By Michelle Lynne
President, ML Interiors Group
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but that doesn’t mean more square footage in a house is always better, especially in a spec home.
This builder’s “spec” house had plenty of space for a large family of seven — well, 10 counting the three dogs! However, it wasn’t working for their lifestyle, and it didn’t feel like home.
The overall floorplan was excellent, with plenty of rooms on both floors and a beautiful outdoor space. Here comes the but.
Some funky details were causing a problem, like a never-used butler’s pantry. It sat smack in the middle of the main floor, completely disconnected from both the dining room and the kitchen. It looked odd and felt out of place.
The solution we came up with was to remove the butler’s pantry. Combining the square footage claimed from the dining room provided a functional library and was precisely what this family didn’t know they wanted or needed.
We added custom built-in shelves, a window seat overlooking the courtyard, extra storage, and plenty of seating. The kids now have a designated homework space. as well as a terrific room to hang out with friends when the upstairs game room is occupied, with, you know, parents! That is unless mom and dad decide to take over, kick back and read a book in peace because we added a sliding door to close off the room and ensure complete privacy. And yes, those shelves were full of books shortly after we completed the project
The owners also wanted to address the enormous open-plan kitchen. It’s a focal point as you enter the house, and it was also unbalanced, dark, and not in harmony with the style of this otherwise open and airy home.
So we gutted it as well as an uninspired pantry. We turned the pantry into a coffee bar, prep area, and a “pass-through” window to serve the outdoor kitchen.
Cabinetry-style storage was created to replace the pantry and accommodate a family of seven. It was designed to mimic the built-in refrigerator’s look with rift-cut white oak panel fronts flanking the cooktop. To maintain the kitchen’s flow, open shelving on the perimeter keeps the kitchen feeling light and airy. New professional appliances and a large, modern apron front sink make cooking for a large family a breeze.
Finally, all of the shiny, chrome light fixtures, some adorned with crystals, were replaced with modern geometric style fixtures in various materials, adding interest to the design.
Organic yet modern furnishings throughout the home soften the strong lines of the contemporary finishes. Neutral tones with plenty of texture complement the new kitchen and feature performance fabrics that can take daily wear and tear from an active household.
This home went from spec to spectacular! It now functions, looks, and feels like a sanctuary amidst the chaos of a busy family.
Michelle Lynne began her interior design career after spending more than a decade working in Corporate America. She has built a successful design firm, employing multiple talented designers and growing the services provided to include full-service residential, multi-family, and virtual design services.
