Interior Inspiration in the New Model Homes

Meet the Champlain, the Monroe, and the Goodwin! We’re thrilled to be launching three brand new floor plans here at Kissing Tree, complete with model homes of each in our Model Row. These right-sized floor plans were designed based on resident feedback, and include the features people love most, such as added storage space, grand entries, and big windows.

When it came time for interior design, we called on fabulous interior designer Tami Swingler and our frequent collaborator and treasure hunter Ana Stapleton to help us add special touches and show how the homes could really live. We recently got a sneak preview walk-through with Ana to get the style scoop, learn where she gets her amazing art and décor pieces, and to find out her favorite moments in the new homes.

KT: We’re so excited to see everything in person! Tell us how you even get started with a project like this.

Ana: The design team created some really fun personalities for us to work with, and we made detailed mood boards based on them. From that, we first selected the finishes, design center choices and upgrades that those buyers might be likely to go for, as well as some special customizations. Then we chose the furniture, and finally those little personal design details and accessories that really bring the home to life. The homes take months to come together, and a lot of hands work together to things right.

KT: Great! Tell us about the Goodwin!

Ana: The Goodwin is a two bedroom, two bath home with a den and a huge covered patio. Our imaginary homeowner is a single woman named Dorothea (her friends call her Dot) who has recently relocated from San Diego to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren who live in San Antonio. Dot still works remotely as a financial consultant, so for this home, we wanted her office to be a place where she would enjoy spending time. She also has a welcoming guest room where friends from San Diego can stay when they come to visit.

In terms of overall style, we wanted Dot’s home to reflect a California chic vibe and feel clean, bright, and airy. To help us achieve that, we included some special designer upgrades such as doorways wrapped in white oak, a pop-out niche in the dining room, and trim in a contrasting color in the Owner’s Suite. We also gave Dot a pergola in the backyard where she can do her planting and relax with a good book. While these features aren’t included with the home, we wanted visitors to feel inspired to make their homes truly their own. We want all of this to be really attainable!

Ana’s Favorite Moments in the Goodwin:

Entry Way

White Coral Mirror: This is from William Sonoma. We used coral pieces throughout the house to show Dot’s love for the ocean. There’s also a piece of pink coral on her dresser that came from the Marburger Farms antiques show in Roundtop.

Vases: These all came from Bloomingville and West Elm.

Den

Calendar: Because Dot is a financial planner, we filled her calendar with actual dates she would care about, like an accountant’s convention.

Inspiration Wall: One of the best parts of moving to a new home is planning your décor. We gave Dot an inspiration wall where she can pin ideas, fabric swatches, and tear sheets that she’s been using in her decorating.

Deer Ottoman: This particular ottoman is from Skyline Furniture Manufacturing, but you can find a similar one at Target.

Kitchen/Living Room

Art Prints: This collection of art prints by Polly Mann and Misato Suzuki seems like it was meant to be hung together.

San Antonio Kitchen Towel: We thought Dot might have picked up this Cat Studio dish towel when visiting her grandkids.

Pink Fruit Bowl: I couldn’t believe it when I found this pink ceramic bowl at Target!

Sunshine Pillow: I found this cute hooked throw pillow at Urban Outfitters; it’s actually from a collaboration with Jungalow By Justina Blakeney.

Lilypad Side Table: This particular table is from Stylecraft (ISF235751), but you can find a similar one here.

Copper Pot with Wooden Beads:  The copper pot is from Lulu and Georgia, and the big wooden beads are from Etsy.

Owner’s Suite

MKoby Art Print: I loved this print by Tampa artist Melissa Koby.

White Vessel: I found this paper mâché vessel in a store in Tulum called World By Hand and carried it home in my suitcase!  You could find something similar on Etsy or even make your own!

San Diego Visor: We had to show off Dot’s love for her hometown, so I found this vintage San Diego Padres visor on eBay.

KT: Let’s talk about the Monroe!

Ana: The Monroe is a two bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home with a beautiful entry and a den. Our imaginary homeowners are Dale and Carla, free-spirited fun lovers who are always up for new adventures. Carla still works, but Dale is a creative spirt in full-on retirement mode, so you’ll often find him tinkering with his motorcycle, cooking up a new recipe, or working on learning guitar.

We wanted Dale and Carla’s home to feel warm, eclectic, and inviting, reflect their love of travel, their passion for music, and their devotion to helping others. As with the Goodwin, we  included some special after-market design upgrades to inspire, in this case art shelves in Carla’s office, accent wall trim by the kitchen, and wallpaper touches in the entryway and powder bath.

Ana’s Favorite Moments in the Monroe:

Entryway

Vases: The orange glass vases on the credenza are from West Germany, and I found them on Etsy. The black one is from CB2.

Bird Wallpaper: Wallpaper is a huge trend right now in home décor, and because this is in the  recessed ceiling in the entry, we knew it would make a dramatic impression.

