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A bright orange modular shelving system dominates the back wall of the living room. Chrome accents and geometric art pop against the gray wall. "Brian's addiction to the modular shelving is out of control," Katherine says. "He's been collecting them for years, and we have them all over the house in various colors."

Wall paint: High Speed Steel, Valspar
by Sarah Greenman  
A triangular hearth oversees the sunken living room, which the Bishops jokingly call "the downstair." Indestructible plastic circular chairs are perfect for the children, who love climbing on the living room furniture. "The first time I walked in the house and saw that fireplace, I was sold," says Katherine.

Area rug: Target; chairs, chrome sculpture: Lula B's
by Sarah Greenman  
"We removed the dark wood paneling when we moved in and painted everything," says Katherine. The modular sofa is a reupholstered find from eBay.

Wall paint: High Speed Steel, Valspar; throw pillows: Target
by Sarah Greenman  
Music often inspires Brian's design aesthetic. He transformed this built-in bookcase into a music epicenter that boasts two record players, music storage and a built-in speaker system.
by Sarah Greenman
The living room gives way to a media room that overlooks the backyard. The backyard extends across a large wooded slope and down to a creek. "I love being able to access the creek from our own backyard to explore with our kids," says Katherine.
by Sarah Greenman  
The couple's favorite view of the home is from the outside looking in. "Seeing the home lit up like this makes it feel so warm and happy," says Brian.
by Sarah Greenman  
The couple had some design help from Cindy Jett of Mode Design in Dallas. The biggest challenge was balancing the retro look with their modern family life. "We wanted to stay true to the original design of the house, but we also want modern conveniences," says Katherine. "It has to be centered around our family, or it just won't work."

A row of modern seats is tucked under the TV in the media room.

Orange magazine rack: Collage; blue chairs: Lula B's
by Sarah Greenman
Amid the bright orange and true blue colors, and chrome and plastic accents, natural elements like small potted succulents keep the home grounded.
by Sarah Greenman
A futuristic black leather sofa and armchair look like they're levitating on their clear plastic bases.

Luckily, the Bishops have an easy time making design choices together. When they shop, they often find themselves picking out the exact same thing.

Sofa, armchair: eBay; coffee table: chrome, Lula B's
by Sarah Greenman  
The couple worked with architect Craig Beneke to remodel the home and update the kitchen; the kitchen remodel alone was a two-year project. "It's tough for most people to renovate everything all at once, so we do a little bit at a time," Brian says. The couple removed a backsplash and installed a long single glass pane in its place, which fills the room with light and a great view of the backyard.

Chairs: Panton, Eurway
by Sarah Greenman  
This orange backsplash was a bold choice that paid off. "I love color that really pops, and I'm not afraid to make big design choices," Katherine says.

Countertops: Silestone; cabinets: Poliform
by Sarah Greenman
A low-profile electric stovetop overlooks the backyard. "I wanted gas, but once Brian saw the electric honeycomb cooktop, I knew there was no talking him out of having them," says Katherine. "He has a love for all things hexagon."

Stove: Scott Cooner
by Sarah Greenman
The master bedroom features large plate glass windows with a backyard view and a wall of exposed brick. Funky furnishings, like a circular tufted chair in neon orange, keep the space fun and fresh.

Bedding: Target; mirror, orange chair: Lula B's
by Sarah Greenman  
The two daughters share a bedroom just off the living room. Vertical slit windows flank an exposed brick wall. The modular bunkbeds were hand crafted by Denny Pilcher, a handy family friend.
by Sarah Greenman  
The Bishops found these gleaming plastic dresser drawers at Dolly Python, a vintage store in Dallas. They clean easily and provide ample storage for the kids' clothes and toys.

Dollhouse: Moolka
by Sarah Greenman  
Bright colors and retro furniture connect the girls' room visually with the rest of the house.

Dresser: Room Service Vintage; TV stand: Target
by Sarah Greenman  
An illuminated "A" shares tabletop space with three tiny mushrooms. Puzzles, games and toys tuck neatly away in these cupboards.

Cupboards: Stuva, Ikea
by Sarah Greenman  
A geometric cinder block wall gives way to an ice-blue front door on the exterior. A vertical window allows the family to see visitors as they approach the door.
by Sarah Greenman  
Brian enjoys collecting vintage stair-step planters. Katherine teases him about his hobby. "If Brian loves something, he can't stop at just one. He must have multiples," she says.
by Sarah Greenman  
Like many midcentury houses in their neighborhood, the Bishops' home has a low, single-story profile. Landscaping will be the family's next big project.
by Sarah Greenman
Ava, Brian, Katherine, Otto and Lola on the couch. "We love collecting, but our home is not a museum," says Katherine. "We live here, and so do the kids. It has to work for the whole family."

