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As an interior designer based in Newport Beach, California, Lindye Galloway’s signature coastal-modern style feels right at home in salty-air-kissed environments. So when she was asked to transform a dated mansion in the sleepy Colorado town of Sedalia into a family-friendly residence with a French château feel, Galloway had to flex a different design muscle. “It’s a style that’s outside of our norm, so it was fun to try something different by leaning into more of an Old World feel,” she says.
We sat down with Galloway to find out how she pulled it off, her favorite space in the revived home, and how to get the look.
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Editor’s note: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
5280: Tell me a bit about your client for this project. What was their vision for the home?
Lindye Galloway: I worked on their house in Newport Beach, which they still have. They have children and grandchildren in Colorado, so the Sedalia residence is their retirement home. They essentially wanted two different lifestyle approaches: In Newport, they can walk to the beach and chat with their neighbors right next door. In Sedalia, they have more privacy, land, and quiet. They wanted a French château style that seamlessly integrated the location’s beautiful Colorado landscape.
What condition was the home in when you started the project?
We knew from the beginning it would be a complete remodel. The house had the bones that were totally right for a French château feel; we just wanted to make it a little more modern. What’s beautiful about this house is you have a traditional feel with a formal dining room, a den, a library, a parlor—it has all of these separate components. But every room was really disjointed; there were different colors in every room. It needed more connection. We wanted to make sure each space has its own unique feel while having a common story throughout.
This home has such an inviting warmth about it. Tell me about the materials, colors, and techniques you used to make that happen.
The home sits on 55 acres of pastoral land, so it was important to bring natural elements in. We used a lot of natural marble throughout, which I think gives it an aged—but still modern and updated—feel. I know some people don’t go for marble because they don’t think it’s practical, but in this style of home, it really gives it a lived-in look. We also kept the home’s original beamwork and the fireplaces. In some areas, we used natural colors, a soothing feel.
For the color palette, we mainly went with warm neutrals—nothing too white or bright. There’s so much wall space in this house, so to help fill them out and add more softness and texture, we used a limewash paint from Color Atelier. In certain areas, we used pops of color with dark undertones for a moody feel.
The light fixtures and textiles make such an impact on the overall feel of the home.
When remodeling a space, it’s important to keep in mind that these components—light fixtures, art, and window coverings—are key pieces to bring a room together. My philosophy is that the lighting serves as a focal point, while the window coverings add warmth, depth, and a finishing touch to the space.
You’ve designed homes all over the country—New York, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and now Colorado. How do you make sure you’re designing spaces that feel authentic to their locations?
We try to guide our client to create something that feels true to the area. The biggest factor is what kind of land is it on: Are there a bunch of trees on the property? Is it in a field? Is it a beach town or a city? What is the overall feel that we want to give? For this home, there was so much beautiful land and horse pastures, which worked perfectly with a French feel.
What’s your favorite room in the house?
The parlor is such an interesting spot because it brings us back to what family life used to be before technology. There’s no TV; it’s all about connection and being together. I think we captured this warm essence that is comfortable to hang out in. There’s a card table and other fun elements that bring you back to the core of family.
What are your tips for creating a similar, French-château-inspired look?
Emphasize the blend of sturdy materials with delicate, soft components, while incorporating vintage-inspired touches throughout. I also recommend sticking to neutral tones while embracing bold accents, such as the statement wallpaper we used in the dining room or the color-drenching we did in the parlor.
