The Antiqued Furniture in This Texas Home Brings Character and Originality to What Was Once a "Blank, White Box"

Warm hues and daring design plays a key role in the metropolitan makeover by Ashby Collective

modern dining room with timber table, red dining chairs, patterned vintage rug, console with artwork hanging above, feature pendant light, and curtains over windows
(Image credit: Clay Grier. Design: Ashby Collective)

“She fell in love with the Highland Park area first — who wouldn’t?” says Ashby Collective designer Annie Bacon. The client, originally from London and now living in Dallas, was looking for a “white, blank box” to transform into her own.

She was ready to put down roots and had been following Annie and her team on Instagram for years. She even reached out before closing on the modern home.

The vision — a thoughtful mixture of old and new; think vintage rugs with modern classics, playful silhouettes and rich textures — was “effortless, collected, and organic,” Annie Bacon says. The dining room features an 18th-century hand-hewn oak table, a “massive, primitive thing,” with an unexpected chair pairing: Cassina Cab chairs by Mario Bellini in Russian red. “Once we found our balance, that set the tone for the rest of the house.”

small living room with gray walls, a marble fireplace surround with artwork on top, red curtains, a patterned rug, two black leather armchairs, and a glass coffee table

Antique accessories and vintage iconic furniture pieces helped to add a bit of soul to the soothing, neutral palette.

(Image credit: Clay Grier. Design: Ashby Collective)

Layered materials and out-of-the-box complements are seen throughout and grounded by an earthy palette of mossy green, deep sea blue, rich brown and rust.

“Just because you have a neutral palette doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice intrigue,” she says. Through playing with scale, plus antique accessories for soul, the home now feels like it has its own story.

The living room rug, a silk wonder from Black Sheep Unique, was one of the first pieces Annie bought for the home. At first glance, it reads as neutral, but up close, there’s an entire spectrum of color woven in.

A Lecco sofa from Design Within Reach in an inky blue contrasts with custom swivel tub chairs in a rich golden velvet. A GUBI coffee table, Soho Home floor lamp, and art acquired through advisor Anne Bruder play into the unexpected mix.

The room’s floor plan presented a challenge: It was long and skinny. To break up its rectangular shape, she added a daybed, ideal for bringing visual depth and creating moments for intimate conversation.

modern kitchen with sage green-gray cabinetry, stone countertops, two pendant lights over the island, two timber barstools

The "brown-leaning green" paint color chosen for the kitchen cabinets has become one of the designer's new favorites.

(Image credit: Clay Grier. Design: Ashby Collective)

The client also had longevity in mind. “She doesn’t have children now, but she was thinking long-term, investing in pieces that could be passed down,” she adds. “That’s a very European mindset.”

This philosophy guided many of the selections, from refined silhouettes to durable, heirloom-quality textiles. It wasn’t about chasing trends but creating a home with heart.

The kitchen, which was a “nice but a little sad” with light gray cabinets, was one of the last updates. “Everything was going so rich and moody, we couldn’t just leave a gray kitchen,” she says. It’s now awash in Benjamin Moore’s Cabin Fever, a brown-leaning green that has become one of the designer’s favorite paint colors.

modern powder room with marble vanity, round mirror, statement wall sconce, and gradient wallcovering

Ombre walls add subtle dimension to a small space like a powder room, where decorative ideas are limited.

(Image credit: Clay Grier. Design: Ashby Collective)

The bathrooms, meanwhile, are some of the home’s most dramatic moments. In the powder room, an ombre wallpaper sets the scene, and Annie strategically placed the light fixture to hit the lighter part of the gradient.

“It was fun to play off of that transition and keep everything harmonious,” she says.

Upstairs, the media room takes a departure from the rest of the home’s palette in Benjamin Moore’s Roman Shade, a rosy orange. “Most people lean toward blue and green, but she loves orange, red and pink,” says the designer. “She wanted this to be a fun, relaxing space where her dogs could hang out too, so everything needed to feel durable and low-maintenance.”

The monochromatic scheme includes coral velvet curtains, a tonal sofa, and walnut-and-chrome coffee tables custom made by Litmus Industries in Austin.

Attached is a music room for the homeowner’s fiancé, complete with Eames seating in mohair upholstery and his guitar collection.

The primary suite fully embraces the romantic and luxe with Portola’s Roman Clay in Cathedral, honed quartzite counters, and granite tile. “She came in knowing she wanted a wet room, so we gutted the space entirely,” says the designer. A sculptural concrete tub, Allied Maker sconces, and a Velasca vanity stool by Studio2046 round out the space.

modern bedroom with gray wallcovering which continues across the roof, a gold pendant light, a rust-colored sofa, patterned blue rug, gray bedding, freestanding cabinet with artwork leaning above, and doors through to the ensuite

The primary suite, with its tall sloped ceiling, still feels cozy and cocooning thanks to a textured wallcovering that completely wraps the space.

(Image credit: Clay Grier. Design: Ashby Collective)

The bedroom carries the same energy, wrapped in a Phillip Jeffries paper that reads gray but is actually blue in the right light, while a custom velvet loveseat and rope cabinet by SEM Milano bring texture. The pendant, a fiberglass fixture by Blue Green Works, has a soft glow.

“She had strong opinions but was totally open to the creative process,” Annie says. “Collaborating with her was a joy.”

outdoor dining area with dining table and chairs, a separate seating area around a circle coffee table, steps down to a lawn and swimming pool

Although small, the patio outside packs a punch — with multiple seating areas, a fireplace, TV, and steps leading down to a pool.

(Image credit: Clay Grier. Design: Ashby Collective)
Contributing Writer

Lauren Jones is a Texas-based writer who covers everything from architecture to interiors, sustainability, art, and travel. Apart from writing for publications including Architectural Digest, Dwell, Wallpaper, and, of course, Livingetc, she has also worked in-house at Scandi flooring company, Stuga, and custom cabinets and door maker, Semihandmade.