A Dallas Home Where Architecture, Art, and Memory Converge

While the saying “everything is bigger in Texas” celebrates scale and bravado, this Dallas condominium offers a quiet rebuttal. Designed by Joshua Rice for a young art-world professional, the home is a study in warm minimalism, expressive materiality, and deeply personal storytelling—brought to life through a museum-worthy collection of iconic furniture and objects that speak with subtle authority rather than loud declarations.

Set in a building designed by celebrated modernist Bud Oglesby in the 1980s, the apartment is nestled in Dallas’s walkable Uptown district. Oglesby’s signature architectural language of honest materials, precise proportions, and sunlit interiors offered a compelling framework. Rice’s mission was to honour that foundation while giving the home new relevance through careful edits, modern refinements, and a personal design narrative shaped by the owner’s discerning eye.“Much of the inspiration came from the owner herself and her previous knowledge and exposure to first-class art, architecture and design which I believe gave her the confidence to sit back, trust the process, and embrace nuance,” Rice shares.

The homeowner, a single woman in her mid-20s, grew up immersed in the Dallas art community. With parents who were patrons of architecture and collectors of contemporary design, her appreciation for form, function, and nuance came early. Today, she works in childhood education advocacy, splitting her time between Dallas and New York. Years before founding his eponymous design studio in 2007, Rice was a design intern at a firm that worked with the homeowner’s parents. “At the time, I was just starting out, without a name or title, but I still remember how kind and considerate they were during that project,” he says. The client’s father — who has since passed — made a lasting impression. “He had a rare ability to make people feel seen, and he always took time to speak with me in a way that was genuine and generous. Her mother was equally thoughtful, with a warmth and grace that made an impact.” When this opportunity came up years later with the homeowner — who had been a small child when Rice worked with her parents — it was a full-circle moment.

That sensitivity guided the year-long transformation, which began with restraint. The 2,400-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment had strong bones. Rice preserved the original Saltillo tile in the living room, smoothed out textured walls and ceilings for a museum-like finish, and retained the warm oak floors. The updates felt less like renovations and more like clarifications—removing noise to let materials and objects speak. In a space that unfolds slowly and intentionally, it’s the details that matter. A rich but muted color palette—mineral putty, soft tans, ochres, and rust creates an earthy backdrop. Against it, iconic pieces of design serve as both punctuation and storytelling devices.

In the dining area, a solid walnut table by Riva 1920 anchors the space, surrounded by vintage Finn Juhl NV 55 dining chairs in teak and leather. Above, the Trilogy pendant by Articolo casts a soft, warm light, echoing the subtle sophistication of an antique hand-knotted Turkish Oushak rug underfoot.The kitchen offers a refined study in tonal balance. Putty-toned Venetian plaster covers the backsplash, hood, and open shelves, while natural Brazilian quartzite countertops and island bring a grounding tactility. Above, the Multiverse track lighting by Juniper Design adds a clean, architectural rhythm.

The living room reads like a curated volume of modern design history: a custom 11-foot aluminum cabinet by Jonathan Nesci adds a sharp sculptural moment, while a black fiberglass coffee table by KAR and an Onyx Gade table by Rice himself ground the space in rich material contrast. Textural softness comes from the Marenco sofa by Arflex, a Phase Design daybed, and a rare wenge-and-boucle lounge chair by Theo Ruth—a vintage prototype that lends patina and presence. Lighting includes a Noguchi Akari paper lamp and a sculptural Caprani floor lamp, both casting layered, atmospheric light across the room. Nearby, an ensemble of Ashley Joseph Martin’s hand-carved walnut vases reinforces the tactile warmth.

Adjacent in the breakfast nook, design play continues with a vintage leather settee by Frits Henningsen, paired with a Donald Judd “Chair 115” in copper—an art object as much as a seat. A vintage Cugino table by Enzo Mari rounds out the space, balancing practicality with sculptural integrity.

In the bedroom, calm and simplicity reign. The Ghost bed by Gervasoni sits beneath Reibe wall lamps by Kalmar and a Tekiò lamp by Santa & Cole overhead. A pair of vintage nightstands by Franco Poli for Bernini flank the bed, while an Afghan Barchi rug adds hand-woven softness. A BM 5272 bench in oak and caning offers subtle contrast at the foot of the bed.

The guest room and library offer a tonal shift, with a wall of bookshelves painted a rich, warm blue—the only significant pop of color in the home. A sofa bed by American Leather, vintage nesting tables by Gianfranco Frattini, and a Nickey + Kehoe fireplace chair shape a space that’s intimate yet inviting. A vintage Caprani lamp completes the mood with its graceful silhouette.

In the office, materials remain tactile and timeless. Oak shelving by Jader Almeida holds books and objects, while a leather-and-aluminum swivel chair by Vipp speaks to enduring craftsmanship. Lighting comes from an Ariette lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, softening the lines of the workspace with its iconic textile shade.

The bathroom, wrapped in cream marfil stone, features a custom sink with polished nickel hardware, while a panel of hand-painted wallpaper by Gracie introduces quiet luxury through art.

This home is not about maximalism or flash. It’s about care, curation, and conviction. “We achieved that through considered furniture pieces, a controlled color story, and a material palette that rewards close attention,” Rice says. “Nothing was overworked, and nothing feels extraneous in my opinion.”