The open-concept living room, kitchen and dining room boast clean lines, a European aesthetic and pieces from the couple’s own midcentury modern furniture collection. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SOEFER
Interior designer Pamela O’Brien presents her multi-award-winning redesign: an aging Houston home transformed into a growing family’s ultimate paradise.
Custom cabinetry in the kitchen built by Steven Allen Designs in collaboration with Pamela Hope Designs. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SOEFER
After deciding to relocate from Amsterdam to Houston, this well-traveled couple chose to settle down in a 1981 mod-inspired single-story Southgate home. They loved the potential of the property’s retro vibe, but a major renovation and expansion were desperately needed. “We knew we would spend a lot of time creating this home. We had renovated a home in Europe, and from that experience we wanted another happy design journey with a cohesive team whom we enjoyed spending time with,” the clients explain. Enter Pamela O’Brien, principal designer of Pamela Hope Designs, who was referred to the couple by the home’s architect, Greg Swedberg. Says O’Brien, “The house had a funky vibe that really fit the clients’ aesthetic, but was not designed for a growing family with young children.” The solution? The addition of a second floor with bedrooms, a shared bathroom and playroom for the couple’s boys added some much-needed space.
Says O’Brien of the Sherwin-Williams SW 6622 Hearty Orange front door, “When we first started thinking about the exterior color palette, I really was hoping for an orange door. I was thrilled when the client agreed!” PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SOEFER
“THE HOUSE HAD A FUNKY VIBE THAT REALLY FIT THE CLIENTS’ AESTHETIC, BUT WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR A GROWING FAMILY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.”–PAMELA O’BRIEN
The cozy living room is perfect for relaxing with family or entertaining friends. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SOEFER
Throughout the rest of the home, the team gutted the interiors and reimagined the original layout. “Having lived in Europe, especially in Holland, they gravitated toward clean-lined contemporary design and lots of built-ins,” notes O’Brien. “They had several nice midcentury modern pieces that were perfect. We built on that style by reusing those pieces, updating a few others and adding new pieces as needed.” The downstairs guest bathroom is an all-time fan favorite with emerald Cole & Son Curio Quartz wallpaper, Gioia Avocado tile from Arizona Tile in the shower enclosure and Tile Bar Ming Green Penny tile made of mirror, marble and glass tiles on the shower floor. Leaning into a family-forward lifestyle, the clients also requested an open, functional layout, deeming the original too “choppy.” The entry, kitchen, living area and dining area were reworked into an open concept with intimate spaces, such as a cozy nook and study carrel, sprinkled within. “It makes me so happy to hear that the whole family loves hanging out together in there,” gushes O’Brien.
The shower floor tile, made of mirrors, marble and glass, in the guest bathroom “reflects the dark green walls so some of the tiles look the exact same color as the walls,” O’Brien notes. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SOEFER
The stunning final product is a design-focused yet family-friendly abode chock-full of delightfully high-end accents and amenities. “We took a well-loved but aging house with good bones and room to grow, and turned it into the perfect home for a young family,” O’Brien explains. Her clients agree, saying, “We love our house and so does everyone else! One longtime neighbor said he was thrilled we kept the home intact and just made it better.” Need more proof? The incredible overall renovation has won a whopping six awards on the local, state and national levels.
The primary bathroom features a refreshing stand-alone soaking tub and plenty of storage space. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SOEFER
LOCATION
Southgate
ARCHITECTURE
Greg Swedberg,
2Scale Architects
2scalearch.com
BUILDERS
Stephen Heiman,
Steven Allen Designs
stevenallendesigns.com
INTERIORS
Pamela O’Brien,
Pamela Hope Designs
pamelahopedesigns.com
RESOURCES
Arizona Tile
Tile in guest bathroom shower
arizonatile.com
Arnoult Fine Art Consulting
Various art pieces
arnoultfineart.com
Cole & Son
Wallpaper in guest bathroom
cole-and-son.com
Hunter Douglas
Window coverings
hunterdouglas.com
James Craig Furnishings
Vanguard chair and coffee table
jamescraigfurnishings.com
Oriental Rug Gallery of Texas
Rugs
orgtx.com
Tile Bar
Tile in guest bathroom shower
tilebar.com
Photography by:
