Bold Wallpaper and Eclectic Charm Energize a 1920s Home
A designer creates a fun and vibrant space for newlyweds in a 1920s Houston Victorian
This newlywed couple recently moved from Chicago to Houston to buy their first home and start a family. They purchased a 1920s Victorian with great bones and original details but an interior that was in need of a fresh look. Designer Maureen Stevens worked hand in hand with the couple to decorate the house with eclectic furniture and bold wallpaper that reflects their sense of style and playfulness. They also created a remodeled kitchen that steals the show.
The dining area and living room are located directly off the foyer. Stevens and her team removed the original built-in cabinets in the dining area to provide space for a larger table. “The built-in cabinets in the dining area made the space feel cramped,” the designer says.
The space now features a vintage midcentury dining table paired with four leather chairs and two host chairs covered in a mustard yellow fabric. The coffered ceiling and ceiling medallion are original, while the sculptural chandelier is a new piece. “I always love the combination of original ceiling details and contemporary light fixtures,” Stevens says.
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The space now features a vintage midcentury dining table paired with four leather chairs and two host chairs covered in a mustard yellow fabric. The coffered ceiling and ceiling medallion are original, while the sculptural chandelier is a new piece. “I always love the combination of original ceiling details and contemporary light fixtures,” Stevens says.
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The formal living area is behind the dining area and features a chaise sofa and two leather-strapped chairs around a wood-burning fireplace. Stevens covered the fireplace mantel with graphic black-and-white tiles.
Wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
Stevens and her team turned a former closet underneath the stairs leading to the second floor into a first-floor powder room. The walls and ceiling are covered in a dramatic floral wallpaper with a black background.
The bold wallpaper is paired with brass that comes from the pedestal sink legs, faucet, mirror and wall sconce. The floors are covered in black-and-white marble hexagon tiles.
The bold wallpaper is paired with brass that comes from the pedestal sink legs, faucet, mirror and wall sconce. The floors are covered in black-and-white marble hexagon tiles.
The family room features original French doors that lead to the lush backyard. Stevens again added a contemporary light fixture to stylishly contrast with the original ceiling details. The green velvet sectional sofa makes for a comfortable spot to watch TV and also visually connects to the foliage outside and the green tiled backsplash in the nearby kitchen.
Stevens and her team removed a wall that separated the kitchen from the adjacent sunroom in order to draw in more light and create the sense of more space. The team also removed ceramic tile flooring and replaced it with white-painted wood.
The kitchen features new stainless steel appliances, Shaker-style cabinets with brass pulls, marble-look quartz countertops and floating wood shelves, but it’s the stunning green-and-white geometric-patterned tile backsplash that steals the show. “We wanted a feature wall that demanded attention and also drew in the verdant shades from the backyard that can now be seen from the kitchen,” Stevens says.
A comfortable chaise sofa and a colorful area rug provide a nice seating area to curl up with a good book in the sunroom. Stevens added woven shades to the windows to provide an organic touch and block out direct sunlight at certain times of the day.
The master bedroom, seen here, and the two guest rooms are all located on the second floor. The master bedroom is minimalist in design, featuring crisp white walls and streamlined contemporary furniture. The nightstand next to the bed is made of leather and connects to the hardware in the en suite master bathroom.
Stevens and her team enlarged the master bathroom by taking over space from a former walk-in closet. The space now features a custom double vanity with leather pulls. Exposed light bulb sconces and matte-black sink fixtures add a contemporary touch.
The walk-in shower is covered in geometric black-and-white tiles with a bleed-out pattern toward the ceiling. “The shower tiles provide a cool 3D effect,” Stevens says. A floating teak bench, a custom niche for bathing products and matte-black fixtures complete the scene.
More on Houzz
How to Decorate With Black and White in the Bathroom
How to Get Past Your Fear of Bold Wallpaper Prints
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Browse shower benches
More on Houzz
How to Decorate With Black and White in the Bathroom
How to Get Past Your Fear of Bold Wallpaper Prints
Look for an interior designer near you
Browse shower benches
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A young newlywed couple
Location: Houston
Size: About 2,600 square feet (242 square meters)
Designer: Maureen Stevens Design
The foyer features an original front door and a paneled window that flood the entryway with natural light. “We wanted to keep this small space very minimal, so we only added a small, rustic bench for putting on and taking off shoes,” Stevens says.
The bold and colorful floral wallpaper provides a warm welcome for visitors and helps set the stage for the rest of the house. The original wood floors have been re-stained.
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