Natalia Lerman:Thanks! It took us two years to build the Sky House. We wanted to create a premium “boutique” vacation home with a strong focus on design. As most hosts treat their rental as a commodity, looking to minimize costs instead of maximizing the experience for guests, we both felt that there was an unmet need for a boutique retreat.
Shannon: Wow, well it shows. The Sky House looks like a sanctuary for anyone who stays there. Do you and your husband, Edward, have design backgrounds?
Natalia: My husband Edward has a business education. I graduated as an architect, and after graduation I worked as an interior architect.
Shannon: Ah, so you used both of your strengths to create a unique experience for vacationers. I love that! The contrast between white walls and the bold blue accents and geometric mural is striking. Tell me about the colors you chose and why.
Natalia: Color really impacts how one feels in a space. When done well, colors can impart a feeling of comfort and well being. To select our interior colors, we cross-referenced what we know about color psychology with the tones of the surrounding landscape. We ultimately settled on a white palette accented by varying shades of blue and turquoise, along with a bit of green.
White creates a refreshing and clean look, making the space feel bigger and works very well with bold colors.
Blue is a gorgeous color. Besides the fact that blue is the color of the sky and sea, it fosters a positive mental state. It is also associated with trust, peace, loyalty and wisdom. In fact, when Twitter analyzed the accounts of over one million users to determine color preference, blue emerged as the color most users preferred.
Shannon:So you really thought about this from a psychological perspective; considering how these colors will feel to the people who they stay in this house. It totally works- the entire house feels tranquil and cozy even though the decor is quite contemporary and minimal. It's perfect. Tell me more...
Natalia::Well, I think that art is just as important as the rest of the home decor. When you see the "right" piece of art, you will feel it. Don't be afraid to mix art pieces from different styles - use bold colors, go eclectic if you feel like it, and always trust your intuition! Find something that works for YOU. This is how truly unique design happens. In our case, we picked out the paintings after the interior was already completed. We were lucky to find pieces that harmoniously fit into the design, adding a unique character.
Shannon: I totally agree with you. Art is personal, you can't worry about what anyone else thinks about it, and art doesn't have to match your decor- it just has to feel 'right'.
And what about the exterior? I love how the siding blends with the landscape. What was your process for that?
Natalia:Yes, the exterior has a very calm, earthy color and almost disappears in the surrounding nature, being part of it.
Shannon:Can you offer any tips for readers who are hesitant to use color on their walls?
Natalia: My advice would be to just do it! It's really fun. If you're having difficulty understanding which color palette you gravitate towards, just look at your wardrobe - it will tell you!
Shannon: Sold! I just love this place. Where can our readers find your house should they be ready for a break?
Natalia: Our Sky House is located in Dillon Beach, California, which is just over an hour from San Francisco.
You can book your stay at www.skyhousedb.com.
Follow Sky House on Instagram at @skyhousedb.
If you need design advice, you can find Natalia at @lerman.designs.
Shop the Sky House Colors