Gracious Older Home Updated for a Young Family
This house in one of Houston’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods needed an update. “My clients were looking to make it lighter, brighter and more welcoming,” interior designer Marie Flanigan says. The homeowners, a couple with young children, appreciated her background in architecture, as the scope of the work went beyond just decorating. She helped them swap around a few spaces for the way their family lives — adding built-ins for toys, media and other storage; placing new light fixtures in key places; and creating a lovely freshened-up space that can stand up to the wear and tear of little ones.
Photos by Julie Soefer Photography
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A growing young family
Location: Houston
Size: Four bedrooms, 4½bathrooms
Designer: Marie Flanigan Interiors
In the hallway, warm light neutrals set the tone. An antique desk provides a landing zone, while a mirror reflects the light. The paintings are by local artist Mary H. Case.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A growing young family
Location: Houston
Size: Four bedrooms, 4½bathrooms
Designer: Marie Flanigan Interiors
In the hallway, warm light neutrals set the tone. An antique desk provides a landing zone, while a mirror reflects the light. The paintings are by local artist Mary H. Case.
This large, open space was part of a previous addition not original to the home. Flanigan helped the family lay out the space for the way they live. This part of the space is a comfortable seating area complete with built-ins that conceal the TV. All of the fabrics are durable; Flanigan chose washable indoor-outdoor fabrics for most of the upholstery throughout the home.
One of the homeowners also works in architecture and loves rustic wood, as seen on the beams, floors and oak parquet coffee table top. “It was about balancing the soft fabrics with these more rustic touches,” the designer says.
One of the homeowners also works in architecture and loves rustic wood, as seen on the beams, floors and oak parquet coffee table top. “It was about balancing the soft fabrics with these more rustic touches,” the designer says.
The artwork on the left is made of cut paper.
Wall and ceiling paint: Ballet White OC-9; trim paint: Floral White OC-29, both by Benjamin Moore
Wall and ceiling paint: Ballet White OC-9; trim paint: Floral White OC-29, both by Benjamin Moore
Flanigan redesigned this built-in window seat and custom ottoman, which opens up for toy storage.
On the sofa table, boxes display the homeowners’ favorite collections of antique objects, such as pocket watches. At the back of the room, the cabinet doors on the left hide the TV and media equipment. The antique fireplace surround came from Europe.
Fireplace surround: Chateau Domingue
Fireplace surround: Chateau Domingue
Replacing the existing heavy drapery played a big part in lightening up the space. Large triple-sash windows bordered by new window treatments let in the light. Flanigan picked up on the color of the beams that line up with the windows via the top of the two-tone drapes.
If you look closely at the wood-framed chairs you can see a very subtle ikat pattern. “My clients wanted to go neutral with little pops of color and pattern, like the geometric pillows that could easily be switched out,” Flanigan says. “Using a lot of texture was very important to them.” The rug is a beautiful antique Oushak.
If you look closely at the wood-framed chairs you can see a very subtle ikat pattern. “My clients wanted to go neutral with little pops of color and pattern, like the geometric pillows that could easily be switched out,” Flanigan says. “Using a lot of texture was very important to them.” The rug is a beautiful antique Oushak.
“She wanted a space where she could really spread out her architectural drawings and keep an eye on her children at the same time,” the designer says of one of the homeowners. This high table has a clear view through the entire space.
Woven natural fibers also play a part in the welcoming textural palette. The chairs here bring in wicker as well as driftwood textures on their bases.
Woven natural fibers also play a part in the welcoming textural palette. The chairs here bring in wicker as well as driftwood textures on their bases.
To the right of the table, two tufted salon corner chairs make a spot for enjoying intimate conversation and a cup of tea. The table has an antique mirrored top.
To make the home’s floor plan work better for the family, Flanigan flipped a few rooms around. This room used to be the formal dining room but now serves as a study. It is next to the great room and kitchen. In here she replaced the existing ornate fireplace surround with a more streamlined one, made of vintage travertine.
The desk is an antique library table. The designer brought in a geometric touch via the pendant light overhead.
Paint: Senora Gray 1530, Benjamin Moore; light fixture: Circa Lighting
The desk is an antique library table. The designer brought in a geometric touch via the pendant light overhead.
Paint: Senora Gray 1530, Benjamin Moore; light fixture: Circa Lighting
Flanigan transformed the breakfast room into a comfortable lounge (this shot was taken from where a sofa sits). It is open to the kitchen, so the homeowners can cook while their kids play and watch TV here. New built-ins offer plenty of space to stash toys, games, media equipment and books.
