Jamie Bush Gives a Houston Midcentury House His Signature “Organic Modernist” Makeover

The Houston Estate project, located in a lush Houston neighborhood, exemplifies a seamless integration of traditional and modern design elements, creating a distinctive aesthetic that also showcases the client’s art collection. The entryway sets a grand tone with oversized custom steel doors and plaster walls, a recurring design feature throughout the home. A custom staircase, eclectic artwork, and a floral sofa contribute to a bold, inviting atmosphere, complemented by reclaimed octagon and dot tile from Italy, adding warmth and historical character. The formal dining room features grasscloth wallpaper matching the wood trim, producing a dramatic effect. Each furniture piece in this room is a statement, including a solid travertine table seating eight in velvet barrel-back chairs, and a custom console with a carved wave design. A personalized cupboard was also built to display the client’s china collection. In contrast, the formal living room opts for intricate millwork instead of grasscloth, presenting a color-drenched space where walls, ceiling, and drapes share the same hue, creating a sophisticated and dramatic ambiance. Furniture groupings in this room are arranged around a central fireplace, optimizing both aesthetics and functionality. The kitchen is a custom-designed space, rich with marble and tailored to the height of the homeowner, former MLB player Jason Castro. Details such as a bullnosed countertop profile, bookmatched backsplash, integrated marble sink, and hand-painted plug-in covers reflect meticulous craftsmanship. Oak cabinetry and a black Lacanche range complete the culinary area. The adjacent pantry is notable for its abundant natural light, dark blue cabinetry, soapstone countertops, and brass hardware, creating a moody yet stylish storage solution. An oversized vintage rug adds texture and patina. A casual breakfast nook, located off the kitchen, features a light fixture that harmonizes brass and darker metals, linking it with the kitchen's design. Seating includes comfortable, durable chairs with leather seats and plaid upholstered backs, chosen for a family with young children. Artwork by Tyler Guinn and a Heath Oak Cabinet from McGee & Co. enhance the space. The family room, a more relaxed gathering area, incorporates pieces from Round Top, Texas, and a vintage rug that informs the room's color palette. A curved-back sectional with crypton fabric offers durability, while the fireplace, with its fluted front, curved sides, and reclaimed fire brick, is a focal point. Styled built-ins provide display space for collectibles. The primary suite is designed as a serene retreat with a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. Its neutral palette of browns, greens, creams, and moody blues is layered with custom millwork and relaxed drapes matching the wall color. Abstract artwork by Kimberly Moore is intentionally scaled smaller above the bed. The primary bathroom features unique elements such as a mixed metal vanity and plaster walls and ceilings between wood beams. The guest bedroom offers a calm and serene environment with ample natural light from windows on two sides. It is furnished with McGee & Co.'s Sutherland Bed and luxurious bedding. The ensuite bathroom features contrast trim derived from the wallpaper and a Calcutta marble-topped vanity. The study is dedicated to displaying the homeowner's baseball memorabilia, including Jason Castro's MLB career mementos and a World Series trophy. A herringbone wood floor with a brass inlay defines the room. The playroom features a distinctive wallpapered ceiling and various nooks for children's activities, including a firepole leading to a netted loft and built-in shelving for toys and books. The girls' room is characterized by a bold wallpaper dictating a soft pink contrast trim, layering pattern on pattern for a playful effect. The ensuite bathroom extends the trim color to the walls for cohesion, and an arched shower entry creates an artistic focal point. The boys' room utilizes a dramatic, high-contrast paint color derived from the upholstered headboard, which is complemented by a display of baseball hats as art. Its ensuite bathroom has subway tile throughout and a strategically placed vanity and mirror in front of a window. In the nursery, design elements such as wallpaper with contrast trim and a paneled ceiling are echoed from other areas of the home. The crib is positioned as the focal point for both aesthetic and practical reasons. The laundry room is designed to be a pleasant space, featuring wallpaper, patterned floors, and soft-colored cabinetry. A bold floral pattern is mixed with a geometric one, unified by a cohesive color palette. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TraditionalModernMix #HoustonEstate #FamilyHomeDesign #CustomInteriors #LuxuryDesign #ResidentialDesign #RoombyRoomDesign

