See How This Design Duo Brought Their Airy Texan Home to the Dark Side

Nowadays, it feels like everyone wants to decorate their home in a neutral color palette. Light, airy shades reminiscent of cruising down Pacific Coast Highway are in, anything moody is out. But as Brett and Kara Phillips prove, it pays off to venture to the dark side (by way of a single coat of paint).

As the duo behind Texas-based design firm High Street Homes, Brett and Kara are no strangers to today’s hype around neutrals. In fact, they consider their style “California Southern,” a combination of Brett’s West Coast roots and Kara’s upbringing in a small Texan town. Nestled outside of Fort Worth, Texas, the couple’s new house boasts clean lines, natural light, and tons of those popular subdued tones. But when it came to decorating their home office, they wanted to stray from the norm.

“Our house is light and bright, so we wanted the office to be a departure and yet still feel like it belonged,” Kara says. 

To create a space that would make a statement but still feel cohesive with the rest of their home, Kara and Brett selected Black Evergreen MQ6-44, a Behr Marquee® Paint. A deep green, the shade is a definite departure for them—and that’s exactly why Kara and Brett chose it. 

“Its rich tone is somehow strong, yet peaceful,” Brett says. “We felt Black Evergreen would give the office the instant mood shift we were looking for.”

When you’re picking a dramatic color like Black Evergreen, you go big or you go home. The duo went all out with their Behr Paint choice, covering the walls, trim, and desk in the hue. One coat and they were done*. “The paint went on really well,” Kara adds. “It covered the existing paint on our cabinets easily.” To soften the room, Kara and Brett painted the ceiling Cameo White MQ3-32, another shade from the Behr Marquee Collection. 

“We like that it elevates the eye and gives it a little moment of exhale from all the rich color,” Kara says of the white ceiling. Accessorized with natural wood touches and a vintage rug, the high-contrast workspace is finally a space this couple actually wants to spend time in. 

“It creates a coziness that makes us want to linger and really focus when we’re in the office,” Brett says. “It now has a distinct sense of space from the rest of the house. When we close the pocket door, we feel like we’re in a different, dedicated environment, which is great for getting things done.” 

Turns out, the dark side isn’t so bad after all. 

*Limitations apply. Visit Behr.com/MarqueeInterior for more details.

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