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SEPTEMBER | PAGE 56 | 2015 pool and pool house to a lower terrace and cultivating a lush expanse of green for the children to play. Marroquin Custom Upholstery, a family-owned business whose work can be seen in the White House and grand estates across the country, breathed new luxury into the couple's existing furniture and heirlooms. And, the legendary Barry A. Martin Painting Contractors, brothers who have painted grand homes and charming cottages in the Park Cities for more than 65 years, lacquered the house's ceilings, walls and doors by hand in a painstaking process that took many weeks, dozens of coats of paint and plenty of patience. It was a team effort that naturally included the homeowners. "Both the husband and wife have very cosmopolitan backgrounds to bring to the project," says Garzotto. Both the husband and wife, who had lived in London and fallen in love with the city's high-gloss black doors, asked Garzotto to have their own doors at home painted similarly. The Martin brothers responded with a custom color called New Orleans Plumb. The hue, which has more richness of depth than black, helped launch the look for the entire house. "We did a whole Noel Coward thing — dark floors, dark lacquered doors," Garzotto says. The husband, who had grown up in a sophisticated contemporary mid- century house, has a preference for clean lines and lots of natural wood, which is reflected in the kitchen's sleek, book-matched European walnut paneling, cabinetry and floors. Leftover walnut was also used in the ceiling of his study. "The wife had always lived in traditional houses and wanted something full-bodied," Garzotto says. The couple found common ground in art. "W e met through the museum, and we both have appreciation for contemporary art," the wife says. "Where Paul was most helpful was in establishing bridges between our two styles. Before, the house was like a high-end tag sale, with all our pieces thrown in together. I adore the way he repurposed all the inherited pieces. He made them feel even more personal." The husband, who had renovated and lived in a defunct power station during his bachelor days, had amassed a collection of modern furniture that includes a monumental mid-century iron-and-glass chandelier from the Petroleum Club of Houston and an eight-foot Holly Hunt sofa. Top: The elevated dining room is separated from the family room by sliding doors made from European walnut and glass, a Paul Garzotto design. Walls upholstered in indoor/outdoor velvet from Holly Hunt. Above left: The living room has its original ornate plaster molding and marble fireplace. Inherited Louis XV pieces and antiques from Embree & Lake mix with modern elements, including the husband's Platner side table. Above: In the dining room, framed antique temple rubbing is from Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. The Baguès sconces over the custom banquette are part of a rare set of four. In the dining room are an antique Asian chest and a Chinese vase that belonged to the husband's parents. The sconce is Baguès, one of a set of four.