This bold house

By Lisa Player Photos by Kate Treick Photography

Liz and George Biggs’ house in East Hill isn’t your average greige model home. In fact, there isn’t another house like it. And it’s definitely not a forgettable neutral.

Custom-built in 1959 from plans by local architect Roger Weeks, the house has had only two owners: the original couple, who lived in it until 1995, and the Biggses, who embraced the home’s underlying design and infused it with a technicolor palette and mid-century style. Making room for their family of six that was bursting at the seams, they added an addition over the carport in 2005 that gave them a delightful master suite.

All along the way, they stayed true to their original vision to create a home that is both bold and welcoming, whimsical and functional. It’s the kind of place where family members bump happily into friends, all dancing together in the bright colors of life, suffused with laughter and love.

Liz Biggs recently led a tour through her unique home, sharing some of the ways it came to be.

**KITCHEN** Liz and George Biggs renovated the house in 1996 when they bought it. Liz talked about the longevity of their design choices. “Lucky for us, we chose something more Jetsons than ’96, because everybody that renovated their kitchen in ‘96 has torn it out and redone it

**SKIS**“My friend just gave me these. And I had them sitting out in the carport for six months. They’re great here.” **GLOBES** In almost every room, there’s a hint of travel, and there’s an eclectic collection of globes sprinkled throughout the house. Biggs made sure there were globes all over when her kids were growing up. “I feel like children subtly need to be exposed to: There’s a big world. And also, ‘Oh! We’re talking about China. Where’s China? Oh, we’re talking about Peru. Where is Peru?’ I feel like it gave them a desire to travel.”

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STYLE & COLOR

The mid-century/Danish feel of the house design and furniture creates a functional, yet stylish backdrop for family life.

“I think when we bought this house, we weren’t sure whether we were going to stick with just strictly mid-century modern,” Biggs said. “Someone could come in and take all this out and paint it all gray and make it very normal, I suppose. But I think we just decided, let’s just go with it. Let’s go with the vibe that we feel.”

While some pieces are newer or custom-made, much of the furniture and accessories have been “gifted” from friends or found curbside in what the family lovingly calls “curb alerts.”

The bright palette of the house is more than just a style choice. It’s a family philosophy.

“I think color just gives me energy. And I don’t know if I could live in a beige house with all neutrals. I need energy,” Biggs said. “But it was also creativity. I was talking to my son in Utah. He said, ‘I loved growing up in a house painted 20 different colors.’ … I do think growing up with color and not having to have everything brand new from Target kind of gave him a sense of creative freedom.”

In fact, several paintings around the house are his.

“Art can be whatever gives you joy,” she said.