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[Oznell]

Sarah Eilers is a long-time Houston designer and collector, who built her family room around this beautiful, vegetable-dyed Oriental rug that was her late parents'. Consequently, the reds she used are warmer, more tomato-ey than I prefer-- I like blue reds.  But within her chosen palette,  she's created a homey space for her family. 

She is so smart to have stools that slide out from under the sturdy vintage coffee table for extra seating whenever needed:

The mantel used to be painted the same khaki tone as the built in bookcases.  She thought it was too bland, so that mantel is now "faux" painted to look like a natural, grained wood--

It really does look like natural, stained wood, instead of a painted finish!

I love her drip-glaze striped lamps.  The squishy blue couch was made in a performance fabric to withstand her dog and adult children-- 

Her tales of finding her various pieces of art are fascinating.  Behind her in this shot, you can see examples hanging of the "tramp art" which she has collected over the years.  She inherited quite a few "serious" English and American antiques, but she mixes in quirky vintage pieces like the tramp art.

Telling about her tramp art, which was made by itinerant craftsmen, with whatever materials they had at hand...

This is "her" corner, below--

Striking vignette.  I think she said that this was a "lamb mold" from her family's farm.  It's now a lamp, grouped with a charming clock, Imari plate ( perfect with her color scheme), and intricate tramp art box.

Stunning, exuberant fabrics, and an heirloom gateleg table--

She combines her things with a sure eye.  Here on her bookshelf, blue and white Foo dogs flank a gorgeous Turkish plate spangled with roses and tulips.  Tramp art boxes are on the lower shelves.  Behind the banister, hangs part of a collection of military maps of East Borneo...   

She keeps her striking brass watering cans right on the hearth--

Sarah is very much an unrepentant collector, with a bit of a "world traveller" vibe, and a big scoop of Southern hospitality and homey-ness.

A glimpse of a few other spaces--

Kitchen--

The master is a refuge, and very much the epitome of comfortable, traditional style--

In another bedroom, an antique spool bed and beautiful fabrics--

There's a formal dining room, as well as living room, of course, but I was drawn by this sweet breakfast area right off the kitchen and family room.  It's an antiques-filled space that exudes warmth.  Am crazy about the Eastlake mirror--

The back yard doesn't appear to be huge...

.....but looks shady and inviting.  I love her sweet shaggy companion out here.

Fun to see a confident 'old school' sensibility that works for modern living.

To see her beautiful pieces up close, the video is at Homeworthy youtube,  entitled "This Designer's Home is a Masterclass in Collected Interiors". 

[We rescue cats]

What a lovely collection to explore and experience. I'm particularly drawn to the eclective mixture of fabrics, color choices and furniture finishes. It seems to give each piece its own air of importance that says each was selected because it spoke to the owner. . .

[Bonkers1]

Not my cup of tea.  Why do designers cram way too many things into a room?

[DREAMON]

I like the Kitchen but not the separate islands. I prefer one large island.

The remainder of the rooms are not for me.

[shoesnbags]

Looking at the kitchen, I noticed that the oven is right up against the refrigerator.  I thought that was a big no-no because of the heat.  Must be some fantastic space aged insulation used there.

[781Florist]

Really nicely done.  Love her color scheme and 95% of her furniture (the plaid bench and heavy coffee table are favorites) I'm usually not a big lover of oriental rugs, but she has stayed so calm with the woodwork and major furniture pieces that it looks very nice.

The floral print chairs are beautiful.  I think if I lived there I could be very happy once I had nice plain wooden balusters instead of wrought iron (whose only use should be stately tall fences around parks or estates) and I collected all the Asian inspired knick knacks and gave them to Goodwill.

[Oznell]

@Bonkers1 , interesting question-- I don't think there's any easy answer to that.  What is one person's "too many things",  can be another person's "being surrounded by beauty or craftsmanship, or sentiment, or what I love".

Over time, I've come to think that there's a *range* of how much people want to have around them.  I find I can tolerate rooms that are a little more "minimalist" than I'd like, and also a little more "maximalist",  IF I can sense a coherent plan, or skill in putting the room together, plus passion.

And designers are people, like anybody else.  Some like more, and some like less. 

For example, the rooms below were "designed",  hard as that might be to believe--

I think they're awful, but somebody "designed" them, and wanted that starkness, and to my mind, utter lack of warmth.  So not all designers want too many things in a room.

I just don't post rooms like those, not being anything I'd like.  I lean to posting rooms of people who might be somewhat more maximalist or strictly traditional than I am, like Sarah Eilers, because I can still find lots to interest me in proficient interiors like hers. 

And I also like to learn about solutions they've found, like what she did to what she called her "soulless mantel".  Designers who work in any style can still offer useful tips that apply across the board.

[shoptilyadropagain]

It's a huge no for me as I'm not into a vintage decor design and this is no exception.  The kitchen is the only room I halfway like.  

My first thought when I saw the first two pictures that are close up is that she picked up the furniture from Goodwill.

As always, I do appreciate your time and effort in bringing us these rooms!!!  It's always fun to read everyone's take on a particular room or rooms of a house.

[CANDLEQUEEN]

I like the kitchen, but prefer one big island instead of two small ones. The other rooms to me are just too crowded with stuff, and are not my style.

[manny2]

These rooms are not my usual aesthetic, but I have to say, they are staged beautifully. Every space has a sense of flow, your eye moves around without getting stuck, and each room feels intentional and balanced.

The living room is cozy without being cluttered, the kitchen is bright and welcoming, the bedroom feels calm and classic, and the dining room has that perfect mix of charm and elegance.