Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Family Gets a Fresh Start in a Happy New Home
Decorating her house from scratch spurs a big career change for this designer
“My No. 1 goal was to create a happy home that was cheery and light,” says designer Liza Holder. Needing a change after her husband passed away, she and her three kids moved from Washington, D.C., to Bethesda, Maryland, where her family could make a fresh start in a home that would welcome the many relatives and friends who came to support them. “I started from scratch, and I wound up having a blast decorating,” she says. She did such a good job that friends started coming to her for design help, and before she knew it, another big change was afoot — she transitioned from being a lawyer who specialized in health care policy to opening her own design business.
“There is office space upstairs, but I like being down where all the action is,” Holder says of her office, just off the foyer. The antique pine table that serves as her desk was her husband’s and has sentimental value.
Because the office is open to the foyer, Holder tied it to the rest of the house with colors and fabrics. While she wanted it to look pretty, she also runs her business from here. It’s a hardworking space with lots of storage. Freestanding units take on the look of built-ins because of their molding details.
Santorini Blue wall color: Benjamin Moore
Santorini Blue wall color: Benjamin Moore
Changes to the kitchen were mostly cosmetic, as the original design was in great shape. The builder of the house had been living in it and had pulled out all the stops, installing a beadboard ceiling, custom cabinets and honed black granite counters. Holder brought in color via the dining table and chairs, drum pendant light, pottery, china and cookbooks.
The bright eating area’s chairs, striped seat cushions and drum shade are in the designer’s favorite palette of light blue, lime green and brown.
Drum shade: Galbraith & Paul; table and chairs: ECustomFinishes
Drum shade: Galbraith & Paul; table and chairs: ECustomFinishes
The island offers an additional space where Holder’s kids can keep her company while she cooks. “These are the most comfortable stools ever,” she says.
Stools: Wisteria
Stools: Wisteria
In the butler’s pantry between the kitchen and the dining room, Holder displays Portuguese china received as a wedding gift.
A beautiful light gold glow comes from the paint on the dining room ceiling, while tall wainscoting leaves just enough room between the two for an elegant damask wallcovering. Now that her business is thriving, Holder admits that the table is rarely this clear; it’s usually covered in fabric samples.
Full Damask wallpaper in blue: York Wallcovering; dining table: Woodbridge Furniture Company; chairs: Wisteria; Double Twist large chandelier: Circa Lighting
Full Damask wallpaper in blue: York Wallcovering; dining table: Woodbridge Furniture Company; chairs: Wisteria; Double Twist large chandelier: Circa Lighting
In the family room, a large sectional provides plenty of space for people to hang out and lounge. There is a TV on the wall to the right, just out of view. The built-ins provide plenty of storage for toys, books, movies and games.
The fireplace screen was a gift to the family from a dear friend, artist Dave Hess, who made it for them.
Sofa and ottoman: Lee Industries; mirror: Wisteria
The fireplace screen was a gift to the family from a dear friend, artist Dave Hess, who made it for them.
Sofa and ottoman: Lee Industries; mirror: Wisteria
A pair of stools add color and texture, and can be used for extra seating, footrests or side tables in the family room.
Stools: Serena and Lily; console table: custom, ECustomFinishes
Stools: Serena and Lily; console table: custom, ECustomFinishes
In the master bedroom, vintage ornamental pieces add brass over the headboard, while a gold frame and mirrored nightstand lend more shine. Holder loves to pick up pieces of art as mementos while traveling; the painting is of Maroon Bells peaks in Aspen, Colorado.
Lamp: Stray Dog Designs; headboard: Restoration Hardware; nightstand: Z Gallerie; bedding: Pine Cone Hill; 1960s brass ornaments: eBay
Lamp: Stray Dog Designs; headboard: Restoration Hardware; nightstand: Z Gallerie; bedding: Pine Cone Hill; 1960s brass ornaments: eBay
The abstract painting was an Etsy find and brings bright color into the room. Holder accentuated the tray ceiling by painting it a darker blue.
Glass Slipper wall color and Santorini Blue ceiling color: Benjamin Moore; light: custom, Etsy
Glass Slipper wall color and Santorini Blue ceiling color: Benjamin Moore; light: custom, Etsy
This dressing area is at one end of the bedroom. Holder added the chandelier and the painting, which she found on Etsy.
In fact, her design business began with her skills at curating art back in the early days of Etsy. After so many friends were impressed with the wonderful artwork she would find on the site, they would visit it themselves and not know where to begin. Holder saw an opportunity and contacted her favorite Etsy artists to see if they would be willing to sell to her wholesale. They were more than happy to, and so she held art trunk shows that were very successful. This business was a gateway into the design business for Holder, who now has her own interior design company called Homegrown Decor.
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In fact, her design business began with her skills at curating art back in the early days of Etsy. After so many friends were impressed with the wonderful artwork she would find on the site, they would visit it themselves and not know where to begin. Holder saw an opportunity and contacted her favorite Etsy artists to see if they would be willing to sell to her wholesale. They were more than happy to, and so she held art trunk shows that were very successful. This business was a gateway into the design business for Holder, who now has her own interior design company called Homegrown Decor.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A mother, her three young children and their dog, Ruby
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Size: About 6,000 square feet (557 square meters); five bedrooms, five bathrooms
Year built: 2007
The front hall in the Cape Cod-style home sets the tone. “I wanted people to walk in, smile and say, ‘This is a fun house!’” Holder says. “I wanted it to be warm, welcoming and whimsical, kid-friendly and cheerful.” The oversize flowers on the round brown, blue and green rug greet visitors as well as Ruby, the family dog. This is Ruby’s favorite spot.
Rug: Thomas Paul; mirror: Bungalow 5; bombe chest: Pottery Barn