5 min read“In Krista We Trust.” That’s what the homeowners of this Ann Arbor, Michigan, home would say about their designer, Krista Nye Nicholas of Ramsay Nye, anytime a bold decision gave them pause. It started as a joke, a way to ease the nerves that come with choosing a daring paint color or bold wallpaper, or any time decision fatigue set in, as it often does when building a home from the ground up. But somewhere along the way, it became more like a motto, a rallying call to arms that perfectly captures the spirit of this 6,493-square-foot home.
Built on a sprawling ten-acre property, the five-bedroom residence could have easily leaned into the generic neutrality that often accompanies large-scale new construction. Instead, emboldened by the trust of her clients, Nye Nicholas turned it into a celebration of color, personality, and the joyful unpredictability of family life. “This was a dream project, in so many ways,” she adds. “Our clients are the most wonderful and kind people—they trusted in our creative vision and were excited to take risks.”
What Nye Nicholas brought to the project, beyond her considerable eye, was a willingness to push her clients—gently, yet persistently—past the safe choice and towards something more meaningful and purposeful. The main floor walls are coated in Farrow & Ball's Dead Salmon, a shade that sounds almost comical on paper, and one that gave the clients pause. “They gradually agreed—and ended up loving it,” Nye Nicholas says of the hue, which lends a sense of old-world elegance to the entirely new interior. Nearby, hand-painted Fromental panels frame the living room fireplace, while elsewhere, a sports court bursts with vibrant color after the family’s three boys unanimously rejected their father’s original request for a traditional University of Michigan palette.
Yet what makes the house memorable isn't simply its kaleidoscope of color; it’s the way every decision feels rooted in the family that calls the residence home. A custom study area supports three growing boys; a loft was designed to handle everything from cartoons to sleepovers; outdoor spaces stretch from a screened porch to a pool, fire pit, and covered dining terrace, creating endless opportunities for gathering.
Ultimately, the project became a calling card for what happens when creativity is met with complete trust. It’s a space that feels individualistic from the moment you set foot inside: colorful without being chaotic, sophisticated without taking itself too seriously, and full of the kind of personal details that make a new build feel as though it’s been loved for generations.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Krista Nye Nicholas of Ramsay Nye
Builder: Robin Cook & Co.
Stylist: Brandi Devers Russo
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Space: A five-bedroom, five-bathroom home across 6,493 square feet
LIVING ROOM
A jewelry-like light fixture overhead adds a dose of glamour.
Swathed in the main floor’s signature shade, Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball, the living room is a warm and layered retreat built for family connection. A Hickory Chair sectional offers plenty of room for the homeowner’s trio of growing boys to lounge.
KITCHEN
The quartzite backsplash hides a custom walnut spice rack behind the range.
“Our clients wanted everything tucked away out of sight, but by adding the custom metal mesh grilles on the upper cabinets, we were able to create interest while keeping the cabinetry functional for them,” Nye Nicholas says of the kitchen, which she coated in Benjamin Moore’s Province Blue. “Incorporating a walnut island breaks up all the painted cabinetry on the perimeter of the kitchen and adds warmth to the space. A custom metal hood and gorgeous patinated brass hardware make the space feel anything but brand new.”
DINING ROOM
Blue trim unites this space with the nearby kitchen.
Located just off the kitchen, the dining room grants a great view of the pool deck, screened porch, and surrounding landscape. “In summer months, the doors slide open for al fresco—but bug-free!—dining,” adds Nye Nicholas.
LOUNGE
A choose-your-own-adventure hangout zone suited to every whim.
Located on the lower level, Nye Nicholas calls this “the hangout of all hangouts,” complete with several spots to lounge, a hideaway bar, and game tables.
Tucked into the corner, a custom banquette is a great spot for a quick snack or friendly board game. A custom bar by Young Cabinetry, backed in Brett Design wallpaper, hides cocktail-making accessories.
SUNROOM
Wood paneled ceilings lend a rustic touch.
Equipped with a gas fireplace and a large TV, the screened porch is the ideal spot for a college game or cozying up in front of a fire in the autumn months. “Access to the pool deck also makes this a lovely spot for an afternoon nap when there’s been too much sun,” adds Nye Nicholas.
OFFICE
A vintage Murano chandelier adds a pop of color overhead.
Designed to echo the palette found throughout the rest of the home, the homeowner’s office is decidedly moodier, thanks to a rich navy (Blue Note by Benjamin Moore) on the ceiling and millwork.
STUDY SPACE
A hallway gets repurposed as a functional homework zone.
Nye Nicholas turned what was once a transition place into a useful homework zone, equipped with a duo of desks and a window seat that makes studying up less of a chore.
PRIMARY SUITE
Floor-length windows allow for ample morning light.
“A true oasis, the primary bedroom is perched high above the trees and feels quite magical with its abundant windows,” says Nye Nicholas. An antique carpet anchors the seating area, while an atmospheric mural from Phillip Jefferies and an oversized painting above a chaise create a moody statement.
PRIMARY BATH
Nye Nicholas calls the bathroom tile her “favorite splurge.”
Instead of a standalone shower and bath space, Nye Nicholas combined the two into a single enclosed space, encased entirely in marble tile, a feature she calls one of the home’s biggest splurges. Expansive windows bring the outdoors into the homeowner’s daily wellness routine.
SON’S BEDROOM
Childhood favorite hues informed the palette of this space.
“The middle of three boys, Cameron is a color-loving kid and helped us make some fun choices for his bedroom,” explains Nye Nicholas. “He loved yellow and red, especially. We drenched the room in his preferred shade of gold and added pops of reds, blues, and greens throughout. One of the first things Cam gravitated towards was the Jim Thompson Garden Party fabric on the bolster pillow, so we made that a feature for him.”
POWDER BATHROOM
Wallpaper from Josh Green Design mimics the look of tile.
With access to the pool deck, this bathroom gets frequent use following parties. Nye Nicholas coated the wallpaper in vinyl before installation to ensure its durability. “The colorful medicine cabinet mirror is extra functional and chock-full of band-aids and antibiotic ointment for the three active boys,” she adds.
OUTDOOR
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“An outdoor retreat made for family fun and entertaining alike, this incredible space hits all the marks our clients set for us,” says Nye Nicholas. A hot tub and pool, with retractable kid-safe covers, two outdoor dining tables—one on the covered porch and one on the pool deck—an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, and plenty of lounge chairs complete the scene.
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About the Designer
Ramsay Nye creates distinctively original interiors that reflect their clients by blending the principles of interior design with the beauty of decorative arts and a reverence for thoughtful architecture. The full-service interior design and decoration studio focuses on luxury residential and hospitality projects nationwide from studio locations in Athens, Georgia and Ann Arbor, Michigan, led by Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas, respectively.
