Color Stories:
How to Take Interior Design Risks

In partnership with our friends at

• 

  Kate Wolfson

  executive editor

• Interior designers embrace bold patterns and colors for a reason: They have the power to transform. But as goop’s executive editor, Kate Wolfson, will tell you, she’s no interior designer. And that’s the beauty of striking floral wallpaper, glossy paint, or a splash of texture: They give a space personality, emotion, even gravitas. In other words, they allow even the most un-design-y among us to fake it.

• “I didn’t want to invest too much time, energy, or money in a place that I knew wasn’t our forever home,” says Wolfson, who, after years of renting, finally feels “empowered to make bigger design decisions.” She and her husband, Sam, recently bought their first house—a light-filled townhouse on LA’s Westside.

• “It’s more space than our little family has ever really had,” says Wolfson, whose son, Sonny, will turn two this winter. Wolfson is going all in with color, texture, and patterns—starting with the dining room. She accented the far wall with an emerald-green block-print floral design from Tempaper, whose self-adhesive wallpaper—which is totally lead-free, VOC-free, and phthalate-free—makes choosing a design less of a commitment. Founded by sisters Jennifer Matthews and Julia Biancella Au, the company sends you samples, which you can apply, live with for a little bit, and then, if you’re not feeling it, easily take off, says Wolfson, who asked Sonny which swatch he liked best: “The whole family got to be in on the decision.”

• Complementing the graphic floral pattern was surprisingly instinctual. Wolfson chose eclectic dishes and brass candleholders. She’s even adding some unexpected pink accents. “I feel like color makes a home feel lived-in and not too precious,” she says. “It’s fun.”

• And it doesn’t stop at the dining room. Wolfson is looking to pattern-on-pattern sheets for the bedroom; quirky, artistic lamps for the living room; and maybe some art layered over her new dining room wall. “I’m excited to let my boldest inclinations really have their moment.”

• TEMPAPER Block Print Floral
  The Novogratz x Tempaper Collection Tempaper, $40

• “I chose this print because it’s graphic—the florals feel feminine without feeling overly feminine. The installation was a breeze, and, since it’s the first removable wallpaper on the market, I can sleep well knowing that it can be removed any time I want.”

• FLOOM arrangement Floom, $150

• “Fresh flowers, to me, are such a nice, attainable little luxury. I like to treat myself to an arrangement from FLOOM—which streamlines ordering from tons of excellent independent florists—every couple of months.”

• LA DOUBLEJ plates goop, $350, set of six

• “I love how these printed dessert plates play with the graphic florals in the wallpaper.”

• HYGGE LIFE sheepskin Hygge Life, $100

• “Hygge Life’s sheepskins are ethically sourced and such a fun way to play with color and texture. I’m super into the idea of moving them around the house. I can pile up a few for a comfy spot to read with Sonny, put them on the dining room chairs for warmth, or give our dog a cozy place to nap.”

• GOOP x CB2 match striker goop, $50

• “I used to collect restaurant matchbooks. But now that most places don’t put those out anymore, a fancy match-striker is the next best thing.”

• JOSEPH LEE painting Joseph Lee, price upon request

• “Once I’m done decorating, I’d love to have Joseph Lee, this incredible Los Angeles artist, paint a super colorful, abstract family portrait for the living room. That would be the ultimate pièce de résistance.”

• NETTO-NOCON lamp goop, $7,425

• “Our new place didn’t come with much overhead lighting—a great justification for fancy lamps.”

• Aiayu PIllow goop, $408

• “Did I mention I like texture?”

• SUMMERILL & BISHOP x goop
  tablecloth goop, $285

• “And color?”

• REBECCA ATWOOD duvet Rebecca Atwood, $349
• REBECCA ATWOOD pillowcases Rebecca Atwood, $179

• “I’ve never thought too much about our bedding beyond simple white sheets—until I discovered Rebecca Atwood’s line. Her collection makes print-mixing so appealing and effortless.”

• CARAVAN marble tray goop, $80

• “I’ve never met a tray I didn’t instantly want to pile up with pretty little things. This one is particularly appealing for its size—nice and compact.”