Well-honed, perfectly curated homes are typically the result of a talented team that works tirelessly to bring their client’s dreams to life. They are fueled by a passion to develop innovative and inventive design and spurred on by the opportunity to create — whether it’s reviving the bones of an old space or building a new, state-of-the-art home.
2021 Home Design Awards
In the following, we highlight some truly notable designs on the homefront that are sure to impress and inspire by many of the area’s top talents. Here are the nominees — and winners — for the 2021 Fort Worth HOME Design Awards.
best ENTRY SPACE
Trish Sheats Interior Design
A Beautiful Composition - Trish Sheats Interior Design
“This space gives a whole new meaning to ‘grand entry,’” says Trish Sheats, interior designer and owner of Trish Sheats Interior Design. Natural light floods the sprawling entry, which touts soaring 20-foot ceilings and a stately curving staircase. Trish worked closely with Fort Worth-based homebuilder V Fine Homes — she also provides full-scale interior design services for their clients — to create an entrance for the Rivercrest home that was at once both stately and intimate. Clean white walls and herringbone-patterned, white oak wood flooring lend a classic vibe, punctuated by a grand piano that seems to just be awaiting the perfect set of notes. Plush seating from Country French Interiors, a light cream-and-blue toned rug from Arsin Rug Gallery, and a few well-appointed, contemporary decorative details “create a sophisticated and inviting space,” says Sheats, “that makes for an elegant transition into the rest of the home.”
Elements of Design
WINNER
Making an Entrance - Elements of Design
First impressions always count, and Elements of Design owner and lead designer Traci Darden delivered big for this entry to a Texas Hill Country-meets-modern home. “Proportion and scale are key when designing two-story areas like this,” she says. Glass-paneled floating stairs draw the eye upward toward a custom-designed, dimensional stone wall. Two aged brass chandeliers with arching rods by Tech Lighting provide a contemporary touch of subtle overhead illumination. The space beneath the stairs doubles as a seating area, which resides in front of a large glass cutout in the stone wall — providing a clear view into the nearby wine room. “You can’t only be concerned with the floor space,” adds Darden. “You have to design the space to be visually interesting from all angles and make sure the elements you are choosing fit floor to ceiling and wall to wall.”
Susan Semmelmann Interiors
Ranch-Style Pizzazz - Susan Semmelmann Interiors
This ranch-style home, located in Argyle, deserved an impressive entry and that’s just what Susan Semmelmann created for her clients. “A grand entrance is one to embrace when you walk through the threshold of the door into any home,” she says. It was previously more of a dark and Old World-style interior, so Semmelmann had the floors stripped and repainted to lighten up the space and the walls lightly textured and painted Sherman-Williams Worldly Gray. Authentic hardwood planks on the ceiling and two stately chandeliers — which Semmelmann sourced from her own lighting line — add overhead visual interest. “We wanted to give it a more modern ranch look and have a grand presence when you walked in,” she adds. “We believe this sets the tone of the home, and that first impressions are lasting impressions.”
best LIVING SPACE
MTK Design Group
Modern Penthouse Living - MTK Design Group
“This entrepreneur client has lived in various places around the world and is currently enjoying a city-lifestyle-empty-nest retreat,” says MTK Design Group owner and lead designer Megan Kranz. Her goal was to create a design aesthetic that matched up with the breathtaking “artwork” of the cityscape views from the homeowner’s top floor lookout at the Glass House in downtown Dallas. Exposed concrete walls give an industrial modern vibe to the room, which Kranz warmed with bold tones and comforting textures for a cozy touch while still maintaining a modernistic setting. Both bright and soft blues, blush reds, and gold accents became the color palette, and “low profiles and sleek lines gave us the contemporary high-style, end result we desired,” says Kranz. “My client now loves her stylish living while soaking in the views.”
