Interiors by Design

In most peoples' homes, interior design consists of figuring out a theme to match the furniture set from the in-laws with the end table from a post-college apartment and Aunt Martha's dear paintings. The art of interior design goes far beyond that practiced in most homes, though. Professional designers account for a number of characteristics, including the homeowners' personal tastes, the homes' architectural details and exterior influences like great views of mountains, bodies of water or golf courses.

Pennsylvania House furniture serves as a cozy centerpiece in this gorgeous room. Hunter Douglas blinds on the doors shade afternoon sun, while Shady Lady lamps and decorative lighting by Kichler add style and brightness to family gatherings. Waverly fabric throughout the room ties the look together. Martin-Senour paint, an S&S Mills carpet, and a wood ceiling and trim by Colonial Craft give the room a warm envelope.

Interior designer Claudia Lezell, ASID, of Home Decor in Webster, Tex., recently designed the interiors of three homes outside of Houston. Lezell worked with HomeStyles, the nation's leading provider of blueprints for new homes, and builder Sharon Breed of Hamilton Breed Homes in Fulshear, Tex., on the homes, which were showcased in conjunction with the The Builders' Show® in early 1995.

"I look at [the home] as a large canvas; I look at the architecture and the feeling of the home," Lezell said about her inspirations for interior designs.

Golf carpet by Burtco and a golf table by Sidney Arthur set the theme in this fun room. A chair from the La-Z-Boy Cambridge Collection and a sofa from the La-Z-Boy Geneva Collection make the room a comfortable retreat. Dutch Boy paint, and a cocktail table and a plant stand from the Hammary Olde Forge collection complete the picture.

When Lezell designs a home's interior, she starts with the broadest points, including flooring, wallpaper and paint and then chooses pieces like drapery treatments, furniture, tile and countertops to complement the feeling of the home. Finally, Lezell uses accessories to give the project a finished look.

"The [accent pieces] give what I call the eyeliner of the project," she said.

For each of the homes, Lezell chose a theme to carry throughout the design.

Colonial Craft walls, Hunter Douglas blinds, Hartco flooring and a Chicago Metallic ceiling are handsome additions to the office. A La-Z-Boy chair from the Geneva Collection provides a cozy place to read, while a desk and bookcases from the Sauder Woodworking Executive Collection create a professional atmosphere.

Lezell keyed in on the traditional feel of HomeStyles' best-selling consumer design. A European country flair lends an easy air--nostalgic of the Old World--to the home (pictured on opposite page, top left and right).

A quiet sitting room on the upper floor epitomizes that look. Lezell chose a golf theme for the room because of the vintage origins of the game. A forest green carpet with golf accents and plenty of golf accessories throughout the room complete the look.

Lezell used an Italian Neo-Classic style throughout the second home, a best-selling builder design.

A romantic three-way Heat-N-Glo fireplace surrounded by cultured stone from Stone Products separates the master bedroom from a quiet sitting area. A gorgeous mural by Pearl Stained Glass rests above the Pyranak bed, while drapework by Ober's Customs Two Draperies and pleated shades by Hunter Douglas dress up the windows. An Ampair-Emerson ceiling fan adds a refreshing breeze to the room. Other details include Dutch Boy paint, Waverly fabric, Floor Trends carpeting, LampCrafters lamps and accessories from Ross Designs, and Custom Floral and Holiday Design.

The elegant dining room is one highlight of the home (pictured on opposite page, bottom left and right). A neat chandelier, hand-painted columns and an arctic-white floor frame the room.

The third home, a new concept design by a Texas home designer, features a Prairie Americana style. Comfortable pieces that are reminiscent of the heartland give the home (pictured below) "a real down-to-earth, Laura Ingalls kind of a feel," Lezell said.

The focal point is the stunning Great Room, where a soaring arrangement of windows on top of French doors makes the space bright and airy. The design created a challenge for Lezell, who worked to ensure that the grand layout did not dwarf the furnishings.

A unique Kichler chandelier and recessed Halo lighting from Lighting Inc., decorative molding from Colonial Craft, a bright arctic-white floor from Kahrs and hand-painted columns and ceiling by Texas artist Lenny Cure make this formal dining room an extremely elegant gathering spot. A Pyranak table matches the limestone floor by Ceramic Tile International.

Turn to page five for information on the products pictured throughout this article.