Small Updates Reaped Big Rewards in This Contemporary Home

Dramatic transformations aren’t just the stuff of gut renos. Designer and stylist Erin Wheeler and her husband, David, fixed up most of their 1989 Raleigh, North Carolina, home to suit their tastes with simple yet jaw-dropping cosmetic changes. They wiped out the place’s stuffy, traditional vibes (think dated fixtures and finishes, and lots of cream) with all sorts of mini tweaks, including fresh paint, contemporary cabinet hardware and new light fixtures. “Those updates kept us going, room by room, while we saved up for a master bathroom makeover,” says Erin. But the truth is, she’s not totally finished, and that’s the way she likes it. “The joy of small changes is that you can keep playing around,” says Erin. “It doesn’t cost much to swap stuff in and out — and you can keep having fun!”

How do you make a traditional white house a little edgy? Paint the front door and shutters dark gray (they were green before). The Wheelers used Evening Hush by Behr. “It made the house much more our style,” says Erin. Small Upgrade: Dark gray door and shutters.

Patterns are a tried-and-cute way to refresh a room — even more so if you choose two that play off each other. Erin juxtaposed a subtle floral peel-and-stick wallpaper with a graphic black-and-white rug from Lulu and Georgia. When an entry isn’t that large, a chic console, mirror and rug make a major impression. Small Upgrade: Petite console by OrWa Designs.

Adding texture makes a space more interesting, and Erin layered it on. She traded in the old ceiling fan for a woven pendant and complemented it with a rattan chair (both by Serena & Lily). The tone of the leather sofa picks up on the legs of the plush armchair (both are from West Elm). The supersoft rug is from Boutique Rugs. Small Upgrades: Ledges for art, a black door and lots of white trim.