A Change of Plan

When clients unexpectedly moved to Dallas, designer Eva Quateman turned on a dime to plan a remodel and repurpose their exceptional furnishings.

- Sarah Halverson

Chicago designer Eva Quateman was working diligently on a project for longtime clients who were building a house in Florida. A week before a truckload of furniture was to depart for delivery, she got a call: The plan had changed.

"By the time we were done with the Florida house, all three of their grown children were living in Texas with husbands, wives, and six grandchildren, with another on the way," Quateman says. The siren song of grandchildren was irresistible, so Grandma and Grandpa were headed to Texas.

Always ready to roll with whatever comes her way, Quateman was right alongside to ready a different house.

"My marching orders were to reflect their style but to do it in a child-friendly way," she says. Good thing for her, Quateman had plenty of fabulous furnishings and decor at her disposal: the family's existing pieces. She had purchased or designed many of them over the years while decorating six previous homes for the family. The level of trust (and taste) was off the charts for a renovation and a decorating refresh.

Quateman brought the suburban Dallas home's shell up-to-date by replacing windows and removing chair rails, crown molding, and ceiling beams.