Richly textured cashmere draperies in orange stand in sharp contrast to crisp white walls and serve to frame the room. Accent pillows in Tibetan lamb’s wool add visual interest to the family room. Beneath the sofa is a Kyle Bunting rug. Twin white leather Barcelona chairs with glossy metal frames are a contrast to the room’s many textured elements.
Casual elegance defines this residence located in a Dallas gated community. With a traditional exterior and transitional interior, the 8,500-square-foot home blends modern elements and original artwork to create a simple yet classic aesthetic.
The second owner of the 15-year-old home sought to enlarge it and to completely furnish and revive the residence with color. A long-time client of interior designer Beth Rafferty, founder of IBB Design Fine Furnishings, the homeowner called on her again to make the magic happen.
Rafferty enlisted the help of her daughter Shay Geyer, owner and principal designer of the Frisco, Texas, firm. The first step for Rafferty and Geyer was a renovation centered on extending open areas.
“We took the home to the studs. We gutted the house and added on to it. We redid all the flooring, and we painted every inch of the house,” says Rafferty.
Central to the family room is a sofa in a brown mohair fabric selected for its texture and durability. The chocolate and orange striped chairs are from IBB Design Fine Furnishings.
A priority for the homeowner was additional space to accommodate gatherings of extended family and friends. The owner envisioned a home with elegant rooms for entertaining and colorful areas for welcoming family. Living and dining areas were expanded and a catering kitchen was added.
“The homeowner loves to entertain and have parties. We needed all entertainment areas to be large, and we needed to make sure we maximized seating,” Geyer says. Inspiration for the design approach came from the owner’s love of elegant surroundings punctuated by color. A collector of original art, the homeowner sought to have each piece be an important accent, providing color and motivation to a room.
With this direction in mind, Rafferty and Geyer focused on a concept of “livable luxe” to define the décor. “The style is all very transitional, neutral with fun pops of color,” Geyer says.
Below: A corner of the family room houses twin chairs in a cut velvet fabric with a circular orange pattern from IBB Design Fine Furnishings. Above: One of the homeowner’s favorite pieces, Abby Road, hangs in the groin vault hallway that connects the foyer and family room. A faux leopard hair-on-hide desk chair adds a punch of pattern at the end of the long hallway.
An example is the stylish formal dining room. Because the owner decorates extensively for holiday parties, Rafferty and Geyer determined to make the room a neutral backdrop to showcase the owner’s festive accents. “We wanted a sophisticated feel in the dining room,” Geyer explains.
Making a seamless connection with the dining room, the contemporary kitchen is harmonious in hue. Dark wood flooring joins the two rooms and marries with an island topped by a glass bar. The designers used high gloss, custom Italian cabinets fronted by frosted glass to create a modern look in the kitchen. A Carrara marble backsplash and countertops lighten the room.
The adjacent breakfast room, sitting area and family room illustrate the owner’s devotion to color. Rich browns combine with sharp orange to add contrast and energy. “She loves color, and orange is her favorite color. She gave us creative range to use it,” says Rafferty.
A metallic paint treatment covers the walls, while lustrous silver silk fabric adorns the dining chairs. A focal point is the majestic chandelier with its silvered barrel shade, through which glows a candelabra accented with round glass globes. The painting of a vintage truck adds a burst of color to the room and pays homage to the owner’s first car.
The family room mixes chocolate and orange textured fabrics with sleek white and metal elements. Fabrics and frames were selected not only for their aesthetic quality but for their ability to withstand the frequent use of family and guests. “It’s a big room so it can take many statements,” Geyer says.
White leather garners attention again in the home’s study. Four chairs with nailhead trim and casters frame a custom wood game table. A white shag rug adds diversity of texture. “The owner uses the room as a working office, and we wanted to keep it simple,” Geyer says.
Simplicity also exemplifies the master bedroom and bath. Calming tones reside throughout the two rooms. “The owner wanted this to be a soothing, restful area,” explains Geyer.
Counter-clockwise from the top: To create a tasteful yet grand ambience in the master bathroom, Rafferty and Geyer added floor-to-ceiling Carrara marble. Custom vanities from Elegant Additions add a touch of warmth to the room. A desk was used on one side of the custom chrome and high gloss wood bed. The homeowner’s son’s handprints and artwork were hung in acrylic frames to personalize the space.
White Venetian plaster walls surround the bedroom and are accented by dark, rich wood floors and a chrome and high gloss bed. Tucked in a sitting area is a blue mohair sofa with a white Tibetan lamb’s wool ottoman. Flanking the sofa are mother-of-pearl nesting tables.
Though elegant and sophisticated, the home is roomy and welcoming, perfect for the owner’s family and friends. “The owner didn’t want the house to be a place where people don’t feel they can relax. It’s comfortable and inviting, a place where they can feel like they’re at home.”
Geyer and Rafferty make a point to design for the needs of each client. Together they offer unique elements and statement pieces that still provide comfortable living. “We try to create a beautiful home that fits their personality and lifestyle,” says Geyer.
An all-encompassing fine furnishings store and design center with 35 designers on staff, IBB Design Fine Furnishings provides a comprehensive service that manages all design details. “We do it all turnkey, from upholstery and case goods to bedding and accessories,” Geyer says.
Whether it’s for an 8,500-square-foot home in a gated community, or a model home for a local builder, IBB Design Fine Furnishings provides the classic aesthetic needed to make a house a home for all clients.
Nancy Baldwin is a Dallas-based freelance writer and editor. Contact her at baldwinwriter@gmail.com.
