Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Eclectic Charm in a Historic Dallas District
Vintage and travel-inspired touches give a 1920s home in Texas comfortable elegance
Aubrey and Kale Butcher were charmed by the tall ceilings, original hardware and stunning kitchen chandelier in their 1920s Dallas house. The home “had just the right amount of character already, yet needed some updating so we could add more of our own,” says Aubrey, an interior designer at Studio 11 Design.
Aubrey and Kale, who works in the medical staffing industry, refinished and stained the original flooring, painted walls and tackled DIY upholstery projects. Their approach enhanced some of the home’s 1920s details while including their vintage, travel-inspired touches, for an eclectic yet elegant look.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Aubrey and Kale Butcher, and their beagle, Oliver
Location: Junius Heights historic district of Dallas
Size: 1,700 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Year built: 1921
Aubrey and Kale, who works in the medical staffing industry, refinished and stained the original flooring, painted walls and tackled DIY upholstery projects. Their approach enhanced some of the home’s 1920s details while including their vintage, travel-inspired touches, for an eclectic yet elegant look.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Aubrey and Kale Butcher, and their beagle, Oliver
Location: Junius Heights historic district of Dallas
Size: 1,700 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Year built: 1921
The couple’s curious beagle, Oliver, lounges on the sectional. Aubrey painted the backs of the built-in shelves to let their collection of vintage books and travel mementos stand out.
She recently splurged on this James Harrison black leather wingback chair from West Elm.
She recently splurged on this James Harrison black leather wingback chair from West Elm.
“I think our style definitely leans toward vintage,” says Aubrey. “Kale and I as a couple are inspired by traveling — seeing different cultures and parts of the world. I grew up in the South and have always been mesmerized by the [classic] architectural details of New Orleans and plantation homes.”
The vintage mirror is a Craigslist find. The handmade entry table from Etsy is decorated with an arrangement of cotton branches.
The vintage mirror is a Craigslist find. The handmade entry table from Etsy is decorated with an arrangement of cotton branches.
The dining room is Aubrey and Kale’s favorite space. “It’s where most of my favorite things are,” Aubrey says.
The dining table set was passed down to Aubrey from her great-grandmother. Aubrey had the wood restored professionally and re-covered the upholstered seats herself. “Every time we sit down at the table for dinner, I think of her and feel close to her again,” she says. “Being the Southern lady that she was, her love was often shown through food, so it seems very fitting.“
Chandelier: Visual Comfort; bar cart: Craigslist; wall paint: Crisp Linen SW6378, Sherwin-Williams; door paint: Caviar SW699, Sherwin Williams
The dining table set was passed down to Aubrey from her great-grandmother. Aubrey had the wood restored professionally and re-covered the upholstered seats herself. “Every time we sit down at the table for dinner, I think of her and feel close to her again,” she says. “Being the Southern lady that she was, her love was often shown through food, so it seems very fitting.“
Chandelier: Visual Comfort; bar cart: Craigslist; wall paint: Crisp Linen SW6378, Sherwin-Williams; door paint: Caviar SW699, Sherwin Williams
“We really try to only collect things we love,” says Aubrey. “I feel like if you do that, your house will inevitably always feel like home.” Many of the prints hanging on the gallery wall were purchased during the couple’s travels.
Buffet: Golightly’s Antiques and Tea Room
Buffet: Golightly’s Antiques and Tea Room
The previous owner was an antique-lighting dealer who left some beautiful fixtures throughout the home and added marble countertops, stainless steel appliances and the subway tile backsplash. This stunning crystal chandelier came with the home and is one of the couple’s most prized interior accents.
Aubrey collected pewter pieces, sourcing them online from eBay and Craigslist, and from local vintage stores, to use as centerpieces for the couple’s wedding. “I swore I’d sell them all after the wedding, but I just can’t bring myself to,” she says. “Currently most of them are displayed in our glass-front kitchen cabinets.“
Aubrey and Kale recently renovated the laundry room with new appliances and white cabinetry to match the kitchen.
Aubrey designed and upholstered this red headboard to contrast with the gray walls in the master bedroom
Bedding: Target; “Let’s Make Out” pillow: The Gypsy Wagon; wall paint: Grizzle Gray SW7068, Sherwin-Williams
Bedding: Target; “Let’s Make Out” pillow: The Gypsy Wagon; wall paint: Grizzle Gray SW7068, Sherwin-Williams
The couple updated the master bathroom, adding a new marble countertop to the vanity and splurging on brass hardware.
The couple found their dresser on Craigslist. Displayed on top is a black and white photo of Aubrey from when she was a ballet dancer, along with a piece from her pewter collection.
Jacquard Leaf Curtain: West Elm; red tray: Small Rectangle Lacquer Tray, West Elm
Jacquard Leaf Curtain: West Elm; red tray: Small Rectangle Lacquer Tray, West Elm
“As cheesy as it sounds, home for me is really where the heart is,” says Aubrey, shown here with Kale. “I’ve always told Kale that I wanted our home to be a sanctuary for us — a place full of love and memories and warmth. We have lived here for 10 months already, and coming home is still the best part of our day.”
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Browse more homes by style:
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More: Secrets to Shopping Craigslist
The coffee table is a roadside find that the couple had refinished by a professional they found on Craigslist. “It’s so fulfilling when we find a steal,” says Aubrey. “For art and accessories, I could look through vintage shops like White Elephant and Lula B’s for hours. I try to shop places that aren’t so mainstream.”
Sectional: Keaton, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; area rug: Rugs USA; wall paint: Crisp Linen SW6378, Sherwin-Williams; Cantilever Lamp: Urban Outfitters