Project Reveal: Old Money Master Suite

THE STORY

Buckle up, because we're about to show you how a builder basic house can become a cozy English Manor house.

Our clients came to us with a request that was equal parts specific and dreamy: transform their bedroom into something straight out of a period film like Rebecca or Pride and Prejudice.

They envisioned a space that felt moody, collected, and layered - “like old money,” in their words (as far as a design brief goes, this is chef’s kiss). 

What were we starting with? A builder basic white box inside a new home in McKinney, Texas. The blankest of blank slates.

This is the bedroom furniture they’ve had for more than 20 years, and essentially nothing much else but white walls to speak of, this bedroom was PRIMED for a glow-up.

THE BEFORE

Not to put too fine a point on it, but—yawn. Or as our clients said, “Just sad.” 

I also want to note that we came to kick off the project “on sheet day” and typically the bed is made. Rest assured, dear client, that our readers understand this 😉

The bedroom was a blank canvas in the least exciting way: white walls, some non-descript furniture, and a lonely piece of art.

Nowhere to go but up!

On the plus side - we had some size to work with (which is always a win), but we were starting with zero character. That’s new builder homes for you.

THE PLAN

We knew this space needed layers, details, and a heavy-handed dose of charm to become the moody, “old money” space our clients wanted. Here’s how we planned to pull it off:

• TRIM: Add depth and personality with picture frame moulding and crown moulding. Adding trimwork is one of the most sure-fire ways to add charm to a basic room.

• MOOD: Color drench the room to create that moody, timeless vibe

• COLLECTED: Incorporate a mix of old and new furniture for a collected, “lived in” aesthetic

• LIGHTING: Source the perfect lighting, including a 100-year-old European chandelier that came with its own ghost story (yes, really).

• LAYERS: Layer the bed luxuriously but keep the pillow count reasonable (to be fair, the husband half of this client pair is a lovely man who would never put up a fuss about anything, but I know how men feel about pillows)

• PERSONALITY: Add warmth and personality with art and thoughtful objects, creating a manor-like feel that tells a story.

THE AFTER

Buckle up, because this is one hell of a before and after.

Could 👏 not 👏be 👏more 👏 different👏!

There are so many things to talk about here (I swear we took as many photos in this room as we do in some whole-houses!)

Let’s start with the color, as it’s the biggest move.

The walls are painted a deep, rich, moody green (I know you’re going to ask, it’s Sherwin Williams Jasper).

We painted the walls, trim, and ceilings in this space. Rather than making it feel small (which would be hard to do at 15 x 20 feet!) it made it feel opulent and cozy.

We also added picture frame molding to all the walls, again, channeling that European manor vibe. And since we were starting from scratch, we could perfectly plan all the panels to line up just how we wanted behind every piece of furniture.

The furniture was a mix of old and new, and new things made to look old, like this wood dresser with a stunning marble top that we waited 100 years for but was totally worth it. The antique style mirror adds another layer of YUM).

Let’s spin back around and have another look at that bed.

During our first phase of design, we pull together a Mood Board to set our style direction. We pull a LOT of images and see which resonate with our clients, and we found that in all of their favorite images, there was an upholstered creamy bed. THAT is how you figure out, in the mix of allllllll the things that you like, what you really want: look for common threads.

(more on how to do just that in our free Signature Style mini-course, here).

UGH can we take a minute to appreciate how amazing it would be to jump into this squishy, hotel-like, layered bed of awesomeness?!? Creating a bed like this – one soooooo inviting that you’ll struggle not to live in it – is all about layers. Duvet and blanket and sheets and comfy pillows and shams and throw pillows. You can take it too far, but this strikes that just right balance between purely functional and over the top where it’s a lot but not too much. It’s a delicate dance.

And there's this stunning 100-year-old European chandelier. Once we freed the poltergeist (aka solved the electrical issues), it became the crowning jewel of the room—tying together the old-world charm with a literal glow-up.

She's hauntingly beautiful.

The walls are filled with art that feels like it’s been collected over decades. Each piece adds a layer of personality and charm, turning the room into a cozy, sophisticated space that’s totally "them."

The new seating area, with its stunning green velvet chairs, is the perfect mix of cozy and classy—a spot that’s just begging for a good book or a glass of wine. 10/10 would host a Jane Austen-worthy ball and retreat here to sip tea and gossip about Wickham in this chair.

We layered in other "old money" details like a monogrammed throw, bust planter, vintage table topped with a vintage brass candlestick, and of course, Penguin Classic Jane Austen books.

It’s truly little details that really bring the room to life. A hummingbird lamp here, brass dog door stop there—every piece adds to the "old money" charm. These touches make the space feel layered, lived-in, and effortlessly timeless.

Okay, details AND textures. Linen on the headboard, a wool rug, reeding on the nightstands, velvet on the bed. Texture, texture, texture.

Transforming this total blank canvas into a moody, collected retreat was an absolute dream. It’s spaces like these—filled with character, charm, and thoughtful details—that truly make a house (especially a new builder house) feel like home.

Somehow made it all the way to the end without mentioning we ripped out the white carpet for stain in place hardwood floors! Yeah, that made a big difference too.

Hope you enjoyed this trip to the English Countryside (by way of McKinney, Texas!) This is not our first rodeo at adding charm to a builder basic home. Come follow along on Instagram where we do this kind of thing all the time!!