Susan Semmelmann Interiors
Show-Stopping Design - Susan Semmelmann Interiors
In a stunning display of original, thought-provoking design, Susan Semmelmann Interiors created a living space full of texture, warmth, and bespoke details for this new build in Southlake. Most notable are the two enormous light fixtures dangling from the 18-foot ceiling above their respective seating areas. “They are actually individual pendant lights, and we used eight pendants to create a single, massive light fixture,” explains Semmelmann. “Then we did it on the other side as well, making it a total of 16 pendants to create two chandeliers.” Equally as impressive is the custom-designed fireplace, made with slabs of Dekton Radium — a sustainably produced material that gives the look of dark, aged steel — and inset with glossy stainless steel. “The mixture of metals, woods, and tile add organic elements to the space,” says Semmelmann. “We wanted to give it a contemporary look and that wow factor that people remember as a one-of-a-kind design.”
Paxton Place Design
WINNER
From the Outside In - Paxton Place Design
“This client wanted to create a living room space where family could indulge in their love of reading and nature,” says Paxton Place Design owner Stacie McCans. A small set of French doors were replaced with oversized versions of custom metal-framed glass, which ushered in natural light. “We also included a patio addition to bring the outdoors in,” adds the designer. To correct the single built-in bookshelf that made the room feel lopsided, the team created a second identical built-in for symmetry. It was also the ideal display for the client’s original pottery and treasures curated from their travels in Europe. “The ceiling was painted a slate blue to visually lower it for a cozier feel,” says McCans, who mirrored the hue in details throughout, like the rug, furnishings and ceruse oak cocktail table. “The room is cozy enough for two but spacious enough for company.”
best DINING ROOM
Tori Rubinson Interiors
WINNER
Traditional Elegance - Tori Rubinson Interiors
A classic, sophisticated space was on the menu for this dining room makeover that designer Tori Rubinson created for her parents in their Mistletoe Heights residence. “With a beautiful mural wallcovering, silk drapes, and new paint scheme, this room was totally transformed,” says Rubinson. A few of her mother’s original pieces were kept, like the heirloom table and rug. Rubinson added custom Lee Industries end chairs from Simple Things, side chairs from Ballard Designs, and a statement chandelier from Visual Comfort. The built-in cabinetry was painted a deep navy blue, and the walls clad in a gorgeous mural-like wallpaper. All the rich tones inspired by the rug helped create a cohesive, polished look. “I love the scale of the chandelier and the depth of the paint colors,” says Rubinson. “I also love how the space made a room full of antiques feel fresh.”
High Street Homes
A Fresh Start - High Street Homes
Husband-wife design duo Brett and Kara Phillips — owners of homebuilding and interior design firm High Street Homes — brought together a brand-new look for this Arlington Heights bungalow dining room. “Our client has owned the home for a long time, but the space did not feel like it represented her style,” explains Brett. The walls were covered in leopard-print wallpaper by Schumacher for a playful, elevated detail. They warmed the space with a bit of midcentury flair from McGee & Co., like the Quinn sideboard in washed walnut and Silas dining chairs. A vintage Turkish rug from Phillips House Co — Brett and Kara’s online home décor shop — and an antique brass chandelier from Circa Lighting complete the final look. “The home is filled with personal treasures, beautiful vintage items, and high-quality market finds,” says Brett. “Our favorite part was seeing the space become new again.”
Donna Moss Designs
Bold Elegance - Donna Moss Designs
“This is a stunning remodel of a 20-year-old home, and it was definitely a departure of style,” says Donna Moss, interior designer and owner of her Dallas-based Donna Moss Designs. “It went from a glamorous Old World design with deep golds and burgundies to a beautiful, bold, and bright modern look.” The crisp, white-walled space is punctuated with statement furnishings like a gorgeous 10-foot-long live edge, wood table with a twisted gold base, two striking leopard-print armchairs, and plush black seating with gold hardware. Glossy, marble-like white porcelain tile flooring and a blue and cream silk rug from Arsin Rug Gallery lend a sense of understated glamour. Moss finished the space with gold facet cluster lamps from Global Views and a dazzling crystal chandelier from Elegant Lighting for the perfect dose of glitz and glam.
