It’s not uncommon to pick up a souvenir while abroad. But for one Texas family, this practice runs deeper: The Sayeds spent a full seven years thoughtfully updating their Dallas home with designer Denise McGaha, principal of Denise McGaha Interiors, all informed by their trips around the world. “As they would go somewhere new, they would get inspiration for a different space,” says McGaha. “The house evolved as a result of that.”
Husband and wife Javed and Nadia and their teenage son, Amaar, pulled inspiration from their favorite hotels, the art and books they collect, and photographs taken all over. “Nadia loves to develop mood boards when they travel, so their home has really been a collaboration, with me translating the photos she shares,” says McGaha. Without making any structural changes to the new construction, the designer added layers of family memories—with activity centering in one part of the house.
“We try to make it a point on the weekends to all meet for a cup of tea or coffee in ‘the green room,’ also known as ‘the tea and coffee lounge,’ ” says Nadia. Once an underused formal dining room, the jewel-toned enclave (partially inspired by the lushness of Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Bali) now houses a large ottoman specifically designed to fit a tray of refreshments, with multiple seating options for welcoming many guests.
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“We have worked with Denise to re-create not just the look but the feeling of some of the chic hotels we have come to love on our travels,” says Nadia, pointing to everything from Tennessee’s bucolic Blackberry Mountain to the bold colors at London’s Ham Yard Hotel. “We’re not scared of color, obviously.”
Before McGaha’s latest update, the Sayeds welcomed a new addition: an Aussiedoodle named Harry. “When they got the dog, Nadia called me and said, ‘Oh no, is this going to ruin our plans?’ ” McGaha recalls. These concerns were quickly assuaged by the designer’s suggestions for performance fabrics, wool rugs, and other durable materials. Nadia’s office was even rearranged to include a freestanding desk so that Harry could relax under her former desk in the built-ins. Because in this home, says Nadia, “Everyone in the house gets a say!”—even the canine family member.
Tea Lounge
McGaha commissioned Amy Berlin Opsal to create an artwork with the same colors as the custom rug. Paint: Basque Green, Sherwin-Williams. Picture lights: Circa Lighting. Sofa: Precedent in Kravet fabric. Ottoman: Taylor Burke Home in Perennials fabric. Armchair and side table: Worlds Away. Table lamp and chandelier: Arteriors. Window treatments: SRT Designs in Pindler fabrics.
Breakfast Room
The family was drawn to the jewelry-like base of this Phillips Collection table, which McGaha paired with organic, modern chairs from Nuevo Living. Art: Matt Shlian, via Dimmitt Contemporary Art. Light: Made Goods. Bench: Worlds Away.
Nadia’s Office
Painting the existing built-ins a sexy shade of black (Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams) and adding brass Baldwin hardware made the room more glam. Chandelier: Arteriors. Shade: SRT Designs in Pierre Frey fabric. Desk: Bernhardt. Easel: custom, JIL Custom Cabinets. Art: Ron Giusti. TV: Samsung. Rug: Feizy.
Family Room
McGaha enlisted Bettinger Studio to create a mural that reflected the blue cabinetry in the adjacent kitchen. Sofa: CR Laine in Kravet fabric. Table: Bernhardt. Mantel: Denise McGaha for Materials Marketing. Side table: custom, Denise McGaha. Chaise: Arteriors. Pendant and floor lamp: Circa Lighting. Rug: Truett Fine Carpets & Rugs. Art: Serene Garden by Massimo Colonna. TV: Samsung.
Kitchen
Inspired by blue accents at the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, in Malaysia, McGaha painted the existing white cabinets Sherwin-Williams Naval. Stools: Gabby. Range hood: KitchenAid. Tile: Renaissance Tile & Bath. Ovens, range, and refrigerator: JennAir. Hardware: Emtek.
Primary Bedroom
Dramatic details, like the black accents above this console, impart a luxe feel to the textural bedroom. Paint: Dovetail, Sherwin-Williams. Mirror: MirrorHome. Chest: Interlude Home. Lamp: Arteriors.
A headboard wall in a Lee Jofa fabric adds softness for an enveloping, relaxing space (the ceiling wallpaper, meanwhile, is an unexpected visual statement). Paint: Dovetail, Sherwin-Williams. Ceiling wallcovering: Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa. Bench: Moss Home in Schumacher fabric. Light: Circa Lighting. Nightstand: Bungalow 5.
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