See more photos of this house | Share your colorful home with us
by Sarah Greenman

Comments

kennedytarheel The Jetsons would be proud. Cool, clean, funky home full of good vibes! Thanks for sharing!
5 months ago · ·
Tile-Stones Looks very futuristic, but not very homey. No pictures of family anywhere!
5 months ago · ·
Mark Millikan Hi Brian, very nice, you are living the modern dream, in east or northeast Dallas? Let me know when you are ready to sell it!
Mark/ DallasMod.com
5 months ago · ·
rubyroom Tile-stones, thanks for your comment. There are family pictures through out the house but just not highlighted in this article. We don't have any large pieces on the wall yet but this is still a work in progress.
5 months ago · ·
juliebl11 beautiful family, beautiful house. No pictures needed....they make it a home by living in such a great space. I can see by their smiles they illuminate the home.
5 months ago ·
rubyroom Thank you juliebl11 we feel this home is centered around our kids. It's really funny to hear their friends tell their parents that Ava has a fun house.
5 months ago ·
Alon Cohen Fun home, love it!
5 months ago · ·
laverneinteriors Not my taste but so well executed! You should be proud of this, you did a fabulous job. Can't wait to your next home as surely you will evolve.....
5 months ago · ·
Darzy I was thinking the Jetson's too! In a very good way. What a very cool and "fun" house. My husband has the same affliction...love something? Collect more!
5 months ago · ·
Adi Tatarko Colorful, creative and fun. I love it!
5 months ago ·
loishapi Lovely upbeat energizing playful and calming. Such a beautiful family too - inspiration plus. I love it all with one question? Have you, would you consider a face lift for the fireplace? Opaque dark grey brick - and brick is not an easy surface to work with - pulls down on me; maybe only me, In which case, pay no heed to me. Without a budget for some rich thing that sparkes, reflects and shimmers with light, perhaps an inexpensive option? Paint and laquer treatment that would accomplish same effect? It could, should, become the jewel in the crown.
5 months ago ·
helenefroula Thank you for sharing your beautiful, colorful, practical home with us! So thoughtfully put together! The plastic furniture intrigues me as I have many children. Fun AND easy maintenance, hmmmmm....
5 months ago ·
vee22 Unattractive and wacky, in fact it looks very kid unfriendly with all the hard edged plastic silly furniture. At least you kept it to only the "furnishings" and didn't destroy the retail value on the structure of the house. To each his own I suppose.
5 months ago · ·
tammis Hey if it works for you and your family all the power to you! I appreciate the artsy, clean, crisp colourful side to it. Not my style but I don't live there! :)
5 months ago ·
princessdaniele The best, most practical, beautiful family house I've seen on HOUZZ!!! Love it love it love it!!!
I think the clean lines, pure colors, speak volumes of the mental health and unpretentious living style of these parents! I am so sick of the romanesque, opulent, chuck-filled homes without space for "space" to make a statement! Brilliant decor! Should win a prize!
5 months ago · ·
kem60 Bored with the constant Dallas hype on this site.
5 months ago · ·
Sharon Boughner I love your house!!
5 months ago · ·
K.O.H. Construction Corporation Very cool home. You did a great job. I never seen stair- step planters, how old are they?
5 months ago · ·
Sarah Greenman kem60 - I want to respond to your comment about "Dallas hype". I'm the author of this article and a weekly contributor to Houzz.com. I live in Dallas and the homes I share with Houzz readers are therefore usually from Dallas. The "hype" you might be referring to may simply be a matter of author location rather than a concerted effort on the part of Houzz.com to showcase Dallas properties. Just a thought.
5 months ago · ·
icequeen241 Love the whole look. I have the same piece of 'bendable' art...the one on their coffee table, and it always gets comments from visitors....my daughters and I are forever changing the shape of it, to suit our mood or the occasion. And the clean, colorful, 'open space' flow is actually, IMHO, the perfect place for young kids. Lovely and fresh. Well done!
5 months ago ·
Kimberly Hicks Nicely done! Thanks for making Dallas more mod and keeping your lovely home true to its era instead of converting to yet another Tudor-influenced home. I reside in Dallas and remodeled a 60s home, and it is wonderful to see others who honor the time period.

