WORK OF ART

A couple live large in their small South Carolina cottage, where every square inch is outfitted with art, pattern, and colorproving that tight spaces can benefit from big personality.

- PAIGE PORTER FISCHER

'Bobo' hydrangeas flank the front entrance of Teresa and Will Roche's bungalow. In the dining alcove, right, Teresa balanced the art wall with clean-lined furniture, including a vintage granite table and modern Eames-style chairs.

To Teresa, that means an opportunity to choose colors and then add layers of texture, pattern, and personality. But when she and her husband, Will, downsized to a small cottage in Greenville, SC, Teresa faced the challenge of how to layer their bungalow with character without making it feel busy or look crowded.

A small room off the foyer was designated as a quiet zone, above. "I felt good about putting some of my precious collections in here, because it's not a place the grandchildren frequent," Teresa says. A midcentury modern console holds her art books and a pair of vintage lamps.

"I have curated so much art over the years that I wanted to bring with us, so I had to be very thoughtful about each space-how to incorporate everything I love without overwhelming the eye in a much smaller house," she says.

Will and Teresa stand at the front door, painted Farrow & Ball India Yellow. Inside, curtain panels dress interior doorways. "It feels like you're walking into a surprise when you come through the front door," Teresa says.