Ross and Megan Brown’s World War II-era home in South Dallas owned great bones along with a graceful vibe, but the 1950s-style kitchen and bathrooms have been in need of some style adore. “It was not the cool retro ’50s; it had been an ugly, outdated ’50s,” says Megan, who had been drawn to the old home for its own quirks and personality. With the support of custom home builder Andria Lai, the Browns renovated the kitchen and two bathrooms in six weeks, filling out the rest of their home with family hand-me-downs and DIY projects using a few of the home’s original fixtures.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Ross and Megan Brown
Size: 2,200 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
Location: Oak Cliff area of Dallas
Sarah Greenman
The two sets of double black doors on both sides of the hearth were inserted in the 1950s when the porch has been enclosed and converted to what is now the home workplace.
A white slipcover sofa makes for simple cleaning. “I grew up with brothers, therefore I was initially hesitant of white,” Ross says. “However, it seems terrific.”
Paint: Repose Gray, Sherwin Williams; mirror: Sunburst on the Scene, Wisteria; coffee table: French Industrial, Wisteria
Sarah Greenman
The couple recently made a built-in shelving unit in the front end of the home office to arrange their shared workspace. This project was different from their overall renovation. “Before we had the shelves, the clutter was somewhat out of hand,” Megan says.
Area rug: One King’s Lane; desk: Ava Wood, Pottery Barn
Sarah Greenman
Megan’s aunt gave her the camelback sofa upholstered in lemon-striped fabric. Megan added chevron print throw pillows from One King’s Lane for a quick update.
Paint: Graystone, Benjamin Moore; coffee table: Foxed Mirror, West Elm
Sarah Greenman
Megan purchased the cowhide rug at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, as a birthday present for Ross until they were married. “After I gave it to him, my mom reminded me that if we got married, I’d need to live with the hide in my home,” Megan says. “I hadn’t thought of that. However, I believe we found a fantastic place for it at the workplace.”
Sarah Greenman
A painted black hutch, yet another blessed Canton Trade Days buy, oversees the dining space. “It’s one of my favourite pieces in the home,” says Megan.
First hardwood floors throughout the home were a massive selling point for the bunch. “We’re so pleased to see that the wood floors were undamaged,” says Ross. “We all needed to do was clean them up and re-stain them.”
Sarah Greenman
Megan likes to host dinner parties and entertain in your home. She states that the dining room “known for a round table,” therefore the couple splurged with this tasteful set from Restoration Hardware. “I like to keep things simple and clean looking with a calming vibe,” she states.
Artwork: Jennifer Moreman, One King’s Lane; chandelier: Lamps Plus; table: French Urn Pedestal, Restoration Hardware; chairs: Vintage French Round, Restoration Hardware
Sarah Greenman
The couple renovated the kitchen from top to bottom. Megan, a health coach and author of Megg Salad, a nutritious recipe website, does a lot of cooking from home. “We put so much work to getting it right, transforming the distance and maximizing storage,” she states. “We adore that when folks come over they want to be at the kitchen. The distance just feels great.”
Countertops: absolute black granite, brushed end; pendant lights: Clear Glass Cloche, Restoration Hardware
Sarah Greenman
The Browns say that their biggest design issue was the rear wall of the kitchen. “Working around the current window was a toughie, and also our original plans did not work out,” she states. “Looking back, I am so glad we weren’t afraid to scrap it and begin over. The final piece really completes the kitchen adds a lot of storage and makes it feel so much larger.”
Sarah Greenman
Megan says she shares a similar aesthetic together with her husband, which made picking materials and furnishings easier. “Sometimes I have to sell him onto a bit, but usually we are thinking the same way,” she states. “Other instances Ross points out a detail that I haven’t considered yet, like measurements.” The latter came together in this very small breakfast nook, which will be just large enough for two.
Chandelier: Clarissa Glass Drop, Pottery Barn; table, Tripod, West Elm; chairs: Scoop-back, West Elm
Sarah Greenman
The former homeowners had already renovated the main bathroom in Carrera white marble tile plus a freestanding soaking bathtub, each of the Browns kept undamaged. “I am so glad the master bathroom has been done because we’d not have been able to reestablish with this kind of nice features,” Megan says.
Sarah Greenman
Two bright guest rooms occupy the top floor and overlook the garden. In one, a gorgeous brass bed — yet another hand-me-down from Megan’s aunt — takes center stage on a bright wool area rug.
“When we first saw the home, we were amazed that the rooms were so large, particularly given the era in which the house had been built,” Ross says. “And the closets are huge, too.”
Area rug: One King’s Lane
Sarah Greenman
The second guest room features an all-white palette and wood accents.
Bedding: Bed Bath & Beyond
Sarah Greenman
The couple fully renovated the guest bathroom but decided to maintain the sconces, which have been initially brass. Megan spray them silver to accent the toilet’s cool palette. “There have been so many little decisions to be made,” Megan says. “I recall there was one night once I went to three different Lowe’s after work to find a mirror for your bathroom. That is when I realized I’d completely lost my mind.”
Paint: Woodlawn Blue, Benjamin Moore; countertops: Kashmir white granite
Sarah Greenman
Ross assembled this grill fence and table display, which hides the home’s air conditioning unit. The Big Green Egg grill floats at the center of the table with open work space on each side. The table is ipe decking using a Cedar framework.
Sarah Greenman
Large windows, the majority of which are original to the home, bring in plenty of natural lighting. Stone pavers make a circular patio area for outside entertaining and dining. The couple is slowly tiled the garden, but Ross’s latest signature is a tree swing.
Sarah Greenman
The Browns’ front lawn enjoys adult trees and hills (a rarity in Dallas).
Sarah Greenman
The Browns, who will celebrate their third wedding anniversary this autumn, stand facing their custom high-gloss red painted doorway. Megan was the paint custom matched to your color in the Kate Spade box in Elliott’s Hardware.
Paint: Sherwin Williams Color Matching Services; door knocker: Etsy
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