My Houzz: Colorful Hand Painting Bedecks a Creative Home

A kaleidoscope of colors on walls, furniture and fabrics brings an energetic spirit to a 1920s colonial in Texas

October 10, 2012
Interior design and design consulting. Architectural photography, lifestyle photography, portraiture, head shots, weddings, families, seniors, pets, etc.
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When it comes to design, Adam and Alicia Rico don't play it safe. The coowners of floral design company Bow and Arrows put their painting degrees to work in this boldly remodeled 1920s Dallas colonial. With a stylish mix of play and utility that Alicia describes as horseplay, the couple has filled their home with a rainbow of colors and whimsical design. Hand-painted murals, ombré dining walls, an impressive art collection and amazing refurbished furniture combine in this visual wonderland.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Adam and Alicia Rico, daughter Dotty and dogs Otto and Hans
Location: Vickery Place Conservation District of Dallas
Size: 1,500 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Eclectic Dining Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
Adam designed a Southwestern-inspired stencil for the dining room walls, hand painting it in shades of purple and violet to create an ombré effect. The couple loves displaying fresh floral arrangements from their work throughout their home.

Wall paint: Peru, Behr
Eclectic Dining Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
The couple splurged on this quirky deer-head chandelier found via Craigslist. The fixture hangs above a white Ikea table surrounded by flea market chairs. Adam and Alicia painted the chair frames a bright white but re-covered the head chairs in different fabrics to mix things up.
Eclectic Dining Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
They painted this secondhand record player console a cheerful blue to contrast the walls. A collection of art and sculpture sits on a colorful striped runner from New Mexico.

Artwork: Adam's self-portrait (left), print by Zachary Broadhurst (right)
Eclectic Kitchen by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
The couple's playful style also shows in this kitchen vignette featuring a ceramic poodle and a glitter-coated cow skull.
Eclectic Kitchen by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
The vibrant purple dining room transitions into the new kitchen's soothing gray and white palette. The couple searched for months to find this unique gray and white granite slab, which has the beauty of marble and incredible durability.
Eclectic Kitchen by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
Though the cool kitchen palette feels toned down from that of the rest of the house, Alicia couldn't resist bringing in color through accessories and dishware.
Eclectic Kids by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
Dotty poses under a collection of ribbons and a pom-pom pony sculpture Alicia made. Bedding sewn by Adam's mother and new and vintage stuffed toys (including an original Jim Henson Fraggle) fill Dotty's cozy bed.
Eclectic Kids by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
Dotty's room bursts with art, including Adam's hand-painted cross-stitch mural and work by local artists. The couple found much of the furniture at consignment stores. They personalized this thrift store rocking chair by painting it white and reupholstering the seat in a fresh, graphic fabric.

Picnic table, curtains: Ikea
Transitional Kids by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
A fabric kite floats above more found and refinished furniture pieces. Alicia added vintage drawer pulls to this flea market dresser and a two-toned paint treatment to the side table.

Kite: Little Bean; wreath, yellow banners: by Alicia
Eclectic Bedroom by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
Without using a plan or stencil, the couple painted this mural in their master bedroom. After picking out 11 colors, they painted five or six triangles per night until they'd covered the wall. The handmade quilt by Adam's mom served as inspiration.

Red bedding, pillows: West Elm; bird embroidered on canvas: Melissa Banigan; curtains: Ikea; side tables: consignment store
Shabby-chic Style Bedroom by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
A triptych of Adam's original paintings sits above a 1960s vanity. The mirror reflects the natural light from the windows on the opposite wall.
Eclectic Bathroom by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
After the couple added this master bath, Alicia found a restorer to rescue this antique claw-foot tub — the one thing in the house she says she can't live without.

Rug: boutique, New Mexico
Eclectic Living Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
Custom built-in bookcases flank the fireplace, creating storage and symmetry. A bold mix of stripes, patterns and colors reflect the rest of the home's style. A large map of New York City hangs above the fireplace, with a heart marking the spot where the couple met.

Sofa, striped rug: Ikea; armchairs: consignment store, painted and re-covered
Eclectic Living Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
A tree stump hand painted by the couple sits between reupholstered garage sale chairs. A pencil cactus in a modern pot tops off this quirky corner.
Transitional Living Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
"The color palette was the first thing that made our home feel like ours," says Alicia. Soft gray walls allowed the couple to use color in this room: a bright yellow front door, vibrant green curtains and peach painted logs in the fireplace. Art found at fairs in Brooklyn hangs next to the front door.

Door paint: Egg Yolk, Martha Stewart Living (discontinued); wall paint: Chinchilla, Behr; artwork: Renegade Craft Fair, Red Hook Art Fair, Mary Emma Hawthorne, Melissa Banigan
Eclectic Living Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
A glossy white ceramic deer head tops off a vignette of art, a beautiful flower arrangement and retro lamps.

Bra print: Zachary Broadhurst; deer head: Z Gallerie; console, lamps: consignment store
Eclectic Living Room by Lindsay von Hagel
Lindsay von Hagel
Otto lounges in front of another consignment store score, a retro chair Adam reupholstered in a Southwestern-style fabric.

Houzz call: Share your creative, colorful home with us!
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Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home
I am in love with that thrift store rocking chair!
   
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rachie35
I love the individuality. It all feels happy.
   
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pennymacdiy
I love this house.
   

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