My Houzz: Creative, Collected Craftsman in Dallas
A couple combines a love of history and travel with a keen eye for consignment in the historic Junius Heights neighborhood
It takes a great eye and a lot of persistence to not only discover vintage finds, but also to understand how to use them. “Set me loose in an antiques mall, consignment store or salvage yard and I’ll find some treasures,” says Valerie McCaskill Dickman, a Texas writer and artisan who plans to work with nonprofits that furnish transitional shelters for homeless families.
McCaskill Dickman's affinity for treasure hunting has yielded a thoughtfully collected Arts and Crafts home with her husband, Matt. With a personal love for history showcased from room to room, antiques are mixed with Native American, Southwestern and Asian-inspired decor. A collection of vintage pieces and a mastery of color, symmetry and creativity come together to create a home that is a true reflection of the couple. "Decor should be like a fingerprint," says McCaskill Dickman. "It needs to be personalized enough that it’s reflective and unique to the homeowner."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Valerie and Matt Dickman with Australian shepherds Oscar and Penny
Location: Junius Heights neighborhood of Dallas
Size: 2,754 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
That's interesting: This home was the first in the neighborhood to be built under the guidelines of the city's historic landmark commission.
McCaskill Dickman's affinity for treasure hunting has yielded a thoughtfully collected Arts and Crafts home with her husband, Matt. With a personal love for history showcased from room to room, antiques are mixed with Native American, Southwestern and Asian-inspired decor. A collection of vintage pieces and a mastery of color, symmetry and creativity come together to create a home that is a true reflection of the couple. "Decor should be like a fingerprint," says McCaskill Dickman. "It needs to be personalized enough that it’s reflective and unique to the homeowner."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Valerie and Matt Dickman with Australian shepherds Oscar and Penny
Location: Junius Heights neighborhood of Dallas
Size: 2,754 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
That's interesting: This home was the first in the neighborhood to be built under the guidelines of the city's historic landmark commission.
McCaskill Dickman decided on a whim to hand paint the piano in her home office blue. It doubles as a display shelf for her collection of globes. The painting above is one of her original mixed-media projects.
The old-world style of the home office was inspired by this vintage map. A rustic-style dining table is utilized as a large work surface, while a collection of vintage finds — including the phone — creates an interesting vignette in the corner. An aged leather desk chair completes the look.
Dining table, desk chair: Restoration Hardware
See more ways with vintage maps
Dining table, desk chair: Restoration Hardware
See more ways with vintage maps
McCaskill Dickman's passion for collecting one-of-a-kind objects intensified when she began renting booth space in a local antiques mall. It gave her the ability to constantly cycle in new finds while selling old ones.
Here, an oilcan-turned-lamp is surrounded by various objects collected over time from various local consignment shops, all of which create visual intrigue in an otherwise minimalist work area.
Here, an oilcan-turned-lamp is surrounded by various objects collected over time from various local consignment shops, all of which create visual intrigue in an otherwise minimalist work area.
McCaskill Dickman is a self-proclaimed texture junkie. In the main living room she layered leather, wood, jute, metals and cowhides. The room is anchored by a custom Texas-deep sofa to accommodate Matt, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall. The symmetrical French-style chairs add an unexpected touch and visual balance in the space.
Table: The Wooden House; cowhide pillows: Restoration Hardware; kilim pillows: Pottery Barn
Table: The Wooden House; cowhide pillows: Restoration Hardware; kilim pillows: Pottery Barn
Cowhide is used in two ways in the living room: At left, the studded brown cowhide ottoman is paired with a comfortable leather armchair and driftwood side table. On the right, gold-brushed antique French chairs are upholstered in bright white cowhide.
Ottoman: antique; French cowhide chairs: consignment, driftwood table: Crate & Barrel; lamp: Pottery Barn
Ottoman: antique; French cowhide chairs: consignment, driftwood table: Crate & Barrel; lamp: Pottery Barn
One of McCaskill Dickman's favorite (and also the most thrifty), areas of the home is this wall opposite the fireplace. The pew is a $15 Craigslist score, the oxen pull underneath is from a Fort Worth, Teas, flea market and the mantel above is a demolition trash-site find.
McCaskill Dickman is a strong believer in creating a warm and welcoming environment for her guests. This guest bedroom was her first bold experiment with mixing color and styles. "It's nicer than my own bedroom," she admits. The touches of orange and yellow create a cheerful atmosphere, and allow the eyes to move across the room.
Wall color: Butter, Restoration Hardware; sconces: Pottery Barn; bedding: Restoration Hardware; dresser: The Wooden House; orange table, owl lamp: West Elm; mirror: Wisteria
Wall color: Butter, Restoration Hardware; sconces: Pottery Barn; bedding: Restoration Hardware; dresser: The Wooden House; orange table, owl lamp: West Elm; mirror: Wisteria
Windows surround a small breakfast area with layered shapes. A circular centerpiece sits on top of a square table resting on a circular shag rug.
Chairs: Restoration Hardware; table: The Wooden House; rug: Crate & Barrel; bench: Lula B's
Chairs: Restoration Hardware; table: The Wooden House; rug: Crate & Barrel; bench: Lula B's
A cozy reading nook sits at the opposite end of the creative space. McCaskill Dickman painted the small alcove with chalkboard paint and often writes inspirational quotes. Her sense of humor reveals itself here with her choice of accessories.
Bookshelf: Expedit, Ikea; chalkboard wall paint: Benjamin Moore; lamp: Curiosities
Bookshelf: Expedit, Ikea; chalkboard wall paint: Benjamin Moore; lamp: Curiosities
Silver tractor chairs bring an industrial flair to the countertop in the traditional kitchen. Above the doorway, a beautiful piece of stained glass accentuates the tall ceilings while providing a pop of pattern.
Tractor chairs, stained glass: Consignment Solutions
Tractor chairs, stained glass: Consignment Solutions
Inspired by the large steam engine prints, the media room is kept simple with a navy and white color scheme. McCaskill Dickman believes that keeping it two-toned allows the movie you are watching to become the focal point of the room.
Lamp, sofas, ottoman: West Elm; Southern Pacific Railroad prints: eBay; wall color: Mysterious, Benjamin Moore
Lamp, sofas, ottoman: West Elm; Southern Pacific Railroad prints: eBay; wall color: Mysterious, Benjamin Moore
Asian-inspired accents are highlighted in the master bedroom. Glamorous sequined throw pillows are layered in with patterned bedding from West Elm.
Lamps: Again and Again; wall paint: Thunderous, Sherwin-Williams
Lamps: Again and Again; wall paint: Thunderous, Sherwin-Williams
Native American and Southwestern art warms up the creamy neutral walls in the entrance to the home.
Bench: antique mall; artwork: Sedona, Arizona; table: The Wooden House; wall paint: Believable, Sherwin-Williams
Bench: antique mall; artwork: Sedona, Arizona; table: The Wooden House; wall paint: Believable, Sherwin-Williams
A strong Southwestern influence is seen throughout the downstairs spaces through several collected artifacts and sculptures from Sedona, Arizona. The city is where McCaskill Dickman and her husband eloped to, so it holds a special place in both of their hearts.
Music stand and totem pole: Curiosities; lamp: Lula B's; wine barrel: Random
Music stand and totem pole: Curiosities; lamp: Lula B's; wine barrel: Random
Valerie and Matt Dickman with Penny and Oscar. She offers this advice to other homeowners: "Consider your home a living thing and feed it regularly. And as in life, don’t be afraid to make mistakes."
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, collected home? Share it with us!
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, collected home? Share it with us!