This Small Texas House Went Against All the Cliché Design Rules – The Result Is an Elegant, Cozy Home Inspired by Parisian Apartments

Square footage might have been tight, but designer Meredith Owens and her client ignored all the rules about going light and minimal in small spaces and created a home full of color and charm

By Hebe Hatton

published 19 February 2026

in Home-tours

A three-panel collage showcasing luxury home interiors: a teal living room with a marble fireplace, a modern kitchen with a marble island and checkered floors, and a walk-in shower with sage green tiles and gold fixtures. — (Image credit: Molly Culver)

When designer Meredith Owen met with her client, it was clear she wanted this remodel to be a fresh start. The homeowner – a longtime flight attendant – was looking to begin a new chapter and create a home for herself in Austin, Texas.

But when it came to inspiration, Meredith looked further afield – 5,000 miles further, in fact – to the tiny but endlessly chic apartments of Paris. European charm was the brief for the overall feel of the home, but practically, it became the guide for every step of the house design. Similar to many Parisian apartments, space was tight – by Texas standards, anyway.

‘Working within a smaller footprint required a high level of intention,’ explains Meredith. ‘Every element needed a purpose, which led to a more edited and refined result. By focusing on classic Parisian principles like symmetry, adding architectural details, and layering materials, the home feels thoughtful and collected rather than constrained.’

A moody, sophisticated living room featuring a dark teal built-in bookcase and a marble fireplace with a crackling fire. Two cream boucl&eacute; armchairs with blue pillows face a large stone coffee table. — **Living room:** The living room was the biggest challenge. An old fireplace and awkward layout meant re-imagining the whole wall with panelling and bespoke millwork.

Prior to the remodel, the home felt dated – stuck in the early ’00s – with builder-grade features that felt far removed from the elegance of Parisian spaces filled with unique character.

The redesign was about making the spaces more functional as well as more beautiful. It involved a full renovation of all the downstairs spaces and a partial remodel of the bedroom and bath. The entire home was refurnished with new (and old) decor that spoke to the updated Parisian feel.

‘Dark and dated is the best way I can describe the house before we started the project,’ explains Meredith. ‘It was built in the early 2000s – very much builder standard – and lacked architectural interest, with very little character at all. The home did have a slight European influence, which we really brought to life in the new design. I felt like my team at Meredith Owen Interiors could truly transform this home for our client. I was excited for the opportunity to see her home take on a new life.’

'The owner really trusted our vision for her home. We met with her to make the majority of the finish selections, and we would present the final design vision for her approval prior to implementation,' continues Meredith. 'She had recently lost her husband and was a flight attendant most of her life. She had wanted to update their home for some time, but now that she is starting this next chapter of her life, she decided it was time to create the home of her dreams.'

A bold powder room featuring dark floral wallpaper with pineapple motifs. A scalloped gold mirror hangs above a marble-topped vanity with a dark purple base and brass fixtures. — **Powder room:** This space was transformed from a beige box into a jewel box using darker colors and warm finishes.

A kitchen with olive green cabinetry, black-and-white checkered marble floors, and a dramatic marble waterfall island. Two large gold pendant lights with glass shades hang from the ceiling. — **Kitchen:** Despite the limited square footage, Meredith transformed this kitchen into a light, open space that still maximized storage.

Often in small homes, the temptation is to go light and minimal – especially when a property was originally filled with dark, heavy features and decor that made the rooms feel cramped. However, Meredith and her client didn’t give in to the cliché move. Instead, they embraced color, pattern, and texture throughout the home.

Each room feels full but not crowded – a tricky balance in smaller spaces. As Meredith explains, she used key design principles to ensure the rooms never felt too busy and always maintained a sense of elegance.

A close-up of a professional stainless steel range with red knobs, set against olive green cabinets. The backsplash and vent hood are covered in textured white square Zellige tiles. — **Kitchen:** The warm olive hue of the kitchen cabinets add depth to the space without darkening it.

‘We focused on intentional statement moments and repeated materials throughout the home to create flow and cohesion (like the fireplace marble slab and the primary bathroom slabs). Allowing space to breathe makes the details feel more impactful, proving that elevation often comes from what you leave out.’

'We wanted the spaces to be more functional overall, but also we wanted the home to feel more welcoming with a touch of Parisian charm. We wanted to lighten up the entire home as well and give the home a new life. So we really focused on bringing in more color into the cabinetry, tile, and even wallpaper and slabs.'

