Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Family Goes Sweet on a Traditional Texas Home
A complete overhaul gives a 1940s colonial near Dallas an airy, romantic and feminine aesthetic
Craving a cozy retreat where they could raise their girls, Katie and Steve Aldrich chose this stunning home near Dallas. After they gutted the house and fixed up the exterior, Katie infused the interior with her signature simple and feminine style, accenting with family antiques. “I just want to create a happy environment for our family,” she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Steve and Katie Aldrich, and daughters Grace (6 years old) and Georgia (3)
Location: University Park, Dallas, Texas
Size: 4,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Steve and Katie Aldrich, and daughters Grace (6 years old) and Georgia (3)
Location: University Park, Dallas, Texas
Size: 4,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Architect Will Snyder gutted the house and used the existing support walls to dictate the home's new floor plan. As a result, most of the rooms have the same shape they had before but a completely different function.
The living room, a favorite room of Katie's, is where she splurged on furniture. Stylish and sentimental pieces fill the space. "I'm all about displaying objects that I love, including my collected antiques and coffee table books," she says.
Sofas: Lee Industries; rug: Interior Resources; coffee table: Armoires & More; side tables: Wisteria; chairs: Mary Beth Wagner
Sofas: Lee Industries; rug: Interior Resources; coffee table: Armoires & More; side tables: Wisteria; chairs: Mary Beth Wagner
The oversize fireplace had to be dropped into the house during construction. "I wanted the bookshelves and the fireplace to take center stage," says Katie. Prized plates, Staffordshire dogs, Imari vases and antique books fill the built-in shelves.
One of Katie's favorite designers, Sally Wheat, inspired the kitchen's soft color palette. Carrara marble counters, white cabinetry, wooden bar stools and feminine light fixtures add to the serene vibe.
Bar stools: World Market; pendants: Visual Comfort; millwork paint: Silver Song, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added; island cabinet paint: Fieldstone, Benjamin Moore; range: KitchenAid
Bar stools: World Market; pendants: Visual Comfort; millwork paint: Silver Song, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added; island cabinet paint: Fieldstone, Benjamin Moore; range: KitchenAid
French doors and large windows line almost every wall of the home.
The home's original floor plan had the kitchen set toward the back of this open space. Katie and Steve had the plan flipped to create this combined kitchen and living area.
Paint: Winter Orchard, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added
Paint: Winter Orchard, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added
The former living room transformed into this new dining room, but the fireplace mantel pays tribute to the original home's design. The mirror belonged to Katie's grandmother, and the chandelier came from her great-grandmother's house.
Mantel: original; dining table, chairs: Englishmen's Fine Furnishings; buffet: Whimsey Shoppe; lamps: Pottery Barn; paint: Winter Orchard, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added
Mantel: original; dining table, chairs: Englishmen's Fine Furnishings; buffet: Whimsey Shoppe; lamps: Pottery Barn; paint: Winter Orchard, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added
"I really had fun with the bathrooms. Using different tile is like wearing different jewelry," Katie says. A modern vanity and an antique mirror mix old and new in this powder room. Eventually, Katie wants to install a dark gray grass cloth wall covering for a more intimate vibe.
Mirror: Forestwood Antique Mall; pedestal: Westside Kitchen & Bath; countertop: Cararra marble
Mirror: Forestwood Antique Mall; pedestal: Westside Kitchen & Bath; countertop: Cararra marble
Bench: Lots of Furniture; chest: Robb & Stucky; vase: Wisteria; paint: Winter Orchard, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added
The homeowners stuck to a simple, airy and feminine design aesthetic, keeping the home open and bright.
Pendant: Visual Comfort
Pendant: Visual Comfort
“I adore pink and love most things feminine," Katie says. But 3-year-old Georgia is more interested in comfort than color. She loves her bed, especially the custom headboard, upholstered in fabric from Fabric Factory.
Dresser, sconces: Wisteria; chair: from a friend; paint: Mellow Pink, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added
Dresser, sconces: Wisteria; chair: from a friend; paint: Mellow Pink, Benjamin Moore, with 25 percent white added
Grace's room has an equally comfy and girly vibe. The 6-year-old loves her cute nightstand. "I like that I don't have to get up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water," she says.
Bed: The Great Indoors; chair: Babies 'R Us; nightstand: Target; chandelier: antique; paint: Mellow Pink, Benjamin Moore, with 50 percent white added; lamp: Pottery Barn Kids
Bed: The Great Indoors; chair: Babies 'R Us; nightstand: Target; chandelier: antique; paint: Mellow Pink, Benjamin Moore, with 50 percent white added; lamp: Pottery Barn Kids
Grace loves to wear bows and insisted on keeping her beloved collection right next to the door.
Katie loves symmetrical design, so there are windows on both sides of the bed with a great view of the backyard. Another custom-made headboard makes for a comfy sleeping space in this master bedroom. Katie's brother made the matching nightstands.
Bedding: Crate & Barrel and Peacock Alley; lamps: Lots of Furniture
Bedding: Crate & Barrel and Peacock Alley; lamps: Lots of Furniture
Marble floors, white cabinetry and a mirrored wall give the master bathroom a clean and fresh feel.
Sconces: Visual Comfort; countertop, floor: Bianco Bello marble, Walker Zanger
Sconces: Visual Comfort; countertop, floor: Bianco Bello marble, Walker Zanger
"I always pictured a swing on our 70-year-old tree," says Katie. "Plus, when I saw that tree I knew it would be fantastic to light up every Christmas."