Dark Brown Traditional Great Room

Peggy Hull knew she needed to make a statement with the expansive room that guests enter first as they step into the estate. With a sweeping staircase and intricate walnut millwork, the grand reception hall serves as more than a mere entryway. “I wanted a fresh approach and a counter- point to the dark walnut,” says Hull, who introduced a white-and-black color scheme into the space. Leaving the architecture as the focal point, the designer positioned vignettes around the perimeter of the room. She selected a modern Lucite centerpiece table and perched white plaster animal molds on top. “The transparency of that piece allows the space to remain unencumbered, and the molds add a touch of whimsy,” says Hull. Flashes of hot pink are peppered throughout, as are elements that provide contrast and surprise.