5 min read“Good bones, blank walls, no soul.” That’s how interior designer Leah Ring described the starting point of a project she completed for a young family in the Bay Area last fall.
The three-story 1926 property had been newly flipped, including an updated kitchen and bathrooms. The client tapped Ring—whose studio, Another Human, is known for its invigorating yet elegant approach to color—to bring personality, warmth, and selective millwork into the 3,500 square-foot residence, with a relatively tight turnaround.
“We first connected in May and they hoped to move in by September,” remembers Ring. The timeline—and the fact that all involved agreed it would be wasteful to scrap the recent renovations—necessitated a light touch that would be nonetheless transformative. The result is a lively, lovely abode, full of vibrant hues and delightful patterns, with child-friendly furnishings that are uncompromisingly stylish. “This is an adult home, but you can be totally comfortable knocking around in these rooms,” says Ring.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Leah Ring, Another Human
Location: Bay Area, CA
The Space: A five-bedroom, four-bathroom home across 3,438 square feet
ENTRY
A vibrant blue vestibule invites pause.
The homeowners have two young children as well as a dog, and functional practicality was high priority in this space, as was the palette. “I always pitch a strong color for a foyer, and here that was really important for setting the tone,” explains Ring, who drenched the cabinetry and foyer in Benjamin Moore’s Summer Blue.
Green knobs and hooks pick up the wallpaper in the dining room beyond the archway, and the small bench cushion was reupholstered with Liberty of London fabric. “Stuff is inescapable,” adds Ring. “We just wanted to make sure the place they stored said stuff felt special.”
LIVING ROOM
Striped pendants add interest overhead.
While the basement floor of the house provides a dedicated space for play, the clients knew that, realistically, kid stuff has a way of sneaking into every room—and they wanted to embrace it. “They entertain a lot, so we had to find a way for it to still look good with extra stuff around,” says Ring. “A mixture of patterns and colors creates enough texture that a room doesn’t have to be serene with everything in the right spot—it actually looks more beautiful the more lived in it is.”
To create that vibe, Ring centered an unmatched pair of complementary sofas to the fireplace, with a chunky wood coffee table in between. The floral-print swivel chairs round out the seating arrangement, while red accents, like the ceiling lights and side table, add a dash of irreverent modernism. A flat weave rug with a large-format pattern makes the room feel expansive; glowy peach walls provide a backdrop that is at once playful and chic.
KITCHEN
Mint leans retro in a charming and approachable way.
The kitchen had been renovated, outfitted with new cabinetry, appliances, and a seating island before the time of purchase, and the clients were inclined to keep the millwork and finishes but change the colors. Ring selected Marina Bay by Benjamin Moore, which picked up on the preexisting tile behind the prep area. Lemon yellow Emeco stools offset the traditional Shaker-front cabinetry, and a new Roman shade softens the overall space.
DINING NOOK
A deep burgundy banquette anchors the expansive table.
Across the foyer, a custom banquette, mint trim, and bold florals pull you into the dining area, which opens onto the kitchen. A built-in was a no-go due to the lower-rise windows, which Ring outfitted with light-filtering cafe curtains.
“I felt strongly about the banquette having more of a bench feel—it’s something like ten by six feet, and it would have looked extremely heavy without the exposed legs,” says Ring. Channel tufting gives off vintage vibes that pair well with the Josef Frank’s Eldblomman wallpaper. The vinyl upholstery serves up another nod to things retro—plus, the wipeability factor can’t be beat when you have small children.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Aubergine and pistachio make for an unexpectedly chic combo.
The biggest challenge in this room was the positioning of the bed. “There were only two walls where it could go, and this was the right one for the flow of the room,” says Ring. “But you have to be able to read in bed, so it can’t wobble.” She wound up commissioning a custom headboard that could be braced to the wall while still allowing space for the curtains to function. Vintage nightstands and a Turkish rug bring character to the space, while the flouncy bedskirt and floor-length drapery layer in coziness.
GUEST BEDROOM
Primary hues are softened by a uniting pattern on the drapes.
Because the guest bedroom is just off the dining room, Ring saw it as an opportunity to elaborate on that color story. Here, Liberty of London print drapery was paired with a kelly green upholstered platform bed, while a cranberry lamp by Hem plays against pigmented blue walls. Artwork the client already owned turned out to be a perfect finishing touch.
BATHROOM
A palette of all-blues gains interest through texture.
In the nearby kid’s bathroom, Ring chose a blue paint that picked up on the pre-existing vibrant blue tile, then added new lights, linens, and a patchwork shower curtain by Quiet Home that looks almost like stained glass when backlit during the day. The endpoint—of this bathroom and the overall project—is proof that minor, thoughtful changes can turn builder basic into a beautifully layered home.
SON’S BEDROOM
Pattern and color abound in a space dedicated to childhood magic.
“I love a sill-length curtain in a kid’s room—I almost always use them because they feel less serious,” says Ring. In the son’s bedroom, a winning formula: patterned drapery and Roman shades match custom cushions on the built-in storage benches, with forgiving rugs underfoot. Tonal woodwork and whimsical overhead lights complete the look.
OFFICE
Midcentury vibes and custom millwork create an ideal WFH setup.
Millwork was the major game-changer in this room, which serves as an at-home office space for the couple. Gold walls and rich blue carpeting complement the new woodwork, while a vintage leather armchair and brass accents lend a feeling of history to the space.
About the Designer
Another Human is a design firm specializing in highly personalized residential and commercial interiors. Deeply committed to the individual, each project is shaped by the architecture and inhabitants it serves to create unique spaces that spark joy.
Initially founding Another Human as a furniture design practice, Principal Leah Ring brings a maker's bespoke sensibility to every project. Custom furnishings are incorporated alongside vintage treasures and personal heirlooms, and a love of color runs through everything. Another Human’s design process is both innovative and considered, resulting in layered interiors that are transportive and timeless.
