Updated Vintage

A Tulsa designer utilizes some original pieces from the home for a fresh look.

By M.J. Van Deventer, photos by Sarah Baker Photos

Layered rugs and swivel chairs that move easily from the fireplace setting to a sofa or ottoman area make this a perfect place for friends and family occasions.

Sometimes the biggest challenge for an interior designer is living up to client expectations. That was the mission for Tracy Huntington when a couple moved from Texas to Tulsa and wanted to work with her based upon her references, website and design portfolio.

The home, in a historic neighborhood near Utica Square, needed an updated, fresh look.

The homeowners “favored a mix of classic and modern, and they let me design what I thought would work best for this home,” Huntington says.

The 4,500-square-foot home, built in the 1950s for a growing family, includes a large game room and 4½ bathrooms.

The living room is the main gathering place for the family, with an oversized blue velvet sofa at its center.

“They wanted to blend traditional and contemporary touches,” Huntington says. “They trusted me to transform the rather dated house into a home … perfect for their family.”

“Create a classic look with a few twists” was the mandate to Huntington. Various shades of blue topped the clients’ color chart. Throughout the home, Huntington used some soft blues, with darker tones in fabrics, upholstery, carpeting and accessories. This is particularly evident in the owner’s study, or coffee room, which is “drenched in blue,” Huntington says. “They like a clean, streamlined look, accented with these pops of color.”

In transforming this home, Huntington began with creamy white walls. She also removed some walls to create a smoother traffic flow throughout the living and entertaining areas. A medium stained wood floor complements the wall color.

The living room is the central gathering place for the family. An oversized blue velvet sofa is accented with two large leather ottomans, providing ample seating for guests. A gallery wall of art is also a conversation piece. The formal draperies feature an elegant geometric print, framing the windows overlooking the back lawn.

A variety of chandeliers and light fixtures are unusual design interests, especially one in the dining room fashioned of gold brass leaves.

“Small spaces shouldn’t suffer for a lack of design,” Huntington says. “One painting can transform a room.”

That is particularly true in the coffee room, where a painting of a horse dominates the decor. A custom-made television cabinet, accented with antique fretwork, is also a focal point in this room.

The pleasing mix of artistic textures is a subtle design feature throughout the home, especially with the various chandeliers and light fixtures. One in the dining room is fashioned of brass leaves. This chandelier is an example of the owner’s desire to incorporate touches of nature – real or faux – throughout the decor.

Huntington’s clients favor exquisite Schumacher and Scalamandre wallpapers, Hickory Chair furnishings, Benjamin Moore high-gloss paints and Currey and Company accessories, available only to the design trade.

The king-sized bed in the master bedroom is accented with cognac leather bedside tables, hosting Ralph Lauren designed lamps.

The dining room is a particularly interesting study in textures. The dark-stained mahogany table is flanked with custommade chairs, upholstered in full-grain cream leather.

One of Huntington’s favorite design themes is keeping existing furnishings or cabinets and giving them a fresh look with special paints or varnishes. That worked well in one bathroom.

“We kept the existing vanity, painted it black and added a white marble top,” Huntington says. “The result is a classic yet highly functional look.”

The master bedroom and bath are the crowning glories of this home. The king-sized bed is accented with cognac leather bedside tables, hosting Ralph Lauren-designed lamps. A Walker Zanger marble floor anchors the master bath and shower walls. The vanities complement the room’s updated decor.

Each room reflects a distinct personality, accented throughout with those ribbons of blue, binding Huntington’s refreshing, updated look for this vintage home.

"The biggest design leap, which ended up being one of the favorite rooms, was the study. For an attorney who works at home from time to time, his reading room needed to feel cozy and full of style. We started by choosing the bold ceiling wallpaper. From there, we created a custom blue sofa in the same color as the ceiling. By adding layered rugs, masculine touches such as the fabric for the drapes and the cube coffee tables in highlighted grain swirls with brass accents; we succeeded and everyone fell in love," says Huntington.