best KITCHEN
Paxton Place Design
Understated Elegance - Paxton Place Design
“This kitchen was part of a custom project we designed with a local homebuilder,” says Stacie McCans, owner and designer at Paxton Place Design. “The couple was in the process of moving from Nashville to Fort Worth and wanted a home that reflected a traditional setting with eclectic surprises.” The walls were painted a light greige, the perimeter cabinets painted Sherwin-Williams Skyline Steel, and the island given a coat of dark charcoal gray with brushed-gold hardware for a dose of drama. Textured subway tile backsplash and contrasting dark grout maintained a light, clean vibe. “The vent hood was the star of the show with a custom gray finish and brushed-gold accents,” says McCans. “We carried those same elements in the unique pendants that adorned the island. The cohesive unit to this fabulous kitchen was the beautiful leathered quartzite that brought in all of the rich colors in the space.”
The Kitchen Source
WINNER
Modern by the Lakeside - The Kitchen Source
For her client’s new build near Possum Kingdom Lake, The Kitchen Source’s Elizabeth Tranberg thoughtfully created a sleek-lined kitchen that also serves as an important gathering area. “The family loves to cook and spends many hours in the kitchen together,” she says. “They wanted to make sure they had more than ample space at their home away from home on the lake.” White walls and engineered-wood flooring provide a clean, neutral palette accentuated with contemporary touches like bar stools from Modern Living and hand-painted, terracotta tile backsplash above the stovetop. Tranberg also incorporated unique details — like integrated knife blocks in the counters by the stovetop; under-cabinet, toe-kick lighting; and spacious storage-savvy drawers — for a kitchen that’s both glamorous and grounded.
MTK Design Group
The Treehouse Kitchen - MTK Design Group
Interior designer Megan Kranz drew inspiration from the trees surrounding her hilltop home in North Arlington for her complete kitchen revamp. “We call our home ‘the treehouse,’ and the kitchen’s new design had to feel as though it was an extension of the outside,” says Kranz, who owns and runs MTK Design Group with her husband, John. Most striking is the gorgeous earthy quartzite from Burlington Design Gallery that was love at first sight for Kranz. She chose inset cabinets in a beautiful smoky blue hue and added hand-hammered hardware and live-edge shelves above the coffee bar for an organic vibe. Leather barstools from At Home nod to the home’s midcentury roots, and a striking handcrafted molten glass chandelier provides a modern touch.
best HOME OFFICE
Shauna Glenn Design
WINNER
Color Rules - Shauna Glenn Design
Known for her gorgeous, color-infused designs, Shauna Glenn transformed this particular room from bland to grand. “This family wanted to turn a stuffy, generic home office into a colorful, eclectic space,” she says of the Southlake-area home. “It was a landing spot for boxes and other items the client didn’t know what to do with.” A multicolor rug from Rugs USA and vibrant chairs from Wayfair create a cheerful setting with natural light streaming in through the oversized windows. Glenn kept the contemporary vibe with a gold West Elm light fixture and credenza from All Modern, topped with a pair of textured, deep blue lamps from Wayfair. On the wall above them, the client’s commissioned self-portrait makes for the perfect statement piece. When it comes to vivid spaces like this one, Glenn’s creative talents thrive. “I don’t adhere to any rules. If it feels good, I go with it,” she says. “To me, all the details together make the difference.”
MTK Design Group
The Office Lounge - MTK Design Group
Previously a formal dining room in her own home, MTK Design Group owner Megan Kranz reformulated it into a new just-right space. “For this moody, organic home office lounge, we wanted each element in the design to feel natural and comfortable,” explains Kranz. “It all started by removing archways that didn’t fit the home’s modern era for a cozier and more effective layout.” A large sliding window provides ample natural light, the wood desk and flooring warm the space, and a deeply hued wallpaper with touches of metallic gray and gold brings the drama. “I’m an advocate for patterns since I find it adds so much character to a space,” says Kranz. “Then by incorporating the solid textured drapes and pillows in a bolder color, the eye can rest and allow the patterns to soothe into the background.”
