In this Memphis Home by Designer Mary Beth Wagner, Color Meets Coziness

Having seen Dallas-based designer Mary Beth Wagner’s work on Instagram, the owner thought her cheerful palettes and classic, yet fresh designs would be a match for them. “I love what Mary Beth does with color,” she says. “Her taste is amazing, and I honestly couldn’t think of anything better than the ideas that she comes up with.” The two hit it off, and working alongside architect David Anderson, put together a plan that would suit the family for years to come.

“Overall, they wanted a pretty Southern home,” Wagner says, noting this starts with the classic black-and-white exterior. Other priorities included a ground-level primary suite with access to an outdoor space, where the couple can enjoy morning coffee, and a scullery for kitchen prep work.

Wagner knew her client was a fan of the color green, so she used that as a jumping off point for a number of rooms. “She gave me a lot of creative freedom, and there are a lot of different ways the color is tied in throughout the house,” the designer says. The owners also wanted their new home to have a traditional and inviting feel. “She loves stripes and plaids as well as the feeling of being cozy—that was a word she used over and over when describ- ing how she wanted the house to feel,” Wagner says.

This is conveyed in the home’s private retreats as well as the gathering areas. For example, a faux bois wallpaper wraps the pri- mary bedroom, giving the effect of a woodland haven that is matched with furnishings and fixtures in the same palette. In the dining room, abstract art and antiques live in harmony, evoking a personalized feel that is reflective of the family’s style.

The custom table is surrounded by comfortable seating that invites guests to linger long after a meal is finished. Naturally, the den off the kitchen is a hangout, but even the formal living room at the front of the home is a place where the family can truly unwind. “The front living room is hands down my favorite spot,” the owner says. Lacquered green walls speak to the client’s love of the hue while also lending a polished feel. A pair of curved-back chairs, an upholstered ottoman, and striated velvet sofa all play into this, giving the couple a spot to read or sip a glass of wine at the end of the day. “I feel like this house works and lives really well for our family, and I love that we get to live this chapter of our lives here,” the owner says.