You've done a wonderful, consistent job throughout the house. It looks perfect for kids. The steel blue plastic circular chairs in the downstair are my favorite. Enjoy your home and looking forward to the landscaping photos in the future.
5 months ago · ·
benefield When I saw your house I thought of an artist I saw at Cottonwood Art this fall.
http://www.stevecambronne.com/
5 months ago ·
franki7 "Fab!" franki
5 months ago ·
ddelongc Wow! This home is like a paradise for kids! (and adults too). Wish I was brought up there. :-)
5 months ago · ·
retromomma Love.
5 months ago · ·
Hideko Pirie What a great way to introduce great design and arts to children. Great detailed finishing touches are everywhere.
5 months ago ·
lessismoore I keep thinking of the Woody Allen movie "Sleeper" sets as I look at this! Very fun -- very, very pulled together!
5 months ago · ·
Brenda Landry you must really love "retro"
5 months ago ·
rubyroom K.O.H. Construction Corporation the planters are new and purchased from West Elm. Thanks For the nice comment.
5 months ago ·
rubyroom Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions. We are enjoying the creative process and look forward to even more dramatic changes. 3 custom mirrors are going up on the backwall of the music center now (with built in custom speaker boxes on either side of fireplace that will be architecturally appealing) and we're still formulating ideas on the blank entry area that originally contained a poorly done water feature that was torn out. Also we are planning additional architectural detail on the TV wall and the carpet in sunken living is coming up to utilize the concrete, either stain or epoxy. Fireplace will pop once we remove gray carpet. It's very much a work in progress but was fun to share what we have so far.
5 months ago · ·
Darzy rubyroom...Keep us posted on your projects! We'd love to see them. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
5 months ago · ·
Christopher O. Dougherty, RA, AIA, LLC I like the brightness and the sense of relationship to the outside. It's a neat little house and I would like to see what they do with the landscaping.
5 months ago ·
leaya This home is really nice - I don't usually like modern, but it is young and fun and appropriate. I'm not that keen on the fireplace, but I can appreciate what you've done with the decor - at least your house is unique; so many houses nowadays look the same in design and decor style.
5 months ago ·
vegasvic777 Really like the Steelcase floating sofa and chair. Great use of vintage items. Verner Panton is smiling.
5 months ago · ·
davisbj Unique, uncluttered, refreshing; love the furniture; it's a happy place!
5 months ago · ·
jayalal looks very nice
5 months ago · ·
peachy44 I love this house! The refurbishment is very respectful of it's original design and I LOVE that it is not cluttered with personal photos of family etc. That's what photo albums are for anyway.
5 months ago · ·
grizzly A great flashback for me. Beautifully done. Colorful without being "hyper".
5 months ago · ·
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Very fun furniture and color choices, and I like the warm gray backdrop. Maybe they haven't gotten to collecting 2 dimensional art yet. The children's silhouettes are perfect for the mid-century vibe. But really, people did put art, and originals not prints and not abstracts, on the walls in the mid 20th century. Think Emil Cosa!
5 months ago ·
Linda Ouch! Certainly not my taste. I like warmth in a home and this house does not reflect any. Also too many hard scapes for kids.
5 months ago ·
peachy44 I'm really not sure what this new obsession is with having to make everything in the world acceptable for "the kids". Not all of us live in a 'kiddie-centric" world and nor should they be the centre of the universe...now it's creeping into architecture! I'm sure many generations of kids lived in this lovely house...or lived with the retro furniture somewhere else without dying or losing an eye. You would be amazed how how adaptable kids actually are. They will survive. At least this house is not boring. I wish I grew up in a house like this!!
5 months ago · ·
Darzy Peachy...I know what you mean about "kid obsession" or "child safe". Many parents now-a-days worry because they have a fireplace hearth or a coffee table with square corners. One HOUZZER berated a homeowever for choosing concrete floors and said how unsafe the concrete floors are because they would be too slippery for their children and no safe place for them to play. Some parents won't have a fire in the fireplace because they have small children. My goodness...what did they do 200 years ago for heat? Kid safe means don't leave small children unattended! Of course, chemicals, drugs, etc should be kept unaccesible for children but let's not over do it. Kid safe also means put up the stuff you don't want broken and if it's broken, don't sweat the small stuff!
5 months ago · ·
kmorgan I would love to see what was done with the notoriously small bathrooms of that era. I am getting ready to remodel baths in a 1961 home and seek ideas.
5 months ago ·
xowen Too much 70's furniture.. This house would be great with more wood tones and less plastic.
5 months ago ·
Nine Photography Where did you get the big sliding glass doors?
5 months ago ·
Mackenzie Austin Design Too cool! I love it!! Would love to see the bathrooms if you've done them yet.
5 months ago · ·
zedjafri Wow!!!! I just love this house!
4 months ago ·
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