Welcome to the Dollhouse

The ever-talented Brian Neal Sensabaugh is one of the first friends I made in Houston and still one of my very favorite people. The minute I walked into his home, I was overcome by how much love and attention he has poured into his surroundings. Brian Neal's aesthetic is literally dusted on everything from installations-turned-wall-art to his pet's blankets [monogrammed, no less]. I'm thrilled to share a peek inside this artist's inspiring 1928 two story duplex in downtown Houston. Welcome to the Dollhouse where nothing is new, everything is used, well loved, and comes with a story of its own.

"I surround myself with things that make me happy. My decorating style is based on my attraction to found objects—things that have a history and energy that existed before they came into my life. By bringing these things together into one space, I create a new story. There are no rules. I mix and match colors, styles, textures and patterns and somehow it all works. I do not worry about the restraints of traditional decorating. It is important for my home to feel comfortable and inspiring, to my guests and me. Above all else, there are definitely some great conversation pieces!"

[The wall niches in the entry staircase were installed by the previous owner and feature some of my wedding cake topper collection. I change the featured collection periodically to keep things fresh.]

[The large red painting in the living room was found at a local vintage boutique and features Mexican loteria cards. The portrait of the lady in yellow I found at one of my favorite places, The Guild Shop. It was only $7 and came with the wired lamp! The small linear painting is by local artist William Betts. I found the ceramic logs at a garage sale and loved them at first sight. Some day I hope to have a fireplace I can actually use them in, but for now they are art.]

[My couch is from an estate sale and I had the woodwork painted and updated the upholstery with black duck cloth. The bolster pillow I had made from a Marimekko tablecloth. The vintage marble and chrome coffee table is another find from The Guild Shop and I bought the retro ceramic bubble lamp at a Pasadena warehouse sale. I added the oversized black lampshade with gold leaf interior. The matching side chairs were gratis for helping a friend with her yard sale. I painted the frames white and upholstered them with fabric from a local discount fabric store.]

[I purchased Romeo, my baby goat, from Saks Fifth Avenue. He was a prop from their cashmere campaign and definitely puts a smile on my face.]

[This ceramic bowl from Crate and Barrel lives on my coffee table and holds one of my most unusual dolls. It is a composition topsy turvy doll that looks very interesting without its clothing. I like the idea of the two races living in harmony as one. The ceramic hands were a find from a yard sale for .99 cents. The tower of resin cookies and lady swimming in tea are by artist Franco Mondini-Ruiz.]

[My artwork entitled “Baby Behind” hangs in my dining room. Notice the one pink teacup that is a little different and is doing its best to fit in with all the rest. The idea of being different is what this piece of artwork is all about. The piece above my work is an old church sign that features the Hail Mary. And a few of my lucky sticks are leaning in the corner.]

[The vintage table and chair in my kitchen were made by CHROMCRAFT and I use it as more of a workspace rather than dining. The large piece of coral was a housewarming gift.]

[The entry to my bedroom features a large silhouette collection that hangs from floor to ceiling. They were either gifts or found at flea markets; none were purchased on eBay. The thrill of the hunt is far more rewarding than receiving something in the mail! The striped chair I found on the side of the road with a sign that read “free” and it is Howdy’s, my longhaired daschund. As you can see his blanket is in place at all times. The vintage desk chair is Steelcase.]

[My bed came from my grandparent’s Arkansas cabin and my dad and his siblings slept in it while growing up. The pillow shams are from a Crate and Barrel outlet, the quilt is a reproduction Gee’s Bend made exclusively by Anthropologie and the yellow duvet is IKEA. The sweet fellow in the middle is Big Ted, one of my favorite possessions. I got him when I was five for not crying during a doctor’s visit and I still sleep with him.]

[I found these matching lamps at an antique store marked half off because they needed rewiring. I rewired them myself and had custom lavender shades lined in black made for them. The little lady in blue hiding behind the lamp was a gift from my sweet friend Courtney Barton {that's me!}. The other bedside table, which are yellow filing cabinets, holds a small sampling of my clock collection, none of which work. I like to imagine the last person that owned the clock and what might have been happening when the clock stopped. The black and white photo is my mother and the mantle clock was my granny’s—another one of my favorite things. The boots make me happy and I do wear them on a rainy day.]

[This armoire holds some of my vast doll collection. I only bring home a doll if it speaks to me and usually they are falling apart and in desperate need of love. As you can see, many have spoken!]

[I added the clay pods to the antique turtle to make up his load. I have several pieces of vintage taxidermy in my house. I do not believe in killing animals for trophies but the pieces I have were in need of love. I felt it was better to give them a happy place to live rather than to roam the world with no appreciation.]

[I stacked a child’s dresser on top of my own dresser, which gives additional storage for some of my favorite keepsakes. I also collect pieces of doll furniture that I try to limit to the color pink. The linear painting is another William Betts and the black and white photo is of my granny.]

[This is the second bedroom. The large oil painting is a portrait of Gene Tierney that was purchased at a local antique store. The portrait to the right is of me and was commissioned by my mother my senior year of high school. I love the 80’s big hair and it usually makes my guests laugh when they realize who it is. The vintage resin swag lamp was a gift from my mother and the dresser I found at Room Service in Austin for $100.]

[The vintage taxidermy in my bathroom was another housewarming gift and I have no idea what animal it is. I scored the chandelier at a flea market and rewired to make a hanging swag lamp, which makes it easier to take with me if I ever move. The monkey painting is by a local artist and, of course, another lucky stick lives here too!]

[The pink powder room is painted my signature shade that I use in all of my artwork, Pink Fantasy by Behr. The walls are covered with my work and that of other artists. It is my favorite room in the house and definitely provides lots of eye candy while one is partaking of some private time.]

[Holiday at the Dollhouse.]