange-red wall (Aspen Orange by Ralph Lauren Paint, item GH176) near the entry creates a warm welcome while marking a key transition point.

Take your time. The couple waited two years before making major changes. "Patience pays huge dividends," Erik says. "Sometimes the challenge of a remodel is identifying and preserving the character of the space while making it feel more contemporary."

Info: Design, Erik Barr, Urban Wedge, Seattle (206/953-5713).

Resources: Orange and white swirl vases (on sideboard) and Jill Rosenwald bowl (on dining table) from Veritables Décor (206/322-7782). Flos Fucsia 3 pendant lamps (over dining table) from Hive ($780; 866/663-4483). Orange and red Blenko pitchers (on top of cabinet) and orange dot glasses (on shelves) from Veritables Décor (see above). Franke fireclay apron-front single-bowl sink (800/626-5771). Turquoise Italian pitcher and tall purple Blenko bottle from Veritables Décor (see above). Aqua resin vases, throw pillows, and fuzzy blanket from Veritables Décor (see above).