My Houzz: Toys and Art Make Merry in a Texas Home
Lightheartedness and creativity abound in an artistic couple's midcentury home for their growing family
A whimsical wall of toys, a hand-painted nursery mural and a chandelier in a chicken coop are just a taste of the playful nature of this Texas family's house. Brian Gibb of The Public Trust and photographer Misty Keasler are a creative couple whose modern yet lighthearted family home is built on the foundation of their growing art collection. As part of the art community, Gibb and Keasler are most inspired by contemporary art and design, and the belief that art enriches life. With a curated furniture collection and quirky accessories, each corner of this house shines with color, art and personality.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Misty Keasler, Brian Gibb, daughter Sydney (with another child on the way), 2 cats and a brood of backyard chickens
Location: Richardson, Texas
Size: 1,700 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Misty Keasler, Brian Gibb, daughter Sydney (with another child on the way), 2 cats and a brood of backyard chickens
Location: Richardson, Texas
Size: 1,700 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
This decorative screen door on the outside of Sydney's room allows her parents to hear when she is crying. It also helps keep the cats out. It also adds visual appeal to an art-filled hallway.
Screen door: Georgian, Home Depot
Screen door: Georgian, Home Depot
After deciding to raise chickens in their backyard, the couple found an Austin woodworker on Craigslist to build this modern chicken coop.
It measures 6 feet by 9 feet and is outfitted with five cozy nesting boxes, which can be accessed easily from the outside for retrieving eggs.
Keasler's blog, Urban Chicken Farmer, documents their adventures in raising chickens.
More about modern chicken coops
It measures 6 feet by 9 feet and is outfitted with five cozy nesting boxes, which can be accessed easily from the outside for retrieving eggs.
Keasler's blog, Urban Chicken Farmer, documents their adventures in raising chickens.
More about modern chicken coops
Keasler repurposed one of her old chandeliers to glam up the coop.
The chickens enjoy sitting comfortably on the roosting bars that were added. The Polish chicken, at left, is a striking breed known for its crest of feathers and is one of the family's favorites. Over the years, they have become much more attached to the birds than they ever thought possible, and they now consider them family pets.
The chickens enjoy sitting comfortably on the roosting bars that were added. The Polish chicken, at left, is a striking breed known for its crest of feathers and is one of the family's favorites. Over the years, they have become much more attached to the birds than they ever thought possible, and they now consider them family pets.
The couple's art collection is displayed in each room, including this guest room, where original drawings, paintings and photographs decorate every wall. "Beyond just the aesthetic quality, it is incredibly meaningful for us to know that we are supporting artists and the galleries that represent them in our home," Gibb says.
The geometric daybed serves double duty as a guest bed and a comfy spot for afternoon reading. Keasler purchased the hand-carved soapstone chess set on a photo assignment in Kenya.
Photograph: "Portrait of Homeowner," George Krause; colored pencil drawing, Saskia Jorda; watercolor, Jane Almirall; daybed, pillows: West Elm; floor lamps: Ikea
The geometric daybed serves double duty as a guest bed and a comfy spot for afternoon reading. Keasler purchased the hand-carved soapstone chess set on a photo assignment in Kenya.
Photograph: "Portrait of Homeowner," George Krause; colored pencil drawing, Saskia Jorda; watercolor, Jane Almirall; daybed, pillows: West Elm; floor lamps: Ikea
A contemporary-style black cabinet unfolds to reveal a pop of red and a small study area. A 1970s estate sale wingback chair and a 100-year-old taxidermal otter complete the quirky corner.
Desk: Williams Sonoma Home
Desk: Williams Sonoma Home
In the dining area, a simple farm table sits below a modern fan. With a baby on the way, the couple says they are trending toward a less-is-more look, which allows their ever-expanding art collection to shine.
A large Labbit Stool brings a bit of humor and pop art to the seating area, and also serves as a booster for little Sydney.
Stool: Labbit Stool with 'Stache, limited edition from kidrobot; table, chairs: Ikea; pilot fan: Home Depot; photographs: Kelli Connell (left wall), Susan Kae Grant (right wall)
A large Labbit Stool brings a bit of humor and pop art to the seating area, and also serves as a booster for little Sydney.
