Over the years, interior designer Trish Sheats has made a name for her inviting and elegant interiors. Her latest residential project, a sprawling family home in West Fort Worth, is no exception.
“We wanted to make it really happy and livable,” she says of the seven-bedroom house.
The Fort Worth native first began working with the young couple on their two-story backhouse, though the project expanded as they sought out a dressier, more colorful interior design for the primary residence.
Balancing elegance and style with comfort and functionality was important for the couple, who have four young children and two dogs. “They aren’t terribly traditional but wanted it to be a bit more transitional,” says Trish of the couple’s vision. The designer used the family’s treasured art collection as a springboard, pulling colors and inspiration from the paintings they’d collected over the years. In their spacious, light-filled living room, Sheats brightened the previously neutral palette with vivid greens, slate blues, and raspberry hues.
Blending textures was another strategy for elevating the aesthetic. “When I started working with them, I said, ‘I really feel like you need mohair,’ ” she says. The durable fabric is a favorite of the designer, who uses it in many of her projects. “It’s definitely more expensive but worth the money, especially when you have children,” she says.
Trish upholstered the living room’s sofa and armchairs in mohair from Lee Jofa and Coraggio, while a settee in the corner is handsomely covered in a botanical-inspired fabric by Pierre Frey. Elsewhere, refined silks and cut velvets are offset by rock crystal lamps with custom shades and a large TV over the fireplace, all of which imbue the room with an elegant yet unpretentious comfort.
“The interesting thing about this house is that they have a den and a playroom, but the family really uses that living room all the time,” says Sheats. “We were careful about where we put things.”
The designer also worked with the couple on their kitchen, updating items like the countertops and furnishings to better suit their active lifestyle and their love of entertaining. The kitchen chairs were reupholstered in pleather for easy cleanup and longevity, while cut-velvet backs add panache and personality. Striking this high–low balance was a priority for Sheats, who is known for working closely with her clients.
Before starting her own firm, Sheats studied interior design at The University of Texas at Austin and went to work with Sherry Hayslip of Sherry Hayslip Interiors in Dallas. It was there that she learned one of her most enduring lessons.
“One thing I learned from Sherry is this is about your client, not about you,” says Trish, “so somebody won’t walk in and say, ‘Oh, Trish Sheats did this.’ I want to do what my client is looking for. I have diverse projects, and that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
Regardless of which client she happens to be working with, one of Trish’s signature touches is her close attention to detail. “I am all about the little touches,” she says. “I love a flat French welt and a beautiful trim of any kind.” These minute yet meaningful choices are reflected throughout the home and remain an imperative part of the designer’s process, from the early conceptual stages to the final installation.
“For me the install is really important,” she says. “Whether it’s monogrammed towels and soaps in the bathrooms or fresh-cut flowers in artful arrangements, the finishing touches make a resounding impact.”
This homeowner shares Trish’s love of flowers and has them delivered on a regular basis. Florals were also incorporated into the decor, making the rooms feel fresh and lively.
For the designer, collaborating with her clients is a truly special part of the job, and she is grateful for the opportunity to make this vibrant young family’s house feel more like home.
“We’ve had so much fun working together to make every room beautiful,” she says.
By Sallie Lewis | Photography by Elizabeth Lavin
Interior design by Trish Sheats, Trish Sheats Interior Design, trishsheats.com, Instagram: @trishsheatsid
Floral Design by Jimmie Henslee, Instagram: @hensleejimmie
This story appears in Flower magazine’s September/October 2021 issue on newsstands August 31. Subscribe or find a copy in a store near you.