Amy and Elizabeth Munger, the brains behind Houston-based Munger Interiors, are sisters with an eye for warm, family-friendly insides. When they were approached to design a beach house for a client with four small children, they knew exactly what to do. “Our client wanted to move in as quickly as you can, so we moved fairly fast with this,” says Amy. With the help of Potter Construction, the pair changed the waterfront house in Galveston, Texas into a posh, contemporary home (with lots of space for guests) in record time.
Because this was a house with children, and intended to sponsor guests, Amy and Elizabeth needed to incorporate materials which were easy to clean. Sunbrella fabric was used both inside and out, cotton duvets helped simplify maintenance, and sisal and seagrass rugs intended less vacuuming.
Apart from making this a guest- and – kid-friendly house, pair had no actual limitations on style. “We knew we wanted to do something a bit different for these, since their primary house is very traditional. So we opted for something a little more contemporary they wouldn’t normally have,” says Amy.
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The living area Amy and Elizabeth first struck in the home is a far cry from this beautiful end result. “It was so dark when we saw it,” says Amy. “Lots of ceramic tiles, black granite, and terra cotta walls. It underwent this type of transformation — particularly for just cosmetic changes — and we could not be happier with it.” A simple white couch and armchair are accented by bright pink ikat fabric from Lee Jofa. This pop of colour remains grownup since the remainder of the decor remains quite neutral.
The pair of armchairs to the left are coated in a custom slipcover in Sunbrella fabric and trimming. A wooden coffee table from Custom Furniture LA keeps the tone of this space warm.
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Because this was going to be a vacation house, and the clients were a societal bunch with children, they knew this was going to be a home that would have to host various quantities of individuals at different times. Setting up several little nooks in the living room means more people can sit comfortably in the area with the option of having multiple conversations at once. Except for the couch, the furniture isn’t hard to maneuver, which is excellent if an extra-large game of charades starts up.
The seats in this sitting room are from Restoration Hardware, and the floor lamp is from Arteriors. The table is from Restoration Hardware as well, but was fitted with a personalized zinc shirt.
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A new beach house requires a new kitchen! Amy and Elizabeth chose an all-white farmhouse sink, and classic sink fittings from Rohl to your kitchen sink region.
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All-white cabinetry and light countertops help maintain the fresh and airy feel in this spacious kitchen. Lucite barstools from Knoll add a bit of cool to the classic kitchen decor, and Restoration Hardware light fixtures over the bar provide a splash of industrial bling.
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The turquoise chandelier from Arteriors is among Amy and Elizabeth’s beloved items in the house. “The client was a little afraid of it at first, since she thought it’d turn out too elaborate,” says Amy. “We needed to sort of convince her with this one, but once we put it in, it was fantastic.”
The cloths across the house have been considered carefully. Everything needed to be durable, and easily cleaned. The cushions on the dining room seats were coated with a end to create for easy cleanup. Amy and Elizabeth chose a matte finish to make the cushions less shiny and the end not as obvious. “That is something we wind up doing a lot for clients with families,” Amy says.
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Color accents the wicker and teak outdoor furniture atmosphere. The impartial chaises came from Restoration Hardware, along with the sisters wanted to decorate it up with a couple of fun accessories. “Elizabeth is amazing with colour, so she chose our colour palette,” says Amy. “It was actually based on white — we knew we wanted it to be new — and organic tones, with splashes of colour throughout.”
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Custom turquoise and white pillows were mixed with monogrammed accent pillows to add colour and personality to the home’s stunning waterfront deck.
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An outdoor dining table and wicker chairs from Restoration Hardware sit under a pergola, with Sunbrella cushions and pillows for added comfort.
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Even though the project had a rigorous deadline, the only other restriction in terms of decor was making sure there were enough beds to the large family and their guests. As it came to the design, Amy and Elizabeth were able to take the lead and work out the details of the home’s design. “This was a very wonderful working relationship,” says Amy. “We have a very similar sense of style as the client, and she had been so trusting. She was prepared to let us take some risks and use our best judgement.”
From the master bedroom, Amy and Elizabeth had a headboard made with a natural-colored sheet to cancel the all-white bedding. The white and navy table lamps from Arteriors sit along with side tables made with custom Pindler & Pindler fabric skirts and Lone Star Glass mirrored tops.
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Before revealing the last result to the client, Amy and Elizabeth set up a special treat near the entryway. Four colorful towels with matching monogrammed buckets were awaiting the children on their first visit to the completed home. “We are very detail oriented, so we really try and take care of everything,” says Amy. “It was great. She was actually touched.”
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From the hallway, Amy and Elizabeth made a beach-inspired vignette with an eclectic blue lamp from Arteriors plus a rattan tray atop a gray-washed sideboard from a store in Houston. “Our style actually runs the gamut,” Amy says. “I would say that our designs are almost always on the warm side, and we do a lot of family homes. I really don’t think we do very well with cold and minimalist designs, but we have done a little bit of everything style-wise.”
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Three mini beds with custom headboards and plush Pine Cone Hill bedding create a perfect little bedroom for last-minute guests. The woven trunk baskets from IKEA at the foot of the beds are fantastic for storing sandy shoes. The teeny side tables between each bed are from Worlds Away.
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After rushing around to get everything done on time, the install afternoon was an amazing moment for Amy and Elizabeth. “It was so fast and angry to that point, it was amazing to finally have a step back and put it all together,” says Amy. “We’re so thrilled with the results.”
In this bedroom, Amy and Elizabeth installed a sisal carpet for a durable and classic beach house feel. Custom linen headboards completed the look, and were dressed up with a white Arteriors table lamp along with a re-lacquered and nickel-plated chest of drawers which was already in the home. The mirror was in the customer’s Houston house, and only fit perfectly within this area.
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A pair of bunk beds in the same room adds an extra pair of beds in a compact area. A wise pair of drawers beneath provides a tiny storage for guests, and sconces set to the wall create ideal reading lights.
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A natural and white colour palette continues on in the baths, with a rough wooden mirror from Restoration Hardware along with an unpolished wood dressing table. The white spout was bought through Kiva Kitchen & Bath, and Amy and Elizabeth used metal as an accent on the fittings, glass cannisters, and the overhead light fixture from Circa Lighting.
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