Buying a home at auction seems like a win—until you actually move into it. At least, that was the case for this family of six who snapped up what turned out to be a dark, dated, and ornate Mediterranean home in Dallas. It took two years to make the call that the place simply wasn't working for their busy social lives. When they did, they asked Dunbar Road Design to transform their house into a "happy, bright, comfortable, and timeless" home in just six months. With the hard deadline timed to the family's return from an extended trip abroad, principal designer Carla Fonts recalls, "We literally didn't sleep."
She and her team began executing their plan to freshen up the space so much that, she says, "I wanted it to feel like you were walking into heaven." First, she made sure that every room had at least a hint of sky blue or light green, "shadowing all the gorgeous foliage outside." As transformative as the garden-influenced color choices were, the furnishings were also key in tailoring the space for the nonstop family. While the general layout remained the same, most of the rooms needed a full overhaul to optimize their flow and usefulness. "This is a party house and a family house, so I used high-quality performance fabrics on everything," Fonts says. Now, just like in heaven, all is forgiven. "Whether it's kids in dirty shoes, or someone spilling a glass of wine, it can always come out," she notes. And newcomers are welcomed with open arms; the home offers a variety of areas for gathering, each with a different focus.
There are elegant touches throughout, from the many vintage Murano glass chandeliers to the Fromental chinoiserie wallcovering in the dining room that's offset by a more modern burl wood dining table. Other areas have a more relaxed sensibility—a nook for playing mah-jongg, a breakfast table for morning coffee, and a newly added solarium inspired by the couple's trips abroad. The large family room houses two seating areas with back-to-back fringe-trimmed sofas and a Parisian-meets–Art Deco custom high-top bar Fonts designed for the jet-setting homeowners. In six months, the house went from not a great fit to there's no place like home. "Now," Fonts says, "when the family returns from a trip, they love walking in the door."
Living Room
Two seating areas flank each other to ensure there's room for everyone during social gatherings. Sofa: custom, in Fabricut velvet. Chairs: custom, in Osborne & Little fabric. Rug: clients' own.
In the back of the living room, a second seating area is primed for cocktail hour. Chair: custom, in Quadrille fabric. Ottoman: custom, in Stroheim velvet. Barstools: ModShop, in Kravet faux leather.
Kitchen
For homeowners who love blue, Fonts designed the kitchen around a "substantial" island with an eat-at bar that's perfect for a family of six. Tile: Douglas Watson Studio.
China Pantry
Near the formal dining room, Fonts designed a nook with cabinetry to hold dinnerware. Paint: custom, to match tile and existing countertops. Pendant: Coleen & Company.
Breakfast Area
Off the kitchen and pantry, the breakfast table sits in a prime position by the fireplace. Chandelier: Visual Comfort & Co. Table: clients' own. Chairs: Palecek. Runner: Stark.
Dining Room
A floral-and-bird chinoiserie wallcovering by Fromental sets the palette. Table: custom. Chairs: custom, in Schumacher fabric (back) and Métaphores velvet (inside back and seat). Curtains: custom, in Kravet silk. Chandelier: vintage.
Primary Suite
With four young children in the home, the parents needed a relaxed, spa-like escape. Wallcovering: Phillip Jeffries. Rug: Stark. Bed: custom, in Pindler velvet. Nightstand: Scout Design Studio.
A previously unused coffee bar leading into the owners' suite became a pretty-in-pink sitting area. The blue wallpaper is set off with salmon tape from Samuel & Sons. Banquette: custom, in Fabricut velvet and Samuel & Sons trim. Wallcovering: Mural Sources.
Homework Zone
The hallway that connects the children's bedrooms is now a workspace. Chairs: clients' own, in Schumacher fabric. Wallcovering: Peter Fasano. Lamps: Worlds Away. Paint: Sweet Bluette, Benjamin Moore.
Solarium
Pictured above.
Inspired by North African motifs, these floor tiles set a serene mood in the newly constructed sunroom. Tile: Bedrosians Tile & Stone. Wallcovering: David Sutherland. Chairs: upholstered in Casa Branca fabric. Sofa: Serena & Lily, in Peter Fasano fabric. Banquette: custom, in Fabricut fabric.
Game Area
The homeowner wanted a place where she and her friends could play mah-jongg. Table and chairs: vintage. Roman shade: custom, in Schumacher fabric.
Tour More of the Home
Styled by Melanie McKinley.
