My Houzz: Vintage Flair for a Lovingly Maintained Midcentury Gem
Antiques join luxe textiles and rich wallpapers to give a Dallas home by Ju-Nel sophistication and warmth
“We were meant to be together," says homeowner Jessica Craig, describing her relationship with the midcentury home she bought in October 2012. "I knew I wanted something midcentury with history, and as soon as I walked in the door, I knew I was home."
Architects Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson of Ju-Nel Homes built the house in 1967, and the design has enjoyed decades of staying power. "Their homes have none of that cool aloofness that can sometimes plague midcentury modern homes," Craig says. And luckily, the previous homeowners maintained the home beautifully. A note left behind by former homeowner Charles Wilson reads: "I lived in this home from 1967–1999. I loved it. Please love it, too."
Craig, who works in the interior design industry, is keeping the tradition alive by elevating the space with a sophisticated, welcoming vibe achieved through smart furnishings and midcentury flair.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jessica Craig, her boyfriend, Juan Pinzon, and their dog, June Bug
Size: 1,800 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Location: Lake Highlands neighborhood of Dallas
Architects Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson of Ju-Nel Homes built the house in 1967, and the design has enjoyed decades of staying power. "Their homes have none of that cool aloofness that can sometimes plague midcentury modern homes," Craig says. And luckily, the previous homeowners maintained the home beautifully. A note left behind by former homeowner Charles Wilson reads: "I lived in this home from 1967–1999. I loved it. Please love it, too."
Craig, who works in the interior design industry, is keeping the tradition alive by elevating the space with a sophisticated, welcoming vibe achieved through smart furnishings and midcentury flair.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jessica Craig, her boyfriend, Juan Pinzon, and their dog, June Bug
Size: 1,800 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Location: Lake Highlands neighborhood of Dallas
The Ju-Nel architects were very interested in creating cozy family spaces, so they always placed a hearth at the center of their living room designs.
Craig refinished a vintage dresser to use as a TV console. "Sometimes people give me strange looks when they see bedroom furniture in the living room, but I think it looks great!" she says.
Lamps, wood screens: Round Top Antique Fair; wallpaper: Yesterday's News in Chronicle, Innovations; hearth paint: Wildwood Crest, Benjamin Moore
Craig refinished a vintage dresser to use as a TV console. "Sometimes people give me strange looks when they see bedroom furniture in the living room, but I think it looks great!" she says.
Lamps, wood screens: Round Top Antique Fair; wallpaper: Yesterday's News in Chronicle, Innovations; hearth paint: Wildwood Crest, Benjamin Moore
Craig found this gold bench at a consignment store in Dallas' design district on Riverfront Boulevard. "It was pretty tarnished, which is why they were having a hard time selling it," she says. "But I loved the patina and left it as is."
Art: Brant Williams
Art: Brant Williams
Craig loves to entertain and host friends at the house. The dining room's dark, moody wall color creates an intimate atmosphere and gives the white furniture lots of pop. A large picture window faces the front yard. Kelly Wearstler textiles adorn the window and seat cushions.
Wall paint: Bear Creek, Benjamin Moore; dining chairs: West Elm; table: Crate & Barrel
Wall paint: Bear Creek, Benjamin Moore; dining chairs: West Elm; table: Crate & Barrel
The room recieves light from both east- and west-facing windows, uncommon for a dining space. Craig plays up the natural light with gold and brass details around the room. A gold bar cart holds spirits and vintage barware.
Craig has a knack for finding eye-catching vintage furniture and decor. "It's not a special talent," she says. "It's just patience. I'll see things in a pile of junk that others don't see because they're moving too quickly."
A small bamboo table in the dining room holds a pair of midcentury lamps, vintage barware and an orchid.
Art: Brant Williams; orchid arrangement: Grange Hall Urban Flower
A small bamboo table in the dining room holds a pair of midcentury lamps, vintage barware and an orchid.
Art: Brant Williams; orchid arrangement: Grange Hall Urban Flower
Craig found this ornate entryway sofa table at a furniture consignment store.
Wallpaper: Sumatra in Shell, Innovations; art: Brant Williams
Wallpaper: Sumatra in Shell, Innovations; art: Brant Williams
Vaulted ceilings, butcher block countertops and open shelves that show off the homeowner's bright green Fiestaware help create a sense of space and ease in the otherwise narrow kitchen. "I love cooking, and this kitchen is set up really well," Craig says.
