My Houzz: Converted Garage Tackled in Remodel
The sports court lost out to a hot tub and a firepit, but the real triumph in this Texas home may just be the stunning garage conversion
Dallas homeowners Ken and Sandra Prater started remodeling their 1940s ranch 24 years ago. "When we bought the house, we bought the approximately half-acre lot. At the time, I was working for an architectural firm and brought my colleagues over, but they didn't see my vision. It had good bones and I knew it," Sandra says. Enlisting the help of architect David Dillard of D2 Architecture, the couple began tackling their remodeling priorities, starting with enclosing the garage. They converted the space into a family room, then tackled the kitchen. The kitchen was in desperate need of a makeover with its original 1940s linoleum floors and a built-in banquette typically found in a diner.
After the remodeling changes, Sandra, an interior designer at SHP Interiors, layered in her vintage collections with everything from plates, figurines, prints, furniture and other flea market or estate sale treasures.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ken and Sandra Prater; dogs Molly, Britta and Hank
Location: Dallas
Size: 4,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 baths
That's interesting: Once their 3 sons left home, Ken and Sandra tore up the sports court in the backyard and put in a pool, a hot tub and a fire pit.
After the remodeling changes, Sandra, an interior designer at SHP Interiors, layered in her vintage collections with everything from plates, figurines, prints, furniture and other flea market or estate sale treasures.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ken and Sandra Prater; dogs Molly, Britta and Hank
Location: Dallas
Size: 4,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 baths
That's interesting: Once their 3 sons left home, Ken and Sandra tore up the sports court in the backyard and put in a pool, a hot tub and a fire pit.
From the circular drive you see the original front porch and the added fireplace and accent windows to what was once the garage entrance. Ken and Sandra first enclosed the garage, then raised the floor to make it flow with the house and not appear to be a garage conversion. They were then faced with the challenge of what to do with the garage door beam in the new family room. "We had to bring in a special pier driller because of our specimen tree in the front yard," Sandra says.
You would never know this space was once a garage. The TV and other media components are neatly concealed in a built-in cabinet to the right of the fireplace. Tall, decorative windows conceal what was once the roof over the garage door. The family room features a custom sofa, an antique cabinet and plenty of seating.
Another view of the former garage space. The sofa and chairs are custom made and most of the other pieces are antiques found at estate sales and flea markets such as Marburger Farm Antique Show in Round Top, Texas. Most of the lamps in the house are made of found objects that Sandra finds while shopping for clients.
Painting: Kyle Ragsdale
Painting: Kyle Ragsdale
A step up from the den is the breakfast area. French doors behind the breakfast table lead directly to the backyard, and a frosted door leads to the utility room with the word utility pointing the way.
The remodeled kitchen features honed marble countertops, a commercial range and tons of cabinets. The breakfast area, laundry room and double French doors leading to the patio and pool are to the left. The cabinets were recently painted from white to a pale-gray color. The island is an antique find, and it functions as a work area, storage, and a gathering place for family. Industrial-style containers hold serving pieces for the many parties and functions Sandra hosts.
Range: Thermador; kitchen cabinets: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; light: Visual Comfort
Range: Thermador; kitchen cabinets: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; light: Visual Comfort
This room was originally the living room, and the two doors flanking the fireplace were added during the garage renovation. Comfortable upholstered chairs with nail heads and the fireplace provide an inviting gathering place.
The cathedral ceiling in the master bedroom was recently covered with wood slats, and the beams refinished to feature the wood detailing. Sandra kept the color palette neutral to make it easy to swap out seasonal bed linens. A collection of framed vintage prints hangs over the bed.
This small sitting room just off the master bedroom creates an inviting retreat with views of the backyard pool and fire pit. The framed botanical prints over the windows are from Marshalls, and most of the other pieces are antiques. Sandra recently added a new chandelier to finish out the space and says, "This is my sanctuary, my escape."
The master bath features flooring with black accents and his and hers cabinets. Sandra says, "My next project in the works is to redo the master bath. I want to put in a freestanding tub that is a bit longer since l'm 6 feet tall."
An antique dresser holds clothing and displays her collection of store jewelry and perfumes. Sandra says, "Everything should have other functions. Never plan on a specific piece for a specific place. Ken says to me, 'Things always move in this house!'"
An antique dresser holds clothing and displays her collection of store jewelry and perfumes. Sandra says, "Everything should have other functions. Never plan on a specific piece for a specific place. Ken says to me, 'Things always move in this house!'"
This bedroom was at first a nursery for each of the couple's sons and now is a comfortable and inviting guest room.
The guest bathroom features a green, botanical color scheme as well as a custom cabinet, with a gray marble countertop and stainless sink. The Schumacher grass-cloth wallpaper ties in with the green color scheme, and Sandra added maple colored wood accessories to complement it. The bathroom also features Sandra's collection of of majolica plates and botanical prints.
The stairway wall is covered in framed artwork, which Sandra plans to continue adding to until it reaches the ceiling. The artwork is thoughtfully selected in neutral colors and paired with black, silver and gold frames. The breezeway leading to the stairs was originally the dining room. The stairs lead to the second story, which was added to the home after a decade or so.
Wall paint: Wool Skein, Sherwin-Williams
Wall paint: Wool Skein, Sherwin-Williams
Upstairs, this second living area was mostly used by Sandra's sons when they were growing up for relaxing and doing homework. A collection of vintage and found artwork from flea markets hangs on the back wall. Sandra offers this advice to other homeowners, "Hire a designer that captures your style and not theirs."
Sofa: Quatrine; coffee table: Wisteria; prints: folk art from Santa Fe, New Mexico; pillows: Pine Cone Hill
Sofa: Quatrine; coffee table: Wisteria; prints: folk art from Santa Fe, New Mexico; pillows: Pine Cone Hill
Another view of the upstairs living area. Chalkboard 4-by-8-foot sheets cover the walls above the wainscoting. They've been there since her sons were young, and many of the scribbles are decades old.
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Browse hundreds of inspiring homes
More:
More Living Space: Converting a Garage
My Houzz: Cozy Combination of Antiques and Art
Houzz Tour: Open and Cozy Family Space