My Houzz: Colors and Patterns Energize a 1950s Ranch

Amber and Steve Frazee were charmed by the airy quality of their 1954 ranch-style house in Dallas. The previous owner had opened up the interior to the roofline, creating vaulted spaces that felt much lighter and brighter than what is typically found in low-ceilinged Texas ramblers.

"We kept the walls white and used it as a blank canvas for color and pattern throughout the house," says Amber, owner of the home furnishings shop StellaDallas. Swaths of graphic drapery, vibrant upholstery and natural textures enliven the snowy space. "I love a happy, cheerful house, so my color choices for fabrics were all over the place," says Amber. "Luckily, it all works together!"

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Steve and Amber Frazee and their cats, Finley and Nash
Location: Midway Hollow neighborhood of Dallas
Size: 1,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Year built: 1954

While laying out the living room, Amber anchored the space with a large white sofa, then layered in textures and chose drapery fabric that picked up some of the colors in the room, like the gold on the apple sculpture and the aqua in the upholstered armchair. Of the curtains, Steve says, "I don't think she could have put anything in this house that fits her personality more."

Drapery fabric: Lusaka by Missoni, StellaDallas; rug: Koldby, Ikea; gold accesory: Eve Glazed Apple, Janus et Cie


For Amber the key to mixing patterns in a room is scale. "I tell my clients, use one large-scale print, a couple of medium-scale prints and then one small-scale print," she says. "For me that's a good balance, and it keeps it from getting too crazy."

Pictured here is Finley the cat, perched on one of his favorite spots.


Once Amber had all of the larger furniture pieces in place, she began to layer and style accessories. A collection of ceramic pieces by Jonathan Adler, including a hedgehog, horse tray, banana bud vase and turtle box, line the bookcase, while antlers add an unexpected natural touch.


Amber refreshed this Crate & Barrel wing chair by reupholstering it with a graphic bird-patterned fabric.

Stool: American Flag Needlepoint, Jonathan Adler; wing chair fabric: Water Birds on Oyster, Hable Construction


The only downside to the house was the absence of a formal dining room. Luckily, a round table and four chairs fit perfectly into the far corner of the kitchen.

Table: Docksta, Ikea; chairs: Panton Chair, Design Within Reach


Hanging above the dining area are hand-crafted paper flowers made by designer Irene Park of Southern Fried Paper, a shop that's a neighbor to StellaDallas. Park transformed Amber's unused wrapping paper into this sculptural art piece.


Amber is drawn to the color yellow, and used it to accent the white kitchen. "Our house is so light, bright and colorful," she says. "You can't help but feel happy when you walk in the door." The door at left leads out to the garage.


As a gift one year, Steve painstakingly hung each of Amber's Kate Spade prints to her exact measurements. "It was so sweet — it was the best birthday present ever," she says.

Amber fondly calls this area the couple's dumping ground. "You need a dumping ground for wherever you come and go the most," she says. "A place where you can throw your keys and jacket that doesn't look like a complete disaster."


The guest bedroom doubles as a home office with a Bungalow 5 white lacquer desk also serving as a nightstand. The most striking element of the room is the black and white graphic-pattern drapery created with fabric from Ikea.

Amber reupholstered a Crate & Barrel desk chair with pink chevron fabric. "If you buy something nice and well constructed, you can always reinvest by reupholstering to fit a new style," she says.

Blanket: Cindy's Antique Quilts; bed upholstery fabric: Marilyn by Rubie Green


What could be more appropriate for a pair of cat lovers than cat silhouettes? This pair hangs outside the guest bathroom.

Silhouette art: Allyson Hall of About Face Studios; rug: Haveli Cotton Carpet in Sapphire, Madeline Weinrib


In the guest bath, natural elements like a wooden stool and bath mat help break up the white walls and tiling.

Shower curtain: Navy Feather, Serena & Lily; Lattice wooden mat: Crate & Barrel; Dip-Dyed Stool: Serena & Lily


The master bedroom proved to be more challenging than other spaces in the house to decorate. "It was so big and empty; our furniture just felt lost in it," says Amber. The diamond-patterned area rug helps anchor the bed, while the chevron curtains bring symmetrical balance to both sides of the bed.

Rug: LuLu Cotton Carpet, Madeline Weinrib; accent pillows: Lobeila by Missoni, StellaDallas


Amber was determined to re-create the same luxurious atmosphere she had admired at the Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin, Texas. She ordered custom bedding from Matouk with coral embroidery to match the area rug, while the pillows feature an embroidered monogram with her initials.

The oversize hand-carved wooden frame is a major statement piece for the room. "The idea was to add a mirror to the frame, but that was three years ago now," says Amber. "At this point it just looks cool empty." The frame adds visual height to the room, while the worn leather chaise chosen by Steve balances the feminine pinks, reds and floral prints.

Chaise: Oviedo, Restoration Hardware; bedding: Bel Tempo, Matouk; pillow: Lobeila by Missoni, StellaDallas


Amber keeps her coveted collection of design magazines stacked stylishly beneath a Lucite console.

Console: Peekaboo, CB2


The wall separating the couple's bathroom and bedroom does not reach all the way to the ceiling. The gap allows more natural light into the small space. "It's really light and bright," says Amber. "In the morning when you're getting ready, it's kind of energizing."

Wall art: "Lonesome Stardust" print, Napkin Art Studios


"What we like is that the previous owner made great updates to the house, without using high-end finishes that would have been overpriced for the neighborhood," says Amber.

Framed print: "Dawn" by Gray Malin, Maison Gray


A cheerful yellow print on the vanity greets the couple every morning.

Framed print: "Hello Sunshine," Rifle Paper Co.; Square Lacquer Tray: West Elm


The previous owner had painted the brick exterior taupe with a bold red door for contrast, and the Frazees decided to leave it as is. Amber added seasonal yellow mums in terra-cotta planters to accent the ledge leading to the front door.

When to paint your door bright red

Brick paint: Virtual Taupe, Sherwin-Williams


Steve and Amber share a laugh on their porch. Over the years the couple has learned to blend their styles and tastes. Says Steve, "My style is more modern — I pretty much love anything from Design Within Reach."

"I tend to go really colorful and glossy," says Amber.

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