After residing in their ranch-style house for three decades, Reed and Jennifer Wilcox decided it was time to give their living room and dining area an update. Working on a small budget, they decided to skip the remodel for now and instead incorporate smaller, more affordable updates. The couple enjoyed the help of decorator and friend Whitney Weigand to assist them produce a concept, plan a layout and decorate the entire space for less than $5,000.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Reed and Jennifer Wilcox; their kids, Hayes, Eloise and Cliff; and their dog, Keo
Location: Lake Highlands area of Dallas
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Sarah Greenman
Jennifer likes mixing contemporary and antique furniture, but recently she’s been transferred by contemporary finishes and metals. In the dining room, metal café seats are paired with an antique table and an upholstered sofa.
Living seats: Lyle Side Chair, Crate & Barrel
Sarah Greenman
The Wilcoxes originally expected to background the accent wall behind the dining set, but after viewing the $900 price tag, they picked for a do-it-yourself approach. They painted the wall a dark version of Analytical Gray by Sherwin-Williams, subsequently used a stencil and metallic paint to create a pattern. The total cost for the accent wall came in at just under $65.
Sarah Greenman
The largest splurge for the household was re-covering that this 100-year-old French-style sofa and chair. They had purchased the set in its original state in the gentleman in Louisiana; the fabric was formerly a dark flowery. Jennifer had the bits re-covered in cream linen and subsequently detailed the woodwork with metallic paint. “I could have purchased three sofas for what I invested to re-cover the one, but I love this bit,” she states.
Sarah Greenman
“I love walking at the front doorway,” says Jennifer. “From that vantage point, I can see several of my favourite things in my property.”
Sarah Greenman
Weigand helped the few pair their existing furnishings with new rugs rugs, task lighting, pillows, textiles and art. “We designed the room with the kids in mind,” Jennifer says. “Nothing is off limits, but my rule is not any sneakers on the cream sofa!”
The lights on both sides of the leather sofa appear similar, but their origins couldn’t be more distinct. The lamp on the right is an expensive designer bit, and the one on the left was discovered in bulk garbage. Jennifer painted the foundation metallic and replaced the shade.
Sarah Greenman
The re-covered French seat and an antique armoire share a quiet corner of their living room. “I love the history, charm and significance behind antique furniture,” says Jennifer. “We have many pieces in our house that have good stories behind them”
Sarah Greenman
The kitchen, upgraded by the previous homeowners, appreciates bright light from a large skylight. Bar stools wrap around the staircase, and an image window over the sink allows the few to keep an eye on their kids in the backyard.
White vase: ceramic, Home Goods
Sarah Greenman
The kitchen is open to a cozy family room, complete with a hearth and flat-screen TV. French doors provide access to the back patio and yard.
Sarah Greenman
In 2011 the Wilcox house was featured on the Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood PTA residence venture, which was followed by an auction that raised several thousand dollars for educational and other programs. “It was a wonderful way for us to give back to the community that has supported us in so many ways,” Jennifer says.
Sofa: Silhouette Sofa, Crate & Barrel; cushions: Target
Sarah Greenman
A mounted shelf with hooks provide space for school supplies, jackets and knapsacks. The couple is constantly attempting to keep things neat and easily accessible for their kids. “It is all about space management,” says Jennifer. “We do a great deal of purging in our house.”
Sarah Greenman
The master bedroom is painted in a dark sable gray and contains oversized warm wood furniture. Plush drape panels and toss pillows make for an inviting and cozy atmosphere.
Sarah Greenman
The wooden bed frame was a wedding present in Reed’s parents. Jennifer hung a trio of framed images from an old book about Louisiana on the headboard. The photographs are a sweet reminder of where the family got their beginning.
Sarah Greenman
The couple commissioned local artist Jessica Mandala to sketch images of their children’s christening gowns and Jennifer’s wedding dress. They hang together over a working antique Singer sewing machine that belonged to Jennifer’s grandmother.
Sarah Greenman
Sarah Greenman
Since the household had been on a decorating budget, they adopted their hallway bathroom’s original pink tile and painted the walls with flat gray stripes. Jennifer provides this advice to other married homeowners:”A happy marriage is created when husband and wife have different baths. It has worked for Reed and me for the last 10 decades!”
Sarah Greenman
The girls share a well-appointed bright blue bedroom filled with toys and books. Letters spelling out their names hang over the beds, suspended by ribbons.
Bedding: Pottery Barn Kids
Sarah Greenman
Many of the kids hang next to their original art. “I just can’t seem to eliminate my kids’ art — it’s creating congestion in my closets,” says Jennifer.
Sarah Greenman
Cliff’s bedroom occasionally doubles as a guest room for Jennifer’s mother, who visits frequently. Since it’s tough to sleep three adults and three kids, the couple plans to redesign their floor plan in the coming years. They would love to add another story and update their existing bathrooms also.
Sarah Greenman
Each spring around dusk, the household can see bats flying around the back patio just before the sun sets. “It is rather amazing,” says Jennifer. “After we told our neighbors regarding the bats, they left a bat sound amplifier so not only could we see that the bats, but we could hear them also.”
Sarah Greenman
The Wilcoxes snuggle up for a photo in their garden. “We walk our kids to school; we walk to the grocery store; we stroll to the local park and pool; and live in one of the biggest cities in the U.S. — that is the very best of both worlds,” Jennifer says.
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