baby it's cold outside...

We thought the real winter weather was going to stay in the mountains upon our return to the Big D!  The ice storm has hit Dallas and here's hoping that you are cozy in your home with a yummy peppermint pattie to keep you warm!  Enjoy some of our favorite ways to snuggle up when it's cold outside.

vintage blankets from jayson home & garden

charcoal slipcovered lounge sofa from crate & barrel

square tufted ottoman in linen by zentique, available through JMI

cotton knit tie pillows from coyuchi

painter's stripe mug from anthropologie

"deed, 1764" decoupage tray from john derian

restoration hardware's signature spa robe

clothbound penguin classics from anthropologie

and my personal choice... pride & prejudice

before and after | vista butte great room

The Vista Butte great room has endured the greatest design transformation of any space in the home.  Step one:  RIP OUT THAT FIREPLACE!  What is that thing?  Once the huge conglomeration of stone, the carved mantel from India, and flanking cabinetry were gone, we had a starting point.  And that starting point led to a beautiful and comfortable den equipped with a new fireplace and mantel, kilim ottoman, large scale sofa and four swivel chairs for warm and cozy conversations by the fire.

great room before

great room after

before and after | vista butte bedrooms

The bedrooms at Vista Butte were originally very spacious, so the client was thrilled to fit king-sized beds in every guest room as well as the master.  The renovation involved a fresh coat of paint, new carpet, custom drapery and new furnishings.  All with a goal of rustic and elegant comfort.

master bedroom before

master bedroom after

guest bedroom #1

guest bedroom #2

guest bedroom #3

before and after | vista butte game room

The Vista Butte upper living room & game room started out with an awkward window that restricted air flow and view.  The first item on the renovation agenda was to open up the space by enlarging that window into an open balcony with sliding barn door.  The barn door was created from local reclaimed barn wood dating back over one hundred years.  The sliding feature allows it to be open for view/circulation, or closed for privacy while gaming or movie watching.  A television viewing area and game table fit perfectly in the space and it is utilized as a secondary living room.

outside wall @ game room before

outside wall @ game room after

(enlarged balcony with sliding barn door)

 game room before

game room after

 game room before

 game room after

view from game table

before and after | vista butte dining room

The dining room at Vista Butte sits directly next to the breakfast nook, creating a dual dining experience.  Smaller groups can dine intimately at the 4-top table, larger groups can dine at the 10-top table, and the room accommodates 14 for a full house.  A large iron chandelier that resembles twigs creates a natural theme in the space, and the rustic dining chairs with burlap seats bring a touch of color.  One flanking wall is decorated with an antique Chinese console and Black Forest-esque antler mounts on the wall above.  The opposite wall is home to an antique shoe-makers rack that is gradually filling up with the late night guest book... empty wine bottles signed by guests of Vista Butte!

dining room before

dining room after

before and after | vista butte breakfast nook

Today we cover the breakfast nook at Vista Butte.  It is located directly off the kitchen and (as you can see) was previously an unappetizing space.  JMI painted over the gold walls, removed the odd tile at the back door, and replaced the carpet with hickory flooring to match the existing in adjacent rooms.  The "Good Times" tobacco label wall decor created a focal point, and the axis deer antler chandelier helped bring the space down to an appropriate scale.  Farm table is by Zentique, and the wicker chairs are by Artesia.  Chair seat cushions and lumbar pillows were custom covered in Duralee fabrics.

breakfast nook before

breakfast nook after