My Houzz: Eclectic Meets Rustic in a Decidedly Different Dallas Home

Steve and Jeri Wakefield are not what most people think of as typical grandparents. You won't find any doily-covered floral chintz in their Dallas house. Instead, the couple mixes rustic Mexican art and textiles with funky colors and abstract art for a young-at-heart style that's full of surprises. And do you know any other grandparents who have a bathroom adorned with album covers featuring The Beatles, Elton John and Tom Jones? How about an electric-green countertop on a kitchen hutch?

The Wakefields' ability to tastefully mix the quirky with the sophisticated is impressive. For example, their living room nails a comfy international vibe, with hand-crafted details, rustic wood furnishings and sand-colored walls. It's a broken-in look that feels effortless, but one that Jeri put a lot of thought and effort into. Just one instance: She stripped down a brand-new dining room table and "then beat it to death with chains and bludgeoning tools in order to give it a more distressed look," she says.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Steve and Jeri Wakefield and their dogs, Gracie and Trevi
Location: Dallas
Size: 2,700 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths
That's interesting: Out back may be the most incredible kids' tree house you'll ever see.

A large carved hutch dominates the main living space and displays religious art and other pieces collected from the couple's travels. "I've always loved religious art, particularly from Mexico," Jeri says. Their next big trip will be to Peru, where Jeri will seek more pieces for her collection.

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a flood of light all day long. "I've never installed window treatments, because I love all the natural light," Jeri says.

Hutch: Durango Trading


Thrift store and Salvation Army scores complete the worldly look. The couple turned a piece of thrift store art into a fire screen by building two supports on the bottom of the frame.


Oversize seating and Mexican textiles create an eclectic and comfortable vibe. Jeri reupholstered an armchair, purchased at the Salvation Army, in brown and white cowhide. "We are in Texas, after all," she says.

Sofa: The Dump


Jeri's most prized possession in the house is this wooden horse marionette she bought at the Salvation Army. "This beautiful thing was sitting in the window for years, and every time I visited, I'd ask to buy it," she says. "They always refused until I finally talked with the Major, who said he wouldn't sell it to me, but would accept a donation. I didn't care how I got it; I just wanted it so badly. So I named the horse Major in honor of the man who let me take it home."


"This is a great house for entertaining, and there's nothing I love more than a party," Jeri says. The central dining room is surrounded by large windows overlooking the backyard and patio. The wing-shaped sculpture hanging above the window is a beam support from the top of a column taken from a structure in New Mexico.

Jeri and a friend used chains and other tools to give the table, from Thomasville, a more distressed look.

Chairs: White Elephant Antiques Warehouse; table: Thomasville; art: Harold Kraus


A built-in desk with a bright green top serves as command central for bill paying, correspondence and home management. The hutch also contains Jeri's collection of hand-blown colored stemware. "Every year my kids get me a new piece for my collection," she says. "They're so unique and fun to drink out of."

Table: Inwood Antique Mall


Ample cabinet space and a six-burner gas range create a comfortable and roomy kitchen. Jeri, a found-object collage artist, created the piece hanging above the stove.


The main suite has vaulted ceilings, wood beams and views of the backyard. The floors were recently upgraded with natural cork flooring. "I love the cushioned feel of these floors, and they're even more beautiful in person than I thought they'd be," Jeri says.

Jeri found the bright pieces above the dresser at the Huffines Art Festival in Richardson, Texas. It was created by Israeli artist Soheyla. The art above the orange chair was created by Spanish artist Chimayo.

Floors: Lowe's; side table: El Paso Imports


Family heirlooms and art found on Etsy and eBay fill a cheery green guest bedroom. The bed once belonged to Jeri's grandmother.


The Wakefields are huge music lovers and wallpapered the guest bath in old album covers. The wall frames were created and installed by family friend James Curvan.


Jeri displays a set of carved wooden napkin rings from Germany in a rustic cabinet. "These are some of my favorite pieces in the house, and I'm a big fan of surrounding myself with the things I love," she says.


The U-shaped house surrounds an enclosed and covered patio that's great for entertaining. Windows from the main bedroom, foyer, living room and dining room all look out onto this space.


The main bathroom lies just off Steve's office, which houses a collection of model airplanes. Heavy wood cabinets and glass-front shelves hold books, record albums and models.


An enormous pecan tree at the back of the property was the perfect place for the Wakefields to build a tree house for their grandsons.

A photo tour of this project is the most popular ideabook on Houzz so far.


The tree house is located on the back side of a guest house, which also houses Jeri's art studio. Curvan built a covered outdoor bar off the side of the guesthouse. "It's wonderful for summer parties," says Jeri. "We can have a drink and watch the kids play."


The guest house consists of a small kitchen, dining area and living room with a sofa bed. It's a cheery space with lots of natural light, sunny yellow walls and bright artwork. The art photos in the far corner were created by artist Anne Griffin.


Jeri creates sculptures, figurines, 3-D art and other whimsical pieces out of found objects. "I have always been fascinated with junk," she says. She keeps her materials organized in labeled plastic containers. "It makes my work so much easier when I can find what I'm looking for," she explains.


Jeri didn't become an artist until she was in her 40s. "I just didn't think I was a creative person, I guess," she says. "Now I live a lot of my life in my imagination. It's a fun, creative place for me that sure beats the real world sometimes."

An upcycled workbench flanks the back wall and provides open workspace. "I love bringing my grandsons out here to make art projects," she says. "Whatever they might be working on, a school project or just something for fun, I always have everything they might need."


The property comprises three lots, with a beautifully maintained tennis court. The Wakefields met while playing tennis. "When we saw that this house had a tennis court, it was kind of a done deal," Jeri says.


When the couple moved into their house, they had a construction crew fill in the pool and create a large patio with stone pavers in its place. A water feature that used to spill into the pool is still in working order.

Next: Don't miss their most incredible kids' play house

URL: My Houzz: Eclectic Meets Rustic in a Decidedly Different Dallas Home http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-18293.html