Dear Alice | Interior Design
Episode: Remodel Masterclass: Field Rose
Hosts: Jessica Bennett ("Jess"), Suzanne Hall ("Suze")
Date: January 22, 2026
Episode Overview
In this "Remodel Masterclass" episode, Jess and Suze provide an exclusive, behind-the-scenes walkthrough of their Field Rose remodel—a project from 2019 that’s never before been shared or published. They reflect on transforming a dated 1980s family home for a young, fashion-forward family of five who moved to Utah, focusing on what original features they saved, what was scrapped, and key design learnings for anyone taking on a remodel, especially in blending old architectural assets with contemporary tastes. The discussion centers on four main spaces: the kitchen, dining room, living room, and office, illustrating each with process insights, aesthetic choices, and actionable design tips.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Project Backstory & Approach (00:00–03:41)
- Snapshot: Field Rose was a Covid-era remodel for a family that loved the neighborhood but bought a very dated house. Major goal: update for modern living while celebrating some original 1980s/90s details.
- Client Profile: Young, chic family; fashion and color were vital.
- Design Philosophy: Always start with the kitchen as the project’s nucleus—it sets style, function, and overall house vibes.
“Once you can figure out what your kitchen should look like...your paint colors, your wood flooring, the general vibe...answers start to present themselves.”
— Suze, [03:56]
2. The Kitchen: From Dated White to Wow (04:46–18:00)
Before (04:48–09:12)
- Typical 1980s/90s white kitchen: cabinets don’t reach ceiling, awkward L-shaped island, lost sense of grandeur.
- Positive preserved element: beautiful oak floors laid diagonally—a “power move.”
- Design problem: poor appliance layout, lack of an inspiring focal point, inefficient traffic flow.
“One thing that we rescued...is we love that they laid the hardwood floors on a diagonal. These are oak floors...the diagonal thing is such a power move.”
— Jess, [05:29]
After (09:13–18:00)
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Key Moves:
- Completely reoriented the kitchen: two parallel islands, range and showpiece hood now visible and celebrated (“the money shot”).
- Cabinets run up to (lowered) soffit, balancing ceiling height and storage.
- Created a grand, streamlined, and more functional space.
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Design Details:
- Hood: Custom, soft-shaped, with bullnose and brass straps—a unique, “editorial” highlight.
“You never see a soft shape as a hood...the brass straps on this beautiful stainless hood is just so beautiful.”
— Jess, [09:37] - Lighting: Used double oversized entry chandeliers instead of standard pendants to fit the kitchen’s grand scale.
“Pendants can be a little underwhelming...Use a chandelier, go entry scale—you’ll get grand applause for it.”
— Jess, [11:01] - Styling: Marble slab backsplash and shelf above range (supported by rebar), holds art, oils, and spices—a favorite personal touch.
“The little shelf above your range...one of the best kept secrets. Everyone should do it.”
— Suze, [11:59] - Palette: Calmer, timeless Chaldea marble slabs. cabinetry tone selected after slab for perfect harmony.
“Once you choose that slab...choose your shade of white—it should look best with that slab.”
— Jess, [15:08] - Pop-Out Window: Countertop runs into a deep window sill for herbs and decor—an unconventional and luxurious trick.
“This huge depth of beautiful, window-lit space...grow an herb garden, layer in cutting boards.”
— Jess, [17:09]
- Hood: Custom, soft-shaped, with bullnose and brass straps—a unique, “editorial” highlight.
Design Takeaway:
Start with the kitchen for clarity on style; reimagine layouts for both look and function; don’t be afraid to upsize lighting or borrow tricks from other home zones.
3. Dining Room: Editorial, Color-Drenched Drama (19:00–26:29)
Before (19:00–20:16)
- Traditional wood floors with parquet inlay, wainscoting, and quality moldings—detailing to honor and retain.
Design Process (20:16–23:06)
- Client loved wallpaper and murals; selected a Gucci mural as the hero piece, worked around existing wainscoting.
- Embraced bold, color-drenched approach for trim, walls, and even the ceiling, pulling shades directly from the mural.
“We went for it...a really fashionable rose, raspberry, mauve—just that color we’re all crushing on.”
— Suze, [21:10]
After (23:06–26:29)
- Painted darkest hue from mural on wainscoting and drapery, paler coral on the ceiling. Even the chandelier was custom powder-coated to match.
