While the world was shutting down in March 2020, great changes were afoot for the owner of a townhome in DC’s hip NoMa neighborhood. She had just moved from a longtime abode in Northwest and, as she recalls, “it was the perfect time to hunker down and nest.”

The new 2,000-square-foot dwelling, which replaced a vintage row house, is streamlined and contemporary. An open kitchen/living/dining area dominates the main floor, with two en-suite bedrooms downstairs. The owner, a healthcare consultant, decided to divest herself of her traditional furnishings and start fresh—with some help. She hired designer Pamela Harvey, whose portfolio of fresh, cheerful projects appealed to her. “I told Pam I love color, and that I want my home to feel happy,” the owner recounts. “Beyond that, I trusted her vision. It was a leap of faith.”

Harvey reimagined the interiors, embracing the home’s minimalist lines with a transitional aesthetic leaning toward modern. The designer selected an array of eye-catching wall coverings that lend verve to almost every room. “The place was sterile, a blank canvas,” she says. “I added color and pattern to make it warm and inviting—with touches of the unexpected.”

Q&A WITH PAMELA HARVEY

What were the project’s primary challenges?
The main floor is essentially one long, skinny room, so I had to be careful that what I did wasn’t going to be overpowering. The bones are contemporary, with steel stairs and a sleek kitchen; I needed to speak to that while keeping it warm and inviting. The client wanted it to feel modern, but not cold.

How did you strike that balance?
I used wallpaper throughout the house—but just as an accent, to add warmth and interest without being overwhelming. On the main floor, I papered one long wall spanning the living, kitchen and dining areas. It makes a statement and pulls everything together.

The living area combines strong patterns and colors yet feels calming. How did it evolve?
I tend to design a room as one unit; here, I found the rug, wall covering and pillow fabric all at once. To me, the rug and wall covering work together in an unexpected way. The pillow fabric is a modern take on chinoiserie from Brunschwig & Fils. The overall effect is harmonious.

How did you choose the wall covering?
Because townhouses like this often have few architectural features, you need something to bring in that texture and geometry. I chose the living area’s wall covering, which is a wood veneer, for that reason. It’s a geometric motif in a subtle, neutral teal with gold lines that add a touch of glam.

Discuss your vision for the small den beyond the dining area.
It’s separate and supposed to be more casual, like a family room. The gold palette is warm and the wallpaper is traditional grass cloth but with a graphic, modern print. I brought in teal accents with the lamps and pillows.

Describe the living-area furnishings.
They’re a mix. I combined the transitional CR Laine seating with more modern occasional and coffee tables from Bernhardt.

How did you select the color palette for the main level?
The art in the den was one of the few things the client kept. I used it as a jumping-off point for the color palette.

Share your philosophy on lighting.
For lighting to be complementary, metals need to have some continuity and the styles should be similar. I like to say that pendants and chandeliers don’t have to match but they should be going to the same party.

Is there a rule of thumb for pairing art and wallpaper?
The two should work hand in hand, usually through color or pattern. I use simple frames that don’t take away from the wallpaper pattern. Older homes can be more forgiving of mismatched art as it can create a collected look. A townhouse like this needs to be more of a piece.

Describe your lighting plan.
The modern pendants over the kitchen island were existing, so I chose a complementary chandelier for the dining area that’s a little modern and glitzy. The den fixture is a leather-wrapped shade with a brass interior that feels more casual.

How did you decorate the primary bedroom?
The room is small, but the owner chose an overscaled, king-sized bed and matching nightstands. I clad an accent wall in Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper featuring oversized cabbaged roses with a vintage look. The pattern contrasts with the modern lines of the furniture and de-emphasizes its size, as your eye is drawn to the wallpaper.

Favorite design element?
I have loved wallpaper since the ’80s. These days, it’s a lot more creative—and a lot more expensive. Materials are much better. I think it’s really modern now.

What’s the next big thing?
When I was at Spring High Point Market, everything was upholstered in beige bouclé, a sort of nubby chenille. May be the next big thing—but I hope not!

What trend would you like to see?
A return to elegant living, with formal dining and living rooms. I think people are craving that. And a return to entertaining.

How important is accessorizing?
I have a saying: “It’s not the first $1,000 you spend, it’s the last $1,000 that makes all the difference.” You don’t need a lot of accessories, but they need to be the right ones.

Go-to shopping destination?
I always hit up the DC Big Flea in Dulles, which happens every quarter. I love vintage finds.

Interior Design: Pamela Harvey, Pamela Harvey Interiors, Oakton, Virginia, and St. Petersburg, Florida.