Emilie Munroes clients werent immediately sold on the idea of painting the ceiling in their piano room and dining room greenemerald and sage, respectively. I was a huge advocate and think it makes the room, she says of the emerald. Ultimately, it came down to [saying], Its just paint. We can always paint over it. And they absolutely loved it once it was installed, Munroe adds. From there, greens became a through line in the design, from the front door to the living room lamps. Together with the family of fives modern art, its unexpected and fun in a grand 1905 Edwardian row house given new life by Munroe, Armour Architecture, and Peter Downey Construction. Asked what inspired the color palette, Munroe credits her design process: We dont present [the client] a board with a layout. We source furnishings and lay out fabrics, wallpapers, finishes, wood samples, and metal [finishes], and together we kind of create piles of our favorites. Its a very primal response that people have to color and pattern, so I just let them be driven to certain elements. Then we just take those and build the house. It gives it a very nimble feeling, and its a truly collaborative experience.FAST FACTSDESIGNER: Studio MunroeLOCATION: San Francisco, CaliforniaTHE SPACE: We do so much color. What I try to focus on is utilizing color in a way thats joyful but not chaotic and is so sophisticated. DINING ROOMA colorful palette refreshed the historical details. Thomas KuohPaint: Kennebunkport Green (ceiling) and Winter Solstice (wainscoting and casework), Benjamin Moore. Wallpaper: Holland & Sherry. Chandelier: Visual Comfort & Co. Dining table: RH. Dining chairs: Norden Living. Area rug: antique, Surya. Bench and floor lamp: Anthropologie.The big question in here was whether or not to paint the natural wood wainscoting and built-in cabinet. Ultimately I think its just a breath of fresh air, Munroe says. Painting the wood really opened up the room. It brought a fresh, more contemporary, energized feeling to a room that was a little bit more dark and serious before. The upper third of the walls is covered in a salmon-toned Holland & Sherry wallpaper. KITCHENA cork board wall and mega island are the stars. Thomas KuohFixtures: Ferguson. Counter stools: Williams-Sonoma. Pendants: RH. Hardware: Rejuvenation.The open floor plan kitchen slash breakfast nook slash family room centers around a gigantic island. At almost six feet wide, it has plenty of work space (lit by nice big lights to ensure its functional, Munroe adds) and room to sit down and eat together. The beverage fridge built into the side facing the breakfast nook and backyard is key for a smart flow. Its completely opposite the main fridge, so youre not crossing paths and bumping each other, she says. The kids can grab something on their way out the door.Thomas KuohCork wallpaper: Widgetco. Banquette, custom by JF Fitzgerald in Maharam fabric. Pendant: Lightology.The cork wall serves as an imperfect, ongoing art gallery for the family that adds color and a natural texture. I had a vision for this breakfast nook with the cork wall, Munroe says. I absolutely love a cork wall. Like wood, it brings a natural element into the vertical space. It grows with age. Teenagers love themthey can drape twinkly lights from it. Its just a genuine, joyful, uber-functional moment.Thomas KuohSofa: A. Rudin, in Romo fabric from De Sousa Hughes. Sconces: Visual Comfort & Co. Drapery: custom, in Hartmann & Forbes fabric. Coffee table: Jayson Home. Drinks table: Design Within Reach. Lounge chair: Arhaus. Area rug: FloorDesign Inc. Task chair: Anthropologie. Armour had the backyard excavated to create a patio, then replaced the back wall of the family room with NanaWall accordion-style glass doors that open up to the outdoors. PRIMARY BEDROOMSubtle paint shifts add to the elegance.Thomas KuohPaint: Palladian Blue (walls and ceiling) and Wedgewood Gray (trim and doors), Benjamin Moore. Drapery: custom, in Clarence House fabric from Kneedler Fauchere. Shades: Hartmann & Forbes. Pendants: Schoolhouse. Nightstands: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Rug: Lulu and Georgia. Round rug: FloorDesigns Inc. Fireplace: Cambria. Dresser: Bungalow 5.Another one of Munroes favorite paint tricks is painting the window sashes charcoal. People think, Oh, will it be severe? Will it make the room look small? I always say it makes your window into a picture frame. It draws eyes to them and makes them very intentional. The dark color matches that of the mantle, which got new details and a marble slab. The ceiling is painted a slightly darker hue than the walls, which gives the curved areas added depth. The nook in the turret gives the parents a private relaxation spot.PRIMARY BATHROOMThe colors make this retreat feel even larger.Thomas KuohFixtures: Waterworks. Sconces:Visual Comfort & Co.Medicine cabinets: LP Decorative Plumbing.Counter:Cambria.Thomas KuohPendant: The Future Perfect. Tub:LP Decorative Plumbing. Tile wainscoting references the detail in the rest of the house. Laid vertically, the tiles help elongate the space. Upper walls painted in crisp