Photographer Yanglin Cai beautifully captured the soul of this Dallas home, where layers of history and modern refinement coexist in harmony. Designed by Courtney of CHU Interiors, the renovation was a seamless collaboration with returning clients who embraced a mix of old and new. From antique details and rich earth tones to a statement-making entryway, every space reflects a deep respect for the home’s original character while inviting fresh energy into its storied walls.
From Yanglin Cai… The house I photographed for CHU Interiors is tucked away in a peaceful, lush neighborhood in Dallas. Courtney and her team executed a fresh interpretation of this family home that honored its traditional charm and character. The living area, which we shot first, had the most beautiful morning light shimmering through the curtains. We were fortunate to have had the light with us throughout the day as we traversed from one side of the house to the other.
Each room had its own atmosphere, but they all carried a sense of warmth—an element that I always strive to capture. Collected objects from near and far added depth and visual interest to each space. The statement wallpaper in the entryway was the most eye-catching subject, featured in multiple views. It added such grandeur to the space as it framed doorways and corridors and guided your eye to the adjacent spaces—from the playroom accented in turmeric yellow to the dining room in rich cocoa and olive. I loved collaborating with Courtney to photograph this multifaceted family home.
From CHU Interiors… When our clients sent us the listing for this home and told us they put in an offer, we were so excited! We worked with them on their previous home and couldn’t have asked for better, more trusting clients, so we were excited to work with them again. The bones of their new home were beautiful—they fell in love with it the first time they walked through, and after a few videos, we could see why—the house and property have soul and a great energy to it. Their excitement was contagious, and we jumped in right away.
Our clients expressed that they ultimately wanted their new home to feel “warm and inviting with an edge,” and they wanted to mix old and new, which is always at the core of our work. The mutual love and respect for the original home made this project so fun and seamless from the beginning. Our clients were so trusting of the entire process, and although it was a pretty quick turnaround on the renovation work, they didn’t cut corners and wanted any new work to reflect the original bones and nature of the home. We reworked the original stairway and replaced the newer, simpler handrail and balusters with a more traditional stained wood inherent to the style of the home, replaced some of the newer door hardware with antique knobs to match the original still installed in the majority of the home, mixed in antique lighting, left the original brick floors, and left the original windows and doors untouched.
We layered in warm earth tones and textures and carried them throughout the home for a cohesive and enveloping feel. Since the homeowners are big entertainers and love to host, we wanted the dining room to be a “vibe.” We wrapped the room in grounded taupe-browns, left the existing chocolate brick, and layered in earthy greens. For the entry, we wanted this space to really make an impact and set the tone for the whole home. We mixed an antique Spanish console and antique Murano light fixture with a fresh patterned wallpaper. At first, they worried the pattern might be “too much,” but in the end, they were blown away by how much they liked it and how well it connected to the rest of the house. The living room furniture plan was created for optimal conversation and entertaining, forgoing their original decision for a sectional. The breakfast room featured the same table she and her family sat around daily in her childhood home, and the emotional impact of her seeing that same table in her new home brought joyful tears.
Ultimately, this is one of our favorite projects to date, and that is largely due to the cohesive, collaborative, and trusting relationship with our clients. They were so emotional at the “reveal” and regularly tell us how much they love their home, which is just the best possible outcome from any project and why we do what we do.
Discover the talent behind the story… Photography: Yanglin Cai · Interior Design: Courtney Hill Utt, CHU Interiors
