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The elegant evolution of this Briagrove home is a sight to see. 

Sometimes a simple refresh can go a long way. Local interior designer Susie Maddox proved just that with her recent work for a growing Houston family of four. 

The goal of this face-lift was to modernize the family’s 1960s-era home through a renovation of their kitchen and primary bathroom. Since the couple has two children, a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old, it was important for both spaces to be practical and make great use of storage. Like many one-story homes built in the 1960s, the house had minimal closet space and tight bathroom areas.

The couple envisioned the kitchen transforming into an open-concept space functional for the family while adding a bar for the adults to entertain guests. On the other hand, the bathroom needed a more efficient use of space, as it had to work within the room's original layout. 

They turned to Susie Maddox Interiors to revamp the rooms. Maddox launched the interior design company in 2019, making a name for herself by blending high-quality, classic designs with a twist of contemporary elements. "I strive to make whatever I have my hand in something that's in it for the long run," Maddox says of her aesthetic. "The design has longevity, and it's going to stand the test of time."

Though Maddox didn't know the family before accepting them as clients, it turned out that they all live in the same Briargrove neighborhood, just down the street from each other. She quickly befriended the family as they worked together to renovate the home, calling the project #HouseNextDoor on her Instagram account . 

The couple had faith in Maddox and her vision, stripping their entire kitchen area down "to the studs" to embark on the 7- to 8-month-long project. Together, they settled on a muted color palette with gold and brass accents to achieve a chic final design.

"They really trusted my design direction. I drew up architectural plans for them, and I made 3D images, and we really worked well together," Maddox says. "It's so fun when your clients trust you completely, and they were definitely the ones that did that."

In the kitchen, Maddox's approach to understated elegance shines. Using creamy whites and grays throughout the space, she opted for touches of wood for a more organic and down-to-earth feel, perfect for a stylish couple with children. Antique brass touches such as the bar shelves and two-handled sink faucet combined with bronze drawer pulls and knobs bring luxury to the space while complementing the simple colorway. 

The banquette shows that form indeed does follow function, as it utilizes Pindler performance fabric , a durable and easy-to-clean textile. Features like these keep the kitchen kid-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. 

Maddox custom-designed the bar area for the family, incorporating a window accessible from the outdoor patio, perfect for the couple's love of entertaining guests. The woven bar stools and chairs with rattan backs add texture, while the white oak floating shelves and built-in banquette bring the room together. 

Maddox stuck with an overall muted color palette to revitalize the primary bathroom but opted for a pop of color for the cabinets with the Sherwin Williams hue Jubilee . The crisp shade of light grayish-blue gives the small space a calming effect. Metallic moments like the Brizio shower head in Brilliance Gold and the bronze drawer pulls add a regal feel.

The white marble countertops and tumbled marble flooring freshen the room, while the built-in cabinetry and a walk-in shower featuring a half-glass partition make efficient use of the space. Maddox's use of mirrors, combined with the golden accents, enhances the natural light and visually expands the room. 

"It was super important for the bathroom to have as much storage as possible, because we were actually taking away one of their closets," Maddox recalls. "That mirrored cabinet is actually a ton of storage; they have their laundry hamper and a bunch of shelves. … We definitely maximized every inch of that space with functionality."

From the custom-made range hood to the hand-rubbed kitchen sconces, Susie Maddox Interiors' focus on details produced an elegant result that kept the client's wishes in mind. Together, the rejuvenated rooms bring the home into the modern world with classic décor and elevated details. 

When the family finally got to see the final product, it was immediately apparent that Maddox had fulfilled their wishes and then some. After seeing her new space, the wife, her client-turned-friend, exclaimed: "I literally feel like I'm on Pinterest pinning my own house!"