Walnut Hill

If you’re lucky, you get the rare opportunity to design a home for a dear friend. If the stars align, you stay friends when it’s all finished! Jokes aside, my client and I met in 1989 as cabinmates at summer camp, went to college together and have remained in each other’s lives ever since. When she reached out about designing a home for her growing family in Dallas, I was elated to help.

With two young children and extended family often visiting from out of state, the program included spaces that accommodated their immediate family while also feeling comfortable for larger groups. The first floor contains a large primary suite, home office and den in addition to the main communal spaces. Situated off the mudroom, the laundry doubles as a “clean up” kitchen to help reduce clutter on the main kitchen island with space for crating dogs and a small half bath for the kids. The butler’s pantry serves as a formal buffer between the family entry and the kitchen and dining spaces with direct access to the walk in pantry. Adjacent to the living room and set within the stair hall is an elegant powder bath with custom marble sink. Prioritizing outdoor living resulted in the inclusion of an oversized screen porch with space for dining and lounging. Four bedrooms and bathrooms are situated on the second level along with a playroom.

Completed in 2023.

Contractor: Haynsworth Custom Homes

Interiors: Betsey Mosby Interiors, Jacksonville, MS

Photography: Costa Christ