Emily Miller Brings The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Inspiration Home

With visions of the 2024 Dallas Kips Bay Decorator Show House dancing in my brain after a three-hour press tour on Thursday, I opened up Realtor.com to scout for a Monday Morning Millionaire. Lo and behold, this classic University Park home popped up, and boy, does it show us how Kips Bay inspiration can work in real life.  

Renowned builder Cy Barcus Jr. built it for his family, and they lived here for 13 years. Then Emily Miller fell in love with it and transformed it with her signature bright and cheery style. What struck me was how beautifully it resonates with what I saw at Kips Bay.

The funny thing is, owner  Emily Miller of Emily Miller Decor had not even seen this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House. This is simply her style.

“I’m always drawn to happy colors,” Miller said. “There was no formula. I just used what I loved, and it all came together.”

Miller’s favorite spot in her home is the pale pinky-peach living room that overlooks the front garden.

“I keep my porcelain collections there and my Mahjong table,” Miller said. “When the wisteria over the window is in bloom, it hangs down and is just beautiful.”

The dining room was the most reminiscent of this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House, which has many lacquered ceilings and walls. It’s a beautiful high-gloss “Boca Raton Blue” by Benjamin Moore offset by pale pink curtains. It’s also reminiscent of Palm Beach, which Miller is quite fond of, so it’s not surprising to see the palettes unfold in this home.

As if the blue lacquer dining room was not inspirational enough for our readers who embrace color, take a peek at the butler’s pantry through the doorway. It’s painted with Sherwin Williams Garden Spot and features Schumaker Tortoise wallpaper.  

When Miller found this home, she loved it from the moment she walked in.

“It has character, warmth, unique spaces, and a non-traditional floor plan,” she said. “There is a basement with a wine cellar, and a media room, and the spaces upstairs are large. I could also see it would lend itself easily to different colors and fabrics.” 

Miller would never be leaving this beautiful home, but she happened across one of the most enchanting places in Dallas that was in need of her special brand of decorating magic, and it was for sale. We’ll reveal it when she finishes, but for now, remember, if you’ve read this column for any length of time, you will know my sage advice. When you can purchase a home a builder has created for his family, and it becomes available, get there first. Then go see Kips Bay and hire Miller to bring that inspiration home to you!

Compass listing agent Meredith Ferrell has 4122 San Carlos St. available for $3.995 million.