Design by Room / Kitchens

How a Stylist Gives Her San Francisco Home the Perfect Pop of Color

Small accent, big statement.

styling by

Rosy Fridman

Kelsey Mulvey

Updated Oct 11, 2018 6:59 PM

In partnership with

Nairobi Dusk Paint and Cameo White Paint by Behr.

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Let’s face it: Adding a pop of color to an otherwise neutral home is easier said than done. Choose a shade that’s too bright or dark, and it could overpower a room. On the other hand, something too light will barely turn heads.

San Francisco-based stylist Rosy Fridman, however, knows how to find a happy medium. “I like to keep the rest of the room serene, but have a strong, dramatic moment,” she says. Fridman lives in a multi-storied Queen Anne-style Victorian with her husband and son in the city’s famous Alamo Square neighborhood—yes, just like in Full House. And in her own home, a strong, dramatic moment takes place in the kitchen.

Hasami Porcelain Bottle Need Supply Co.; Brass Sides Spoon Earthen; Nairobi Dusk Paint by Behr. Photography by Seth Smoot

Focusing on a small alcove in the kitchen, she repainted the once-black space using Behr Marquee® Paint in the muted peach shade, Nairobi Dusk PPU3-10. Fridman was drawn to the orange maple hue because it reminded her of the color of ceramics and vegetable-tanned leather. “It’s a very natural color,” she explains.

The warm tones in Nairobi Dusk bring a welcoming feel to the kitchen without veering into the ubiquitous millennial pink territory. Color aside, Behr Marquee Paint is mildew resistant and comes in over 1,000 one-coat colors*, so it’ll continue to look it’s best long after the paint dries.

Nairobi Dusk Paint and Cameo White Paint by Behr. Photography by Seth Smoot

Accent walls can look a little jarring, especially in a minimalist space, so Fridman lessened the shock factor by adding touches of similar colors to the rest of the room. Not only did she install a shelf, painted Nairobi Dusk, of course, in the alcove, but she accessorized the room with her favorite collected objects and decorative accents, all in a similar color palette.

“I made the perfect home for my objets,” she explains. “They inspired my paint color, not the other way around.” From the angular pink pendant hanging over the counter to the clay planter on the floor, these small touches, including the blush canvas on an adjacent wall, create a cohesive space and offer a nod to the alcove.

Leather Topped Adam Stool by Toke Lauridsen for Frama CPH Spartan Shop; Dom Rattan Chair by Bloomingville Living and Co.; Art by Annie Clark; Cameo White Paint by Behr. Photography by Seth Smoot

Of course, this wasn’t the only part of the kitchen that received a makeover. Fridman created contrast with the accent alcove by painting the rest of the walls in Cameo White MQ3-32 a Behr Marquee Paint with a delicate rose undertone. “I often find colors from the same palette go best together,” she explains.

The cool tones in Cameo White balance out the warmth of Nairobi Dusk and, as Fridman says, makes her marble look seamless. The shade also highlights the space’s original crown molding.

Art by Annie Clark; Nairobi Dusk Paint and Cameo White Paint by Behr. Photography by Seth Smoot

“The most important thing to me is to respect the architecture,” the stylist explains. “From there, I can add modernity in different ways, such as paint and fabrics.” Modern with a slight homage to the home’s history, this kitchen proves a little bit of paint can go a long way.