A Texas-Sized Dream Home

One of my favorite sites to peruse on the internet from time to time is HAR.com which essentially hosts the MLS inventory for the Houston Association of Realtors. I enjoy keeping up to date with the real estate market and every now and then, I’ll find a stunning home that I wish I could snap up for myself! This home is no exception. I am so in love with every last detail. You can generally get a lot for the money in Houston compared to what you’d get for a similar amount in another city. This house is listed for a cool $4,575,000 and clocks in at nearly 9,200 square feet. Built by Kurt Hahnfeld of HP Contracting and designed by architect, Travis Mattingly, the house is filled with thoughtful details executed by expert craftsmen. Elizabeth Garrett DeWitt of Elizabeth Garrett Interiors was charged with selecting the finishes, lighting, hardware, and color palette for this gorgeous home. I love that the home marries Spanish architecture with classic traditional elements on the interior. Just thinking about blogging about decorating this place makes me wish I had five million dollars lying around so I could make this beauty all mine!

{The grand entrance features a sweeping staircase and dramatic chandelier.}

{This is honestly my dream kitchen. I’m not sure how anyone could really improve on this, except for maybe switching out the lighting for some pendants from Circa Lighting.}

{There are so many gorgeous details. I love that the marble slab backsplash goes all the way to the ceiling. I am also in love with the dove grey cabinetry, the beautiful hood above the range, and the fun rolling ladder.}

{The thought of all of this fabulous storage in the generously-sized butler’s pantry makes me so happy. Can you imagine? Notice there’s another rolling ladder in this room along with what looks like a Hicks Pendant above the stainless steel table.}

{A Detailed Shot of the Space Leading from the Living Room to the Foyer}

{I love the beautiful arched windows/doors in the formal dining room. I also recognized the Ruhlmann Chandelier from Circa Lighting.}

{The large living room features a wooden beams, herringbone brickwork in the fireplace, and more beautiful windows.}

{The gorgeous master bedroom feature vaulted ceilings, beautiful paneling, another arched door, and a glamorous chandelier.}

{Like all of the other rooms in the home, the master bathroom is also quite large.}

{An Alcove for a Freestanding Bathtub}

{Notice the wetbar in the master bath—cocktails and a bubble bath, anyone? In the background, you’ll notice the gorgeous doors in the dressing room. Aren’t they stunning?}

{To be completely honest, when looking at the photos in the home’s real estate listing, I wasn’t really sure what this room was, but I think it may be the game room given the layout and built-ins.}

{This sitting room/solarium is just off the game room from the previous photo. I like that the carpet is in a neutral colorway, but features one of my favorite patterns of all time, La Fiorentina. The Classic Billiard Light would be perfect above a pool table, naturally!

{I love the contrast of the soft grey walls, crisp white mouldings, and warm wood floors throughout the house.}

{Small Caged Lanterns by Eric Cohler Line this Long Corridor Upstairs}

{One of five secondary bedroom suites, this one features custom built-ins, a lovely arched door leading to a private balcony, and a Sophia Flush Mount by Alexa Hampton.}

{One of the Guest Baths—I love every last detail!}

{I really love the contrast of the study compared to the rest of the house. The dark woods, beams, and industrial-inspired Colton Chandelier make the space feel decidedly more masculine.}

{The expansive utility room provides more glorious storage!}

{The Lovely Loggia}

{As you can tell from this photo of the back of the house, it isn’t completed yet and is missing landscaping and a few other details. To me, this home is the perfect canvas. I only wish I could be the one to complete it!}

Dream Home: Small Shop Studio

Today, the fabulous Erika of Small Shop is sharing her “Dream Home” with us. You may recall that I shared a tour of Erika’s gorgeous actual home earlier this summer, so you’re definitely in for a treat. Erika has amazing, glamorous style. Enjoy!

So honored to be included in this fun series! But I must admit I was surprised how difficult it was for me to nail down the look and feel of a house T.B.D. in all forms - the location, the shape, and all the countless goodies to fill it in. The possibilities are endless!

One thing I do know for sure: since my husband is an architect, we will one day build our own home, most likely here in Southern California. Another certainty: it will take on a contemporary shell of glass, concrete and wood (his style). The trick for me will be to soften up the interiors with sophisticated chic furnishings, accessories and art (my style).

First up, the exterior. Obviously lots of windows and light. A view would be ideal. (A head start, my husband worked on the house below left and right.) Right at the entry, I'd like to glam up the husband's modern leanings while retaining the open, clean feeling of the architecture. Definitely need a pivot door. Rich materials, and key pieces of furniture and lighting will be the starting point for my scheme. A James Nares painting or two will bring in a few accents of color. Nothing is more sophisticated than carrera marble in the kitchen. But to keep it from looking cold, I'd add in some wood and a design statement like a Dixon copper pendant or a Goyard-patterned backsplash. Also a definite must: dining on sleek chairs (preferably Milo Baughman, although the Fendi-upholstered pieces below right aren't too shabby). Just need the Billy Cotton pick-up chandelier to top it off. By sexy I mean fire and fur; by chic I mean Missoni and Hermès. (Can you tell how much I really want a Dixon copper pendant?) Give me a place I can retreat to -- travertine or marble, gold and glass. And I'd love to have a dressing room with natural lighting, if I were to be picky about it.

