Malu Grasso approaches every project with a simple belief: each space has a soul and should reflect the story of the person who inhabits it. The Brazilian-born owner and principal designer of Malu Grasso Interior Design likes to reimagine art and furniture that clients already own and give them new life.
“Many clients tell me, ‘It looks brand new,’ and that moment of rediscovery, for me, is magic,” she says.
When a young couple hired her to transform the first level of their Eastover home, Grasso used their existing art collection as the backbone of the design.
“From there, I crafted an environment that brought together his preference for contemporary lines and her love for classic romanticism,” she says. “It’s a very romantic, Romeo and Juliet-style house.”
Grasso worked with the team at DGK Design and Build on the three-month renovation, which included the kitchen, dining room, wet bar, formal living room, TV lounge, game room and two powder rooms. With 7-year-old twins, the homeowners needed a space that could withstand daily wear-and-tear, so Grasso prioritized durable materials and added plenty of kid-friendly spaces.
KITCHEN AND BREAKFAST NOOK
She began by modernizing the kitchen’s choppy layout and adding a mix of custom and semi-custom floor-to-ceiling cabinets. The oversized island has room for four barstools, and the pendant lights from Visual Comfort have brass accents that tie in with the hardware and fixtures.
“What elevates the room is the balance of clean, contemporary lines with subtle traditional details,” she says. “The marble backsplash, the sculptural light fixtures and the curated art bring a sense of refinement without feeling formal.”
In the breakfast nook, Grasso installed espresso wood cabinetry.
“The glass fronts are so classic looking, and you can see the whites of the dishware,” she says. “The espresso color sets it off.”
The Schumacher wallpaper has a botanical pattern that adds a touch of vintage charm, and the bistro chairs make it feel like a Parisian café.
LIVING ROOM
Grasso continued wainscotting from the kitchen to the living room, where she brightened up the dark beige walls and trim and painted the coffered ceiling white to give the illusion of more height. The fireplace mantel is original to the house, but Grasso changed out the marble insert to update it.
“The curved sofa is the star of the room,” she says. “It brings a modern softness that balances nicely with the more classic pieces, like the cane chairs and the vintage-style rug.”
WET BAR
To create the speakeasy-inspired wet bar, Grasso borrowed a few square feet from the guest room and added built-in cabinetry with a wine fridge. She painted the cabinets a muted sage green and paired them with sleek brass hardware. The back of the bar is lined with antiqued mirror panels, and the shelves are supported by brass posts, giving the display structure and an upscale, architectural feel.
DINING ROOM
Grasso dressed up the dining room in mural wallpaper inspired by 100-year-old Chinese silk fabric.
“It’s bold but still calming, almost like a big piece of art wrapping the whole space,” she says.
She used the homeowners’ chairs from RH and added a new wood table, also from RH, for an uncluttered, minimalist look that doesn’t compete with the wallpaper.
“The chandelier adds a soft glow that warms everything up, and the darker tones make the room feel cozy without being heavy,” she says. “It’s the kind of place where people end up sitting long after dinner is over.”
GAME ROOM AND TV ROOM
The adjacent game room was originally planned as a quiet escape for mom to play mahjong, but it quickly turned into a family hub.
“The deep blue walls create this intimate little cocoon, and the plaid banquette makes the whole corner feel like a place where you can settle in for hours,” Grasso says.
In the TV room, she added grasscloth wallpaper for some unexpected texture and a teal chandelier for a fun pop of color. The homeowners’ artwork makes the space feel familiar and lived-in.
POWDER ROOMS
The powder room got an upgrade with bold, patterned wallpaper from Anthropologie Home, rich dark paneling and elegant brass details.
“The marble console sink, mirror and stylish light fixture pull everything together for a polished, boutique-hotel feel,” Grasso says.
Linked to the game room is an outdoor powder room that the homeowners added in anticipation of a backyard pool. The wallpaper mural gives it a travel-inspired vibe, while the carved wood mirror and woven sconces bring an organic touch. The stone sink was made in Turkey, and the patterned floor tiles tie everything together for a fresh, curated look.
“I often say that design is an act of translation,” Grasso says. “My purpose is realized when I see (the clients’) expression upon entering the room for the first time—when they say it feels like home, yet somehow new.”