Text: Blake Miller
Photo: Michael Hunter
The one thing designer Holly Rabinowitz can remember most clearly about her client’s San Antonio home the first time she entered it was the salmon-colored kitchen cabinets. “They were so colorful,” the San Antonio–based designer says with a laugh. As it turns out, though, those pastel kitchen cabinets—and Formica countertops—quickly became the impetus for the circa 1994 home’s kitchen renovation. “At the time, our home was more than two decades old, and we hadn’t touched a single thing since we moved in,” says the homeowner of their discussion. “The interior was dated and tired. We knew it was time for a change.”
The homeowners called on their original architect, Malcolm “Mac” Chesney of Chesney Morales Partners, Inc., and kitchen designer Christi Palmer of Palmer Todd for advice on how to update the kitchen. “Mac and Christi suggested a lot of things, including a completely new footprint, running the beams from the family room into the kitchen to keep it cohesive, and, of course, new cabinets.” The homeowner laughs. “But then one thing led to another, and we realized it wasn’t just the kitchen that needed updating. My whole downstairs needed a refresh. That’s when I called Holly.”
Rabinowitz’s calling card is a classic, timeless, and elegant design aesthetic. “I didn’t know Holly personally, but I knew her work and knew she was the one I wanted to revamp our home,” says the homeowner. “She really has a keen eye for antiques, and she can immediately update a room with an eclectic look by mixing contemporary with antiques. I have a lot of Asian antiques in my house that I wanted to keep, so I knew Holly could handle the challenge.”
The two instantly bonded over their passion for antiques, and Rabinowitz set to work collaborating with Chesney, Palmer, and her clients to create a modern, timeless living space that allowed for seamless entertaining of both the homeowners’ friends and extended family. “Oh, those cabinets.” Rabinowitz laughs. “Honestly, it was refreshing and delightful to see that bold color on the cabinets because it showed me that my client was fun and willing to take risks. I knew immediately that this project would be a blast.”
The original oak floors were lightened, the living room fireplace saw a makeover by removing the red brick and adding a fresh limestone surround, and the existing millwork was given a face-lift with new paint in a pickled finish and wider baseboards for an elevated look. Then it was up to Rabinowitz to pull together all facets of the interior design to create the contemporary but classic aesthetic her client so desperately longed for. Once the foundation was lightened and brightened with a complete kitchen renovation, Rabinowitz began on the interior design.
In addition to the homeowner’s antiques, such as notable Biedermeier pieces throughout, she also boasted collections of china, glassware, artwork, and holiday décor, all of which Rabinowitz was tasked with integrating into the updated décor. “She wanted it to feel more modern and up to date,” says the designer. “My thought was that with those collected pieces, her home will inherently always look and feel classic and timeless and ultimately traditional in its essence.”
So Rabinowitz focused on weaving in more modern fabrics and patterns via the upholstery, curtains, and rugs and reimagined how to display her client’s various collectibles so that they felt new and fresh. A pair of vintage armchairs in the family room featured a light white wood trim, but when reupholstered in a Holland & Sherry fabric, they were instantly brought back to life. In lieu of displaying her client’s collection of Imari dishware in one place, Rabinowitz sprinkled pieces throughout, giving those spaces a subtle Asian touch.
While the two scoured auction sites such as 1stDibs and Chairish as well as local estate sales to fill in the gaps with the furnishings, Rabinowitz modernized other spaces with simple but powerful changes. In the bar off the dining room, she layered stunning hand-painted Gracie panels on the wall and tea-leaf paper in a gilt finish on the ceiling, both complemented by a fresh Farrow & Ball paint in a bold emerald. Hanging brass shelves displaying one of the homeowner’s collections of vintage glassware added the finishing touch to a once one-note space. “Those small changes transformed that tiny area into a jewel box,” says Rabinowitz.
The laundry room, which is oftentimes ignored as a simple utility space, was elevated with the addition of reclaimed 19th-century Portuguese tiles as a counter-to-ceiling backsplash. The tiles were a 1stDibs score for the homeowner, but when they needed more to complete the project, they worked with the online estate company to connect with an antique dealer in Portugal to source more tiles. “They added so much personality to an otherwise overlooked space,” says Rabinowitz. “It’s not just a backsplash—it has a meaning,” adds the homeowner.
The small (and large) tweaks made to the home transformed it from tired and dated to one that is modern yet traditional and more sophisticated. “What was so great about this entire project is that my client really trusted me, so it was a joy to work and collaborate with her on this home,” says Rabinowitz. “Each piece isn’t just a table or a piece of art or a chair—each piece has a story, and that’s what I love about what Holly did,” the homeowner explains. “Everything feels so collected, and that’s exactly how I wanted it to feel.”