Susan Semmelmann Interiors
The Business of Style - Susan Semmelmann Interiors
Interior designer Susan Semmelmann prefers to shake things up when it comes to the perceived traditional office design — especially after a global pandemic that took working from home to a whole new level. So, Semmelmann revamped her client’s home workspace into a personalized high-end haven where they can conquer their nine-to-five. “This modern, masculine office is texturized with mixed metals and woods, giving it a natural organic look, from the tusk chairs to a hair-hide rug,” says the designer, who also implemented concrete tile flooring by Dekton. Standard bookshelving was removed in favor of large floating shelves and a striking piece of equestrian art. Behind it, black leather Dekton material and high-gloss Dekton insets with black crocodile wallpaper create an impressive three-dimensional display — the perfect accoutrement for a space that really gets down to business.
best BEDROOM
MTK Design Group
WINNER
Master of Serenity - MTK Design Group
“The inspiration for this master bedroom design started from a unique mix of colors the homeowner wanted to use, including various tones of blues, grays, and soft pinks,” says MTK Design Group owner and designer Megan Kranz. Working with an existing sofa, Kranz drew on similar hues for the window treatments to both extend the space vertically and tie in the furniture piece. She also outfitted the ceiling niche with a whimsically patterned wallpaper by Fabricut Wallcoverings. “Over time, the industry has renewed wallpaper to incorporate fresh textures, finishes, and designs that keep up with modern trends and make it more appealing and versatile now,” says Kranz. “It’s always a fun way to make a statement, enhance architectural details, and add personality.” A bit of texture — like woven ottomans, blue glass lamps, and landscape artwork — was the perfect finishing touch for “the soft and dreamy oasis.”
Tori Rubinson Interiors
A Sophisticated Space - Tori Rubinson Interiors
“This fun master bedroom update was redesigned for the sweetest parents of two young girls,” says interior designer Tori Rubinson, owner of her locally based, namesake design business. “I wanted the room to feel classic, fresh, and comfortable.” The chic space touts style from top to bottom, literally, as Tori commissioned her trim carpenter to install paneling on the ceiling. “They had these nice high ceilings, but there was no architectural detail,” she explains. “It was an easy way to add interest to the room.” Custom fabric window treatments layered over natural shades coordinate with the bedframe, rug, and other neutral elements. And red lamps, a custom pink velvet sofa from Lee Industries, and watercolor artwork above it add pretty pops of color.
Kristi Hopper Designs
New Beginnings - Kristi Hopper Designs
“When our clients moved to a new home, it was the perfect opportunity to create a luxurious primary bedroom,” says Kristi Hopper, owner of her Dallas-based design firm. “They purchased a much larger home, so we started fresh with most of their furniture.” Kristi chose a gorgeous bed from Fine Furniture for the new master space, which featured stylish acrylic and gold detailing along the top. Beautiful gold mirrors by John Richards, lamps from Uttermost, and nightstands from Vanguard — all sourced from the Dallas Market Center — created a symmetrically modern setting. Hopper also added custom drapes, an upholstered Fine Furniture bench, and a chic brass-and-beaded chandelier from Ro Sham Beaux. “This space is cozy and inviting,” says Hopper. “It’s the perfect place to retreat from the world after a long day or to hide out during quarantine.”
best CHILDREN’S BEDROOM
B Smart Builders
WINNER
The Indoor Treehouse - B Smart Builders
This uniquely furnished children’s room is a paradise for eager, fun-loving young visitors. It was a sleepover-oriented destination for the homeowner’s grandkids that creatively fit four beds, a staircase, and storage. “We expanded a small bedroom and borrowed attic space to create an industrial treehouse playscape,” says B Smart Builders owner Cheryl Bean. “The bunkroom is tall and narrow, defined by the modern farmhouse’s steep pitched roof.” Floor-to-ceiling, built-in shelving extends up a wall, filled with books and toys for endless entertainment. A single window shines onto the top of the triple bunk beds — each outfitted with its own overhead light for nighttime stories — accessible by a floating stairway made of cable, wood, and steel. There’s also a loft-style space with an extra bed at the top for maximum guest occupancy. And not a single inch was wasted, illustrated by the cozy reading corner tucked beneath the stairs. “This room is truly catered for the kids’ enjoyment and leisure,” says Bean. Adventure awaits!
