My Houzz: Palm Springs Inspiration in Dallas

First-time homeowners Greg and Chantal Hickman are familiar with makeovers. He's a personal stylist at Nordstrom; she's a makeup artist. The couple pulled from their design prowess to give their dated 1961 home in East Dallas a hands-on transformation. They gave the exterior a Palm Springs–inspired facelift, and the interior now has an eclectic vibe that incorporates Greg's handmade furniture.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Greg and Chantal Hickman and their beagle–Boston terrier mix, Lucy
Location: East Dallas
Size: 1,200 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Year built: 1961

Greg and Chantal, shown here, worked with a $4,000 design budget for the exterior and a six-month time frame. They painted the brick a dark gray and the door a cheerful coral. They then added a painted decorative screen and replaced the shutters. Modern planters and steel edging inspired by the low-maintenance landscaping and midcentury-cool style of Palm Springs replaced unruly shrubs. "We wanted it to have a more desert feel and drought-resistant plants for the horrible Texas heat," says Chantal.

Gray paint: Porpoise (5 percent darker); door paint: Ardent Coral, both by Sherwin Williams


Lucy lounges on a sectional that divides the open-plan living room. The couple found the "214" sign at local store Dolly Python. The numbers represent the couple's wedding anniversary (Valentine's Day) as well as a Dallas area code.

Rug: Samaya Soumak Jute Rug, West Elm; metal bar stools: Again & Again


The Hickmans invested in a few midcentury modern pieces, like this lounge chair, to mix with their newer pieces.

Yellow pillow: Trade Days


Lush pots of greenery, like this fiddle leaf fig, adorn multiple corners throughout the house.


This midcentury credenza, used as a TV stand, got a contemporary flourish with the addition of flocked damask paper.


The home's kitchen had been updated by the previous owner but was lacking interest. Greg measured wooden slats and added them to the front counter for a striking accent.

Metal bar stools: Again & Again





Greg, who sells his handmade furniture on Etsy, made this wooden bookshelf. The purple geode was picked up during a trip to one of the couple's favorite destinations: Marfa, Texas.

Drapes: West Elm


The bedroom boasts an impressive accent wall that Greg and Chantal created using Inhabit wall flats made of recycled cane sugar. A black macramé hanger is a chic accent as well.

Wall tiles: Chrysalis, Inhabit; bed: platform, BoConcept; pillow: Lappljung Ruta, Ikea


Mementos collected from travels and adventures accent each room, like in this bedside vignette. This polaroid of Chantal was taken at a graffiti park during a trip to Austin for the Fourth of July. The geode was collected while the two were on vacation with friends in Marfa, Texas.


To contrast the white accent wall, the rest of the room is a warm gray. A rich wood midcentury credenza and moody art round out the room. The hardwood floors are original to the house.

Paint: Channel Seal Gray, Valspar


An extra bedroom serves as a multipurpose space; the Hickmans use it as a home office and for bike storage.


They maximized the space in this room by adding wall storage and a shared desk. Greg made the shelves from raw cedar, and the couple purchased the desk from an artist in Austin during a City-Wide Garage Sale.


With the help of Rocky Garza, another Dallas furniture maker with a similar taste for industrial design and rustic wood, the two built a dining table and benches for the outdoor patio.


Many of the pieces here, including the letter "H," the 7UP tin can and the rolling cart, were sourced from flea markets, Craigslist, vintage stores and estate sales.


"It's good to have support from each other," Greg says. "That's key for us. We're a team on just about everything. I wouldn't be doing half the things I'm doing now if it weren't for [Chantal]."

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