Some homes have good bones—and some just need a whole lot of feeling. That was the case for this 2014 version of a Craftsman, where a family of three (plus their retired greyhound, River) saw the potential underneath the meh. Flat gray walls, poorly patched paint jobs and too-white trim weren’t doing the space any favors. But with a fearless eye for color, a deep love of story and a Wes Anderson-meets-Kelly Wearstler aesthetic, Ashley Whiteside gave her home the vibe shift it needed and deserved. 

For Ashley, decorating is all about the mood. “I’m a feeler, and I want to feel a certain way in my home. And I want it to be a little weird,” she says. With creativity at the core, Ashley brought that vision to life—layering color, texture and warmth throughout. See how a little risk (and a lot of heart) turned a flat, forgettable space into something truly unforgettable. 

Making an Entrance (Literally) 

Before

After

As the first impression, the entryway needed to strike a chord—and the original version simply didn’t. Determined to make it both functional and visually magnetic, Ashley leaned into a color-drenched approach, extending paint across the walls, trim, stairway.

To mix things up even more, Ashley brought in Wing It, our best light pink paint, to add contrast and charm. The result is a statement-making, color-rich entryway that feels confident, cohesive and totally unexpected. It feels like something straight out of a Wes Anderson film (if Wes had a thing for color-drenched rooms). 

Stepping It Up 

Thresholds might not get the spotlight, but in Ashley’s home, they get star treatment. Painted by hand using meticulously placed painter’s tape as a spacer, each transition between rooms is framed in custom-colored trim—Like Buttah and Views—to create intentional moments of contrast and flow.  

DIY Dining Room 

Next stop: the dining room. Once a sad space with mismatched finishes and no soul, it now boasts a faux grass cloth peel-and-stick wallpaper that adds instant texture (and a dreamier vibe) while the real deal is saved for. “I lived with the space for a few months to see how the light played in there and began considering colors for everywhere,” Ashley says. After briefly flirting with Dirty Martini (now reserved for a future kitchen cabinet moment), she ultimately chose Greenish, a lush hue that plays beautifully with the space’s warm red-orange floors—an element that wasn’t going anywhere. 

Before

After

“Technically, choosing a green wasn’t the right choice for the lighting,” she laughs, referring to the mix of strong morning sun and softer northern exposure. “But I wanted to anyway. YOLO—it’s just paint.” 

“I even painted the wall under the wallpaper so the seams wouldn’t show the dark gray color,” Ashley shares. The same green tone continues here, tying the entry and dining room together in a moody, modern way. 

And while the furniture and decor are still evolving, she’s been intentional about balancing cooler colors with warm elements, focusing on function and beauty. “I tried to get a good foundation so I can keep bringing in layers over time,” she says. 

A Color That Glows (Literally) 

The color may not have been the textbook choice for the lighting in the space, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was the way it felt. “It’s so much more interesting now, and so enjoyable to be in,” Ashley says. “It has a lovely glow at night.” 

The Moments That Make It 

Of course, no space is complete without a few good vignettes—and this home has plenty. Ashley's favorite? The view across the table to the wallpapered wall, with its layered lamps, painted trim, and plant. “It captures so many good textures all at once,” she says. 

And if you ask her what she learned along the way, she’ll tell you this: “Pastels are for anywhere you want them.” In other words? Design rules are made to be broken. Especially when you’re creating a space that tells your story.