A Camo Jacket Inspires The Colors Of This Lake Home

A camouflage jacket was the key to unlocking the color scheme for a home on Lake Sammamish, Washington.

“I always look at things like what they are wearing to give me hints for dressing their rooms,” says designer Dixie Stark, who was inspired by the olive greens in her client’s clothing.

Inside the Pacific Northwest contemporary with clear cedar siding, ash brown beam work and cocoa-colored cabinetry provide the background canvas. Twin leather sofas and a bamboo silk and wool rug in the living room, along with quartzite kitchen counters, are all defined by subtle olive undertones. Cut velvet pillows touting gold, brown and moss stripes quietly recall the camouflage inspiration and complement the predominantly neutral scene.

“It’s not a screaming palette,” says Stark. “Everything is intentionally subtle because the house is really a lovely backdrop for the view.”

Floor-to-ceiling doors let in plenty of natural light and offer vistas of the water, while the elegant yet laid-back design provides the best of both worlds for the homeowners, who wanted to ensure their new abode offered a relaxed atmosphere for family and friends.

“The living and dining areas are prime for formal entertaining, but you can set a cocktail on that sofa and not worry about hurting the leather arm,” Stark says.