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You may recognize this darling home... it was featured on our pilot episode of Building Oklahoma for Magnolia Network! I'm thrilled to finally be able to share the photos from our Norman, Oklahoma, renovation project with McGregor Homes, along with a bit more insight into the design decisions we made. We blended warmth, history, and a sense of place for a family that loves to gather. We took an intentional approach to reimagining each space, preserving the character of the home while bringing in fresh, functional updates. Let’s take a tour of Project Plaid!
Designer: Kelsey Leigh Design Co.
Builder: McGregor Homes
Photographer: Ashley Sullivan Photography
The Parlor
This is what we’ve lovingly started calling "the parlor." It was originally the dining room, but we converted it into a formal sitting space—a cozy retreat and the perfect spot for a Christmas tree right in front of the window. When designing, we always like to ask our clients, where does the Christmas tree go? and make sure there’s a dedicated space for it.
Wallpaper Mural
One of the standout features here is the wall mural. The room already had beautiful wainscoting, so instead of competing with it, we leaned in and added arches and trim details to frame the mural. We opted for this instead of a patterned wallpaper because it instantly becomes the art in the space. Paired with plaid drapery—because you know we love plaid!—it all ties into the home’s Ralph Lauren-inspired aesthetic.
Shop the Parlor: Slipcover Sofa | Side Table | Wall Sconce | Marble Bowl | Spectacles | Gathering Coffee Table Book | Curate Coffee Table Book | Triple Pleat Plaid Curtains in Latte SL-E5
The Kitchen
Welcome to the heart of the home—the kitchen! This space is packed with thoughtful details and storage solutions that balance beauty and function.
One design feature we’ve been loving lately is using stone walls as backsplashes. While they add incredible texture, they can be tricky to clean, so here, we introduced a slab backsplash with a small ledge before transitioning to the stone. This creates a seamless, practical solution while maintaining that organic, timeworn feel.
Another key design moment? The vintage-inspired Bertazzoni range. It’s part of their Heritage Collection, featuring mixed metal accents in brass and chrome that add instant character. It’s a perfect example of form meeting function—yes, it cooks your food beautifully, but it’s also a stunning focal point.
This family also collects Flow Blue China, a beautiful antique style known for its distinctive inky bleed lines. We designed custom plate racks with brass gallery rails to highlight their collection, making sure it felt integrated into the kitchen’s aesthetic.
Lastly, cabinetry details! We opted out of upper cabinets in some areas to keep things light and open but balanced them out with strategic storage solutions. Think: stained wood shelving with brass brackets for everyday dishes, integrated panel-ready appliances, and one of our favorite hidden gems—a built-in paper towel pullout to keep countertops clutter-free (to name just a few!).
Shop the Kitchen: Counter Stool | Wooden Egg Tray | Tea Towel
The Pantry
Who doesn’t love a moody pantry these days? This client wanted to have some fun with color, so we made the pantry a playful, rich-toned moment in the home. But it’s not just about looks—this space is a total workhorse. We incorporated a mix of open shelving (backed with beadboard for added charm) and deep pull-out drawers for ultimate functionality. It’s the perfect mix of style and storage.
The Dining Room
This is definitely one of the most recognizable spaces from the pilot episode of Building Oklahoma with Magnolia Network. Originally, this was a massive, formal living room, but we did some flip-flopping and transformed it into the dining room. We relocated the dining space here so it could sit next to the fireplace, which just makes everything feel extra warm and inviting.
To update the space, we replaced the black marble fireplace surround with a crisp white one—allowing the family’s heirloom dining table to really stand out. The chairs are durable and kid-friendly, making this the perfect gathering space, especially around the holidays.
Shop the Dining Room: Rug in Beige | Dining Chairs
The Bar
This area of the home started as a design challenge but quickly became one of our favorite transformations. When we flipped the dining and living areas, we were left with some open square footage. We knew part of it needed to be absorbed into the kitchen, but the rest became this moody, sophisticated speakeasy-style bar.
The bar features beautiful bistro shelving, unlacquered brass fixtures, and a show-stopping slab of Calacatta Monet marble with rich gold, purple, and green veining – swoon! Right behind it, we installed a large-scale gallery wall featuring a handful of the homeowners’ impressive art collection. The mix of textures and tones makes this space feel collected, storied, and seamlessly connected to the dining area.
Shop the Bar: Counter Stool
The Living Room
This living room was super special to this family. This is a multi-generational home that was passed down from the parents to children, and where the grandchildren spent many Christmases unwrapping presents in front of the fireplace. One of the requests the grandchildren had when we began to renovate the space was to preserve the fireplace where so many of their most cherished memories took place. We were happy to do so! And instead of pulling the brick out, we lime-washed it and added built-ins that peeked through to the brick to update the look.
Our furniture and decor selections all revolved around this nostalgic wall. A large statement art piece (commissioned by our fave Abbey Ratcliff) and extra cozy upholstery furniture were a must for this space! And if you're anything like me, you may have spotted the plaid accent chairs first thing. I love plaid, and luckily, so did this family. We ended up putting a touch of plaid in nearly every space, which is why we've titled this fun home Project Plaid.
Shop the Living Room: Slipcover Sofa | Brown Velvet Sofa | Plaid Accent Chairs - shown in putty | Chandelier | Leather Ottoman | Patterned Rug | Marble Side Table | Ruffle Bowl | Horn Box | Dried Flower Pod | Wooden Brick Mold | Brass Gallery Mount | Marble Chain | Gold Pedestal Bowl
Project Plaid was all about honoring the home’s history while making it work for the way this family lives today. We hope you love this transformation as much as we do!
Stay tuned for part two featuring the spaces that weren't shown on Building Oklahoma (hint: the primary bedroom has an incredible plaid slipcover bed you must see!). If you missed seeing the episode live, it's streaming now on HBO Max! And don’t forget—you can shop each space's furnishings from Heritage House (linked below each room) to bring a little of this cozy, collected aesthetic into your own home!
Shop Project Plaid
We’re excited to share some of the sources from our latest project! While we know our readers love getting the details on our designs, we also value the trust and privacy of our clients. Because of this, custom pieces, one-of-a-kind finds, and trade-only items won’t be disclosed. However, we’ve linked all Heritage House product sources and a few other retail items below each room listing. Thank you for following along!
