Designer Profile

By Juan Carlos Villareal

You know how you always have that special place in your memories, the place where all the beautiful moments in your childhood with your parents happened, where you made major decisions that shaped your life into what it is now? Well, that’s what this house has been to me.

I will never forget when my parents and I first saw this place in 1982. It was nothing but the foundation and frame.  It had begun as a project for a gentleman who had backed out of the sale and was being sold as a work-in-progress for a new owner to take over.  My parents jumped at the idea of being able to shape this brand new house to their own taste. In 1982 their plan was to have this house become their United States home, since dad had been working overseas for Chevron in Guatemala where I  was born.

The building of the house was finished in May of 1983. My mom was fascinated with the color peach. I remember Easter week in 1983 picking everything in that color—from carpet to wallpaper, window coverings to the furniture  from Strouds in Harlingen.  The interior of this house remained frozen in time literally until April of 2020.  Both my parents passed away while living at that house— dad on April 19 of 2019 and mom on April 18 of 2020.  The era of memories in this, my beloved house had ended, or so I thought at first….

I had been living and working in Dallas as a real estate agent and an Interior Designer Consultant. Sometime had passed after my parents had died before I arrived in Harlingen from Dallas to arrange my parents’ things in Harlingen—which included the sale of this property.  When I opened the front door and entered my childhood home— this crazy thought came to my mind of selling my home in Dallas, moving to the Valley and restoring this house.  And so, its second life began.

          My main focus was to not change the floor plan or knock down walls.  I wanted to preserve the original, beautiful, simple floor plan it had, and transform it into a fusion of my taste and my furnishings from my house in Dallas combined with the beauty of my mom’s taste and style of 1983, then blend it together—making it look it look seamless.  Well, that’s what the home on 2810 Mariposa Lane is today. It is a place where old heirlooms and furniture of yesterday and modern state of the art comforts have become one…

my beloved home for years to come.

Written by Tina Garbo Bailey

Photography by Anthony Medina

From the distinctive design studio of Sisters Interiors on South Padre Island, Texas, we quote a description of Casa Sirena which is also known as The Mermaid House: …. “a marquee example of South Texas coastal livingóblends high design, sun, sea and family at heart.”

~SISTERS INTERIORS

In the private, gated community of The Villas of South Padre Island, this three-storied, luxury beachfront villa was well-matched with the design team of Sisters Interiors. Lead designer Ann Hunsaker led the tour through the Island getaway. This June, Ann will be celebrating her thirty sixth year as an Interior Designer.

          This beachfront home reveals its quiet luxury as soon as the doors are opened.  As we walked through the Mediterranean-styled villa, Ann shared that the owners of the villa had been wonderful to work with and that, “there were opportunities throughout the house… to truly create.” Every surface of the home has been touched—including modification of the original footprint, addressing exposed, structural deficiencies, and making improvements of the fenestration, site drainage,  landscaping, the roof and the stucco system.

Sisters Interiors has expertly invited the beachfront home’s coastal beauty to the interior, making it the design focus. What once was heavy stone façades and earth tones has been transformed into a sea-induced, soothing palette with clear vistas that can be seen from inside and out. Casa Sirena is now a seminal watercolor of white ground, gray and blue tones with the occasional infusion of a warm chroma.

Breathtaking beach views from all three floors, design features and expertly-curated furnishings warmly greet residents and guests at every turn.

       La Sirena reveals her secrets as one moves throughout the home, a marriage of quality and comfort bathed in island sunlight. Just inside the diminutive, solid wood French door entrance, the experience begins with a three story rotunda which has flooring tiled in white and gray marble crafted in a herring-bone pattern. From there you could ascend the wall-hugging, curved staircase which provides multiple views of the lantern that is suspended from the center of the foyer dome. This fixture is a simple, geometric interpretation of a classic lantern style, accenting the area’s furniture, sconces and art pieces.

The same foyer floor tile simultaneously accents the wrought iron railed, solid wood stair risers—taking the exclusive feel vertically up the spiral staircase. The upper foyer is highlighted by the former curved landing at the top of the stairs which has been trimmed in order to add uninterrupted volume to the room. Beyond the foyer lays the open layout of the first floor’s living space.

From the foyer, a corridor is announced by accenting wood beams with a washed stria effect to mark the intervals between the ceramic Italian ceiling tiles of a classic geometric floral pattern. The windows have been enhanced with quartz sills throughout the villa’s structure. Walking further, the first floor living space opens up to the great room which includes a pool. The beach is just beyond the loggia. While looking up from the living room, the serpentine second floor landing reveals the openness of the two levels that share the full volume of the space. Neutral rattan club chairs and upholstered American Leather sofas surround a sandy-colored, driftwood, trunk style coffee table. One of the two pre-existing fireplaces which had become non-functional has been converted into a bright and inviting, tiled vignette of greenery and decorative elements.

