There’s a certain magic to stumbling upon the perfect home—not the obvious showstopper, but the one that quietly tugs at your heart until you realize it was meant to be yours all along. For interior designer Molly Singer, that serendipitous realization came in the form of a classic, understated colonial nestled just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A home she had walked past countless times, never quite considering—until the moment she did. And that’s when the transformation began.
A Colonial Reinvention: The Art of Bold Decision-Making
With a sprawling three-acre landscape as its backdrop, the house possessed an undeniable charm. But inside? A time capsule of Colonial Williamsburg inspiration, steeped in heavy tradition. Rather than stripping away its heritage, Molly sought to infuse new life into it—an approach she describes as, “taking everything up a notch.” Wallflower neutrals gave way to daring hues, patterns danced across textiles, and every room was refreshed to marry history with a modern, energetic pulse.
A Sitting Room Drenched in Classic Drama
Walking into the formal sitting area feels like stepping into a carefully curated painting—a rich, storied palette of ochre yellows, deep forest greens, and striking blues playing harmoniously. The upholstery, with its crisp contrast piping, frames the room while a floral occasional chair and chinoiserie pillows add a refined eclecticism. Above, the steely blue fretwork ceiling detail is a masterstroke, drawing the eye upward and lending an air of grandeur while remaining true to the home’s roots.
Get the Look: Wallpaper: Abaca Harvest by Phillip Jeffries / Trim Paint: Sloe Blue by Farrow & Ball
The Breezy, Cottage-Perfect Kitchen
Few spaces strike the delicate balance between nostalgia and fresh refinement quite like Molly’s kitchen. The generous 12-foot ceilings set the stage for a space that feels airy yet intimate. Shaker-style cabinetry, adorned with furniture-style brackets, stands steadfast against creamy tongue-and-groove paneling. Meanwhile, custom-stained oak beams stretch across the ceiling in warm, grounding contrast. It’s a kitchen that invites you in with the scent of freshly baked bread, where every detail—down to the delicate corbels—is considered.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint: Skywalker by Backdrop / Paneling Paint: Pointing by Farrow & Ball / Stain: 50/50 Cocoa & Natural by Bona
Elegance in the Details: A Historically Inspired Dining Space
A home’s dining room should tell a story, and Molly’s certainly does. A stunning chinoiserie mural wallpaper wraps the space in an air of old-world romance, its ethereal tones playing beautifully against a commanding mahogany dining table and sideboard—both storied antiques by the venerable American furniture maker Baker. But perhaps the most enchanting detail? The moment of discovery—unearthing remnants of a nearly identical wallpaper beneath layers of old paint and drywall. “It was definitely a meant-to-be moment,” Molly muses.
Get the Look: Wallpaper: Les Oiseaux by Schumacher / Trim Paint: Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball
A Pattern-Filled Primary Suite for the Fearless
Molly believes in the power of committing to a vision, and nowhere is this more apparent than her pattern-forward primary bedroom. Gingham lampshades nod to country charm, a leopard-printed rug whispers rebellious sophistication, and the striking wallpaper—though initially a source of hesitation—cocooned the room in warmth. “I thought, ‘Is this going to be too much?’ but then I reminded myself—the best designs come from going all-in,” she says.
In the adjoining bathroom, textured grasscloth wallpaper tempers the drama of moody black limestone tiles, while a classic slipper tub with a freestanding telephone faucet creates an irresistible invite to long, luxurious soaks.
Get the Look: Bedroom Wallpaper: Indian Arbre by Schumacher / Window Trim: Sloe Blue by Farrow & Ball / Bathroom Wallpaper: Gramercy Weave by Phillip Jeffries
The Ultimate Laundry Room Transformation
While others may have balked at transforming an old family room into a laundry-meets-mudroom, Molly embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Now, an oversized 150-year-old French farm table serves as an elegant folding station by day and an effortlessly chic family catchall by night. Meanwhile, verdant cabinetry—painted in a rich, woodsy green—houses a full-size farmhouse sink alongside a discreet yet delightfully practical dishwasher, officially claiming its spot as the hardest-working room in the house.
Get the Look: Wallpaper: McCall by Ferrick Mason / Cabinetry: Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball
Back Porch Bliss and Nature’s Finishing Touch
Outdoor spaces are not mere afterthoughts in Molly’s world—they’re extensions of a home’s narrative. Just off the main living area, a screened-in back porch offers a leafy retreat, awash in vibrant greens designed to echo its surroundings. Elsewhere on the property, a historic well house stands as a charming relic of the past, dappled light spilling through the trees in the afternoon glow—a serene reminder of why this house, the one once overlooked, was always meant to be.
Get the Look: Ceiling Paint: Haven by Sherwin-Williams / Walls: Pointing by Farrow & Ball / Table: Garden Table by Mainly Baskets / Chaise: Beach House Chaise by Mainly Baskets
Design is, at its core, an embrace of possibility. Molly Singer’s Colonial revival is proof that history and daring reinvention can exist in perfect harmony—a testament to taking that audacious leap, layering on the patterns, and trusting that, sometimes, going a little wild is exactly the right choice.