Susan Semmelmann Interiors
Loft-y Arrangements - Susan Semmelmann Interiors
For this creative endeavor, Fort Worth-based interior designer Susan Semmelmann turned a little-used area into a dreamy children’s space. Semmelmann started the attic makeover, which took about a full year to complete, with engineered hardwood flooring and a calming color on the walls. The three original dormers were originally just meant for letting in a little light, but Semmelmann chose to arrange a twin bed in each of them. “The placement of the beds in the area is well-thought-out to ensure that aesthetic and design are not sacrificed for functionality,” she explains. A queen bed, clad in the same adorable matching linens, completed the sleeping accommodations. At the opposite end of the room, a modern, comfortable seating area and plush rug up the cozy factor and provide the perfect spot to entertain guests in this cool, attic hideaway.
Heritage Interiors
Sweet Retreat - Heritage Interiors
With a chic dose of pink and a pinch of boho style, interior designer Shavawn Everitt created a darling retreat for a tween girl’s bedroom, complete with a unique alcove space. “This dream hideaway nook incorporates a boho-style custom hammock where the client’s daughter can find creativity for her art projects,” says Angela Hough, who oversees Heritage Design Studio alongside her husband, Chris. The walls were painted Sherwin-Williams Cabbage Rose, and a textured rug, ottomans, a stylish table and a filigree pendant light from Uttermost made for finishing touches. The main room features a plush upholstered bed and cinder gray-toned dresser, both from Restoration Hardware, and trendy artwork from Renwil — which draws on the same tones in the patterned wallpaper and ties the whole space neatly together.
best BATHROOM
Elements of Design
WINNER
Coffee and Copacabana - Elements of Design
This Southlake-area master bath delivers bold, impactful design merged with thoughtful details, like a bespoke station for a cup of morning joe. “We took what was planned to be a linen cabinet space and redesigned it for coffee service and even built refrigerator drawers into the base cabinet,” says Elements of Design’s Traci Darden. She also incorporated accent lighting beneath two custom floating vanities as well as the dropped ceiling in the shower. The latter is anchored by the room’s most notable element, book-matched Copacabana quartzite slabs that also create a gorgeous focal point. “The strong colors of this stone set the tone for the rest of the bath’s finishes,” says Darden. Black and gold mosaic tiles accent the shower niches and vanities, while custom gold metal grilles take the place of traditional glass fronts on the cabinetry. Crisp white walls and spacious windows maintain an airy, bright finish to the entire bathroom, the perfect balance to its striking features.
The Kitchen Source
A Spa Retreat - The Kitchen Source
For this tranquil bathroom space, associate kitchen and bath designer Elizabeth Tranberg of The Kitchen Source oversaw every detail from start to finish. “I loved being a part of this project as I was involved from the initial designing with the architect through the final implementation,” she explains. The end result was a clean-lined design in soothingly soft, warm tones. “I really love the bathroom vanities, from the texture and color of the wood that we used to the detailing of the mitered countertops and hardware.” Tranberg also chose natural marble flooring and sophisticated light fixtures from Restoration Hardware for the space. The pièce de résistance, however, was the spa-like bathtub and gorgeous marble wall tiles surrounding it that created “a true haven for relaxation.”