Interior designer Kate Lester embarked on a project to redefine the perception of traditional design within a Cape Cod-style home in Manhattan Beach, CA. The common understanding of traditional interiors often includes heavy floral patterns, antique timepieces, tasseled ottomans, and elaborate window treatments, which can deter individuals from incorporating these elements. Lester's approach demonstrates how traditional components can be integrated into a contemporary setting without creating an outdated aesthetic. The design philosophy centered on using traditional elements in a novel manner, aiming to transform a conventional space into one filled with playful details and personality. Lester's methodology involved introducing comfort and clean lines, often considered divergent from traditional design principles. This was achieved through the careful selection of softer paint colors and comfortable furniture pieces. These modern touches were then contrasted with distinctive wallpaper and unique artwork, creating a balanced and visually interesting environment. The designer's work underscores the idea that "Trad is rad," advocating for a refreshed perspective on traditional decor. The project successfully blends classic architectural styles with modern interior sensibilities, providing a blueprint for homeowners looking to update their traditional residences while maintaining their inherent character. The article highlights specific elements and products that contribute to this updated traditional style. For instance, it features a Campion hanging light fixture from The Urban Electric Co., a Julia Low Profile Three Hole Deck Mounted Lavatory Faucet from Waterworks, and a Stoneware Pitcher w/ Rattan Handle from Kate Lester's own collection. Other items include Fig Leaves I artwork from Juniper Print Shop and a Marigold Metal Candle Holder, also from Kate Lester Home. These selections collectively demonstrate how individual pieces can contribute to a cohesive design that feels both classic and contemporary. The integration of such items showcases a thoughtful curation process, where each object plays a role in enhancing the overall aesthetic and functional appeal of the home. Through this project, Lester illustrates how a traditional home can be transformed into a comfortable, stylish, and personal space. The emphasis is on reimagining traditional aesthetics rather than abandoning them, proving that classic styles can indeed evolve to meet modern tastes and preferences. The design effectively challenges conventional notions of traditional decor, offering a fresh and inviting interpretation that appeals to a contemporary audience while respecting the architectural heritage of the home. This blend of old and new creates an environment that is both familiar and surprising, inviting residents to experience traditional design in an entirely new light. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ManhattanBeach #KateLesterInteriors #TraditionalModern #CapeCodStyle #HomeRenovation #InteriorStyling

This article details the renovation of a historic 1939 Buckhead home in Atlanta, focusing on how the design team at Huff-Dewberry, Harrison Design, and The Designery blended traditional styles with modern functionality. The homeowners desired a home that reflected the classic aesthetic of their childhood residences, leading to the adoption of the "grandmillennial" interior design trend. This style incorporates family heirlooms and vintage-inspired pieces, creating a layered and personalized look that contrasts with the often-uniform modern interiors seen on social media. Interior designer Heather Dewberry emphasizes the trend's appeal in its coziness and unique character, allowing homeowners to integrate items with personal significance. The renovation extensively uses bold colors and patterns, particularly floral designs. For example, the living room features traditional floral fabrics from Lee Jofa, reminiscent of the homeowner's childhood, with new colorations and white backgrounds to maintain brightness and approachability. In the family room, large floral patterns are balanced with smaller-scaled diamond patterns and stripes, along with organic, hand-blocked fabrics, to prevent overwhelming the space. The home's powder room exemplifies the use of eye-catching patterns with blue damask wallpaper, adding a traditional touch. To manage the visual impact of patterns, Heather advises selecting one or two colors from a pattern to inform the room's overall palette. In the master bedroom, a damask pattern is used "en suite," appearing subtly in drapes, pillows, and a footstool, combined with solid fabrics for a soothing effect. The master bedroom and bathroom feature a soft white-and-blue color scheme, contributing to a relaxing ambiance, with the bathroom also showcasing a vintage-style pedestal bathtub and soft blue cabinets. Preserving the home's historical character was a key aspect of the renovation. Original elements, such as an Italian wheat sheaf chandelier in the sunroom, were salvaged and refreshed with a new white paint finish. Existing furniture in the breakfast room, including a table and side chairs, was repurposed; end chairs were re-covered in a striped outdoor fabric and had their legs repainted in a lighter tone, giving them a modern update while retaining their classic form. Modern functional elements were also integrated, including large iron windows in the kitchen and breakfast areas to enhance natural light. White walls, trim, and high-gloss molding contribute to a fresh, contemporary feel. The sunroom was designed to include a writing table for children's homework and a quiet reading retreat for the wife, addressing modern family needs while maintaining distinct living spaces. The kitchen, highlighted by Heather as her favorite room, combines traditional elements like brass lanterns, white subway tile, and a wooden countertop with a striking blue kitchen island and unique iron-doored upper cabinets. A custom wooden kitchen island top, crafted by a family friend, adds a personal and warm touch. The butler's pantry provides additional light and storage. The renovation successfully merges the home's historic integrity with contemporary design, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing residence. #HomeRenovation #BuckheadAtlanta #InteriorDesign #GrandmillennialStyle #HistoricHomes #TraditionalDesign #PatternMixing #ColorSchemes #HomeDecor

