MAKEOVER: Watch Color & Pattern Revive An Old House!

Cheery hues and bold fabrics breathe new life into a 1920s home, thanks to designer William MacDonald. Get his brilliant design tips — including ways to make a room look larger — and learn about his clients’ fearless design sensibility.

Although the home was old, it had great bones. William created two seating areas in the gracious living room to maximize space, and daringly mixed bright colors and prints for personality. Pattern continues into the dining room, where the chairs are upholstered in a graphic blue and white print. In the adjacent garden room, William brought in comfortable seating and a large table to create a casual, multifunctional space. Wainscotting nods to the original architecture in the foyer, while cloud-printed wallpaper offers a modern look in the bedroom.