Tour a European Cottage-Inspired Home with Serious Contemporary Edge

Plus, the lessons we learned in designing a modern space.
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The clean and modern interiors, often likened to that of Belgian architecture, was the driving force of inspiration for Chad Dorsey’s recent project. The 5,000 square foot Dallas, Texas property was one he called home—it now belongs to close friends— together with partner Kurt Bielawski. As the principle designer of MORE Design, Dorsey’s expertise came in handy when it came to the development of the home’s design. Boasting streamlined features, commonly associated with a contemporary aesthetic, the home’s sleek edge lends itself well to the welcoming elements of the interior decor.

We caught up with Dorsey to learn more about his latest passion project and picked up a few helpful design tips along the way. Take a look!

The dining room is so unique—it feels full of decorative details yet manages to skew towards the minimalist side. How did you achieve this dynamic effect?  

We wanted to achieve a classic European feel by utilizing traditional elements such as picture moulding juxtaposed with a modern steel dining table and mid-century Dunbar dining chairs.

The living room with the fireplace is a real show-stopper! What was the thought process behind the decorative design of this space?

I wanted to keep a sleek fireplace to allow an eclectic group of furnishings that were also sleek— slanting toward modern yet still warm.

The home was built as an ode to the duo’s affinity for Northern European country homes. Flemish-inspired bond brick patterns deck the exterior while streamlined details emulate the design elements of modern Belgian architecture.

The kitchen bears such a stark contrast to the remaining rooms. How were you able to keep the space from feeling bare and lifeless, as most monochromatic and strictly contemporary kitchens tend to be?

In Europe, it is common to have a very modern system kitchen in a traditional space. In this home, we used warm Texas Lueters limestone flooring, which is a regional material, to contrast the minimalist Bulthaup kitchen. It is a wonderful space to spend time in on weekend mornings.

The built-in shelves in the family room are dreamy—what inspired them?

Honestly, it is because we have so many books! When we have friends over for cocktails, we always wind up in this space since it has a warm inviting feel.

How did you manage to incorporate the surplus of floor-to-ceiling windows so seamlessly into the design scheme of the home?

Our goal was to bring the outside in, focusing all views to the exterior. We treated the windows as art.

Natural-finish flooring can be found throughout the home, a unifying theme that allows a seamless flow from room to room.

Floor-to-ceiling windows contribute to the light-filled ambience that lends a sense of warmth to the strictly contemporary space.

In order to keep the design scheme both grounded and cohesive throughout the home, cypress was used as the material of choice when it came to many of the cabinets and storage units.

Out back, a 650 square foot pool house—spacious pool adjacent—boasts a similar design scheme with wide windows.

Discover more inspired home tours:

Tour a Designer’s Home Full of Unique Vintage Finds This Historic Home Features the Most Vibrantly Colorful Interior This Designer Built Her Dream Home From Scratch, and It’s Perfect

Anna Kocharian Avatar

Anna Kocharian

Writer/Editor

Anna has a penchant for travel, fresh flowers, and books. You can usually find her on some sort of culinary adventure, seeking the best burgers or waffles in the city.