English Traditionalist Project Reveal Part II
As we move upstairs, the narrative shifts from the home’s public spaces to its more personal retreats. While the downstairs was designed for gathering and conversation, the second floor is home to quiet character and tailored comfort. These private spaces continue the dialogue between the home’s 1940 origins and its modern-day inhabitants, using a thoughtful mix of color, antique treasures, and a few "hidden gems" uncovered during the renovation process.
Architect: Newberry Architecture | Builder: CAM Construction | Photographer: Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer | Styling: Jessica Brinkert Holtam
The Reading Nook
At the top of the stairs, a previously underutilized landing has been transformed into a dedicated reading nook. Positioned before a large window overlooking the front yard, we anchored the space with custom hand-marbled wallpaper by Nat Maks, serving as a vibrant backdrop for the client’s book collection. We included a custom bench cushion and a cozy chair to invite lingering, while a vintage footstool and a small drink table provide the kind of practical character that makes a house feel like a home. To ground the bright accessories and swirling patterns, we selected an antique deep red rug, providing a rich foundation for this quiet corner.
The Traditional Guest Suite
The guest suite was designed around the client’s existing antique bed—a piece with beautiful lines that dictated the classic, masculine direction of the room. Because this space receives less natural light than the other bedrooms, we leaned into the moodiness rather than fighting it. We opted for a deep paint color on the ceiling while keeping the walls a crisp white, a choice that adds architectural depth without closing the room in.
Custom Roman shades with banding provide a tailored finish, mirroring the classic patterns found in the plaid bedding and the checkered bathroom floor. In the ensuite, we wanted the vanity to feel like a found piece of furniture rather than a standard fixture. A simple pencil liner detail in the shower tiling allows the unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures to stand out.
The Soft Guest Suite
In this guest room, we played with a softer palette of pinks, purples, and mauves. We sourced an antique brass bed frame and paired it with a round bobbin-leg table found at Round Top. On the opposite side of the bed, an antique leather-top desk serves a dual purpose as both a nightstand and a workspace.
To prevent the traditional furniture from feeling dated, we hung abstract art above the bed and mirrored the light purple of the Oushak rug onto the ceiling. The bathroom continues this color story with a deep purple vanity that pops against the marble tile, finished with a floral-detailed mirror that ties back to the whimsical energy of the bedroom.
The Youthful Oasis
Created for the homeowners' son, this bedroom balances high-school functionality with the home’s traditional aesthetic. A neat, dedicated desk space was essential, providing a quiet spot for homework and study sessions without sacrificing the home’s traditional aesthetic. To ground the room in a rich color without overpowering the natural light, we opted to paint only the bottom half of the walls in a deep, storied green. This creates a sense of weight and architectural interest while allowing the upper half to remain bright and open.
The most special detail in this room, however, is framed above the nightstand. During the demolition phase, we discovered original 1940s wallpaper perfectly preserved behind the drywall. We saved and framed these fragments, and it felt only right to return this specific piece to the very room where it was first installed decades ago. Combined with a plaid rug and striped bedding, the room feels both youthful and deeply rooted in the home’s history.
Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom is a true sanctuary, defined by its high vaulted ceilings and expansive backyard views. We leaned into a "treehouse" vibe by color-drenching the entire space—walls, ceiling, and built-in cabinetry—in a soft, soothing green. The focal point is a custom-designed bed with a unique headboard shape, upholstered in a tone-on-tone damask that adds texture without breaking the monochromatic calm.
Functionality is tucked into the details. On the fireplace wall, built-ins offer ample storage for the clients’ books, with brass-mesh cabinet fronts that keep the library visible while adding a touch of metallic warmth. A Frame TV above the mantel masquerades as art, flanked by Urban Electric sconces that cast the softest glow once the sun sets. For a touch of the unexpected, we selected a whimsical chandelier in a custom paint color, offering a subtle, playful departure from the room's primary palette. To ground the space, we repurposed the homeowners' existing pottery lamps on the nightstands and created a dedicated lounge area with two swivel chairs and a clover ottoman—the perfect spot for unwinding at the end of the day.
Primary Bathroom
The primary bathroom echoes this serenity with a soft aqua palette, a choice that optimizes the natural light flooding through the windows. We wrapped the walls in contemporary patterned wallpaper to juxtapose the more traditional elements, such as the antique chandelier we sourced to hang above the freestanding bathtub. This fixture creates a striking focal point the moment you cross the threshold, while cafe curtains on the bay window offer necessary privacy.
Every detail here was treated with precision; we designed the tile layout in the shower to create a paneled look, allowing the exposed plumbing fixtures to truly pop. Cafe curtains on the bay window provide privacy while adding a final touch of English charm. It is a room designed for a slow start to the morning and a quiet place for clients to unwind at the end of the day.
Each room on this floor serves as a reminder that a home’s history is in the layers we choose to keep and the new ones we carefully add. From the storied fragments of wallpaper returned to their original walls to the bespoke "treehouse" retreat of the primary suite, these spaces were designed to feel both deeply personal and timeless. By mixing the homeowners' cherished antiques with contemporary patterns and saturated color, we’ve ensured that the second story feels like a collection of chapters in a well-loved story.
The journey through this West University home is almost complete, but we have one final destination to share. In our final reveal, Part III will step back outside to explore the exterior living spaces and the garage apartment addition.