How does Autumn Williams’ 19th-century Denver home look so fresh and modern? A Havenly makeover. This one admittedly had a solid leg up, however—Autumn is a Havenly senior designer (see more of her designs on Instagram). Still, she used the service she knows best to breathe new life into a storied space, after she spent a few years searching for a permanent home.
“The homes I looked at were either already flipped and had horrible finishes, or I couldn’t see any potential in them,” Autumn recalls. “I was looking for a fixer-upper, but it had to have potential. I wanted a space with established trees, a layout I could redesign to make more functional, and old quirks to give the home character.” She found that in a Victorian-style home built in 1891, and partnered with Havenly to infuse European and modern touches throughout the space. The result is a calming haven (get it?) where Autumn can cozy up with a glass of wine and a classic novel. See how her look came to life below.
Though her home is in the Rockies, Autumn couldn’t help but draw on her favorite design style, which she calls Parisian Modern. “It’s a mix of really classic pieces with more modern, minimalist ones,” she says. “I love how Parisian flats pair minimalist furniture with the beautiful existing architecture of the home.” Autumn prefers working in a classic, neutral palette and readily admits that leopard is in fact a neutral—“It adds pattern that I think is needed,” she says (check out those amazing chairs in the dining room!). Natural elements like jute add texture to the space. Some of Autumn’s favorite pieces in her home perfectly evoke the Parisian Modern aesthetic, such as a subtly ornate, brass leaning mirror from Restoration Hardware.
Autumn loves how her home’s design is an act of self-expression. “I’m very minimal and classic. I hardly wear color, I love history, I love fashion, and I love the culture in Europe. I think someone could easily pair me with my home,” she says. “My home is a reflection of who I am on the outside and the inside.” Because her home so beautifully reflects her interests, Autumn feels completely at ease in it—which is a good thing, considering she spends all of her time there now. “My family and I cook family recipes, play board games around the table, and watch movies on the sofa.”
“Home is a safe haven. It’s a blank canvas. It’s where you can be yourself completely,” Autumn says. That’s why it’s so important for everyone to feel comfortable in their space. Her tip? “Hire me,” she says, laughing. Autumn’s expertise lies in bringing people’s unique personal style to life with interior design in a way that complements the home’s innate architectural cues.
To recreate a style like her own home, she suggests going with more modern and minimal options for the larger core pieces. Some of her favorites include this textured chair and this simple, clean-lined sofa, both from CB2. Then, add in ornate, classic decor pieces to finish the look. Art allows you to add that sense of true personalization. “All of my art pieces have a story behind them, which is why I love collecting as much as the art itself,” she says.
Want a European-inspired space like Autumn’s? Get paired with your perfect designer after taking the Havenly style quiz.