- Chose a vintage rug and camel yellow chairs (reflecting the mural palette), paired with a modern convex mirror above the console.
- Echoed geometric forms: circles in chairs, mirror, and the arched windows, celebrating original architectural assets.
- Glossy paint on moldings accentuated shadow, depth, and the craftsmanship.
“This space alone haunts us...It feels like the cover of a magazine.”
— Jess, [23:15]
Design Takeaway:
Pick your hero (wallpaper, mural, or rug) then block the rest of the palette. Don’t fear color on trim and ceilings, and reinforce architectural strengths with bold repetition and materials.
4. Living Room: Traditional Bones, Modern Pulse (26:30–35:41)
Before (26:30–28:06)
- Mirrored the dining room, lined with imposing arches and an ornate federal cast mantel/overmantel.
- Stunning finish work and structure, but felt “home alone” traditional and not the client’s style.
After (28:06–35:41)
- Mantel replaced with something fashion-forward.
- Used color and pattern to modernize the traditional envelope: a large abstract plaid rug with highlights (like nearly neon orange) coordinated to bits of personal style (e.g., client’s Gucci bag).
“You can make a traditional space feel fresh through color—this was new trad instead of grandma’s.”
— Jess, [29:19] - Clever space planning—long room divided with twin sofas and swivel chairs, creating intimate conversation zones; “not your typical space planning.”
- Layered patterns: custom lampshades, pillows, antique and modern furniture.
- Antique and one-of-a-kind pieces tucked into the mix became “memory points.”
“It’s like your cool vintage earrings—there’s only one, and that’s what makes a scene.”
— Jess, [34:27] - Lamps with mustard floral pleated shades and peacock trim: create a “scene” for the front window view.
Design Takeaway:
Reimagine layouts for lifestyle, lean into pattern and color for vibrance, and mix vintage/modern elements for depth and narrative.
5. Office: Masculine, Monochrome, and Multi-Purpose (36:03–40:41)
Before (36:03–36:57)
- Heavily wood-paneled cherry/mahogany home office, covered in built-ins designed for another era of work.
After (36:57–40:41)
- Removed old built-ins—modern work/life needs have changed.
- Did a deep “color drench” with Sherwin Williams Tempe Star on walls, ceilings, and trim for a masculine, enveloping space.
“We just drenched the place...the built ins, the walls, the ceiling.”
— Suze, [37:55] - Refinished floors slightly darker for unity.
- Added statement art and a mustard velvet chair (a continuity color from the living room).
- Drapery and walls matched (like in dining/living rooms).
- Paid attention to how all applied moldings on walls, built-ins, and ceilings line up for a professional look.
“You have to stare at all those lines together and see how they match up—just do it once, do it smart.”
— Suze, [39:37] - Balanced warmth and cool in the palette for a welcoming, not sterile, effect.
Design Takeaway:
Rethink office layouts for today’s needs, go bold with color for intimacy, and sweat the architectural details for a bespoke finish.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On keeping original assets:
“Celebrate your assets.” — Suze, [17:58] -
Advice on color and slab selection:
“If you love it, then you should do it. If it’s in your taste...I wish we’d gone the bolder slab.” — Suze, [14:34] -
On kitchen lighting:
“Use a chandelier, go entry scale...Do that trick and you’re going to get grand applause for it.” — Jess, [11:01] -
On vintage eccentricity:
“It’s like your cool earrings that were vintage...there’s only one. These are one of one.” — Jess, [34:27] -
On design process reality:
“Anybody else that’s living with you can...object or just be like, ‘Just so you know, this is what you look like in the morning.’” — Suze, [30:59]
Key Segment Timestamps
- Project Intro & Philosophy: 00:00–03:41
- Kitchen Before & Layout Fixes: 04:46–09:12
- Kitchen After: Details & Tips: 09:13–18:00
- Dining Room Before & Color Drench: 19:00–23:06
- Dining Room After & Hero Pieces: 23:06–26:29
- Living Room Reimagination: 26:30–35:41
- Office Transformation: 36:03–40:41
Final Thoughts
Jess and Suze’s masterclass offers practical takeaways for any remodel: begin with the kitchen, be fearless with color and scale, honor original craftsmanship, and always customize to current needs. The Field Rose project is a tribute to thoughtful updates that layer modern fashion with respect for architectural history, sharing both their process and personality—warts, wisdom, surprises, and all.