Benjamin Moore Decorators White create a sense of airiness too.GIRLS ROOMIt needed to be feminine but not too girlish.Thomas KuohWallpaper:Rebecca Atwood. Bed and lamps:Pottery Barn.Thomas KuohDesk:West Elm.The desk nook in this daughters room overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge.BOYS ROOMIt doubles as a play room.Thomas KuohCeiling paint: Bedford Blue, Benjamin Moore. Rug: West Elm. Pendant and flush mount: RH. Hamper: Pottery Barn Kids.With the sofa, twin bunk, and big rug, theres plenty of room for play dates and hangouts. Munroe replaced the knobs on the clients dresser with whimsical ones of a million little creatures. Look closely and youll see turtles and owls and porcupines and badgers.GIRLS ROOMBright green adds grown-up contrast.Thomas KuohPaint: Pink Harmony (ceiling) and Decorators White (walls), Benjamin Moore. Bed: Pottery Barn Teen. Bedding: Urban Outfitters.Pops of chartreuse wake up the pastel color scheme, with orange-pink ceilings that feel tall and ethereal. The green matches the papier-mch chandelier the clients brought with them from a prior home.POWDER ROOMIt features one of Munroes favorite wallpapers.Thomas KuohVanity: Pottery Barn. Wall light: Lightology. Pendant light and hardware: Rejuvenation. Floor tile: Ann Sacks. Mirror: custom, Paige Glass.Munroe had been waiting for a client to say yes to this bold Voutsa wallpaper, which she loves for its playful octopus motif (and cheeky name). It was an instant yes, she says. We are known for being so bold and eclectic and unique. People are either in or out!LIVING ROOMThis light, bright space is filled with connecting colors. Thomas KuohSofa: Lawson-Fenning in Rebecca Atwood fabric and Kerry Joyce trim from Kneedler Fauchere. Lounge chairs, chandelier, and table lamps: Anthropologie. Sofa back table and mirror: RH. Nesting tables: Made Goods. Coffee table and area rug: Lulu and Georgia. Chandelier: Arteriors. Fireplace tile: Heath Ceramics. Fireplace slab: Cambria. Blinds: Graber.Greens and blues from the adjacent dining room and music room appear in details here. One of our tricks when utilizing a lot of different shades of color to make it grounded is looking from one room to the next and considering how they connect to each otherthose connecting colors, Munroe explains. The lamps on the back of the sofa relate to the chairs that are in the adjacent room on the dining table, just like the two tables have similar wood. Keeping the beautiful architecture but adding contemporary elements was another goal. A towering wood mantle was replaced by a sleek new one that plays well with the familys photography. The sofa has traditional lines but crisp, modern upholstery. PIANO ROOMMunroe wanted it to have a throwback lounge feel.Thomas KuohFloor lamp:CB2. Rug:Lulu and Georgia.Thomas KuohCoffee table and lounge chairs:Croft House. Lounge chair fabric:Clarence House from Kneedler Fauchere. Sofa:CB2 . Chandelier:Ravenhill Studio. Drapery: custom, inPollack fabric from Natalie Mize Collective.This oval-shaped jewel box off the living room overlooks San Francisco Bay. Its a traditional space that feels intimate and set apart, the opposite of what you get in an open floor plan. I liked a little bit of traditional sitting room energy next to the bustling living room, Munroe says. Its elegant but totally livable. The chairs are a go-to for her because the frame is so simple; they completely transform when you reupholster them. They can just live a thousand livesand theyre comfortable.ENTRYWAYAn organic gallery wall can grow with the family.Thomas KuohFront door: Tarrytown Green, Benjamin Moore. Storage cabinet: Lulu and Georgia. Bench and chandelier: CB2. Rug: vintage, Arhaus.The family wanted their existing art to be the focus when you come inside. To create an arrangement they can add to over time, Munroe kept the spacing between items equal but placed them in an asymmetrical cluster. It should be alive, it should be nimblethats the energy you want to get from the the layout style, she says. Generally, the center line should be 60 inches off the floor (most people hang art too high, she says), and the pieces should be between 3.5 and 4.5 inches apart, depending on the frame depth, the mats, and other factors. I like to make sure theyre cozy, she adds. I dont like when they feel like theyre strangers at a party.EXTERIORDark colors sharpen the architecture.Thomas KuohPendant and sconces: Visual Comfort & Co. Planters: West Elm. House numbers: CB2. To lightly refresh the 1905 home, Munroe had the garage door painted in an off-black and the front door painted in a very dark green. Styled by Rachel Forslund.About the DesignerSan Franciscobased designer Emilie Munroe, founder of Studio Munroe, is a member of the House Beautiful Next Wave Class of 2016. With more than 20 years of industry experience, she started her career with Jay Jeffers and has since worked on luxury interior design projects ranging from urban high-rise apartments to suburban homes to rural estates. Emilie is known for her colorful and sophisticated aesthetic. 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