'We sourced beautiful lighting that really made a statement in each space as well. We removed the old shutters, updated the paint colors, lightened up the wood floors, and utilized lighter furniture pieces, all of which helped to brighten up this home. Every corner of the home feels comfortable and much more lively and happy, just like our client is.'

A cozy dining corner featuring a white pedestal table and four wooden cross-back chairs with cane seats. The space is accented by black-and-white checkered marble floors and a striped Roman shade. — **Dining nook:** A bistro-inspired breakfast room off the kitchen creates a more informal eat-in space.

In the kitchen and breakfast nook, you can really see that Parisian influence in the checkerboard black-and-white tile and the bistro-inspired eat-in area. Despite being a practical room, it’s a soft space, warmed by olive green tones and layers of texture in the tile and Roman blinds.

‘In the kitchen, texture and timelessness came together with the addition of handcrafted tile from Ann Sacks, which instantly elevated the space,’ says Meredith. ‘Just beyond, in the breakfast room, we made a statement with a chandelier from Urban Electric, whose scale and craftsmanship provide a warm focal point for casual family meals.’

‘Because the area isn’t huge, maximizing kitchen storage while keeping the space visually calm was essential. Ceiling-height cabinetry, integrated appliances, a hood wrapped in tile, and a thoughtful material palette helped the kitchen feel more like a Parisian café – rather than a utilitarian space. Blending function seamlessly with high-style moments, like the black-and-white marble floor, created a beautiful balance where function and style coexist.’

A modern dining area with a dark wood table surrounded by six cream-colored upholstered chairs. A large brass linear chandelier hangs above, and heavy taupe drapes frame the patio doors. — **Dining room:** The dining room sits in the center of the home, an elegant yet welcoming space that's comfortable yet elegant.

Despite the smaller square footage, every room in this home balances being cozy and elegant. It's quaint, yet chic.

'We wanted the dining room to feel both inviting and refined,' explains Meredith. 'We sourced the furnishings through Dovetail Furniture, layering them beneath a statement chandelier from Visual Comfort to set the tone for memorable gatherings.'

'But the biggest transformation took place in the living room, where we completely reimagined the fireplace wall with paneling,' says Meredith. 'This was possibly the biggest challenge of the whole project. Prior to the remodel, there was a strange double cast stone fireplace that housed the TV on one side and the firebox on the other.'

'We introduced custom cabinetry for both beauty and function, framing a new fireplace clad in a striking marble surround sourced from Stratus Surfaces. To ground the room, we layered in a one-of-a-kind rug from Black Sheep Unique, paired with a tailored sofa from Caffrey’s and Co. – pieces that together strike the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication.

'Scale guided every decision. We selected furniture with clean lines and lighter profiles to maintain openness while still feeling comfortable. In both spaces, thoughtful proportions and balanced layouts ensured the rooms felt elegant, functional, and inviting.'

'In the primary bath, we created a serene retreat anchored by marble surfaces from Stratus Surfaces,' says Meredith. 'A vintage rug from Meredith Owen Interiors brings in warmth and texture, ensuring the room feels collected rather than simply new.

An elegant bathroom featuring a wood vanity with gold hardware and a white marble countertop. A large, irregularly shaped gold-framed mirror is flanked by two brass sconces. To the left, a built-in soaking tub is encased in the same heavily veined marble, set beneath windows with patterned Roman shades. — **Primary bath:** Warm woods and marble create a bathroom that blends elegance with charm and character.

'Each of these spaces was designed to feel harmonious yet distinct and layered with thoughtful details and curated pieces that bring personality and livability to the home,' finishes Meredith.

'We always strive to strike that delicate balance between comfort and sophistication in our projects. We believe a home should feel as good as it looks. For this project, that meant layering in refined and elegant materials, then softening them with livable furnishings and tactile textures. It allows our clients to experience luxury without formality, and to enjoy spaces that are both beautiful and truly livable.'

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I am the Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens. I started off in the world of journalism in fashion and luxury travel and then landed my first interiors role at Real Homes and have been in the world of interior design ever since. Prior to my role at H&G I was the digital editor at Livingetc, from which I took a sabbatical to travel in my self-converted van (not as glamorous as decorating a home, but very satisfying). A year later, and with lots of technical DIY lessons learned I am back to writing and editing, sometimes even from the comfort of my home on wheels.