This home began as an early 2000s traditional filled with dark wood and heavy finishes. The clients wanted the opposite. They loved blue, wanted the house to feel fresh and light, and cared deeply about creating a place built for gathering. With kids and grandchildren on the way, hosting became the heart of every design decision.

We honored the original architecture while giving the home a renewed sense of lift and clarity. Because her love for blue guided the entire project, we leaned into tonal variation rather than shifting the palette. Each room explores a different saturation of the same color family, which allowed the home to feel cohesive without feeling repetitive. Movement, texture, and light became the tools that carried that vision forward.

The transformation began in the entry. It was incredibly important to them, so we let it make a statement with tiered chandeliers that have become a Semmelmann signature and a newly stained hardwood floor that preserved the character of the home. From there, we opened the flow between the main living spaces, removed walls, and added a double island to support the way they live and host.

The living room was softened by painting the coffered ceiling and introducing wallpaper that added dimension without overwhelming the space. The fireplace became a focal point after the slab originally selected proved too costly to fabricate. We sourced a tile that captured the same sense of movement, giving them the look they wanted with far more durability.

The breakfast nook and dining room became a study in contrast. The nook was designed for everyday life, so we intentionally kept the drapery minimal to preserve the view of the pool and maintain visual openness. The dining room moved in the opposite direction, using a deeper blue to create intimacy and a more elevated atmosphere for entertaining.

The primary bathroom was one of the biggest transformations. We focused on lifestyle, not just looks, designing for functionality, height differences, and real daily use. Every choice supported ease, comfort, and longevity, which mattered deeply to them.

Upstairs, we introduced green in the guest suite and tied it back to the traditional architecture with custom trim details. Their shared love for TCU came to life in a secondary gameday room wrapped in a purple alligator-skin wallpaper that had been discontinued. After an extensive search, we found it, and it became one of their favorite design moments.

The result is a home that still honors its traditional roots but now feels open, cohesive, and ready for the next chapter of their family’s story.