DALLAS — One might not expect to find glimpses of Hollywood glam in the heart of Texas. But as a native New York City resident who also once owned a second home in California, Jenifer Wiley’s client loves the glitzy vibe and wanted it to be the foundation for her new construction home in Dallas.

“She had the opportunity to build her dream home,” says Wiley, principal designer/owner of J Wiley Designs in Dallas, TX, who worked in collaboration with Zachary Custom Homes and Viosca Architects. “Since she and her family now live in Texas, combining her love of Hollywood glam with Spanish details makes sense. During design and construction, we lovingly called it the Spanish glam house!”

With that design goal in mind, Wiley’s client knew from the start that high-gloss cabinetry, sheathed in Benjamin Moore’s Chrome Green, would be at the kitchen’s foundation and guide the rest of the selections in the space.

“She loves color, and she isn’t afraid to use it,” Wiley remarks. “She has the philosophy that it’s just paint, and it can be changed if she grows tired of it.”

To prevent the rich ivy green hue from overpowering the space, Wiley incorporated glass-front doors in the top-tier of wall cabinets. Glass-front wall cabinets that flank the ventilation hood have an added arch detail that matches the arch above the Rohl sink, which is accented with a Newport Brass Metropole Satin Bronze faucet.

“The glass breaks up the expanse of cabinetry,” explains the designer. “The ceilings are tall and, if we would have had solid cabinetry floor to ceiling, it would have been too overwhelming.”

A relatively subtle backsplash comprised of Daltile’s white Star Cross glossy tile also brightens the room and serves as a quiet backdrop for the cabinetry and ventilation hood surround.

“We struggled a bit to find just the right tile for the backsplash,” Wiley concedes. “We didn’t want anything too crazy or wild because then it would compete with all the color and pattern used in the space and it wouldn’t feel relaxed. But we did want some type of pattern so it wouldn’t be too flat, especially against the floor. Ultimately, we found this white tile that has a bit of undulation that lets everything else sing.”

Conversely, the Interceramic Union Square Markham glazed ceramic tile floor ‘speaks’ confidently.

“Like the backsplash, we looked around a while to find the right pattern for the floor,” she indicates. “This concrete-look tile fits the Spanish vibe we were looking for and, since it’s ceramic, it’s easy to maintain. Concrete is porous so it acts like a natural stone and is a bit harder to maintain. But these tiles are non-porous, so they can take a beating from kids and dogs, both of which our clients have. These clients also entertain, a lot, so everything had to be very durable. Everything had to look fabulous, but everything also had to be very durable.”

To add warmth to the bold cabinetry and dramatic flooring, Wiley brought in wood and gold-toned accents. The latter – represented by the lighting, cabinetry hardware and plumbing fixtures, as well as the trim on the dual-fuel La Cornue CornuFé range – creates a mixed metal vibe with the stainless steel Viking appliances, including the refrigerator, warming drawer, wall oven and dishwasher.

Wood elements provide a natural and organic contrast to the pops of glam. Most notably, the custom island base showcases wood moulding details that mimic carved antique Spanish artwork.

“When we designed the island, we searched [the internet] for Spanish furniture, looking for inspiration for decorative details,” she says. “Then we worked with the cabinet maker, who created it to look like an original, antique piece. He also made several other ‘carved’ cabinetry pieces throughout the rest of the house (see sidebar).”

Wiley repeated the island’s mid-tone hue on the custom ventilation hood surround that conceals the Zephyr insert. 

“Using wood, rather than metal, adds warmth to the space,” she says. “And the surround’s curvy shape gives it a 1920’s look.”

Black accents add interest and tie the ventilation hood to the floor tiles and the leathered Belvedere quartzite that serves as the island countertop. The jet-black material contrasts with the Silver Macaubus quartzite perimeter countertops for added drama.

“Countertops are my thing!” says the designer, who especially loves working with natural stone. “I start all my color stories with the countertop because, with natural stone, no two are ever the same.”

Quartzite is also a perfect fit for the active family, which includes three children.

“Quartzite is a very durable stone,” she notes. “These clients really use their kitchen, and this material is one of the hardest surfaces available. Plus, it’s one of the best looking!” ▪

Because Jenifer Wiley’s clients love to entertain, a bar area was an important space for their new home. 

“She really wanted a place where her friends could ‘belly up’!” she says.

To accommodate, the designer showcased a focal-point centerpiece that, similar to the kitchen, replicates carved antique Spanish furniture.

“I was on a business trip in Nogales, Arizona and I was in an antique furniture store looking for inspiration,” she reports. “I came across a bread board with a beautiful, heavily carved pattern. I immediately started taking pictures and sending them to my client telling her that I found her bar!”

Wiley’s cabinetmaker replicated the pattern and brought it front and center, literally, in the space. Quartzite is a repeat element from the kitchen, as well. This time, Amazon quartzite tops the bar and the perimeter. Two Sub-Zero wine coolers and a Dacor dispenser/cooler boost functionality, while a highly reflective backsplash and a cast bronze Linkasink bar sink with Newport Brass Satin Bronze faucet enhance the aesthetics.

Tile is an important material choice throughout this Dallas, TX home, where Jenifer Wiley incorporated a variety of bold selections. In the master bathroom, artisan Glazed Quarry Ebony fan tile from Antique Floors clads the floor, creating a dramatic foundation for the equally striking his/her vanities that flank each side of the room. The custom cabinetry echoes the client’s desire to replicate antique Spanish furniture while her vanity seat, a treasured family heirloom, is a true relic from the past.

Wiley complemented the vanities with leathered Cote d’Azure quartzite, ornate Linkasink Taxco sinks and Brizo Charlotte faucets in a Cocoa Bronze/Polished Nickel finish. Custom built-in storage near the Wyndham Collection Candace soaking tub keeps towels handy. 

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