Colorful great room is all about entertaining

In no time flat, Julian had developed design boards for the entryway and family room and the evolution of the home had begun. “Once we got started on the project, it was almost like something organic—it just grew and grew; one thing would suggest another change and it seems we’re never done,” Lisa says. One thing Lisa loves about her home is the flow of the first floor. A long hallway extends from the entryway to the family room at the far end. To the left, the living room offers dark gray gloss gunmetal walls punctuated by a redesigned travertine and sandstone fireplace. An elegant sofa, tall side chairs and a dramatic, white baby grand piano finish off the formal look.

A custom circular padded Christopher Guy banquette underneath a spectacular cylindrical crystal chandelier greets guests as they enter the family room.

Using white shag rugs on the floor and custom designed patterns on the ceiling, Julian divided the large family room into a variety of areas for relaxation and fun, including the seating area, TV area and game areas. The antique mirrored bar along the far wall reflects the distinctive lighting—three pendants over the bar itself and one dome-shaped fixture nearer the mirror that gives an effect of an upside-down jelly fish. And a variety of lamps and chandeliers make the entire room warm and inviting.

The ceiling design accompanied by the silver-and-white Romo fabric of the drapes and the white wainscoting tie together the neutral shades of the room, while the striking black velvet sofa, white chairs and red accent color in the hassocks, bar stools and felt of the pool table create a contemporary atmosphere of sparkle and fun.

Both Lisa and Don have only good things to say about Dupre and Julian, who also only have good things to say about each other. “Dean is so easy to work with,” says Lisa, “His personality is so calming. If there’s a problem, he just says he’ll handle it, and I don’t have to micromanage anything.” Adds Don, “He under-promises and over-delivers. We were lucky we found him.”