Design Tips That Made This 1930s House Feel Young- D Magazine

After a five-year stint in Fort Worth, couple Sterling and Rob Evans were ready to put down roots in the Park Cities area, but they weren’t exactly sure what that would look like. At the time, they had two young daughters and Sterling was pregnant with their son, so a family-friendly house that would grow with them was a priority.

Real estate agent Meredith Ferrell showed them an array of houses, but the couple kept striking out. “We were looking at a lot of types of homes,” says Sterling. “But I would want to change this, or I didn’t like that.” 

However, when Ferrell showed them a 1930s Georgian on a quiet street lined with large oak and magnolia trees, they instantly felt at home. “I didn’t realize that was what I was drawn to at the time, but this house was so charming,” she says. “Right when we walked in, we could see the potential. It gave us Father of the Bride vibes.” 

The couple liked that the home needed a little work. The bones were perfect, but Rob and Sterling wanted to reimagine some of the spaces and infuse their personal taste, all while honoring the original architecture. They hired architect Harris Briggs, principal of Briggs Architecture & Design, to work up the plans. “It started with the front porch, and then it all spiraled out of control from there,” Briggs says. “But in the best way.” 

That aforementioned design spiral led them to an 18-month renovation with builder Carolyn Isler at the helm. “Carolyn’s expertise in renovating older homes and keeping the integrity of the house was so important,” says Sterling. “She has a passion for it.” Changes included exterior overhauls such as an updated front porch, new windows, and a reclaimed Ludowici red tile roof, a detail Sterling was passionate about. “We were fortunate that we found that tile,” says Isler. “It’s an absolutely beautiful color. That roof sealed the deal.” 

Interior updates included a reconfiguration of the kitchen, swapping a living room for a formal dining space, and adding on a butler’s pantry and showstopping orange bar. Briggs added arched details throughout the home, like in the kitchen and formal dining room. “I had fun suggesting things that [the Evanses] didn’t ask for, and they stuck,” he says. 

To complete the project’s roster, the Evanses looked to designer Cynthia Collins, owner of Collins Interiors and co-owner of Blue Print, the popular furniture and accessories boutique with a cult following. Over the years, Sterling had purchased a pair of vases, several pieces of art, and other items from the store, so she already knew her taste gelled with Collins’. “My style already was her style, so I think that’s why we worked so well together,” says Sterling. 

As they were coming up with the design plan, Collins was steadfast in making sure the home’s aesthetic was youthful and fresh while still looking polished and traditional. “Our goals lined up with hers in that I wanted to make this house feel young,” says Collins. “I also wanted to make it suitable for a young family.” This meant bold pops of color, timeless antique pieces, and stunning wallcoverings and tile, mixed in with performance fabrics and durable rugs. “She was really wise from the beginning,” says Sterling. “She said, ‘Sterling, your kids will run around with markers. You don’t want to be terrified.’ So we always looked at appropriate fabrics. We didn’t want anything to drive us crazy.” 

For instance, in the breakfast room, Collins opted out of heavy fabric drapes and upholstered pieces that could show wear and tear. Instead, she focused on special details­—like green trim, a Vaughan Designs chandelier, and a lattice treatment on the ceiling—in places less likely to be touched by messy hands or impacted by food spills. “You need people to be comfortable in dining areas, where they are eating every day,” says Collins. “You want to be able to live hard in those areas.” She added laminated-fabric cushions, enabling Sterling to wipe down seats without fuss, and a patterned wool rug, which disguises spills and is a cinch to clean. The best part? The design didn’t have to suffer. “I love how much color we used,” says Sterling. “It’s vibrant and happy.” 

As much as theirs is a family house built for making memories, the Evanses regularly share the 5,500-square-foot home with loved ones. Sterling and Rob enjoy hosting friends for occasions like their annual Texas/OU party and want their kids to be able to have friends over to perform on the playroom’s stage. “They were our number one priority in designing this home,” Sterling says of her kids. “They love it. It’s such a happy home.”