My daughter will definitely require a room that is pink. I will require that it is filled with patterns and pieces that surround her with a chicness she is already growing into. My office, easy: Kelly Wearstler-esque, no question. Here I get to be as colorful and creative as I want, to be visually inspired each and every day. Lastly, our house would not be complete without an outdoor area for family fun and entertaining. Thanks for taking my little tour with me! And although I realize my style's not for everyone, I hope you were able to get an idea or two out of it! All photo sources are available via my Pinterest board.

Dream Home: So Haute

Today’s “Dream Home” is one of my favorites in the series so far. The beautiful and talented Nicole of So Haute has put together some gorgeous rooms for us. They are classic with a glamorous twist. If you watch Million Dollar Decorators, this is exactly what comes to mind when I think of the “L.A. English” term that Mary McDonald uses-– in short: elegant, yet relaxed. I could move right in!

Hi! It's Nicole from So Haute here. I was so excited when Paloma asked me to share my dream home here on La Dolce Vita. I had so much fun pulling together all of the images...it was quite difficult to narrow it all down!

_{Photo: Tim Barber}

At this point in my life, after nearly a decade of New York City apartment living, my dream home would be a classic, Georgian style house in California complete with 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, an outdoor living space for entertaining and a swimming pool, of course! It's bright and airy with a fairly neutral palette, a little bit eclectic and exudes that intangible California cool vibe which I've always been drawn to. Let's take a little tour, shall we?

_{Photo: Timothy Whealon}

Apartment living has never afforded me the luxury of a formal entry so I want mine to feel luxe with a touch of drama. The deGournay wall covering with a pattern of climbing vines is quite stunning, isn't it? This entry definitely sets the tone for the beauty that is to come when you walk further inside the house...

_{Photo Christopher Peacock}

I love a classic white kitchen and my California dream home will be bright and sunny with French doors opening up to the back patio, just like this one. Classic white subway tile and a casual dining area lend an understated yet refined sense of style to this kitchen. The only thing I would change is the pendant above the table...I'd go for something a bit more streamlined.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

The formal dining room in my dream home will be quite the stunner - just like this dining room by Windsor Smith. It's all about casual elegance with its crystal chandelier, beautiful hand painted wall covering and antique French furniture juxtaposed with a more casual dining table and sisal rug. This is the perfect space for all of the fabulous dinner parties I'll be hosting!

_{Photo: Schuyler Samperton}

How pretty is my wall papered powder room? The antique mahogany cabinet used as a vanity makes the space feel so warm!

_{Photo: Michael Smith}

Now we're in our family room where we spend most of our time. It's timeless, elegant and above all else, comfortable.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

This jaw droppingly stunning sitting room in Windsor Smith's house is the inspiration for the formal living room in my dream home. It's a perfect spot for entertaining.

_{Photo: Katie Leede}

My California dream bedroom would have an airy and eclectic look with pops of ethnic textiles...just like this room by Katie Leede. Do you notice the common thread in all the rooms in my dream home? Large windows that let the sunshine pour through! It makes such a difference!

_{Photo: Peter Dunham}

Just off my dream bedroom is this quaint little patio where I'd sit out and enjoy my morning coffee while catching up on my daily reads.

_{Photo: Jonathan Adler}

And no dream home would be complete without a dream closet! Here's a peek inside my glamorous closet/dressing room.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

And now we're in my dream master bath...classic white marble with a subtle dose of soft pink. Beautiful and timeless!

_{Photo: Lonny}

_{Photo: Lucas Studio}

The guest bedrooms in my dream home are inviting and elegant with warm wood tones and pops of pattern....like the two rooms above by Lulu de Kwiatkowski and Lucas Studio.

_{Photo: Elaine Griffin}

The guest bath is also classic with white tile and a Greek key border incorporated into the floor tiling. I always love a Greek key pattern! The floral and vine wall covering adds a whimsical touch.

_{Photo: Carrier & Company}

My third guest room will be transformed into a chic home office/library to house all of my decor books and serve as a home base for Nicole Gibbons Studio!

_{Photo: Kristen Panitch}

Heading back downstairs, through the kitchen and out the French doors will bring you into my fabulous outdoor living room which features a fireplace and an array of chic furnishings. Everyone says the kitchen is the heart of the home but for me, this outdoor living space would be the heart of my home. I love to BBQ so I'd cook outside on the grill as often as I could!

_{Photo: Katie Leede}

And finally - a pool, complete with umbrella covered lounge chairs. Perfect for lying out in the California sunshine! Thank you Paloma for inviting me to share my dream home and thanks to everyone for following along on my tour!