Never a Dull Moment

At this sprawling Texas ranch, color pops, patterns play, and every room pulls triple duty.

- interior designer Creative Tonic Design / writer Carisha Swanson / photographer Julie Soefer / stylist Jessica Holtam

GREAT ROOM

Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design made this grand space to be lived in, with spill-proof rugs, forgiving fabrics, and sturdy furniture so that grandkids and dogs are always welcome. Sectionals: House + Town, in Kravet fabric with Brunschwig & Fils trim. Chandeliers: M&M Lighting.

DINING ROOM

"Everything had to connect-inside to outside, room to room," Elias says.

The "dripping" Currey & Company chandeliers above the table were placed to frame the Visual Comfort & Co. outdoor star lantern, visible through the windows. Chairs: House + Town, in Fanny Shorter (back) and Holly Hunt (seat) fabrics. Dining table: Doorman. Rug: Stark.

ENTRY

An Aux Abris wallcovering sets the stage for the home's blue-and-green palette and is balanced by high-gloss lacquered Oomph consoles and custom House + Town ottomans in Jane Shelton fabric. Pendant: The Lamp Shoppe. Mirrors: Etsy.

WHEN COURTNAY TARTT ELIAS OF Creative Tonic Design first walked the site of this 7,448-square-foot Lake Jackson, Texas, ranch, she knew it would take a deft hand to make the vast rooms feel welcoming. She recalls, "The homeowner wanted this house to be the ultimate gathering place for her kids, grandkids, and friends-a dream house that said yes to everything fun." The area, about an hour south of Houston, is known for its moss-draped oaks and winding waterfront, which became the guiding force of the design. "Everywhere you look, it's trees and water," Elias says. "I wanted the interiors to flow seamlessly with that landscape." The connection is clear from the moment guests walk into the home, thanks to uninterrupted views that pull the outdoors inside.