Vintage Inspired Wallpaper and Color Add Charm to This Upstate Home

Designer Name: Arlena Armstrong-Petock

Instagram Handle: @that.upstate.agent & @beigestudio.design

Project Name: Petock Residence

Type of Project: Residential

Project Location: Stone Ridge, NY

When real estate agent and design enthusiast Arlena Armstrong-Petock was house hunting with her partner, she thought they’d get their hands on a fixer-upper. Instead, they wound up taking an entirely new challenge: turning their new construction home into something that actually felt like home, with character and charm. “We were looking for an old farmhouse or ugly 90s/00s colonial we could take down to the studs, but this popped up and it just felt like the right fit — and very easy. So now we’re trying to add some character to this big white box.”

Let’s hear from Arlena and take a look at what DIY projects and renovations she has tackled so far in her Stone Ridge, NY home.

Hi, Arlena! Tell us about yourself and how you got into design.

I’m a real estate agent in the Catskills and Hudson Valley region. I cover a lot of ground from Cornwall on Hudson and Cold Spring, all the way up to Hudson and Athens, and even as far west as Delhi. As a designer, I would say I’m somewhere between a hobbyist and a professional. I recently started a design business, Beige Studio, and have been working with some past real estate clients on design projects.

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What would you consider your design style to be?

Classic and timeless, with modern touches. I love hunting for antiques and one-offs to create a unique space.

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Are you holding true to that style in your home, or are you finding yourself changing your style based on the home’s architecture?

Definitely holding true to the style. I’m mixing old and new furniture, trending colors, and vintage-inspired wallpaper. Our home is a farmhouse style and I am sticking to that throughout the design process.

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Have there been any setbacks, surprises, or challenges to overcome during the process so far?

The main setback is there are so many options and decisions to make! Our home is truly a blank canvas, and the infinite number of options in finishings — hardware, paint, wallpaper, furniture, artwork, plants, rugs — is tough to grapple with when it is so personal.

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In a nutshell, describe the "before" photos of the space.

Too much white! And lacking character. 

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What do you love about the "after" photos?

Color! And charm. I love the vintage pieces I’ve found so far. And I’m starting to play with the bedding and textiles in general in all rooms. 

How did Spoak’s software help you bring your design vision to life?

It’s so helpful to “try on” furniture pieces or paint colors before making the investment. Sometimes you may think something will look great, and then it arrives and just doesn’t work. Spoak has saved me a lot of stress and helped me get organized around budgeting. It’s easy to impulse buy anything that speaks to you, but Spoak helps me create a cohesive space and make the right choices. 

What has been your favorite part about working on this project?

I get to live in it, and it’s always evolving. 

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Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of encouragement or advice for people tackling a home project?

Know when to DIY vs. contract something out. And consider what day-to-day living in your space will truly be like in the design process.

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What’s next on the design/renovation radar?

A truly vintage farmhouse renovation for a client that is starting soon :) 

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(We can’t wait to see.)

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^{Photography Credit: Capture:Catskills}