I love going back to homes we had done finishes in and visiting with clients, who, for me, are old friends! When driving up to this French beauty, I was surprised to find out it was for sale!!!

I remember this one well. One, because it was a super sweet homeowner, and we had a ball making this home her own. And two, because of the challenges we faced when doing the project!

The house was originally painted in a high sheen enamel.  While lovely, it showed all the imperfections in the walls, and the nail holes from the previous owner’s art were virtually impossible to patch up in a way that’d be undetected.  So we decided to plaster all the main areas and either paint or do decorative treatments in the others! This is the entry facing the front door.  Those wonderful columns came with the house and will remain for the new owner!!!

The dining room was papered with a wonderful, hand-screened Gracie wall covering. Seeing ghost chairs used in a dining room was a first for me way back when–now they are all the rage!  This homeowner was sure ahead of her time!!!

This has always been one of my all-time favorite panel designs we created!  Each panel had to work with the doors, windows and openings but still seem connected. Difficult but worth it!!! I liked it so much that I used the same design in my daughter’s room!

Leading straight back is a plastered kitchen, den, and breakfast area!!!  The heart of the home, this large space has multiple seating areas, making it wonderful for entertaining! This homeowner of European descent loves combining modern with old world.  An absolute in Europe, it’s becoming a definite trend here in the USA too.

The space to the right is definitively more casual and modern in feel. Papering one wall separated the space and gave a great accent to detract a bit of attention from the TV.

The kitchen, equipped with modern conveniences, is well organized and designed.  I really love the custom zinc table, which adds another prep or seating area!  I would want that to go with the house for sure!!

Creating and customizing a contemporary mirror inset into the stained built-in brought an interesting focal to the more formal sitting area. I was there during this process, and the lady of the house drew out and individually selected each element! I love the lavenders mixed with the French blues and warm woods!

The drapes, original to the home, look so fab with the mirror we tweaked!! This light and bright breakfast area leads to a wonderful outdoor entertaining space.

I love the use of the draperies outside.  When I asked her about it she said they were easy to maintain and held up well! Yup, I could hang out here!!

A beautiful, well-kept, large yard with lush landscaping! Those pots are divine!!!

Gardens even lead to the master suite, which has its own outdoor sitting area!

All the bedrooms upstairs are large and well done. How would you like this for a teen palace?!  Furnished as is, it would make the perfect guest suite – like staying in a cool hotel like the W.  It would even be large enough for an upstairs game room or playroom.

Another cool boy’s room! We had originally painted footballs as corner treatments on the ceiling! Now, he’s all grown up, so the decor has changed… and boy, am I feeling old!!!

Originally designed for the daughter, who’s now grown and out on her own, this room has easily made the transformation to guest room! The hand-painted panels on the walls–classic in design–would make a wonderful backdrop to different furnishings in this space.

What a fun game room and movie room!!! I love the pop colors and the mirrored drapery treatment used for a door!

Comfortable and durable fabrics, the kids could enjoy but not destroy!!

There is even a zen garden!!!  I loved working on this home and hate to see the homeowner go… but what a wonderful place to live if you are in the market!  For more information, call Joe Lucia with John Daugherty Realtors or go here to see the listing.

Please join me at the Design Antique Show Houston (DASH) Preview Party this Thursday!!!

A wonderful outdoor antique fair with all sorts of one-of-a-kind finds!! I will be there Thursday only with Segreto Style and gift items from the Segreto Boutique! The preview party is $25 admission, and the night is full of drinks, light bites and fun, benefiting Child Advocates. Hope to see you there!!