Sometimes an entire home begins with a single piece.
For the owners of this newly built lakefront residence, it was a dining table they had admired while touring another home furnished by Cantoni. They called the Houston showroom hoping to track it down, and Cantoni Design Consultant Saghar Senemar happened to answer the phone. She immediately recognized the home they were describing—it belonged to a longtime client whose furnishings she had recently completed—and knew exactly which table they meant.
The homeowners were building a new primary residence of their own, and what began as a conversation about one table quickly expanded once they visited the Cantoni showroom. Over the course of more than a year, the table led to dining chairs and a buffet, then the living room, bedrooms, office and beyond, ultimately developing into a whole-home collaboration.
Since the home was intended to serve as the couple’s primary residence, and a place where their children and grandchildren could regularly gather, every selection needed to balance a clean, minimal aesthetic with comfort, durability and everyday function. The goal was a home that could feel polished and considered while still working effortlessly for family life and entertaining.
With the lake just beyond the windows, the surrounding landscape inspired the design direction. Saghar worked closely with the homeowners on furniture selection while coordinating with their interior designer, Ashley Kelly of Ashley Kelly Interiors, on finishes and materials. Floor samples, paint swatches and material options were brought together at the Cantoni showroom so each decision worked cohesively within the broader vision for the home.
Rather than competing with the landscape, the furnishings took their cues from it, layering walnut, natural stone, warm neutral tones and subtle touches of brushed brass. With color deliberately restrained, shifts in texture, material and finish created interest from room to room.
Saghar was invaluable throughout the entire process. She quickly understood our vision and personal style, thoughtfully researched options, and was consistently responsive. Her ideas and recommendations were extremely helpful, and she worked seamlessly with our interior designer to create a cohesive look throughout our home.
— K.R. & T.R., Greater Houston Area
From the primary and guest bedrooms to the office, dining room, living room, den/game room, entrance and outdoor spaces, the furnishings were selected as part of one cohesive vision. Many pieces were customized in finishes and configurations tailored to the home and the way the family planned to use each space. A dining table was produced in a custom size, while a sectional corner was adapted with additional cushioning so it could be comfortably enjoyed from either direction.
That careful coordination translates into rooms that feel connected without feeling repetitive. The office brings together contrasting materials, while the main living spaces remain deliberately tonal, allowing texture, proportion and the sweeping lake views to give the interiors their character.
What started with a question about one dining table ultimately became a relationship that touched nearly every room in the home. The finished residence feels considered without being overdone, quiet enough to let its lakefront setting take center stage, yet comfortable and versatile enough for the family life happening within it.
From the quality and design of the furnishings to the personal attention and service we received throughout the process, Cantoni played an integral role in bringing our vision for our home to life. We could not be happier with the finished result and with our experience working with the Cantoni team.
— K.R. & T.R., Greater Houston Area
COLLABORATORS
Interior Designer: Ashley Kelly Interiors
Builder: Matt Powers Custom Homes
Architect: MWT Architects
Photography: Rachel Alyse Manning + Prime Media
Styling: JBH Editorial
