BRING IT ON

A COUPLE'S HOUSTON DREAM HOME IS ARMED WITH STYLISH FITTINGS AND READY TO WITHSTAND ANIMATED FAMILY LIFE

- KRISSA ROSSBUND

Dings and dents. Scratches and scars. They all are the hallmarks of good stories. For the clients of Houston designer Katie Davis, that means a dream home that is finished with layers of beautiful details but able to hold up to the action of their family's day-to-day. With four energetic children who range from elementary to high school students, Davis' clients live in a house full of spirit and the most joyous form of noise.

“From the beginning, I preached the idea of design that aligned with livable luxury,” Davis says. “There was no reason that the family couldn’t have it all, but they had to be OK with a stain here and some nicks there. That’s what would ultimately make the house feel like a home. I would create beautiful pillows, for instance, but my clients had to know that they might end up on the floor sometimes.”

After persuading the family to adopt a somewhat laid-back attitude when it came to the imminent wear and tear, it was important to both Davis and the family that protective measures were in place to combat the effects of heavy use.

Case goods with distressed finishes were appointed with the understanding that any additional markings over time would look natural. Performance textiles were selected for upholstery, and protective coatings were added when possible. The dark fabric that was initially specified for the family room sofa was exchanged for a lighter-tone material that would disguise the fur of the family's white English lab.