The original footprint of the primary kitchen was expanded by absorbing five feet from the adjacent, large living space. This “foodie’s” kitchen was meticulously planned, including custom cabinetry which was designed to utilize the full height of the ceiling, facilitated by using a row of downlit glass and display cabinet doors at the crowne. Heavy corbels and stone have been replaced with lighter, eased-edge quartz countertops that make for a sleek, yet inviting, culinary heart for the home. The same soft blue-gray Walker Zanger mediterranean tiles found in the gallery ceiling have been repeated on the backsplash above the ceramic cooktop for a beautiful focal point. There is a central window with a striped Roman shade in line with the luxe-sized, apron front sink and commercial style faucet which is centered below the window. The peninsula and its counter height stools can serve as a breakfast bar for cocktails and canapés—or a quick family breakfast before a great day on the beach.

A curved cove—an enhanced existing feature—leads to the first floor’s junior master suite which is just beyond the kitchen. Natural elements have inspired the choices of furnishings, including a blue and white rug and the floral bedding, all beckoning the room’s views of the swimming pool and the Gulf of Mexico. Perfect for adult visitors, this room has a sliding glass patio door that leads directly to the pool area. The en-suite bathroom has an enclosed wet room which includes an elliptical-shaped soaking tub, three vertical niches and a wall shower that is accented with a custom break-front vanity. Exquisitely crowning the vanity is a white coral surround mirror. The first floor has a second guest bedroom with a custom-tiled en-suite bathroom that is also accessible by way of the hall. A full utility room is a component of this area’s well thought out design. All are themed similarly to the seaside palette found throughout Casa Sirena.

On the second floor past the coffee bar is the daughter’s room which has bedding of white with a blue paisley design print on the coverlet with matching pillows. Behind the entry door is a niche with a mermaid sculpture fit for a mermaid’s room. The floor of the en-suite bathroom is decorated in Emser porcelain tile floor with Walker Zanger geometric deco tile and mosaics in shades of gray. This bathroom also has a wall of bubble mosaic design that flows from above the tub and continues onto the ceiling. There is a playful three-dimensional butterfly motif mirror that was upcycled using white paint, making it a defining statement in this, fondly-called “the butterfly bathroom”.

Down the same corridor from this room you will find the son’s bedroom with walls that are dressed in coastal art. Here the bedding choice is a simple white with a natural fabric coverlet with a blue, racing stripe motif. The en-suite bathroom’s vanity and shower are matched in a gulf blue color. There is a tiled barrel vault feature that runs along one portion of the bathroom’s ceiling.

  As we made our way into the mixed-purpose third floor, a full-sized billiard table came into view. Its gray felt tabletop sets the tone in this area which offers a variety of spaces. Desks flank the repurposed, former fireplace nook and there are abundant eating areas. According to lead designer, Ann, “the owners wanted to keep things neutral, but, we were also able to play with color in select spots.” There is an infusion of high-chroma artwork on this floor. Between billiards and the sea, lies a furnished seating area with a coffee table for warmth.

The adjacent penthouse kitchen contains Sub-Zero appliances and also includes a large wine refrigerator, a pizza oven and more. All are incorporated into light blue-green cabinetry. The quartz countertops anchor and complement all of it. To highlight the vaulted ceiling that the Sisters Interiors team designed, a life-sized, silver painted marlin is mounted on an upper wall. (There is also a placeholder for a future spiral stairway to the observation deck above.) The full-sized, modernly equipped media room can also be found on this floor. The room sports a collection of Star Wars movie posters and is guarded by a campy, metal robot which is posted in a niche. American Leather seating faces the three yard wide screen. There is a custom storage and hospitality cabinet that spans the wall under the movie screen. Behind the seating area, a piece of art with a depiction of a mermaid’s tail hangs as a tribute. There is a hidden stairway to a carpeted demi-loft that overlooks the media room. Two divans with upholstered cushions along with flat surfaces for beverages and snacks makes this area perfect for surfing the web or viewing a surf movie on the screen. The almost forgotten highlight of this room is its en-suite bathroom with white tiled arched ceiling which evokes the feeling of being in a subway. 

     The top floor guest bedroom includes another unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico. A white canopy bed with a daybed afoot is dressed in a matching, sporty blue and white canvas. Completing the room are generous bolsters. The bathroom on this floor has harlequin, oval and circular coin tiles. The shower is decorated in white tile and great sunlight!

  Lastly, “the round room”  is located in the turret of the house. Domed with a series of round, shuttered windows, this circular room is outfitted for media viewing or a game of foosball—but actually has great acoustics for something musical. There are convertible sofas that make into beds and giant beanbags in this sweet spot, making it ideal for lounging or sleeping. (The Mermaid House sleeps fifteen guests very comfortably! )

With a grand total of seven thousand square feet in its floor plan, Casa Sirena is the largest remodeling project Sisters Interiors has completed as of this date. Located in an especially lovely part of South Padre Island, Texas, The Mermaid House is a perfect spot for nomads—both digital and vacationing. So, wheels down and fins up!

The design group of Sisters Interiors sourced materials from Company C, Regina Andrews, Annie Selke, Peacock Alley, Global Views, Phillips Collection and Seaside Casual.

