Text by Bethany Adams
According to Katie Davis of Katie Davis Design, her clients’ ranch-style home in Texas just needed “a little bit of love to make it more ‘them.’” With a floor plan that left sight lines wide open, paint colors and floor finishes were at the top of the priority list. “We were brought in to really make sure that all those decisions flowed together,” says Katie.
Because the clients’ previous home had featured mainly muted, neutral furnishings, they gave Katie and her team free rein to introduce more personality—a task Katie was happy to embrace. “I think they were drawn to us because of our use of pattern,” she says. “They were ready to add [more] pattern and color into their space.”
The design team did so without going overboard, weaving in florals, subtle stripes, and ginghams with soft shades of blue and cream, letting what bold elements they did utilize really stand out. “The big thing I needed to do was to help define the spaces,” Katie says. She did so by placing a sofa across from the pair of armchairs, creating a conversation area while using the back of the sofa to separate the living and dining rooms.
“The house was really interesting,” Katie adds. “It’s very open when you walk in; somebody had taken down a lot of the interior walls, so one of the more pressing decisions was choosing a floor stain and a wall color that would be fine in every single room.” The cloud white walls and rich hardwood floors proved to be a stunning foundation for a marriage of classic charm and contemporary style, flowing seamlessly throughout the home and into the kitchen and breakfast nook.
The pedestal table that serves as a centerpiece came with the homeowners, but Katie paired it with a set of Serena & Lily wicker chairs, adding warmth and texture to the sun-soaked space. “[We were] just trying to find really practical pieces for them to grow with,” Katie says. Rose medallion plates frame a piece by Nashville artist Kayce Hughes, exemplifying the blend of traditional and modern that makes the home feel timeless.
As the dining room offers a glimpse into the homeowners’ study, the flow was once again a top priority, and Katie took the opportunity to create a showstopping moment. In addition to balancing the deep wood tones and woven natural elements, the blue and green details she pulled into the space echo the study beyond, and the white walls frame the built-in shelves like a work of art.
Inside, a graceful combination of old and new—like an antique desk atop a linear rug—offers comfort and a distinct allure. “We reused the homeowners’ leather chairs in that window,” Katie says, referring to the sunny nook that takes up one end of the space. “I really loved how that worn leather looks with the blue paint.”
With a raised ceiling and a pair of tall windows, the primary bedroom already had lots of natural light, and Katie selected a white paint and soft area rug to enhance its existing charms and add a spirit of comfort. “I think that’s a really big signature of just wanting to create a place of calm for two parents,” she says.
From the pattern choices and the blue-and-white palette to the addition of storied antiques, Katie notes that the Texas home is filled with quintessential Southern charm. “I think what most people say when they walk in that house is that it just feels like you’re at home,” she says. “And I think that’s Southern—you’re home.”
