With two young children and a love of entertaining, the Pearson family needed a house that worked hard. New to Texas, but well acquainted with fine design, they chose the firm A Well Dressed Home to ensure their Dallas tudor would reflect the Southern style they loved. “What inspired us the most was the home itself—it exudes a traditional charm that we knew we wanted to carry throughout,” say designers Emily Hewett and Allison Walker.

The team began by neutralizing the living room, choosing light, bright tones to contrast the original hardwoods and play up the stained-glass windows. Plenty of seating in family-friendly fabrics ensured the room would stand the test of time—and football watching parties. As with most early 20th-century homes, the challenge was how to best outfit its smaller-scale spaces. At approximately 9 feet by 8 feet, the Pearsons’ daughter’s room required smart storage solutions that still had darling details.

Their son’s room, meanwhile, was anchored by twin beds and a color scheme he could grow up with. Emily says a favorite element of the tudor was in the family’s home office: “The metallic gold–painted ceiling tiles are so unexpected—and so fun!”

Yet it was the homeowner herself who perhaps made the biggest impact. “Mrs. Pearson is Southern and sophisticated—characteristics we strive to incorporate in all our designs.”

The Pearsons needed ample, durable seating for their high-traffic living room, but they also wanted the designers’ signature light, bright fabrics. Neutral tones enhanced the room, while custom pillows and pops of black and brass added perfect doses of preppy and modern style.

“I would have to say the kids’ rooms were my favorite part of this project. It was so much fun to introduce them to their new spaces, decked out with fresh colors and fun fabrics that were sophisticated, not stuffy.” — EMILY HEWETT

Located just off the entry, the Pearsons’ office needed to be tailored yet fully functional. The design team selected a metallic paint for the detailed tin ceiling and applied a fresh coat of white to the brick walls. A credenza behind the desk houses electronics and files, while a simple white bookcase holds keepsakes and framed pictures.

The living room’s neutral color palette lets the stunning stained-glass windows steal the show, while a geometric ottoman lends a modern touch to the design.