A Vibrant Texas Modern

CANTONI DESIGNER CARL RAMON TAKES A CLIENT’S FORMER TRADITIONAL STYLE AND GIVES HER AN ENTIRELY FRESH START.

Designed By: Carl Ramon, RID Photos By: David Deleon

To say Karen Fox is decisive would be an understatement. When the vivacious hospitality industry recruiter and Chicago native randomly toured a modern home for sale in Fort Worth’s Mira Vista Country Club two years ago, she knew it was kismet. “I walked in, walked out, and said, ’that’s the house I want,’” she says. Never mind that she was living in a five-bedroom traditional home in Southlake, which she needed to sell. Two days later, the sleek house was hers.

This straightforward approach is exactly the one Karen took when it came time to furnish her new abode. “I didn’t want to throw traditional furniture in a contemporary home,” she says. She had heard about Cantoni designer Carl Ramon, and paid him a visit. They instantly clicked. And, she immediately had her first directive: color. “Karen is very lively, dynamic and has a lot of energy,” Carl says. “She wasn’t afraid to commit to color and furnishings she likes.”

With the scheme established, the two worked quickly, credit Karen’s tenacity. In the living room, they brought a custom wall unit and white Miami sectional to life with a vibrant rug and a pair of purple LOV chairs. That purple hue is reflected again in Anna H side chairs in an adjacent breakfast nook. Carl and Karen kept the dining area bathed in white with sleek leather chairs, the high-gloss lacquer-topped oval dining table by Malerba, and a low-slung sideboard customized in white.

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They also brought in purple Vito barstools for ample seating in the kitchen, and kept things light and bright in the theater room with a lighted coat rack stand and a custom bold red, geometric entertainment unit. The master bedroom, meanwhile, takes on soft green hues, with a custom upholstered bed in sea foam, which is flanked by mirrored nightstands. But the real focus was always on the pool and courtyard, viewable from every room. Outdoor furnishings span playful wicker seating, from the Canneto chaise lounges to the Maui chairs in green.

The two collaborated and sourced all furnishings, accessories, artwork and lighting from Cantoni, and only a few of Karen’s original pieces were kept. “While many people are resistant to change, Karen embraces it,” Carl says. “She has such a great attitude and enthusiasm.”

That enthusiasm is instantly apparent when she talks about her now-finished home. “There isn’t a single person who comes here who doesn’t say, ’your house is so cool,’ Karen says. “Carl is fabulous. He did an incredible job and was wonderful to work with—so easy. He never judged and had nice suggestions. He was always spot-on. I love it all.”

Carl is fabulous. He did an incredible job and was wonderful to work with—so easy. He never judged and had nice suggestions. He was always spot-on. I love it all.

— Karen Fox, Fort Worth

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