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Above, Davis says when at all possible, she prefers to source items locally such as the living room art by Camille Cornett and pillows from Little Design Co. 

Above, Davis says when at all possible, she prefers to source items locally such as the living room art by Camille Cornett and pillows from Little Design Co. 

Bigger is not always better, or is it? 

When a Tulsa couple was gifted the husband’s childhood house, they knew the existing ranch home, which sits on nearly 2 acres in midtown Tulsa, would never meet their desired style regardless of how much they invested in remodels and additions. 

So, with his mother’s blessing, the couple demolished the home that had been in the family for three generations to make way for their dream home: a 9,900-square-foot colonial, New England-style residence designed by Tulsa architecture firm W Design.  

Emily Davis of Emily Davis Interiors was hired during the framing stage and tasked with the home’s interior. For Davis, the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” rings true, which is why she always asks clients to share inspiration photos with her. “I can say ‘traditional,’ and that may conjure a different image in your head than it does in mine,” Davis says, “but it’s hard to argue with a visual.” She says it was immediately evident her clients wanted a warm, East-coast vibe. 

Davis says her goal is for all her projects to reflect the people who live there. “I really want my clients’ homes to be the very best version of their style, not my style per se,” she says. “The home is a classic Federal style, so on the interior we brought elements that speak to that classicism.” 

Above, Davis says when at all possible, she prefers to source items locally such as the living room art by Camille Cornett and pillows from Little Design Co. 

Davis had to reassure the homeowners the dark wall color in the study, left, was the right decision. “I like to push people in the direction of something you haven’t seen everywhere,” she says.

The dining room features a custom-made table, multiple crystal chandeliers and metallic wallpaper all made to shine with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

The home’s massive kitchen has two islands, both topped with Grey Goose granite, to ensure plenty of space for cooking and entertaining. 

The home’s massive kitchen has two islands, both topped with Grey Goose granite, to ensure plenty of space for cooking and entertaining. 

The primary powder room features wallpaper by Schumacher and a washstand

style vanity from Restoration Hardware. 

The master bath features a Carrera mosaic basket weave tile floor with a black marble detail, glass tiled shower walls and quartz countertops. 

A well-appointed mudroom eases daily life. 

A pool is part of the nearly 2 acre property.

Above, Davis says when at all possible, she prefers to source items locally such as the living room art by Camille Cornett and pillows from Little Design Co. 

Davis had to reassure the homeowners the dark wall color in the study, left, was the right decision. “I like to push people in the direction of something you haven’t seen everywhere,” she says.

The dining room features a custom-made table, multiple crystal chandeliers and metallic wallpaper all made to shine with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

The home’s massive kitchen has two islands, both topped with Grey Goose granite, to ensure plenty of space for cooking and entertaining. 

The home’s massive kitchen has two islands, both topped with Grey Goose granite, to ensure plenty of space for cooking and entertaining. 

The primary powder room features wallpaper by Schumacher and a washstand

style vanity from Restoration Hardware. 

The master bath features a Carrera mosaic basket weave tile floor with a black marble detail, glass tiled shower walls and quartz countertops. 

A well-appointed mudroom eases daily life. 

A pool is part of the nearly 2 acre property.

From the moment you walk in the home’s entry, it is hard to deny its grandeur. The custom, espresso-stained herringbone wood floors, paneled walls and statement chandelier from Circa Lighting all set the tone for the rest of the house, which was completed in June 2020. Davis’ favorite feature of the home is its impressive millwork, most notably in the entry and formal entertaining areas. “The team of carpenters who worked on this home were true artists,” she says. “The details in the millwork take the home to the next level in terms of design.”

Thanks to its sheer scale, you can see the home is built for entertaining. The formal living room features soaring ceilings, a pair of chandeliers and wall paneling that was painted white to contrast and pop against the walls, which were painted Sherwin Williams’ Gray Shingle. Two sets of French doors lead to the backyard that boasts a pool and patio area. 

The formal living room also includes an outfitted bar opposite the fireplace. The bar’s bookmatched marble slab backsplash is repeated on the fireplace surround. Davis says each of the home’s four fireplaces has its own look. “This particular one (formal living room) is more modern, and it really complements the bar area in the room,” she says.

“The dining room is an incredible room to make memories in,” she adds. The room features not one, but two crystal chandeliers, a necessity for both the size of the room and its long custom table, according to Davis. The walls are covered in a Thibaut metallic silver wallpaper with neutral accents. Between the dining room and kitchen is a butler’s pantry designed to accommodate every host’s need — from china to linen storage. 

In the large kitchen, Davis says she purposefully spaced things out. “I completely disagree with the kitchen triangle concept that your sink has to be within so many feet of the appliances … I find it leads to everyone being on top of each other,” she says. 

The kitchen features two islands, one intended for cooking and the other for entertaining, as well as a coffee bar on the perimeter of the room. In addition to the Thermador range and a Galley sink, one island features an induction cooktop, which helps the busy family get dinner on the table quickly. “It’s truly just a dream,” says Davis, who worked with Sullivan’s Custom Cabinets to design every detail of the space to ensure it would meet the homeowners’ needs. Davis covered the walls in a bold, yet classic navy subway tile and Sullivan’s created a custom paint color for all the cabinetry, with the exception of the islands, which are painted Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy.

Despite the home’s impressive size, Davis says the owners and their young children actually use all the space. “Details like a fully outfitted mudroom and drop zone off the garage and a main-level playroom ensure the ease of daily life,” she says. The home functions equally well when extended family visits, thanks to a guest suite that is separate from both the living areas and other bedrooms. 

Davis says her clients wanted a classic family home that was comfortable for day-to-day life. “They wanted to build a house that stood the test of time,” she says. “I have no doubt this one will.”

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