The room also overlooks the backyard and provides an easy connection between the kitchen and the outdoor entertainment area through the French doors.
Cabinet paint: Pismo Dunes AC-32, Benjamin Moore; chandelier: Visual Comfort
The room also overlooks the backyard and provides an easy connection between the kitchen and the outdoor entertainment area through the French doors.
Cabinet paint: Pismo Dunes AC-32, Benjamin Moore; chandelier: Visual Comfort
In the kitchen, the textures are a mix of Calacatta Gold marble countertops and backsplash from the same slab, rush seats, a bronze chandelier and a weathered zinc tabletop. “We love to add organic textures to a room — they add a contemporary touch that really freshens things up,” Flanigan says.
Classic Linear chandelier: Circa Lighting; kitchen cabinet paint: Pismo Dunes AC-32, Benjamin Moore
Classic Linear chandelier: Circa Lighting; kitchen cabinet paint: Pismo Dunes AC-32, Benjamin Moore
The formal dining room used to be the formal living room, a space the family, with its casual lifestyle, didn’t need. The custom trestle table has a diamond-patterned oak top. The chairs are two-tone, with ring handles that are strong enough to allow pulling the chairs out without touching the fabric (though Flanigan used indoor-outdoor fabric, again, so they can stand up to the harshest of Cabernet-spilling debacles).
The walls are covered in a bright white linen wallpaper, and the rug is another antique Oushak. Overhead, Flanigan added the more modern geometric elements the homeowners are so fond of via the chandeliers.
Orion chandeliers, refinished in antique brass: Mr. Brown London
The walls are covered in a bright white linen wallpaper, and the rug is another antique Oushak. Overhead, Flanigan added the more modern geometric elements the homeowners are so fond of via the chandeliers.
Orion chandeliers, refinished in antique brass: Mr. Brown London
“In the powder room, I wanted to bring in something special and geometric that was kind of mod but still elegant and glamorous,” Flanigan says. She found just the thing in this wallpaper with a metallic silver pattern.
The sink and counter are cut from one Calacatta Gold marble slab. The mirror pivots and adds dimension to the wall.
E.F. Chapman TT 2-light wall sconce: Circa Lighting; wallpaper: Schumacher; mirror: Restoration Hardware
The sink and counter are cut from one Calacatta Gold marble slab. The mirror pivots and adds dimension to the wall.
E.F. Chapman TT 2-light wall sconce: Circa Lighting; wallpaper: Schumacher; mirror: Restoration Hardware
On the staircase and in the upstairs hallway, Flanigan replaced an overly ornate railing with one that was more open and sculptural. A convex mirror reflects the curved staircase wall. Nailheads along the runner rug’s edge add another warm metallic detail.
Lantern and sconces: Visual Comfort; bench: custom
Lantern and sconces: Visual Comfort; bench: custom
“In the master bedroom, we wanted to make it masculine and tailored but with a feminine feel via soft, inviting linens,” Flanigan says. Silks, linens and cottons make up a luxurious bed, while neutral colors create a calm space. The artwork is pressed leaves.
For the nursery, the homeowners collected these charming Etsy drawings to represent some of the cities where they have lived. The casework will easily transition from changing table to grown-up dresser.
The room’s colors were inspired by the work of The Rifle Paper Co.; star wallpaper adds a playful touch on the ceiling.
The cushy sofa, chair and ottoman provide soft spaces to lounge and hang out with the baby.
The bathroom has the same wallpaper as on the nursery ceiling in another color and in vinyl, which can stand up to moisture.
Wallpaper: Schumacher
Wallpaper: Schumacher
In the male homeowner’s office upstairs, an Eames chair provides a comfy spot for reading and visiting.
Wall paint: Gray Shower 2125-30, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Gray Shower 2125-30, Benjamin Moore
In one of the guest rooms, which will eventually serve as another children’s bedroom, Flanigan brought in some color via green bottles and celadon drapes. Again, the room is crisp and tailored, with elements like the patinated wood on the chest bringing in some weathered age.
The other guest room is welcoming, soft and filled with light. Symmetry gives it a pleasing feel.
Flanigan maintained the house’s gracious appeal while updating it to a soft, light, bright and more inviting home.
Flanigan maintained the house’s gracious appeal while updating it to a soft, light, bright and more inviting home.