Design Happy: Colorful Homes for the Modern Family

Interior designer Wentz offers valuable professional tips and design lessons while detailing renovations of 12 homes. Many are in an affluent area in Pennsylvania; some are vacation homes. To each dwelling, Wentz brings vibrant colors, such as fuchsia, kiwi, turquoise, and citron. The colors flow naturally from a carefully orchestrated plan she makes with clients. She starts with something the client loves—a color, a rug, or a piece of art. In one house, she chooses a design palette from the colors of the client’s existing art collection. In another home, she uses a client’s album collection for inspiration. Wentz’s designs are both beautiful and functional. She chooses vinyl wall coverings in colorful patterns or grass textures for their durability. Vintage rugs provide softness and color, especially when vegetable-dyed for a startling effect. In the bedrooms, colors tend to be more muted. Walking space is an important part of her designs as well.