Blue Lake I
A space might appear to be "finished," yet you still sense that something is lacking. It may feel devoid of emotion and not truly reflect who you are or what you want your home to convey. That final step toward personalization can seem distant, leaving you unsure of how to complete the vision that once filled your mind. What may seem like simple decor, artwork, or accent lighting can actually communicate the intentionality of the entire space. Whether we realize it or not, our surroundings impact us every day. Without the right elements to evoke the emotions you desire, you could be missing the chance to make your space truly feel like home.
Our clients at #RCIProjectBlueLake entrusted us, with the opportunity to enhance their downstairs area by adding the perfect finishing touches through accessorizing and styling their beautifully transitional home in the thriving city of Frisco, Texas. The end result features moody hues and layered elements, each accessory and piece of art thoughtfully chosen to elevate the overall aesthetic while mixing in some of the client's original pieces. Soft materials and organic touches blend harmoniously, crafting a space that radiates comfort, tranquility, and a sense of rootedness in every detail.
Entry
The entryway features a distinctive shape; upon entering, it resembles a nearly perfect square that opens into the dining room before transitioning into a passthrough hallway leading to the family room. Initially, our clients had a single large art piece, but the space felt empty, lacking the vibrant interest they desired upon entering. The entryway needed a touch of life! The room called for more asymmetrical “balance”, prompting us to choose additional artwork that varied in scale and texture. This balance and “liveliness” was achieved by incorporating a striking custom faux tree-vessel, sourced individually and tailored to fit the entry space seamlessly. Collaborating with an artisan, we designed the tree to be positioned at eye level, creating an illusion of fullness without narrowing the hallway. To enhance the realism, the leaves were painted a rich green to mimic natural elements, eliminating the need for routine watering.
Further along the entry hallway, we styled with whimsical accessories that are displayed for their neutral color palette, unique shapes, and textured finishes. Even the coffee table books were chosen for their rustic brown hues, designed to harmonize with the leather picnic basket and the intricately carved wooden stamp. A whitewashed marble bowl and a faux feathered plant add a final touch of rustic charm to this captivating entry hall.
DINING ROOM
Our clients appreciate the charm of florals and plants but also want to avoid the maintenance it requires, especially since they travel often. Almost every room features a custom arrangement, with this particular space being the standout favorite. Enhancing this collection of bespoke floral designs is a stunning centerpiece, showcasing stems that we meticulously selected. The colors blend beautifully with our client's vintage wool area rug while echoing the whimsical style of her art and furniture pieces.
The room is further enriched by a variety of decorative items displayed thoughtfully in the hutch. From an heirloom silver tea set to elegant black bone beads, each piece is showcased in curated groupings that ignite curiosity and highlight exquisite details. A combination of pottery, antique brass accents, and inspiring book titles deepens the existing color palette and introduces unique perspective.
These elements have been collected over time to create seamless harmony, merging cherished items like the client’s mother’s scalloped dinnerware with newer additions such as matte ceramic hand sculpted bowls. Soft rusty browns, wicker, and sparkling glassware complete the space, transforming it into a meaningful environment—more than just a collection of furniture, but a room where our clients can host and share their family’s story.
Kitchen
The kitchen has a blend of organic and vintage elements, selected to evoke the serene ambiance of modern Italy. The rich, warm chocolate hues harmonize with the lighter shades of the white oak cabinets and backsplash, artfully crafted by Starr Construction. At the center of this space, where friends and family gather over coffee, a sense of comfort and relaxation is paramount. To create an inviting atmosphere, we arranged a striking two-toned clay pot sourced from a local antique shop, brimming with lush greenery, as a focal point on the impressive island. This is complemented by two vintage wooden pedestal bowls, which add contrast in both texture and scale, achieving a natural balance between cool and warm tones.
Our signature RCI green accents symbolize new beginnings and growth, while deep burgundy highlights a moody touch that flows through the whole home. The blend of finishes extends to the accessories throughout the kitchen, including a handmade Mexican clay strainer and a vintage black-and-white still life image of Italy, both of which ground the kitchen's aesthetic.
An assortment of organic staples—challah bread, hard cheese, and sweet honey—serves as a complimentary accent against the honey oak stain of the cabinets and glossy tile backsplash, creating the perfect palette for entertaining. In keeping with our commitment to supporting small businesses in the DFW area, a wooden tray holding a textured sponge and organic soap from a local farmer’s market adds personal touches to this charming space.
Family room
We thoroughly enjoyed the process of styling this space due to its impact on the surrounding entertaining areas. While this room shares a similar vibe with others, it uniquely stands out for intimate conversations and relaxed evenings. We blended items from our client’s personal collection, custom arrangements, and specially sourced pieces, gracefully merging the old with the new.
The coffee table, needing some attention, appeared bare and oversized, presenting a challenge in creating a purposeful statement piece for the center of the room. The vision began with a mutual favorite item we found that’s centuries old: two hammered iron Goberg candlesticks, elegantly positioned on top of statement coffee table books selected for their content and scale. A visual glance down sits a rugged marbled bowl holding a few vintage iron keys beside a clay pot filled with faux stems and cascading greenery, each item contributing visual intrigue through its unique texture. All decor is thoughtfully arranged on the client's large circular brass tray, forming a beautifully curated centerpiece that contrasts beautifully with the vibrant green upholstery backdrop. The artful layering throughout the room showcases a variety of shapes, giving the space a polished appearance without feeling cluttered.
Another custom faux arrangement extends to the side table next to the sofa, featuring a bowl filled with succulents and reindeer moss, which introduces ample textural intrigue that complements the diverse patterns of the throw pillows.
The thoughtfully chosen fireplace decor demonstrates that faux can be anything but basic; a mix of real branches and faux fig leaves elevates the ambiance, while terra cotta pottery grounds the design with its hand-painted green rim and textured surfaces. This raw aesthetic is balanced by African bone beads draped over the clients landscape print, elegantly framed in antique gold. The end result authentically represents the client's story, each item with personal meaning or sentimental value has been thoughtfully included to resonate with the overall essence of the space.
Mudroom + Laundry Room
The mudroom serves a significant purpose and can easily become cluttered if not organized with the right items. Imagine coming home from work and wanting to change into your favorite house shoes, with a convenient bin ready for you. Or perhaps you have a jacket for every temperature Texas throws your way, but you’d rather not dash to the closet to swap them out. This room now feels functional and welcoming, of course, with rain boots and a wicker basket full of fresh vegetables to emphasize a well-rounded lifestyle.
The laundry room has become one of our client's favorite spaces in the house; she now enters with a sense of calm, regardless of the laundry pile. To enhance the room's ambiance, we incorporated various levels of light, including a cordless touch rattan lamp that she can easily move around. This allows her to fold laundry in the afternoon without feeling overstimulated. The anxiety of entering the space has vanished; we thoughtfully accessorized it to be both beautiful and functional, using mason jars along with a blend of ceramics and stoneware for personal items. A delicate hand towel with dainty sunflowers adds a subtle feminine touch next to the bold plaid tile pattern, a blend that is echoed throughout the home. Additionally, the vintage vest and flowy blouses reflect the room's practicality.
credits
Construction by Starr Construction
Photography by Matti Gresham