This house may be deep in the heart of Texas, but it was inspired by the English countryside,’ says designer Meg Lonergan. ‘I love the welcoming, cottagey feel of English country homes and wanted to bring that warm, intimate atmosphere to these Texas-sized spaces.’
Her client, Brook Novelli, was of the same opinion. Hugely knowledgeable about interiors, she took the designer selection process particularly seriously, interviewing many candidates across the state, before being seduced by Meg’s layered, soulful approach.
‘Our client’s mother had been an interior designer herself; she was raised around antiques and pattern, and exposed to beautiful textiles and art, so we had plenty to live up to with this project,’ Meg explains.
Extending across 8,000 square feet, on a large plot close to Houston, there was a lot of house to consider, and after raising their three daughters, Brook and her husband Mike were ready for a change. Rather than move to a smaller property, they decided to reinvent the house as a retreat for their now adult children and their growing families. ‘Downsizing was not on their agenda at all. Brook’s brief was for us to adapt the house to fit her needs, and Mike’s, as grandparents.’
Having been involved in the original build 25 years previously, Brook’s input was welcomed by Meg and her team. ‘She knew exactly what she wanted and her priority was family-driven. The starting point for the entire project was a bunk room for her grandsons, which we carved out of the attic,’ says Meg.
Built with an open-plan aesthetic back in 2000, this arrangement wasn’t appropriate for the new vision, and so architect, Matthew Mitchell, was asked to bring his expertise to the project.
‘Matthew was instrumental in helping to establish a few interior architectural details, such as the columns, to help these sprawling spaces become more defined.’ The other significant architectural change was to the kitchen, which once enlarged, and with its orientation changed, created a more convivial environment to comfortably accommodate bigger groups.
As the work progressed, so too did its scope, but not without a little cajoling. ‘I call it the scope-creep,’ Meg laughs. ‘With such an assured client it can be hard to speak up sometimes, but the library – once the old playroom – was a room Brook hadn’t wanted to tackle and it’s now her favorite space; a fact that brings me much joy.’
The main bathroom was another casualty to Meg’s persuasiveness. ‘I phoned Brook and explained that it was my professional duty to advise her to redo that bathroom. Although serviceable, it was old-fashioned and would have felt stuck in a 2000s time capsule if she didn’t.’ Again, the strategy worked.
Inspired by the home’s woodland surroundings, Meg leaned into the palette of earthy greens and browns her client favored, with additional pops of bright color throughout. While she’s an ardent admirer of English interior style, her design roots remain loyal to the aesthetic of the Texan/Southern ideal, where traditional shapes and elements merge with sculptural forms and pattern play; where florals blend happily with stripes, and ikats with dainty botanicals.
Perhaps the most obvious realization of this can be enjoyed in the dining room, which seamlessly blends the two worlds. Hand-printed wallpaper by de Gournay envelops the walls, holding up the British end, while an American-made buffet and dining table, owned for many years by Brook, are matched with new, locally sourced dining chairs.
‘We used many of Brook’s existing pieces; that was important to all of us. As well as owing it to the environment, why fix what’s not broken is my motto. And also, it’s fun to build the interior puzzle. We re-covered at least 20 pieces of Brook’s furniture with skirts and different upholstery techniques to give them an intriguing refresh, alongside the newer items.’
All parties are thrilled with the finished project and agree that while the house feels right at home in the Lone Star State, there’s no doubt that English afternoon tea could be served here, with aplomb, too!
