designer
dawn cook
rooms
living room, dining room, foyer, family room
location
cleveland heights, ohio
style
transitional
norfolk residence
longtime friends of dawn—and previous stewards of the colby residence—moved into a grand 1920s home and again sought dawn’s expertise to enhance beautiful features and revamp others.
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Together with the client, Dawn made a plan to rework the front rooms of the home. Dawn knew the space, which featured obscured original details and lacked light, needed brightness and custom work.
The living room desired both sophistication and family-friendly warmth. The 30-foot space was visually separated into two sections: a custom sectional providing ample space for entertaining friends by the bar, and a transitional Tete de Tete sofa acting as a crossover piece where guests can be part of conversation on either side. The custom bar by Woodworks contains countless special details, including a beverage center, icemaker, custom hardware, polished nickel grill inlay and inset lighting. In the rest of the room, furniture was strategically repurposed from the client’s prior home and fits right in.
Custom, new-build closets are the quiet standout of the dining room. Silver inlay in the cabinetry flows beautifully into the home’s original details. This ultra-functional addition provides a place to store and display the family’s antique silver and China. Also in the dining room, a stately window bench and custom buffet were added. The light fixture was replaced with a polished nickel Ralph Lauren piece. Around the fireplace, glossy black Fireclay tile provides a moody yet classic touch.
In the grand foyer, original home details shine. Dawn intentionally kept the space neutral and clutter-free, updating only lighting and wall paint.
The expansive family room features another mix of original detailing, updated features and repurposed furnishings. Brick walls were painted white to brighten the space, and large red terracotta floor tiles were replaced with cozy wool carpeting. New window benches were added—with venting to allow heat to escape—for seating and storage. The previously dark fireplace was redone with a custom cement surround by Ideal Surfaces, both elegant and casual.