4.) Opt for Muted Hues

Earthy tones inspired by the island setting offer a timeless look. “The colors in this house are all meant to blend in, not overshadow,” Kay says. Thinned paint coats walls, ceilings, and cabinetry to create the patina of weathered wood. The subtle, delicate process is barely noticeable from a distance but adds a layer of interest for the discerning eye. “If the paint had been solid, it would have looked too new and stark,” she says.

Just above the kitchen’s apron-front sink, a dark-stained window repeats the floor’s warm hue. “We took a photo of the original windows at our family cabin in Minnesota and copied the look,” says Kay.