{"id":270249,"date":"2026-02-06T06:26:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T06:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/270249\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T06:26:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T06:26:17","slug":"new-decor-refreshes-heights-parlor-floor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/270249\/","title":{"rendered":"New Decor Refreshes Heights Parlor Floor"},"content":{"rendered":"

New paint and furnishings create spaces for entertaining that match the understated elegance of the Greek Revival house.<\/p>\n

A new interior design scheme was in order for a couple who renovated their Greek Revival townhouse two decades ago, but never seriously furnished while their kids were young. As empty nesters, they were ready to enjoy their home anew and do some grownup entertaining. They called on interior designer Emma Montgomery to upgrade the living and dining room decor in keeping with the building\u2019s understated elegance.<\/p>\n

Montgomery came up with a new paint, lighting, and furnishings program to brighten and warm the two parlor floor spaces, provide enough seating for large gatherings, and serve as a backdrop for her clients\u2019 art collection. \u201cIt was a perfect time to invest in things like a silver rug and white lounge chairs,\u201d said Montgomery, who established Brooklyn-based Emma Montgomery Design<\/a> in 2021. \u201cThey had done major work restoring original details in the 2000s, and the architecture was gorgeously preserved, but the furnishings were a little outdated and not cohesive. We dressed up the space significantly, with a quiet palette that lets the interior architecture shine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Step one was a carefully considered paint job. Montgomery chose Strong White by Farrow & Ball for the front parlor and used Alabaster by Benjamin Moore, which has the merest hint of pink, to emphasize the moldings. \u201cIn a Greek Revival townhouse, the quality of the trim is stunning, and the height of the space substantial,\u201d she said. \u201cYou want to show off the trim in a space like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most of the furniture is new, with upholstered pieces done up in sumptuous custom fabrics, and \u201ca dash or two of more opulent finishes,\u201d like the gilded mirror above the mantel. New lighting and hardware complete the picture.<\/p>\n

\"FRONT<\/a><\/p>\n

\"FRONT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe streaks of color in the fireplace were a starting point,\u201d Montgomery said of the golden veins in the Nero Portoro marble. \u201cThat led to the rust velvet for the daybed and the use of complementary brass tones.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mitchell Gold sofa belonged to the homeowners and was re-upholstered in a soft gray mohair from Maharam. Two contemporary Danish lounge chairs hark back to 1950s design. A custom rug developed with Canadian maker Creative Matters mimics the Greek key border on the original parquet floors, adding \u201ca little pattern and dimension to the room,\u201d Montgomery said. Rugs in both rooms are precisely sized and placed to reveal the floor detail.<\/p>\n

The Myriad chandelier from Gabriel Scott (top photo) \u201cwas a bit of a monstrosity to install,\u201d Montgomery recalled. \u201cIt required a lighting installer with a tremendous amount of patience\u201d to attach wires so as to have minimal interaction with the original plaster ceiling medallion.<\/p>\n

\"FRONT<\/a><\/p>\n

A corner vignette is built around a Mr. Olsen lounge chair from Danish vendor Warm Nordic, framed indigenous art from the Pacific Northwest, and a brass standing lamp and side table.<\/p>\n

\"FRONT<\/a><\/p>\n

A narrow wood console of Montgomery\u2019s own design, with a bronze mirrored top, is high enough to clear the radiator and to accommodate two small stools for extra seating. Hanging dramatically above are two charcoal and graphite drawings from Robert Longo\u2019s 1980 Men in the Cities series.<\/p>\n

\"FRONT<\/a><\/p>\n

Metallic marble wall covering from Brooklyn-based Calico Wallpaper was already in place along the staircase. \u201cWe made sure everything else felt cohesive with it,\u201d the designer said.<\/p>\n

\"DINING<\/a><\/p>\n

\"DINING<\/a><\/p>\n

The homeowners wanted to \u201ccreate more ambience\u201d in the dining room, Montgomery said. \u201cThe question was, \u2018How do you make a windowless space cozy and beautiful?’\u201d<\/p>\n

The space was already anchored by built-ins from the homeowner\u2019s original renovation, a statement chandelier, and a dining table and chairs in a Scandinavian modern vein. Montgomery needed only to select a new wall color (\u201ca slightly moodier\u201d Pavilion Gray from Farrow & Ball), add a handcrafted Full Circle mirror from Bower Studios and a custom rug from Jebara & Co., and reposition the art in order to pull it all together.<\/p>\n

[Photos by Zack DeZon<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Got a project to propose for\u00a0The Insider?\u00a0Contact Cara at caramia447 [at] gmail [dot] com<\/p>\n

The Insider\u00a0is Brownstoner\u2019s weekly in-depth look at a notable interior design\/renovation project, by design journalist\u00a0Cara Greenberg<\/a>. Find it here every Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

Related Stories<\/p>\n

Email tips@brownstoner.com<\/a> with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n