Ep. 429: Building on Tradition with Bill Curtis and Russell Windham

How to Decorate

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10d ago 1:13:32

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Join hosts Caroline and Taryn in an engaging conversation with renowned architects William Curtis and Russell Windham of Curtis & Windham Architects as they share stories from their illustrious careers and insights from their new book, "Building on Tradition."

Discover the launch of Curtis & Windham's new book and the inspiring stories behind their architectural journey. Learn how they returned to Texas to specialize in classical architecture, bringing their unique style to Houston's River Oaks.

Explore their philosophy of blending traditional craftsmanship with modern challenges, evident in projects like Homewood House and a whimsical pub. Gain insights into their team development, the importance of hand drawings, and how they fuse traditional techniques with contemporary design solutions.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to How to Decorate Podcast from Ballard Designs
00:40 Meet Esteemed Architects William Curtis and Russell Windham
01:52 The Architects' Journey: Inspiration and Education
03:16 Establishing a Legacy in Texas
07:22 Embracing Classical Architecture: Philosophy and Influences
08:57 Essence and Charm of River Oaks Community
16:05 Modern Architectural Challenges and Solutions
25:27 Cultivating Client Relationships and Repeat Projects
28:11 Emblematic Project: The Homewood House
37:22 Exploring Fun and Unique Projects
40:29 Addressing Zoning and Setbacks in Design
41:26 The Historic Ville Farm Project
44:25 Navigating Client Needs and Project Development
47:00 Tackling Architectural Challenges and Personal Projects
51:52 Conservation of Trees and Site Planning
55:42 Team Development and Architectural Training
01:01:14 The Role of Hand Drawings in Architectural Design
01:07:52 Writing the Book: Insights and Reflections

Decorating Dilemma:

Hi! Thanks for all of your work on the podcast and for all of the amazing advice every week!

I would like to make a change in our bedroom, but could use advice on paint colors and specifically what to do about our tray ceiling. I don't love the tray ceiling, but it would be expensive to remove so we are keeping it. I also don't love our current paint color (SW Pussywillow - it sometimes looks purple-ish to me) or the way the tray ceiling is currently painted.

The other element that is at play is the small hallway/ vestibule leading into our bedroom, which we are planning to wallpaper and paint. We've selected a moody, green wallpaper and plan to paint the trim and ceiling a dark green. I would like the hallway and our bedroom to compliment one another (see attached for the wallpaper and paint colors we are considering for the hall).

Given the hallway colors, would you recommend going dark or light in the bedroom? Should we paint the trim, walls and ceiling the same color to make the tray ceiling less noticeable? Or have contrasting trim? How would you treat the tray ceiling? Or will painting the strip of gray around the tray ceiling white to match the ceiling solve all of my problems? The room is Northwest facing, if that helps.

A few other things I'm looking for for this room are an attractive ceiling fan and a throw for the bed. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear! I've attached photos of my room (the windows you see are the only windows in the room) and the hallway/ vestibule (no windows). Also, I'm planning to get a wood and/or cane headboard at some point so feel free to ignore the current one.

Thanks for your help!

- Allison

Also Mentioned:

Building on Tradition (Book) | Order Your Copy Here!
curtisandwindham.com | Bill & Russell's Official Website
Shop Ballard Designs⁠⁠⁠ | Website

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Happy Decorating!

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