This Family Home in Dallas, Texas, Celebrates the Owners' California Roots

You can take the family out of California, but you can't take California out of the family—and this modern Tudor home is proof! After moving from Southern California to Dallas, Texas, and purchasing a newly-constructed home in the M Streets neighborhood, a young couple with a six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter reached out to interior designer Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25 with a vision. They hoped she could decorate their new home in such a way that it felt like their own little slice of California in the Lone Star State.

"They wanted the overall feel to be bright, happy, and reflect the beach vibe they left behind in California," Fenimore explained. "We brought this to life with a mix of bold prints, oversized art, and classic, modern elements that were both comfortable and durable."

The couple has an affinity for design and art, and they wanted their home to reflect those interests, but it was also extremely important to them that it didn't feel like a museum. After all, nothing can be too precious when you're an active couple with two young kids and a dog. "They wanted a home that felt comfortable, but would also hold up to the wear and tear of a young family, so we designed with their two young children and dog in mind." 

Fenimore was able to find a way for each space, from the serene kitchen to the colorful living room to the eclectic dining room, to feel chic and totally family-oriented at the same time. Here, she walks us through her design and shows off the beautiful finished product.

Though California nostalgia played a role in the design, function was also a major factor. "They needed a living space that would allow for daily life with kids while transitioning easily into a space for entertaining," says Fenimore. To achieve this, she created thoughtful storage spaces throughout the house, including the white lacquer cabinets on each side of the fireplace. The furniture was upholstered in durable fabrics, accessories were chosen for their ability to hold up over time, and rugs were selected that would stay intact with dogs and children hanging out on them. 

Fenimore incorporated over-the-top wallpaper in many of the rooms to complement the high ceilings and oversized spaces. "Wallpaper is a big part of the design of this home and we wanted prints and patterns that would make big statements," she says. "The flamingo wallpaper was an immediate 'yes' from the moment we placed it on the option board! It has the California vibe the homeowners wanted and we love how it immediately updated the small powder bathroom."

With its minimal use of color and sleek design, the kitchen may seem like a great departure from the rest of the house, but it was all apart of the plan. Since this is such a high-traffic area that connects to the living room and garage, they chose to keep it simple. "As the kitchen is the main gathering space for the family, the homeowners wanted it to be open with a fresh color palette," explains Fenimore. "The large island is the perfect spot for the children to eat, color, and spread out when doing homework."

Fenimore's client fell in love with the orange velvet chairs from Worlds Away, so she built a color palette around them that would bring in the bright and bold elements they loved. "Adding wallpaper to the ceiling was one of the first design elements that we suggested." she says. "It was important to make the existing fireplace stonework work with the room's white elements, so the gold and ivory cowhide rug and metallic wallpaper on the ceiling acted as a bridge to bring the space together."

Throughout the house, Fenimore would start with one piece of furniture and build the room around it—the blue mirror above the bed was the inspiration here. "The guest room needed to feel comfortable while staying true to the overall color palette for the home," explains Fenimore. "We painted the existing nightstands and brought in a colorful floral print to add a bit of whimsy."

A neutral gray-and-white en suite master bathroom counterbalances the bright hues used in the bedroom. Thoughtful touches, including potted flowers and framed photos, help personalize the relaxing retreat.