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Custom Homes of Texas: Dallas

Written by: Tania Taylor Griffis | Photos Courtesy of: Matti Gresham

April 15, 2020 by clairewilson

When lead designer Megan Fornes first set eyes on this home, it was nearly impossible to nail down an exact style. The designer, who works with ML Interiors Group, started working with the homeowners after they had already purchased a custom built home.

“When I walked through the home for the first time, there were modern features that stood out and yet a whimsical, shabby chic feel,” Fornes said. Additionally, the homeowners had furniture and plenty of collectibles with a more bohemian vibe from travels across the globe added into the mix.

The immediate challenge was to blend the architecture of the home with their personal collections and multiple styles, while adding new furnishings to provide function for their growing family. “I wanted it to be welcoming, express their love for travel while also telling a story about who they are; making sure anything important to our clients had a home rather than feeling out of place and random,” she said.

She certainly accomplished that goal, resulting in the stunning home you see here. She found a balance of the feminine and masculine elements in every room and allowed plenty of breathing room throughout the home.

Most importantly, the homeowners loved the space and felt it represented them well. “Once we reviewed what was important to our clients, whether it be a piece of furniture, pillow, or coffee table book, we made sure it made an impact and continued to balance their new design style,” Fornes said.

The entryway is the perfect spot for your home to make its first impression. Greet guests, and yourself, with a well-organized, yet functional space.
The living room in this home is quite large. To fill the space appropriately, Fornes grouped items together into different areas. For example, the 9- by 12-foot jute rug is anchored with two rattan chairs with a white elephant side table in between.
This upstairs balcony is off the game room. The rustic doors (found at Round Top) were added to a more modern looking track to blend styles.
Even the dishware itself speaks to the merging of styles in this home. “These aren’t your typical plates,” Fornes said. “They have that rustic pottery vibe, but they are still white and clean, so we are mixing the simple and ornate together.”
Fornes likes to fill empty spaces with purposeful neutrals. You may notice a repeating theme of greenery in woven baskets throughout the home—this is no coincidence. Greenery is used as a neutral thread throughout the home, while the woven baskets add texture.
This ornate table was a muchloved souvenir from a trip abroad and helped serve as a starting point for much of the home’s design. The elephants on the chairs inspired the elephant side table in the living room, and the red colors are carried throughout the home. Fornes opted to layer rugs in this space to make it feel less formal.
Because everything on the shelf is bright and bold, Fornes turned the books backward so the binding of the books would not compete.
The dark-colored hooks in the entryway had a pretty pearl detail in the center, which Fornes used along with the fabric to pair the feminine and masculine vibe of the home together. “This is actually a rug, but since it was low-pile, I used it as a tapestry to add texture,” she said.

Tagged With: Custom Homes

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