Karla Morris of Karla Morris Designs and Erin Deombeleg of Charlotte Hill Interiors collaborated on a significant renovation of a historic Buckhead property in Atlanta. The challenge involved updating the interiors of a 1926 Neel Reid and Philip Shutze architectural masterpiece while preserving its original charm and design integrity. The designers aimed to integrate contemporary fabrics and accents with traditional furniture and window treatment structures, creating a harmonious blend of old and new. The interior design drew inspiration from Santa Monica, California's casual elegance and the transitional decor found in the 432 Park Avenue condominiums in New York City. This approach successfully enhanced the home's classic architecture, particularly evident in the custom-designed pool cabana. The cabana features open walls that offer unobstructed views of the gardens, originally designed by Philip Trammell Shutze and Reid. The space is further enhanced by a fireplace and intricate ironwork crafted by Angelo Viale of Ironworks International, which subtly references Viale’s hometown of Catania, Italy. Despite the extensive outdoor spaces, which span over 3 acres, Karla Morris identifies the master suite as her favorite area within the home. The master bath is a highlight, featuring white Statuario Carrara Italian marble floors, limestone walls, an oversized steam shower, and separate his and hers water closets. The suite also boasts views of the expansive front lawn. Erin Deombeleg, on the other hand, expresses a preference for the kitchen and the adjacent sun porch. The kitchen project involved a collaboration between Deombeleg, architect Norman Davenport Askins, and Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria. This partnership resulted in a space designed without compromise, equipped with high-end appliances such as a La Cornue range, a sous vide oven, and a stainless steel hood extending over steel countertops. The kitchen seamlessly transitions into the sun porch through a wall of French doors that fold open, creating an expansive common area ideal for entertaining. The sun porch is distinguished by its floor-to-ceiling windows, which integrate the gardens into the home's interior. It also provides views of a copper tree fountain, a guesthouse, a tennis court, a basketball court, and a sports lawn. For comfort during cooler weather, the sun porch includes stainless steel ceiling heaters and a fireplace. The renovation thoughtfully combines impeccable interior design with the home’s treasured architecture, creating a residence that offers both historical elegance and modern luxury. The property, located at 2740 Habersham Road NW, was listed for $7.9 million by Betsy Akers of Atlanta Fine Homes. #HistoricHomeRenovation #AtlantaRealEstate #InteriorDesign #LuxuryHomes #NeelReidArchitecture #PhilipShutze #TransitionalDecor #BuckheadProperty #HighEndAppliances

Fashion designer Kelli Wharton embarked on a transformative renovation of her blonde-brick suburban house in Byron Bay, converting it into a stunning beach-inspired home. Her clear vision was to create a cool, beachy abode that mirrored the laidback coastal lifestyle she and her family embraced, regularly spending time on the white sands south of Byron Bay. The design emphasized ease and functionality to suit a family with two young boys, incorporating natural elements like stone and wood throughout the interior to reflect the surrounding environment. Key changes included converting a bedroom into a family room, which was adorned with cushions from Talulah's homewares range. The living room features a striking coffee table from Ahoy Trader and a recently added Izzah Beni Ourain rug from Marr-Kett. The master bedroom was thoughtfully built in the space previously occupied by the garage, featuring whitewashed floorboards from Choices Flooring, contributing to the beachy aesthetic. The master bedroom also includes a colorful artwork by Jai Vasicek of Ahoy Trader, hanging above a chair sourced from Byron Designworks. The kitchen, a central hub for the family, was completely rebuilt in its original location to incorporate more cupboard and bench space, catering to practical family needs. The dining area features a marble-topped dining table from Coco Republic, complemented by chairs from Fenton & Fenton. The bathroom was updated with Bianco Industry Silver tiles from Byron Bay Tiles, ensuring a contemporary yet cohesive feel. An outdoor dining area includes a table from Kelli's father, paired with chairs imported from Indonesia, and a fan from Beacon Lighting, with a towel from the Talulah homewares range, enhancing the indoor-outdoor flow. Functionality and style extend to the exterior with a garage built from merbau timber at the front of the property, designed to house the family's surfboards, including a mini mal from Kelli's own label, Talulah. This renovation successfully blends modern design with a relaxed, beach-inspired atmosphere, creating a home that is both beautiful and practical for a coastal family life. #ByronBayHome #BeachHouseRenovation #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CoastalLiving #FashionDesignerHome #FamilyFriendlyDesign #HomeTransformation