Inside a Houston Home Makeover Balancing Traditional Architecture and Modern Family Style

“We both loved the home’s classic architecture and inherent formality, but we didn’t want it to be too serious or off-putting for a young family on the go,” says Davis. “It was about finding a balance.” The foyer features a curving three-story staircase, which could feel imposing, but the designer sent that notion packing by wrapping the space in a jaunty blue-and-white striped wallpaper that imparts a more carefree and welcoming attitude. She paired it with a custom sofa in a lively print and a traditional antique chest and mirror. In the dining room, a gleaming antique table, marble-topped sideboard, and French mirror keep company with more contemporary chairs in a peacock blue velvet and a whimsical chandelier. “We also wanted to include references to the home’s 1990s pedigree with nostalgic elements placed throughout,” says Davis. “For example, the living room coffee table is custom, but it’s based on a Baker design of the period, and we drenched the family room in check as another nod.”

In addition to that desired balance, Athon was also drawn to the firm’s use of blues, which mirrored what she’s always gravitated toward. Whether its through wallpaper, trim and ceiling paint, or a backsplash, a range of blues stylishly links the downstairs. “While the rooms are separate, they have large cased openings, so we wanted them to have a color conversation with each other that made sense,” says Davis. One surprising bold yellow was introduced in the living room, as the designer explains: “When I toured the house, the original yellow draperies with valances were still in the dining room, and they ignited a spark. There is a picture floating around Pinterest of an old hotel in Paris with chairs upholstered in the same color that I had always dreamed about using, and Lauren was onboard.” In the living room, the shade continues to dress windows and extends to pillows and game chair cushions with light brushstrokes in other spaces, such as the lamps in the dining room. “Guests really respond to this color,” says Athon. “I think they find it modern and nostalgic at the same time.”

While most of the project involved a facelift, the kitchen needed a complete overhaul. The sea of brown cabinetry and awkward layout were banished and cleverly updated. “The existing design was unusual. There was an elevator behind the range, so there was no room to widen the space. The island had to go in that same direction, where it was almost perpendicular to the sink,” says Davis. “We were running out of space!” The team incorporated a china and silver closet in the dining room, turning the space into a scullery off the kitchen that houses the refrigerator and pantry, hidden behind elegant antique wooden doors. “The area has become a great workspace that I like being tucked away,” says Athon. “And, I like that my house is more unusual on the outside—it has a New Orleans–inspired French attitude with the side courtyard, and the inside has surprising elements as well,” she adds. “It’s such an engaging presentation of old and new. I don’t know how Katie and her team do it!”