Kissing Tree Model Homes
Brookfield’s Kissing Tree community recently launched three brand new floor plans which were designed to include the features people love most, such as added storage space, grand entries, and big windows. The design team then developed three distinct personas for families who might want to buy those homes as a starting point for the design process.
I was brought in to create detailed mood boards for each of the personas. The boards included everything the families might have in their homes; from the coffee mugs they’d drink from and art they’d hang on their walls, to the furniture they’d pick and the books they’d read and collect. We then partnered with interior designer Tami Swingler to bring the boards to life.
We placed small touches throughout the house to reflect Carla and Dale’s travels: a paper mache vase from Mexico in the guest bedroom, barware and a tote bag from Round Top, a leather tray from Santa Fe in the guest bath, a black vessel from Tulum on the kitchen counter, a singing bowl filled with paper beads from Africa in the master bath. Though small on their own, these details provide a visual thread throughout the home that continues to tell the story.
We selected furniture, art and accessories that were grounded in natural materials like wood, leather, clay, and vintage textiles. The large Monroe entry offered a great opportunity to showcase art and photography.
In the entry we featured an oversized photo of Willie Nelson, taken by Texas-based photographer Matt Lankes. Across from it, we installed a photo Matt took of Lyle Lovett in a barber shop. These moments set the tone for a soulful and musically inspired vibe to infuse the home.
In the living room, we installed a yellow velvet record player with hand selected albums spanning decades. We made a gallery wall of art pieces here to mix things up with a grass necklace and framed textiles.
In the garage we created a tinkering station for Dale, with a tool bench, lamp, lanterns, fishing photos, and an old cooler. We even brought in a 1986 Honda Shadow bike for him to work on.
The art ledge in the study provided another opportunity for storytelling and texture. We hand-framed and layered-in photos and prints from various sources, including a small portrait of Bob Dylan, Matt’s photos of Patty Griffin and Charlie Sexton, and a colorful map of Big Sur. A vintage carved motorcycle from Round Top was a perfect accent for the desk.
We wanted Dot’s living room to feel warm, bright, and welcoming, a gathering space for new friends and comfortable sanctuary for Dot to relax in. We started with neutral furniture on top of a luxe wool rug with organic ovals, then added fun details like lily pad side tables, a forged brass bowl with wood beads and a hooked sunshine pillow to tie into the yellow accents throughout the home.
Since Dot is a widow, we thought we’d create a space that reflected her new chapter in life, using colors and decor elements she might not have chosen with her husband. We anchored the room with a pink and black toned rug, paper mache vessels, and a fun yellow chair for that pop of California sunshine we find throughout the rest of the home.
We styled Dot’s patio pergola with a potting station to reflect her love of gardening.
The entry provided a great opportunity to highlight Dot’s connection to the ocean and nature. We sourced a stunning white coral mirror and natural faded wood vases for the entry, and a series of bright artworks featuring lemons, olives, and greenery.
We added specific details to bring in as much authenticity as possible. In her office, for example, we installed a dream board where she’d pinned up images and samples of the actual materials you find in this home.
We used ginger jars with pampas grass and a large brass peacock on the entry tables; a nod to the ceramics I’d seen in the homes of my fancier friends’ parents in the 80s!
Patty’s art studio was a special treat to design because I have a studio space of my own. I brought in elements that feel authentic to me as an artist, like used paint tubes and brushes, instruction books, jars full of markers and pencils, sketch pads, canvas, and even random bits of yarn and fabric. I printed inspiration photos of images she might be drawn to and washi taped them to her walls near her easel, like I do in my own studio.
For their grandkids, we installed a wooden wardrobe cabinet where Patty might keep fun supplies to keep them busy while she paints. We also taped a crayon drawing made by our friend’s children to the cabinet door to show how Patty might feature her grandkids’ art alongside her own in the space.
We layered brass, chinoiserie, and greenery on the neutral tones in the living room. We placed a monogrammed ice bucket, vintage art, and cocktail accessories on the wet bar. Then we added an old copy of Joy of Cooking on a book holder in the kitchen.
The bedroom was dreamy on it’s own, but the huge empty wall was a challenge. We found a beautiful pair of oversized abstract portraits on Etsy and had them custom framed. We placed a copy of Little Fires Everywhere on Patty’s side of the bed, and a leather valet tray with reading glasses on Robert’s side.
For Robert’s study, we hand-selected books he might be reading for the built-in shelves, like old copies of Larry McMurty’s novels and a vintage copy of Louis L'amour's “Hondo”. We also styled in personalized trophies from Robert’s wins at Junior league golf that he might have treasured through the years. As an avid golfer, we imagined he would be a fan of fellow Texan and golf legend Ben Crenshaw. We needed a special piece to feature beneath the art light we’d installed in the bookcase, so we bought a limited edition print of Ben Crenshaw’s 1981 Ryder Cup victory and had a custom frame and plaque made for it.