Here is part two of designer Diana Humphrey’s wonderful personal home! This beautiful home that Diana and her family settled into 18 years ago showcases a great mix of old and new. I love the original way she combines accessories, incorporates meaningful pieces and displays art!!!

Diana personalized the breakfast room with sentimental pieces and accessories with a story. She inherited this unique table from her grandfather who owned a general store in Thorp Springs, Texas (outside of Fort Worth) in the 20s and 30s. “His customers could sit at the table, enjoy their ice cream from the soda fountain and view and hopefully purchase the jewelry displayed under the glass top.” When the store burned down, all that remained were the cast iron legs, so Diana had the top reproduced and now houses a collection of her children’s and her own childhood toys in it. It adds so much charm and nostalgia to the room! I also love the unique border comprised of green glazed, French roof tiles that Diana found at the Houston Theta Antique Show. The green cabinetry, functioning as a display case for her wonderful dish collection, was glazed for a furniture feel! They fit perfectly with the bay window.

The kitchen, remodeled by R.D. Allen, carries over the same green, black and white color scheme featured in the breakfast area; the crisp contrast is fantastic.  I love the pop of color that the vibrant painting in the back hallway lends to the space.  Putting a piece that draws your eye in is the perfect way to decorate a hallway that always has its door open. Diana also used contrast in the surfaces, combining a honed granite countertop with a beautiful green onyx backsplash from Walker Zanger. (I should have taken a close up of this backsplash, it was so pretty!!) Glazing the cabinetry, while subtle, adds so much depth to the built-ins!! 

This expansive master bedroom suite allows ample room for relaxation! To create coziness within the large footprint, Diana formed several sitting areas and accented each with her varied art collection. The window treatments, S. Fabricut silk draperies coupled with Conrad shades, are reminiscent of those in the family room, reinforcing the sense of flow throughout the home. The room features a neutral palette, allowing the various paintings and accessories to really pop. Notice the long horizontal painting over the mantle from McMurtrey Gallery with Diana’s trademark of a smaller painting and a sculptured piece on either side. I love what this combo does for the room!  When designing your own space, keep in mind that the art doesn’t have to go to the ceiling!!!  The well-thought-out accessorizing of the bed wall and night stands really work well with the large scale paintings on the couch wall. The chairs with the circles in the back and the stone fragment lamp are both great as well!!!

Having some extra seating in the master gives that resort feel!!! Her art collections always hung interestingly together give such character to the room. I think the high and low in the heights of the paintings make their combination really work. This landscape, inspired by Psalms 23, from Gremillion & Co. above the sofa is beautiful and inspirational!

Formerly wrapped in a salmon-colored marble, the master bathroom got a facelift with the creamy marble that the homeowners love. R.D. Allen led the remodel and replaced the built-in tub and wrap-around, built-in mirrors with a free-standing tub, framed mirrors from Mixed Emotions, granite countertops and new hardware and fixtures. For a luxurious feel, the rug from Emmet Perry & Co., Barclay Butera upholstered vanity chair and square bench add a soft, finished touch.  She certainly is not a one-stop shopper!!

I love this tub area!!! Adding to that spa feel, Diana filled a large confit pot from Carol Gibbins Antiques with towels, soaps and a large sea sponge. This large circular mirror from Z Gallerie balances the square edges of the cabinets. Above the linen cabinet, the beautiful white plates collected over time further soften the space.

Diana, you did an amazing job looking for the right piece, whether it is a family treasure, an expensive addition, or something from Ikea!! Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your home!!!

 I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  All my kids are coming home, and my brothers and sisters and parents as well–I am so excited to be together!!  My mom makes the best pumpkin chiffon pie that I want to share.  It is from a House Beautiful recipe that she cut out and started making 50 years ago!!  Enjoy!!

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie–3/4 c brown sugar–1 envelope unflavored gelatin–1/2 tsp. salt–1 tsp. cinnamon–1/2 tsp. nutmeg–1/4 tsp. ginger–3 slightly beaten egg yolks–3/4 c canned or mashed pumpkin–3 egg whites–1/3 cup granulated sugar–1 9-inch Graham-cracker crust—-In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, gelatin, salt, and spices.  Combine egg yolks and milk; stir in brown-sugar mixture.  Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil.  Remove from heat; stir in pumpkin.  Chill until mixture mounds slightly when spooned.  Test every now and then–don’t let it get too stiff.  Beat egg whites till soft peak form; gradually add granulated sugar, beating to stiff peaks.  fold pumpkin mixture thoroughly into egg whites.  Turn into crust.  Chill firm.  Garnish with whipped cream; drizzle with vanilla caramel sauce.

Next week is a very special interview with Belgium designer and author of the blog Belgian Pearls Greet Lefevre.  She is really a wonderful lady!! xoxo  Leslie