December 2, 2013

After retiring from interior design, Brenda Adams made her dream home her last project. “Our nest was empty, but we wanted to build a nest we could grow old in,” she said.

View this kitchen and bath gallery here.

Perched in the Texas Hill Country, the home the couple built in collaboration with local architect Rick Burleson of Burleson Design Group took inspiration from English cottages and the romantic country style. “I wanted the whole cottage feel,” explained Adams. “It’s just timeless.”

Coinciding with the cottage look, the kitchen design draws on the home’s rose garden, which lies just outside the window. Floral patterned fabrics dated back to the 1940s frame the windows, along with other touches of the pink flower in accent accessories, including teacups.

Painted in antique white, the cabinetry gives the room a rustic, yet stylish appeal along with gray-stained wood beams on the ceiling. Under the cabinets, collection shelving adds cottage flair and houses Adams’ collection of antique teacups and depression glassware.

“The highlights for me are the teacup shelving under the cabinets, the ceiling beams and the hand-painted tiles above the range,” commented Adams. These tiles, hand painted and imported from Europe, list Adams’ favorite kitchen ingredients in curvy script: eggs, butter, milk, salt and pepper. “That’s my favorite part of it because it’s so different from anything else you see,” she added.

Pairing with the uniqueness of the tile are two vintage French chandeliers. “I took vintage doilies, tea stained them and applied those to the chandeliers as well,” explained Adams. “It gives them a different look.” The effect is a golden, lace-like glow that showcases the crystals dangling beneath. The vintage touch of the doilies is reflected in the island itself, which is topped with black walnut. Set in an L-shape, the island corners jut out into squares supported by floral-decorated corbels.

This rosy theme continues into the master bath, which is part of a master suite separate from the rest of the house. “I wanted the bath to be a retreat, where you would want to come and spend the end of the day in,” said Adams. “I wanted something very relaxing, yet I wanted it bright and happy.”

The same rose-covered fabrics from the kitchen appear in the window draperies, the shower curtain and the upholstery on the window bench. Surrounded by white wood planks, the bath’s clean palette is only accented by these pink touches. Bianco Antico granite countertops and vessel sinks keep the space updated, while round, framed mirrors reflect the romantic style.

“It’s just a very cottage feel,” said Adams. While her inspiration stemmed from that whimsical style, the bath’s focal point is a silver clawed tub. Framed with an arch and French lace curtains, the bath space highlights the view of Texas Hill Country.

“I put a big window by the tub because there’s a view from every room in the house and you can sit in the tub and see it,” added Adams. “There’s so much natural lighting in that bathroom, and I designed it that way because the views are so stunning.” Two niches on either side of the bath, painted in a soft green, help make the bath the focus of the room.

“Natural lighting and the views of the Hill Country create a peaceful setting and make it my favorite part of the master bath,” said Adams. “It’s just everything I ever wanted, so I went for it.”