My Houzz: Austin Family Breathes New Life Into an Old Bungalow
http://www.decor-ideas.org 04/21/2015 01:13 Decor Ideas
Merrilee and Pittman McGehee bought their family’s home in Austin, Texas, from the original owner, who had raised her family there. Although the couple loved the history and character of the house, it needed work since it had not been updated since it was built in 1948. Merrilee, an actress and interior designer, and Pittman, a psychologist, made it a personal challenge to update the home while staying true to its vintage charm. The result is an eclectic, colorful bungalow with a fun vibe that is neither stuffy nor stark.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Merrilee and Pittman McGehee; their children, Finnegan and Clementine; and cats Levon and Willie
Location: Brykerwoods neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 2,000 square feet (186 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Year built: 1948
The living room features one of Merilee’s favorite wow factors in the house: custom-built salmon-colored bookshelves with brass library lights.
Bookshelf paint: Oriental Poppy, Martin Senour Paints; library lights: E.F. Chapman
Merrilee received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2000 she completed this large-scale conceptual art piece, “wRITE,” which is made up of more than 50,000 pencils and resin. She sold the other pieces in the group but couldn’t bear to part with this one, which is now prominently displayed in the home.
Brass Sputnik light: Practical Props; midcentury credenza: Prima Forme
A sea grass rug like this one is one of Merrilee’s favorite design elements. Her advice for others using these rugs? Sew the edges. “It makes them look more upscale and decreases wear,” she says.
Dining table: France & Son; ceiling paint: Showtime, Benjamin Moore; window treatments: vintage chinoiserie, Scalamandre; window hardware: Calico Corners; rods: Handrail Collection, Classical Elements
This Moroccan-inspired arabesque-shaped doorway is custom; it replaced two small single doors. Merrilee drew a design on a poster board. Her contractor from Hector Castro Painting & Remodeling then traced it onto Sheetrock and mirrored it to create the unique shape.
During the home purchasing process, the bank wouldn’t approve the loan because there weren’t floors in the kitchen area. As a quick solution, the McGehees had some inexpensive pine plank flooring installed, which they later had sanded and then painted themselves with high-gloss Benjamin Moore porch and floor paint. The paint contains an epoxy that makes it very durable.
Floor paint: high-gloss Decorators White, Benjamin Moore; breakfast table light: Schoolhouse Electric; breakfast table: White on White
One of the couple’s big splurges was Carrara marble countertops. Merrilee warns they aren’t for everyone because they do get stained and scratched easily, but she loves the character they add even when they show their age. “Imperfection in design can be interesting,” she says. The couple worked with Myrna Gonzales from G and G Marble & Granite to source their marble.
In the kitchen the homeowners kept the cabinet boxes and had new doors and drawers made, working with Servando Cruz of Elegant Kitchen Cabinetry. It turned out to be an inexpensive but effective update at a cost of about $1,500.
Rug: vintage; cabinet paint: New Providence Navy, Benjamin Moore
The hallway has become an eclectic gallery of personal photos and mementos.
A vintage map of the United States ties together some of the accent colors seen in son Finnegan’s bedroom.
Rug: Wisteria; chandelier: Just Morocco; bed: Mitchell Gold+ Bob Williams; table lamps: HomeGoods; bedding: Target
Merrilee got to speak with the original owner of the home the day before closing. As they walked through the house for inspections, the owner told her about all of the family memories that had been made there. Merrilee mentioned in passing that the small blue rocker and baby doll in the garage had kept her 3-year-old daughter, Clementine, entertained for hours during the home inspection. When the family arrived at the home the next day after closing, it was empty except for the little blue rocker, which the original homeowner had left in the room. It’s seen here in the right corner.
Bed: Land of Nod; light fixture: Again and Again; table lamps: West Elm; floor rug: Rugs USA; large pillow on bed: ABC Carpet & Home
The nightstands in the master bedroom are from Target. Merrilee painted them white.
Blanket: Pyjama Mahal; bedding: Target; runner rug: vintage; lamps: Craigslist; fireplace: vintage, Room Service Vintage
A cozy nook between the master bedroom and bathroom serves as an office.
Desk: CB2; chair: vintage Thonet
The update of the master bathroom included a custom cabinet made by Cruz, who also made the kitchen cabinets with a remnant slab of Cararra marble as a countertop, and a vintage mirror. A custom linen pinch-pleated shower curtain hangs from a ceiling track.
Brass knobs: My Knobs; brass sconces: Circa Lighting
Merrilee’s sage advice is to splurge on light fixtures and hardware. She says, “They are the ‘cherry on top’ in a room.”
Brass horse hooks: antique, Hook Lady; floor: Carrara marble hex tile, Stone Center
Off the kitchen, in the middle of the home, is part of the original house that the McGehees use as a family room. It includes comfortable furniture, good light and plenty of space in which to gather.
Sofa: Wildflower Organics; club chairs: Uptown Modern; coffee table: Again and Again; pillows: custom made with Dara fabric by Manuel Canovas; coffee table: Again and Again
The McGehees expanded into the old garage using the existing framing and built a laundry and mudroom–sitting area that adds light to the kitchen through a window. It houses their laundry and a second refrigerator and is the perfect spot for backpacks after school and ice pops in the summertime.
A hall just off the kitchen leads to the master bedroom and includes cabinets and a long countertop. The McGehees use this space as a butler’s pantry and a bar or buffet for parties.
Paint: Venetian Rose, Benjamin Moore
The home wasn’t built with a formal entryway, which Merrilee covets. To remedy the situation, she created a small, welcoming space with a rug on top of a larger sea grass rug, an umbrella stand and a small side table for keys and mail.
The new deck and outdoor dining area were a big splurge in the couple’s modest budget but one they were happy to make. Marilee designed it, then had it built by Hector Castro Painting & Remodeling.
Stain: custom; paint: Decorators White, Benjamin Moore
The outdoor dining space is used often for entertaining. The pea gravel makes it a low-maintenance area.
Pictured from left to right in front of their custom bookshelves are Pittman, Finnegan, Clementine and Merrilee. “If you have patience and a thoughtful creative process, you will end up with the house of your dreams,” says Merrilee.
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