by Darcie Duranceau | photos by White Ox Creative | interior design by Revkah Gordon
Ever stare at a blank wall or a pile of fabric samples and feel totally overwhelmed? Choosing just the right colors and textures for your home can feel like a puzzle. So, how do the pros make it look so easy, turning all those choices into a beautiful, personalized space?
MEET REVKAH – COLOR AND TEXTURE EXPERT
Revkah Gordon, Principal at Revkah Design, brings a wealth of expertise to crafting luxurious and personalized living spaces. Her Carmel-based firm specializes in guiding clients through the entire custom home building selection process, ensuring dreams come to life from foundation to furnishings.
For Revkah and her team, the journey begins long before the first brushstroke of paint or the selection of a single tile. Understanding a client’s “design personality” is paramount. As Revkah explains, “I wish I could say there was a trick to this, but the best way we have found is to spend time with the client. Listen, listen, listen. And they will tell you without telling you.” Her team delves into how clients truly live, what works and doesn’t in their current spaces, even considering factors like pets and children without judgment, as durability and cleanability are often “must-haves.” This deep dive ensures the final design is not just beautiful but perfectly suited to their lifestyle.
BUILDING A COLOR PALETTE
When it comes to building the actual color palette, Revkah considers many factors, emphasizing a layered approach. Elements like natural light, existing architecture, and fixed features are foundational. Modern technology also plays a crucial role; with smart home systems, lighting can be programmed for specific times of day or occasions. Revkah stresses that “layers of lighting are critical to a well-designed space,” combining tape lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and a mix of lamps, wall lights, and overhead fixtures to blend form and function seamlessly with the chosen colors.
DON’T OVERLOOK TEXTURE
Texture, often an overlooked element by homeowners, is equally vital for creating a luxurious and finished feel. Revkah’s approach involves blending materials like wood and metal or incorporating a wool rug that matches well with a textured wallpaper. Many people fear texture, thinking it will be “too busy” or that they will tire of it. However, Revkah says, “I would say the opposite. A well-designed space with intentional texture will help everything work together and feel more finished and ultimately, more luxurious.”
PRACTICE A LIGHT TOUCH WITH TRENDS
Trends, while exciting, are handled with a measured hand at Revkah Design. Revkah advises to “sprinkle” them into designs, recognizing that “more is not more when it comes to trends.” While warm terracottas, beiges, chocolate browns, and jewel tones are currently popular, her firm emphasizes mixing classic and natural materials for timelessness. Natural stone (marble, travertine, soapstone, quartzite), wood (stained and/or painted), and metals are considered essential elements in all their projects, ensuring a high caliber design that endures beyond fleeting fads.
For a homeowner feeling overwhelmed by the myriad of color and texture choices, Revkah offers straightforward advice: “I’d tell them to reach out to a designer and get specialist advice. Overwhelm usually leads to overthinking and can be costly.”
Working with a professional helps avoid hasty, regrettable decisions. Ultimately, the reward for Revkah Design is seeing their clients happy with a space that truly reflects their lives. “Creatives gotta create, and we love what we do,” Revkah says, highlighting the passion that drives their meticulous and client-focused approach.
