Interior designers make countless decisions from larger ones during a project, such as creating a furniture plan for a spacious living room, down to the smallest detail like the trim on a pillow. Perhaps the most crucial factor at the end of the day is the client. “You really can’t do your best work without clients who understand the scope of the project and what it will take to realize it, especially in a large home like that of Tom and Phyllis Leiser,” says Margaret Chambers.
“Phyllis is truly delightful with great ideas—I want to clone her! And Tom is open minded and generous.” The result of this happy partnership is comfortable, inviting rooms that have an intimate attitude despite their size.
Chambers took her initial inspiration from the style of the home. “As a whole, my design decisions revolve around the architecture, which I see as a guiding principle,” she says. “It is primarily French in design, so with this in mind, I created spaces largely in the Country French style that paired well with some of the Leisers’ existing furniture.” And while the house is in tune with that style, diverse elements keep it fresh and unpredictable at turns. Chambers keeps the design from being staid by adding antiques from diverse periods, as well as modern elements.
“Contemporary art is a powerful way to keep a traditional home current and to give it a spark of the unexpected— the design becomes vibrant, active, and engaging,” she says. One of Chambers’s favorite artists, Jacques Lamy, has a gallery in Dallas. (Lamy, who hails from France, won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1970.)
Leiser, now drawn to his work, is becoming a collector herself. “I have four of his pieces. Two are more modern, and the other two are very traditional,” she says. The lively Lamy in the foyer really brings together the color palette of the first floor.
The piece is titled Draw Me a Flower, a reference to the book by Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, Chambers explains.
“It is a multimedia collage that starts with a vague image that becomes clearer as layers are added—and that’s a great illustration of the design process and of how art can unify a home.”
When choosing the palette, Chambers allows the size of the house to play a role. “In larger homes, the colors can vary more than in smaller ones.
However, there are common threads that tie this house together as you move through the different spaces,” she adds. A palette of greens, reds, salmons, and neutrals are found throughout the house, creating a warm, comfortable feel. For the master, Leiser’s favorite room, the absence of color makes a strong statement. Chambers banished the previous jewel tones and introduced a quiet atmosphere. “Phyllis requested a light and airy, tone-on-tone design,” says Chambers. The neutral colors draw the eye to the antiques interspersed with more contemporary elements such as the pillows, a textured rug, and a mirror-topped coffee table from the designer’s custom furniture line, the Chambers Collection.
The quiet feel extends to the classic and frequently used outdoor entertaining areas. Minimal furnishings with neutral fabrics don’t compete with the green landscape and the blue swimming pool. Architectural features, such as the beautifully detailed wrought iron and stunning antique fireplace, were brought in to give the spaces great character and are in keeping with the scope of the interiors. Chambers most recently updated these outdoor areas, completing the lovely home.
“When we first started in the master bedroom, it was a darker room with jewel tones,” says Chambers. “Phyllis was ready for a completely new look, including a new color palette and updated furnishings. By using neutral colors, we were able to direct interest toward the beautifully hand-carved antiques, which we helped her acquire. The attention was all in the details.”
“I use the outdoor spaces almost every day for my own enjoyment and for entertaining. We take advantage of the spacious veranda for cookouts, parties for family friends, and charity and college events,” says Leiser. Chambers adds, “The outdoor area is a beautiful space, and instead of filling it with too many furnishings, we kept it simple and more open for a light and airy feel.”
