Before & After: A Charming Crestline Cottage Renovation

A classic cottage receives a winning renovation that celebrates its innate character while creating a fresh, family-friendly home.

The original Crestline cottage was classic but had less than 1,000 square feet. Architect Eric Dale designed side and back additions and added a second story, all while keeping the same overall feel of the façade freshened up with white paint. The front porch lacked an inviting tone, so wood railings replaced iron. Proper columns offer definition, and a new front door and sidelights open up the home to natural light. Copper sconces from Visual Comfort and hardware from Brandino Brass add distinction, as does the new landscaping. Photos by Jean Allsopp, Floral styling by Brooke McAfee with Lilt Florals
BEFORE

It was really important to us to preserve the integrity of the original house,” says owner Theresa Hickman. “I grew up in Crestline, and a teardown just didn’t feel right to us.” So Theresa and husband Ralfe decided to grow the 971-square-foot shingled cottage into a spacious family home without sacrificing any of its original appeal, thanks to clever additions by architect Eric Dale. “The same family had owned the house since it was built in 1947, and it was in excellent condition” says Ralfe. “Eric really understood how we wanted it to live for our needs.”

As the Hickmans were still living in Tuscaloosa with a baby was on the way, they needed everything to run as smoothly as possible. They brought in Houston-based interior designer Cameron James, a friend of the family, at the beginning to collaborate with Eric on finalizing the plans. “I spent a lot of time exploring the neighborhood to understand its character,” says Cameron. “I wanted to keep the house in line with classic Crestline, but I also wanted it to stand out on its own. While it’s now larger of course, it still has warmth and charm.” 

“We didn’t want anything too loud or fussy; just homey and fresh—a house to live and grow in for years to come.” —Theresa Hickman

Cameron took palette cues from Theresa’s favorite tableware, Herend’s ‘Chinese Bouquet’ in the blue colorway, and paired it with greens and creamy neutrals. She also found homes for the Hickmans’ collection of inherited antiques, sometimes reworking them to feel updated. For example, a set of wingback chairs from Ralfe’s grandmother looks totally different upholstered in Mark Sikes for Schumacher’s ‘Brentwood Stripe,’ while a settee was perked up with a glazed linen paired with pillows in Lee Jofa’s ‘Althea Linen’—a traditional floral with notes of citron green. A cherished heirloom bed from Theresa’s grandmother and namesake received a makeover as well. “It looks pretty in a soft white, especially when upholstered in Colefax and Fowler’s classic ‘Bowood,’ a perennial favorite,” says Cameron.

The well-appointed family room includes performance fabrics on the neutral sofas and blue chairs perked up with pillows in Jasper‘s ‘Malmaison’ green floral fabric and Heather Chadduck’s ‘Ginger’ linen in Fig. Designer Cameron James added a glass top to the Serena & Lily grasscloth coffee table.
Primary bedroom walls are painted pale blue, a color pulled from the Colefax & Fowler fabric on the headboard. Linens are Matouk. Phillips Scott nightstands offer a modern element with the vintage bed.

The designer also introduced additional color and pattern through contemporary art and wallpaper. “The powder bath is one of my favorite little spots in the house” she says. “The burst of green in the wallpaper contrasts with the black-and-white abstract art. It’s a fun surprise.” 

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While creating prettiness at every turn, Cameron was tuned in to the need for practicality and performance. She chose fabrics and rugs in a flat weave that won’t pull or fray easily. “I try to give my clients a sense of relief that if something happens, it’s not going to be the end of the world,” says the designer. “I want spaces to look fresh, but most importantly, I want them to feel lived in and loved.”

The Hickmans wanted an open floorplan, so they gave up a formal dining room. However, Cameron made sure the area was still special with a plaster chandelier with custom blue shades and a round table with an Amanda Lindroth tablecloth.
The nursery employs pieces that can easily transition as the Hickmans’ son grows—or the space can be amended in the event of a future daughter.
The screened-in porch was part of the addition and expands the living space of the home. Shingled walls mimic the exterior of the house, creating a connection to the original. Furniture is AERIN for Williams-Sonoma Home; pillows are Serena and Lily.

Meet Cameron James

A native of Houston, Texas, Cameron was exposed to design at a young age—her grandfather was a noted architect, and his wife was a real estate agent. “I would walk through houses with them, and I really developed an appreciation for design,” she says. “I also loved to paint. If there was DIY project in sight, I was on it!”

Cameron studied architecture and interior design at Texas Christian University and then honed her craft with prominent names in the industry—first for Paloma Contreras and then with Sarah Cameron James Interiors. “I learned a lot from Paloma and Sarah about handling remote projects, so I work with clients all over the country. I met Theresa through her younger sister who was my roommate in college.”

Cameron is drawn to classic design but likes to shake things up a bit. “I really focus on pattern play and balancing the scale of prints,” she says. “I also pay great attention to textures that bring richness to a space. Above all, I want any home to reflect my client’s personality and lifestyle.”

Cameron James Interiors // @cameronjamesinteriors, cameronjamesinteriors.com

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