Shauna Glenn Design
A Vibrant Transformation - Shauna Glenn Design
This once-drab bathroom with a cramped floor plan and green walls underwent a complete makeover to become a bright, colorful sanctuary for its proud homeowner. “She hired me because she loves color and knows I use lots of color in my designs,” says Shauna Glenn, owner of her namesake design firm. The space was gutted and reworked to include a wet room, a popular new trend. Glenn brightened things dramatically with large windows for natural light, crisp white tiles, and playful penny tiles from The Tile Shop. They coordinate perfectly with bright-blue Milano cement floor tiles from Zia Tile. Fun finishing touches pull the entire space together, like a floral wallpaper from Anthropologie, colorful vanity lights from Dutton Brown, and beautiful mirrors from Serena & Lily. “It’s one of the best transformations we’ve ever done,” says Glenn proudly. “It’s the perfect space.”
best RESTORATION
Trinity Design & Build
WINNER
New and Memorable - Trinity Design & Build
Creating custom homes and innovative interior solutions is par for the course for Trinity Design & Build owners Corey and Meg Waldrop. This particular restorative challenge involved a 1913 home near Southside Fort Worth that required a total down-to-the-studs situation just for starters. The client purchased the home as a duplex and asked the Waldrops to convert both spaces into a single-family home as well as finish out the attic for additional living space. The design duo delivered on that and more, retaining treasured details while adding modern-day updates like LED lighting, wall and ceiling insulation, and completely new wiring. “They wanted to keep the historical charm, including the many salvaged and recreated millwork pieces,” says Meg, adding that they also revived the home’s original heart pine wood floors and refinished the cast-iron bathtub. In the end, the home was made new again and ready for a fresh batch of memories in the making.
Susan Semmelmann Interiors
From Past to Present - Susan Semmelmann Interiors
Bringing an outdated home into a new modern-day style can often be tricky, but interior designer Susan Semmelmann sought to update this client’s 1919 abode with its original character intact. “We did not want to lose the integrity and authenticity of the home,” she explains. “We painted the walls and wainscot, then added lighting and furnishings. We wanted to give this office a fresh, lovely, and delightful feel, complementing the natural beauty of the home.” The original hardwood floors were still in prime condition and easily updated with contemporary layered rugs, including a hair-hide overlay. Semmelmann maintained the airy, neutral theme with custom drapery, textured white armchairs, and a gold-leafed console. The client also requested a large desk, which Semmelmann creatively sourced: “It’s actually a dining table from a line we carry at Susan Semmelmann Interiors and fit perfectly.”
High Street Homes
A Labor of Love - High Street Homes
Designers Brett and Kara Phillips poured their heart and soul into completely revamping and restoring this 1929 family home in Fort Worth’s Berkeley neighborhood. “It was a full gut renovation and addition. We moved the kitchen to the back of the house from the front and changed the living room to become the dining room,” says Brett. “But we kept the exterior brick facade and original wood windows.” The project took a solid year and didn’t come without challenges. “When we took the roof off, it rained for 40 days straight,” Brett recalls. “It was not the best of timing.” They soldiered on, replacing sheetrock, plumbing, electrical, and more. The husband-wife design team chose red oak flooring that mimicked the home’s original floors and creamy off-white hues throughout, from the kitchen cabinets to the cozy brick fireplace in the dining room, for a timeless modern Tudor home.
best NEW BUILD
Clarity Homes
The New Tradition - Clarity Homes
“Sourced antique furniture and rugs combined with pops of color and modern art in this new home give it a livable, yet luxurious feel,” says Clarity Homes’ Kelsey Fett. Creative concepts for the four-bedroom Aledo home start right from the entry, with airy 20-foot ceilings anchored by hand-scraped white oak wood floors. “We knew the stairwell would be the perfect place to feature the coffered accent wall,” adds Fett. In fact, each room has its own unique element, like smoky-colored Lueders stone around the main fireplace and faux reclaimed beams that span the kitchen and living room ceiling. The office’s built-in shelves were painted in Sherwin-Williams Stardew for a subtle burst of color, and the master bathroom features a sleek Brazilian black slate flooring for a luxe contrast to the light wood cabinetry. The results were a perfect study in contemporary-infused traditional design with all the comforts of home.