Create a space that stands out from the crowd.

Retail and Design The best of both worlds.

What began as a small boutique at the southern end of South Padre Island, has expanded into a newly built 5,700 square foot space now located at 2901 Padre Blvd. While the retail business has stayed strong for the past 31 years, the interior-design side has grown by leaps and bounds. Although Sisters Interiors has been working with interior design for over 20 years, the time came to showcase their design team and the quality and unique aesthetic that has become known as “Sisters.” Owners Ann Hunsaker and Linda Golden designed their new showroom to be a living example of the type of work the company can deliver. Shiplap and beadboard accent the walls throughout the store, inviting customers and design clients an opportunity to visualize an example of a cottage or coastal feel for their own home. At the center of the design, the area is a fully working Sub-Zero Wolf kitchen that allows consumers an opportunity to see an example of integrated kitchen cabinetry versus built-in cabinetry. Throughout the store, clients will find inspiration for their home from the beautiful art, furnishings, and décor. Sisters is truly a one-stop shop for almost everything. If you don’t see it there in the showroom, the staff at Sisters will find it for you. Design consultation is available for those who are seeking some suggestions and direction rather than having a designer working on their project from start to end.

“The designer’s goal is always to achieve the client’s vision, and to help them see how their vision can be taken to its full potential.”

Standing Out From The Crowd

Sisters Interiors has a distinctive signature look. Like any artist, lead designer Ann Hunsaker treats each design project as a canvas where elements of design are used to create a work of art. Leading her design team by example, she sets the bar for their studio with her ability to be creative and think outside the box. Instead of a paintbrush or clay, the materials are quartz, marble, porcelain or glass tile, crown molding, corbels, wood trim, mirrors, and glass. You certainly won’t get a cookie-cutter approach to your design. Ann emphasizes that the designer’s goal is always to achieve the client’s vision, and to help them see how their vision can be taken to its full potential.

One-Of-A-Kind Design

Clients frequently come to Sisters looking for something unusual, a focal wall, an artsy backsplash, custom-designed iron gate entrances, hand-painted furniture, murals; you name it. These are things for which the company has become known. Kitchens and bathrooms are especially where Sisters’ design team delivers innovative, fresh ideas. Combinations of tile that transition seamlessly, accent pieces in borders, lighting in cabinetry, and niches for artistic display or practical use all come to play when thinking about what your space can look like.

A Step Beyond Design

In an age of do-it-yourself and video how-to’s, why solicit help from a designer? Whether the project is large or small, a seemingly “easy” project can run amiss. The consumer shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to a designer. Many people want to do the work themselves, but they often encounter problems or something unforeseen once they begin. A unique aspect at Sisters Interiors is the combination of both designer and project manager. The team has their own crew in place, and they manage each project from start to finish. Selecting the color palette, flooring, and tile is just the beginning. Making sure that everything is installed properly, the correct cuts are made of the quartz or granite, the finishes on the fixtures are the ones the client ordered…all the fine tuning is endless. The design team at Sisters handles all aspects for the client. They know the design inside and out and manage the entire project so that the client has a turnkey delivery. Homeowners shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to a designer no matter the scope of the project. The company is happy to work on smaller projects and work within a budget.

Today’s Trends

While trends speak to broad audiences, it’s important to keep the principles of design present and foundational to the design concept. Using principles of balance, repetition, unity, color… your home has a solid basis: something classic, something timeless. Trends are fun and can always be addressed with accessories or accents so that when the trend swings in a different direction, the consumer isn’t left with a dated look but rather just a few pillows and a piece of art to update. Ann says the key is “having solid bones in a home.” Having a designer guide the selections to keep the bones of the home classic is invaluable. Whether there is a farm sink, vessel sink, or under mount sink are examples of a fun trend that can be easily changed later.

“They know the design inside and out and manage the entire project so that the client has a turnkey delivery.”

The Next Generation

Sisters Interiors was born of love for design and love for family. Both Linda and Ann appreciate beautiful things, which were the genesis of their company. Another commonality is that they each have one daughter. The two sisters, at the heart of the company, will have their two daughters carry their vision into the future. While Jennifer McGee and Stefani Harrison are first cousins, they spent most of their childhood together and have a very close sisterly relationship. Jennifer’s art and design background and Stefani’s retail background complement the various aspects of a retail and interior-design business. Jennifer and her husband have recently moved to the island from the north Dallas area while Stefani has been involved with the business for many years and will be resuming a full-time status when she and her husband return to SPI in the next year. Both daughters have been buyers for the company for the past two years and now look forward to a new chapter where they are present full time. Instilling a strong work ethic, caring for their clients, and doing everything with excellence is the family motto. As the sisters often advocate, “What matters the most is for our clients to know we care” and the next generation is hard at work brainstorming ways to make sure their mothers’ legacy continues well into the future.

“While trends speak to broad audiences, it’s important to keep the principles of design present and foundational to the design concept.”