Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

‘I love having things out that remind you of your youth, parents, your hometown,’ Lynne Sixta said. Mixing with custom draperies and new furniture items is Lynne’s mother’s roll-top secretary and next to it, an accent table her father built.

By Diane S. Morales, Caller-Times

December 31, 2006

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Lynne used a feather-trimmed throw as a centerpiece accent to display under a ceramic Santa figure and candleholders. The added built-ins with a mirrored feature add dimension to the space.

PHOTO GALLERY

If Lynne Sixta had her druthers, she would start decorating for Christmas in October. It’s her favorite time to celebrate with family and friends, and arranging a festive home filled with jolly St. Nick décor is her way of showing it.

Lynne, who works for Driscoll Children’s Hospital, and husband John Sixta, an attorney, have lived in their home on Bermuda Place for 16 years.

When their two children left the nest, out went the wall paneling and in came bold, warm colors, some new furniture and light fixtures, crown moulding and a few built-ins to update the Lamar Park home.

The project took about two years to complete.

“We lived in the back part of the house while the den, living room and kitchen were done,” Lynne said. “Then we moved to the front so they could work on the back end of the house.”

First impressions

Guests to the Sixta home dive into vibrant color at the foyer where red walls contrast against white crown moulding.

“I like bold and strong colors. Everything was white and very neutral,” Lynne said. “I always tell people before they come, it’s very colorful.”

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Among Lynne’s Santa Claus collection is a chenille version lounging in a leather armchair in the living room.

With or without warning, the color is a pleasant surprise. The rich red scene is accented with a black and gold scroll framed mirror above an antiqued black bombé chest with gold and floral details.

Refinished hardwood floors spread to the living room.

To achieve the refined traditional scene, Lynne said she collected magazine clippings and watched decorating shows for ideas. She categorized the clippings by rooms and when it was time to talk makeover, she consulted a designer at Buddy Walker Home Furnishings and friend Betty Jones

“I saw a pattern in the clippings I collected, which helped me see what I liked in furniture and colors,” Lynne said.

The red space is her favorite. A new tan and wood leather sofa and matching oversized chair is paired with a glass-top and wrought-iron coffee table. The new furniture mixes with a few family antiques. Long vertical windows cast light through sheer ivory draperies framed in gold tapestry valance swags.

Commanding attention is the Christmas tree decorated with gold and burgundy organza ribbon and sterling silver ornaments. Lynne gives her son and daughter an ornament each year, a tradition started by their grandparents. Topping the tree is a golden-robed Santa Claus, a gold bow and peacock feathers.

Den of Santas

The red walls wane to sage and hardwood floors change to terrazzo tile in the den where picture windows bring in the outdoors.

Santa Claus figures sprinkle the room. Lynne easily counts more than 10 in the den. The focal point of this space is the brown stained fireplace across from the leather sofa.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Lynne scored this curly bearded Santa Claus at Gatherings one year. It’s displayed in the den next to the built-in cabinets topped with black granite, which was part of the renovations.

“I try to find unique Santas,” she said. “I’ve bought a lot here, some in Virginia and if there’s a Christmas store when I travel, I’ll see what they have.”

Instead of redesigning the fireplace, Lynne used concrete paint to stain the tan brick to a rich, chocolate brown.

Bare windows continue around the banquette in the butternut-colored kitchen. The added window seat and windows open up the table nook furnished with a two-toned brown and black oval table and black chairs. Black granite counters easily updated the kitchen’s wood cabinets.

Through the kitchen, the formal dining room’s butternut-colored walls hint a shade deeper, bringing out the dark wood furniture.

A rectangular dining table for eight is paired with two antique buffets. Above one hangs a gold tarnished framed mirror reflected a floral arrangement sprouting pheasant feathers.

Royal treatment

Lynne experimented with a faux finish for daughter Emily’s room, achieving a golden suede-like finish.

“I wanted something that would add depth because of the coronation dress,” she said. “It just looks a little richer to me.”

Shooting across the wall is a sparkling patriotic sequined dress train her daughter wore as a duchess in Las Doñas de la Corte. The gown makes a decorative statement in the room’s corner displayed on a dress form.

Across the maize-colored hallway, Lynne combined their son John’s passion for the outdoors to create his comfort space at home.

“He loves it and was really surprised,” she said. “The color of the wall really makes the animals come out.”

Contact Diane S. Morales at 886-3758 or moralesd@caller.