Trinity Design & Build
WINNER
A Collective Home - Trinity Design & Build
For husband-and-wife design team Corey and Meg Waldrop — owners of their local company, Trinity Design & Build — creating a thoughtfully curated home for their clients is an everyday passion. “This family wanted the functionality of a modern-day, open-concept home,” says Meg, “but they wanted the look and coziness of a collected country estate.” Details in every room relay that exact style, like dark-green custom cabinetry in the kitchen, a reclaimed wood bar, and unlacquered brass fixtures. There’s “just the right amount of nickel-gap siding, aka shiplap” in the master bathroom and even custom, hand-painted Talavera tiles in the guest bath. These were purchased directly from the artisan where three generations of women handmake the tiles in their home. The attentive collection of art, fixtures, and antiques came together to create storied rooms to love, and the overall result “was a meticulously designed home and happy family,” says Meg.
Haus of Blaylock
Modern French Chateau - Haus of Blaylock
Vast hallways, towering ceilings, and luxury furnishings make this gorgeous six-bedroom, Southlake home a vision in French elegance. “I live, love, and breathe French design,” says Haus of Blaylock owner Brenda Blaylock. “It offers European charm with classical elements, bringing together luxury, elegance, sophistication, symmetry, and balance — all wrapped in a soft color palette.” A mixture of Carrera marble and wood flooring extend throughout the 8,400-square-foot new build, which features soft white and cream hues mixed with taupe-toned grays. “Many of the home pieces were conceptualized and designed by me, and all of the beddings and drapery were designed and manufactured in my in-house facility,” says Blaylock of the bespoke blend of French and modern elements. “I selected pieces with Baroque detailing and modern fabrics to guarantee a level of refinement you often see in the French world of design.”
best WHOLE HOME DESIGN
Tori Rubinson Interiors
A Home of Tradition - Tori Rubinson Interiors
“My parents moved to Fort Worth to be close to family ... they found a great home in Mistletoe Heights, but it needed some loving,” says interior designer Tori Rubinson. “We updated every inch of the house, reworked the layout of the kitchen, extended the laundry room, and added on a new covered porch and patio.” A formal, curved entry staircase features generations of family photos, some of just many heirlooms peppered throughout the home, built in the 1990s. Many treasured pieces were passed down from Rubinson’s grandmother, like furniture in the living room that Rubinson recovered in custom fabrics and the breakfast room’s table and chairs, which she reupholstered and paired with a custom built-in bench seat. “I feel the biggest story of this home,” says Rubinson, “is about family, history, and traditions.”
Elements of Design
Hill Country Luxury - Elements of Design
Home is where inspiration lies, at least when it comes to Elements of Design owner Traci Darden’s creative influence for this sprawling Southlake abode. “I designed this home in a modern Hill Country aesthetic, taking inspiration from my roots in Boerne, Texas,” she says. The 7,300-square-foot new build has natural, warm finishes throughout, from light wood flooring and live-edge wood furniture designs to custom elements like a stone wall in the entry and a floor-to-ceiling wood design for the living room fireplace. Glass is also incorporated to add visual interest in several areas, including the study’s two “disappearing” glass walls that can be fully retracted. Plus, pint-sized guests will be thrilled with a fun-loving bunkroom — in addition to the home’s five bedrooms — that’s painted a lively lime green with two sets of bunks clad in adorable black and white bedding. Each of the thoughtfully appointed spaces all come together for a modern manse infused with just the right amount of Lone Star style.
Shauna Glenn Design
WINNER
Color Convergence - Shauna Glenn Design
“This treasure of a midcentury home in the Northcrest neighborhood of Fort Worth was in its original condition,” says interior designer Shauna Glenn, who purchased the home, built in 1951, as her personal residence. “The project included bringing back period home design elements, such as the terrazzo floors and midcentury-style wallpapers, and infusing my own aesthetic of color and pattern.” A self-proclaimed color enthusiast, Glenn began as she typically does — with a neutral palette and white walls — and introduced vibrantly hued decor throughout. Her well-honed collection of art and vintage rugs were key components, like a multicolored rug from Chairish and a bright-blue chair by Rove Concepts in the living room. She even had a custom bathroom wall mural painted by Dallas-based graffiti artist Captain Casual, and her cool kitchen touts vivid orange appliances from Big Chill, proving that, for this designer, home is where the color-loving heart is.