Fiestaware: Macy's; cabinet paint: Cos Cob Stonewall, Benjamin Moore
Fiestaware: Macy's; cabinet paint: Cos Cob Stonewall, Benjamin Moore
Craig likes to dress the kitchen bar with curios and vintage pieces. A tiered tray holds photos, potted moss and correspondence supplies. The vintage Hermes 3000 typewriter, similar to the one Jack Kerouac used, was a gift from Craig's sister and brother-in-law.
A crisp white parson's desk and shelves keep the office clean and organized, while a chair upholstered in vintage fabric adds a bit of retro style.
Paint: Indian River, Benjamin Moore; desk: parson's, West Elm (damage pile); shelves: Expedit, Ikea; lamp: Again & Again; vintage chair upholstery: Fabric Yard
Paint: Indian River, Benjamin Moore; desk: parson's, West Elm (damage pile); shelves: Expedit, Ikea; lamp: Again & Again; vintage chair upholstery: Fabric Yard
Craig bought this sewing table for $20 at a secondhand store. The chair belonged to her grandmother. "There is something about a vintage piece that exudes personality," she says. "The key to finding good stuff is to not be judgmental. I tend to feel a piece rather than see it."
Wall paint: Indian River, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Indian River, Benjamin Moore
A Jack and Jill bathroom separates the office and guest room. Craig would like to replace the vanity someday with something more industrial.
Wallpaper: Manila in Cypress, Innovations
Wallpaper: Manila in Cypress, Innovations
A vintage mirror art piece hangs over the guest room bed, giving the space a '70s vibe. Craig purchased the bed at a biannual pop-up shop hosted by Dwell With Dignity, a nonprofit group of interior designers and volunteers in Dallas who raise money to help create soothing and inspiring homes for families struggling with poverty.
Wall paint: Indian River, Benjamin Moore; pendant: Floral, David Trubridge
Wall paint: Indian River, Benjamin Moore; pendant: Floral, David Trubridge
The L-shaped main bedroom is a soft, relaxing space filled with plush textures, neutral colors and personal touches. "I always tell my clients to stay away from complete bedding sets," the designer says. "It's more fun to buy single pieces from different places to create your own look."
Wall paint: Rockport Gray, Benjamin Moore; euro shams: DwellStudio; fur pillow: Anthropologie; coverlet: Bed, Bath & Beyond; headboard, side table: Weirs
Wall paint: Rockport Gray, Benjamin Moore; euro shams: DwellStudio; fur pillow: Anthropologie; coverlet: Bed, Bath & Beyond; headboard, side table: Weirs
Craig infused a nook in the bedroom with a bit of old Hollywood glamour by way of a zebra rug, a vintage love seat, low lighting and soft drapes.
Sliding glass doors nearby open to a patio.
Wall paint: Rockport Gray, Benjamin Moore; sofa: Again & Again; upholstery: Fabric Yard; center pillow: Missioni; drapes: Restoration Hardware
Sliding glass doors nearby open to a patio.
Wall paint: Rockport Gray, Benjamin Moore; sofa: Again & Again; upholstery: Fabric Yard; center pillow: Missioni; drapes: Restoration Hardware
Craig's mother made this clock by framing a knitted square on which she attached vintage buttons from her grandmother. "All of the women in my family are very crafty, and this clock was such a fun project," she says.
The designer refinished this vintage vanity and cleaned up its original hardware. "I wanted to paint the vanity in a color similar to the wall, so that it didn't stand out as separate from the space," she says.
Vanity paint: Gargoyle, Benjamin Moore
Vanity paint: Gargoyle, Benjamin Moore
The main bedroom opens to the backyard. The original house plans show that all three bedrooms once had sliding doors that opened to this outdoor space. "I'd like to restore the doors someday," Craig says.
A live oak tree in the front yard provides shade for two stone seats, from which the couple enjoy people watching.
Trim paint: Kendall Charcoal, Benjamin Moore; stone seats: Round Top Antique Fair
Trim paint: Kendall Charcoal, Benjamin Moore; stone seats: Round Top Antique Fair
"I want to fill my home with things that make me feel good," says Craig, seen here with June Bug. "I'm inspired by texture, people, clothing and art."
See more photos of this home
See more photos of this home
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The mother of Juan Pinzon, Craig's boyfriend and housemate, owns a Ligne Roset store in Panama and had ordered the wrong color Togo sofa one day. She gave it to the couple, and it's now Craig's favorite piece.
The coffee table is from Pace, a prominent designer of brass, glass and marble pieces during the 1980s.
Paint: Balboa Mist, Benjamin Moore