The Happy Blue Room: In the formal living room, the painting by Bissinger’s mother inspired the blue walls in Benjamin Moore’s Admiral Blue. Photo by Sue Brenner.Sunit Gill’s love for color runs deep. Originally from India, where color infuses the everyday and every ceremony, she likely could never be at home with neutrals, no matter how hard she might try. Her wedding gown was red, the color of life. Her house is washed in blues and reds and golds.
Although she grew up in the States, she naturally gravitates to rich fabrics, gold and silver, and patterns, an affinity developed from time spent in India.
Dragon Room: The dragon rug, a family heirloom, is the focal point of the family room. The red of the sofa and the blue lounge chair pick up colors from the rug. The oval coffee table is stone with a gold frame from Global Views. Photo by Sue Brenner.Gill had originally planned on asking Atelier Interior Design’s Katie Shroder, who had designed for a friend of hers, for help with her master bath in her southeast Denver home. The collaboration, however, extended far beyond the original scope. They now consider each other friends.
“I came in mid-project on a remodel and helped them collect all finishes and furnishings,” Shroder says. “People get afraid of decorators. They think we cost too much, but mistakes are more costly.”
A Taste of India: The kitchen laser-printed marble tile creates a Morocco vibe. Photo by Sue Brenner.Gill had found a kindred spirit when it came to color and pattern.
In the formal living room, Shroder didn’t hold back. The pair took their inspiraton from the portrait the mother of Gill’s husband, Zachary Bissinger, had painted. Shroder chose Admiral Blue from Benjamin Moore, to make the painting pop. Gill had picked up the rug in India.
A taste of India: The fabric on the dining chair backs, Manuel Canovas Bella Rose by Cowtan & Tout, evokes feelings of the Taj Mahal. Photo by Sue Brenner.“The print on the dining room chairs screamed India to me and I had to have that fabric,” Gill says. “It reminded me of the beautiful marble inlays at Taj Mahal, and Katie agreed we could pull it off.” A family heirloom anchors the family room. “My parents brought the dragon rug back from India long ago. It’s actually a wool rug that came from Tibet,” Gill says.
Gill knew she wanted more blue.
A Taste of India: The vibrant window seat cushion strewn with colorful, patterned throw pillows is the main attraction in the library. The Cooper chair is from Ambella. Photo by Sue Brenner.“The blue tile in the master bath just seemed to flow with the house, and I love it in the shower,” Gill says. “Katie suggested installing it vertically.” The kitchen backsplash is a blue laser print on 12-by-12-inch marble tiles, and lends a Moroccan vibe to the space.
“Sunit knew Atelier was very capable of color and pattern, but she also wanted a timeless home. I think we came away with that,” Shroder says. “A comfortable home where you’re not afraid to sit down.”
Gill, Bissinger, and their two children agree. “It feels like a place that’s bright and happy, yet also calm. It is a really comfortable place to be,” Gill says.