Stool: Labbit Stool with 'Stache, limited edition from kidrobot; table, chairs: Ikea; pilot fan: Home Depot; photographs: Kelli Connell (left wall), Susan Kae Grant (right wall)
Adjacent to the dining area, a creative vignette of original art pieces, a modern record player and a collection of toys and books for Sydney are placed low to the ground for easy access.
Illustration at far left: Mylan Nguyan; painting at far right: Brian Gibb; bookshelf: Expedit, Ikea
Illustration at far left: Mylan Nguyan; painting at far right: Brian Gibb; bookshelf: Expedit, Ikea
The couple kept the original tile in the guest bathroom, painting a wall a calming sea foam color to complement it.
While working on the book Love Hotels: The Hidden Fantasy Rooms of Japan in Japan, Keasler picked up this ceramic mermaid from one of the local boutiques.
Wall paint: Tropical Dream, Behr; shower curtain: Ikea
While working on the book Love Hotels: The Hidden Fantasy Rooms of Japan in Japan, Keasler picked up this ceramic mermaid from one of the local boutiques.
Wall paint: Tropical Dream, Behr; shower curtain: Ikea
The kitchen was the largest renovation project in this 1950s home. Keasler and Gibb completely gutted and replaced everything with budget-friendly Ikea cabinetry and appliances paired with gray Silestone countertops and a dusky blue glass backsplash. The supersize farm sink and the sculptural faucet add whimsy and interest to this sleek and modern space.
Stained glass portrait of Sydney: Maria Sheets
Stained glass portrait of Sydney: Maria Sheets
For extra storage and counter space, the couple added this freestanding cabinet and bar made from stainless steel and butcher block. It sits in front of Keasler and Gibb's toy wall — an impressive collection of limited-edition designer toys.
Kitchen island, light: Ikea
Kitchen island, light: Ikea
A low platform bed makes the master bedroom seem larger. Keasler was ecstatic when she found the clean-lined bench that fit perfectly into the room's alcove, making the most of an otherwise awkward space.
Gibb replaced the home's original bathroom door with a custom-made frosted glass door, seen at left.
Tree photograph: Misty Keasler; bench: Home Decorator's Collection; rug: The Dump; bedding: West Elm; Baby Makes Three pillow: custom
Gibb replaced the home's original bathroom door with a custom-made frosted glass door, seen at left.
Tree photograph: Misty Keasler; bench: Home Decorator's Collection; rug: The Dump; bedding: West Elm; Baby Makes Three pillow: custom
Midcentury homes are not known for their expansive master baths. Removing all the original built-in cabinetry and replacing it with this appropriate-size freestanding vanity helped maximize the space.
An original mirror illustration by Billy Zinser is showcased on the main wall.
Vanity: Expo Design Center (now closed); round mirror: Ikea
An original mirror illustration by Billy Zinser is showcased on the main wall.
Vanity: Expo Design Center (now closed); round mirror: Ikea
Gibb created these original toy replicas of himself and Keasler.
"With both of us working in the art world for as long as we have, we have amassed an art collection that has outgrown our wall space, but we have managed to resist the urge to cover every available square inch with artwork," Gibb says. The couple will no doubt continue curating their walls and enjoying living in such a community oriented and culturally diverse city.
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, art-filled house? Share it with us!
"With both of us working in the art world for as long as we have, we have amassed an art collection that has outgrown our wall space, but we have managed to resist the urge to cover every available square inch with artwork," Gibb says. The couple will no doubt continue curating their walls and enjoying living in such a community oriented and culturally diverse city.
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, art-filled house? Share it with us!
A collection of framed original drawings and limited-edition stuffed toys complete the room.
This is the couple's favorite room in the house because of the love and consideration put into every last detail. "This is also where we put Sydney to bed every night," says Keasler, "and that is the sweetest thing in the world."
Paper lantern: Midsummer, Tord Boontje; inflatable rocking horse: RodyToy; sofa: Eurway