Text: Courtney duQuesnay
Photos: Michael Hunter
Growing up in the idyllic setting of University Park, Dallas, Lindley Arthur has always had a love for design but took an unconventional path to launching her business, Lindley Arthur Interiors, which has been operating for 10 years now. After earning a business degree, Arthur worked in corporate PR for a decade before coming home for several years to raise her children. When she was ready to enter the working world once again, she opened an antiques shop on Lovers Lane called Antique Row, and from there, her business naturally expanded into interior design. With Lindley Arthur Interiors, she and her team have worked on numerous projects in and around Dallas, with repeat clients often approaching her to decorate second homes across the country.
After helping Dallas realtor Julie Rado put the finishing touches on a former residence, Arthur was honored when Rado reached out for help in designing a new build. Rado had recently sought the architectural guidance of Mark Hoesterey of SHM Architects in choosing the right lot in University Park, and with both professionals secured, and builder Prous Homes signed on to complete the structure, she was ready to begin the process of bringing her dream home to life. The project kicked off in late 2019 with drawings being finished in early 2020.
“There’s a story to be told with each house, and it should be a reflection of the client,” says Hoesterey. “We start with understanding how they want to use the home, what’s important to them, what they like to do, and what their interests are. We try to take a position of humility and understand more about the client. Aesthetically, the client wanted something really rooted in tradition, but a little more eclectic in nature. We used large windows, steel doors, and made the inside light and bright. We chose reclaimed brick in concert with native Texas limestone, and I believe we pulled off an aesthetic that’s comfortable to them.”
SHM Architects specializes in connecting the interior and exterior spaces of a structure, and with the Rados’ love of entertaining at front of mind, Hoesterey incorporated plenty of opportunities for indoor/outdoor living in this home. “We used heaters, fans, and retractable screens in the back, so the family is able to use that space much of the year.” In addition to the backyard, Hoesterey created a courtyard in the front of the house that is used by the couple for entertaining or for simply roasting marshmallows on the firepit with their two kids.
With the structure plans in place, Arthur stepped in to choose paint colors, floors, finishings, and furniture. “In Julie’s case, the starting point was the Carlyle Wolfe Lee painting in the dining room,” says Arthur. “It inspired our color palette for the entire house.” Arthur continues, “They have two boys and a dog, so we didn’t use any materials that were too precious. We utilized a lot of cleanable fabrics that are beautiful but can be comfortably lived in and the client would not have to worry. We wanted it to feel fresh and like a young family lives there. Julie loves color, so we used a lot of it.”
Because Arthur is an antiques dealer, she always incorporates a few older pieces into each home she designs, and this project was no different. Antique sconces, vintage lamps, and midcentury tables give the home a collected-over-the-years character. Arthur adds, “The blue bar room, which we call the adult lounge, is my favorite space in the house. We wanted it to be moody and a place where they could entertain or watch a football game. It’s a nice mix of traditional and contemporary. And the room serves so many different purposes.”
Arthur described the project as one of the best she’s ever worked on in terms of collaboration. At the conclusion of the project, the Rados hosted a dinner party in their new home for Arthur’s team, the architects, and the builders. “They gave us a toast and said how much they appreciated us. It was a wonderful night. Everybody wanted to make it a beautiful home for them. That is a good picture of how this project went.”
