By Design: Using Neutrals to Create a Warm and Historic Home

Today we're speaking with artist and designer Josh Young about his approach to decorating Sycamore House, his historic Virginia property. Known for his ability to fuse traditional and contemporary design elements, Josh shares his process of selecting the perfect colour palette, using our renowned paints to enhance the home’s timeless character. Through careful consideration of texture, tone, and heritage, Josh explains how he restored the property’s original charm while introducing modern, thoughtful accents that create a sense of harmony throughout the space.

Tell us about yourself and your design approach

I am an artist, author, and designer, and my studio, Josh Young Design House is based in Washington, DC. My work both on and off the canvas is heavily rooted in my love and appreciation for classic, traditional references, while incorporating a modern perspective. My goal has always been to create harmony between old world elements and modern details, where just the right amount of tension and juxtaposition can exist.

Tell us about Sycamore House; what was it like when you first bought it, have you changed it much, how did you approach the renovation?

Sycamore House is our country property located near Middleburg, Virginia. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Quaker fieldstone homes scattered the landscape and were always something I aspired to one day own, as they held such a nostalgic quality for me. When we first toured the house, it was love at first sight. Built in 1780, the home miraculously features so many original details and bones which we found to be a rare thing to come across. I had an ethos that this project was going to be more about restoration vs renovation, so the aim was utilizing and elevating some of the original features by bringing it into modern day through decorative accents such as textiles, wallpaper, and paint color that we featured.

You have an extensive art collection, was this a factor when designing the home?

I think there is certainly a through line between my art and my designs. I think my creative point of view is applicable to both, and when designing the home, similar to how I approach a painting, it was about returning to key elements I always turn to: palette, texture, form, layers, and a sense of nostalgia. I naturally wanted my art to live in the space, but I also wanted room for collected pieces such as vintage portraiture or black and white photography I have collected. It’s a true mix that gives more character to the home.

How did you plan your colour scheme? Was there a lot of deliberating and sampling?

I think the color scheme and establishing a color palette for a home is so important and I love working through that process. To know me is to know my love of neutrals, but with specific and intentional accents using color and pattern. When selecting the perfect off-white colors, I wanted them to feel warm and historic. Therefore, I leaned into neutrals featuring a more pink/red-cast, for example Dimity, and more creamy buttery off-whites like Wimborne White and New White. I knew I wanted the parlor floor to be in a soft yellow so we went with Dorset Cream, which really adds warmth and truly envelopes you when you’re in the space. In the kitchen we did the cabinetry and walls in Dimity, which again added a softness. For the center island we chose Deep Reddish Brown. All together, when sampling and laying out the palette, all of the colors that are featured throughout the home felt cohesive and historic in nature.

Why did you choose Farrow & Ball?

Quality. For me, Farrow & Ball colors have always had a tendency to evolve throughout the day in different settings and lighting. And again, choosing the right paint colors for this home was so crucial and important that I wanted to use the best paint in order to do the home justice.