When designing a home for a big family, meeting everyone’s needs (and finding space for everything!) is certainly a priority—and Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design learned that it’s possible to do just that without compromising the interior design of a space. In this Houston home, Tartt Elias—working with Thompson Custom Homes and architect Robert Dame—carved out space for everything from applying makeup to watching a movie to enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail. And instead of trying to hide functional considerations like storage, the designer made them part of the design.
JULIE SOEFER
Naturally, the design team wanted to make sure the abode had all of the bells and whistles for each and every member of the family, so they worked closely with the homeowners to create bespoke solutions that deftly balance form and function. Tartt Elias brought her design eye to even the most utilitarian spaces in the home, making closets, pantries, and laundry rooms into jaw-dropping jewel boxes where storage is rolled right into the aesthetics.
The result is rooms that blend comfort, practicality, and elegance—with no shortage of “wow” moments. Explore the family-oriented dwelling below.
Dining Room
JULIE SOEFER
The main point of interest in the dining room is the custom de Gournay wallpaper, featuring the Badminton pattern on antique rose paper. “The homeowners both loved the paper because it wasn’t overly feminine—there’s a real depth to it with the antique copper background,” says Tartt Elias. “A bit of yin and yang—the flowers for her, the antique copper for him. We all felt that it gave the space an old-world family home feel.”
Drapes in Schumacher’s Blake Polished Poplin with a Milo Embroidered Border from Samuel & Sons pick up on the hints of green in the wallpaper.
Chairs: Joseph Company. Chair Fabric: Kravet. Sconces: Visual Comfort. Consoles: Keil’s Antiques. Mirrors: MAI Houston. Chandelier: Visual Comfort.
Kitchen and Pantry
JULIE SOEFER
“The kitchen and adjoining living room were designed together, to provide space for the family to enjoy time spent together,” says Tartt Elias. “It is truly the heart of the home.” The kids love to cook and bake with their mom, and kitchen spaces were designed with this goal in mind. The designer worked with the homeowner to carefully measure items such as placemats and napkins, in order to meet storage needs, a concept that continues in the glossy green pantry, below. “Be still my organized heart,” Tart Elias quips.
Stools: Joseph Company. Stool Fabric: Thibaut. Hardware: Rejuvenation. Lanterns: Peck & Company.
JULIE SOEFER
Closet
JULIE SOEFER
Much like the kitchen, the matriarch’s closet was designed to customize everything to her needs. Tartt Elias worked to “catalog and measure exactly what she wished to display” behind the glass-fronted cabinets. The pastel pink color palette was inspired by the couple’s daughters, as this ended up being a place for them to sit down and chat with their mom while she gets dressed.
Settee: Joseph Company. Settee Fabric: Pierre Frey, via Culp Associates. Vanity Chair Fabric: Pindler. Vanity Chair Pillow: Culp Associates. Roman Shades: Pindler. Wallpaper: Area Environments. Chandelier: Visual Comfort. Millwork: Thompson Custom Homes.
Bedroom
JULIE SOEFER
In the sitting area off her bedroom, the homeowner wanted to feel as if she was lounging in one of her favorite luxury home goods stores: Longoria Collection. In fact, the bedding of this space was sourced from here!
A velvet sofa from Joseph Company and acrylic side tables from Area complete the neutral look. “The goal was to ensure a comfortable and welcoming area for the family to pile in together and enjoy their time spent with each other,” says Tartt Elias. “To elevate these areas by including luxurious touches throughout was just the icing on the cake!”
Bedding: Matouk, from Longoria Collection. Sofa: Joseph Company. Sofa Fabric: Holly Hunt. Armchairs: Joseph Company. Armchair Fabric: The Design Connection. Side Tables: Area. Drapes: Arabel. Drape and Sofa Trim: Texture Fabrics.
Outdoor Space
JULIE SOEFER
Tartt Elias took inspiration from the kitchen and living room when designing the scenic outdoor space of this property, incorporating similar shades of blue and green, like sky blue glazed ceramic stools from Area and a Stark carpet in the aptly-named shade Ocean. The designer adds that the family wanted to be sure that their outdoor spaces were comfortable and approachable—a wish she certainly granted!
Stools: Area. Sofa Fabric: Elements. Carpet: Stark.
See more of the gorgeous home below.
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