Kitchen

Buenos Nachos Book: Because Dale loves cooking, we wanted to include a cute cookbook on the counter, and who doesn’t love good nachos?

Black Lime Bowl: I found this unique bowl at Gypsea Market in Tulum, but you can find similar black matte bowls on Etsy.

Living Room

Vintage Records: We had a lot of fun pulling together Dale’s vinyl collection. I ordered some of the albums online from eBay but also found some at the Marburger Farms antiques show in Roundtop.

Silver and Turquoise Box: We found this treasure box at  Marburger Farms, but you can find similar styles on Etsy.

Owner’s Suite

Motorcycle Photograph: This one-of-a-kind piece has the coolest backstory—our friend and framer Lori had this vintage picture of her brother riding a motorcycle at the famous gathering in Sturgis, and she let us buy it from her. We added the tag to honor him!

White Circle Vase: I found this paper mâché vase in a store in Tulum called World By Hand and carried it home in my suitcase!  You could find something similar on Etsy or even make your own!

Beaded Necklaces: The Nobelity Project is a non-profit that focuses on creating educational and environmental progress in East Africa, Latin America and at home in Central Texas. These beaded necklaces are from their annual fundraiser, which we think Carla would definitely attend.

Roundtop Bag: If you haven’t been antiquing in Roundtop, you’re missing out. We knew it would be a great day trip for Carla and Dale to ride their motorcycles, or for Carla to go treasure hunting with girlfriends. This cloth bag in the closet came from a darling store in town called Townsend Provisions.

Office

Floating Shelves: We added these custom floating shelves as a way for Carla to display art and music in her workspace. While the shelves aren’t included with the home, they’re easy to add after you move in.

Music Photos: We are huge fans of Austin photographer Matt Lankes, and we know Carla and Dale would be, too. Matt also took the amazing Lyle Lovett photograph that you’ll see in the Owner’s Suite. He shot it in Glasgow, Scotland at the SSE Arena right before the show.

Education Physique Print: This art print is from a cool homegoods store in Austin called Apartment F.

Garage: Don’t miss the garage in the Monroe—it’s Dale’s tinkering space! We included a workbench and even a real motorcycle!

KT: Amazing! And tell us about the Champlain…

Ana: With three bedrooms, three baths, and a three-car garage, the Champlain is luxury living on a grand scale. There’s a wet bar and a beautiful fireplace, making it the perfect home for entertaining, and the huge closets are to die for. For this model home, our dream customers are Patty, an artist, and her husband Robert, a retired real-estate investor who’s originally from Hondo. They moved from Dallas to enjoy the Kissing Tree lifestyle.

Patty and Robert’s home is elegant and refined, but still comfortable and inviting. And while the Champlain is 3,000 square feet, for Patty and Robert, that’s still downsizing. We included some custom after-market upgrades such as dark wood accent beams, wallpaper in the foyer, and built-in bookshelves in Robert’s study. These special additions aren’t included with the home, but could be added after move-in.

Ana’s Favorite Moments in the Champlain:

Entryway

Grasscloth Wallpaper: This textured wallpaper is a classy way to add warmth and natural element to a space, especially when combined with the crisp white shiplap trim.

Susan Hable Art Print: We loved the clean, graphic lines in this Susan Hable print  from Anthropologie, and we thought that as an artist, Patty would have chosen it for the entry.

Peacock Print: While this print by artist Christine Lindstrom is no longer available, you can find similar prints on Etsy.

Robert’s Den

Hondo Photograph: When we found this art print by photographer Linda Unger, we knew we needed it to honor Robert’s sense of humor and his hometown of Hondo, Texas.

Golf Trophy: We had this trophy made to celebrate Robert’s first forays on the greens in Hondo, Texas.

Guest Bathroom

Howdy Print: This piece from Dallas-based photographer Gray Malin is the perfect mix of Texas and cheeky. And, fun fact, Reese Witherspoon also has it in her home!

Living Room

Flutter Rug: By creating rainbows in neutral black and white, this graphic rug manages to be cheerful without losing its elegance.

Blue Coral: This vintage piece of coral came from the Marburger Farms antiques show in Roundtop, but you can find similar pieces on Etsy.

Kitchen

Tobacco Leaf Plates: Look in the pantry to find these sweet floral tin plates from the Monticello shop; the design is copied from an antique Chinese vase.

Vintage Bar Tools: Mixing up the perfect cocktail takes the right tools, and Robert and Patty would certainly be prepared. Some of our barware is from cB2, while other pieces are vintage finds from Etsy.

Thanks to Ana for taking the time to give us the tour and the inside scoop on all of her design finds! And if you haven’t seen the models, get over to check them out—they’re even more beautiful in person.

Please note, the shopping links in this blog post are provided for inspiration and fun – we receive no compensation or sponsorship for sharing. Also, many apologies for items that may have become unavailable since this article was published.