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"When interior designer Chandos Dodson set out to redo a tri-level house in Dallas, she and her client had one thing in mind: the party. &amp;quot;One of the client&amp;#039;s top priorities was creating a space that would seat up to 30 people for cocktails or a business meeting,&amp;quot; says Dodson. The house itself\u2014location, architecture, yard\u2014had everything going for it, but the ghastly pink interior and dated decor needed an overhaul. At first glance the average 30-year-old bachelor would have run from his real estate agent, but this savvy gas and oil executive saw the potential of the high ceilings and open plan\u2014all it would take was the right decorator.  With just 90 days until the homeowner&amp;#039;s first big bash, Dodson set out to transform the peachy space into the ultimate entertaining retreat. And the result? An airy, open home equipped to entertain high-profile clients and business executives but with enough character and comfort to host family and friends.  Here, Dodson takes us through the clever redo, sharing a few tried-and-true makeover techniques to give any home party-ready panache. Pare down excess and lighten up a space Dodson brought the space down to the basics, stripping the rooms of their existing surface coverings and changing the walls and ceilings from musty peach to sophisticated white. Not only did this establish a clean palette, but it revealed surprising design gems. Handsome wide-plank pine flooring in near mint condition was found beneath the carpet, eliminating the need to install something new. &amp;quot;The floors only needed refinishing, and along with the existing wood beams, helped tone the white walls down and gave the house a lot of warmth,&amp;quot; says Dodson. And by removing the existing floor-to-ceiling sun shades, the once-obstructed treetops instantly became lush, sparkling scenery.  Use color to usher guests from room to room To keep the space open and roomy, Dodson chose an underlying neutral color palette, adding color through pillows and accessories. &amp;quot;We used pops of color to cue guests from room to room,&amp;quot; notes Dodson. Burnt orange (the client&amp;#039;s favorite hue), caramel, and warm grays are used in each space to create a sense of continuity. Chocolate-brown gives the media room its warm, cozy sense, and navy blue lends calmness to the master bedroom. &amp;quot;There&amp;#039;s a vocabulary of color that visually speaks as you travel through the house.&amp;quot; Select stylish furnishings made to last The client wanted to accommodate large groups and cocktail parties, so ample seating was a top priority. An eclectic mix of chic banquettes, a plush deep-seat sofa, angular leather armchairs, and lightweight wood accent chairs does the trick and is easy to rearrange as needed. Dodson also sought out beautiful yet practical fabrics like heavy linen velvets, leather, and linen that would hold up to the wear and tear of frequent visitors. &amp;quot;These fabrics seem to stand the test of time on upholstery and add an interesting textural mix.&amp;quot; Think like a host and a guest &amp;quot;[My client&amp;#039;s] first request was to have a bar in every public space so refills didn&amp;#039;t require climbing stairs all night for either himself or guests,&amp;quot; Dodson says. Minibars were naturals for the dining room and media room, but to maintain a more formal look in the living room, Dodson got creative. &amp;quot;One of the few furnishings he brought with him was an antique chest on legs, a gift from his father and christened the &amp;#039;George Washington&amp;#039; because it&amp;#039;s circa 1700s,&amp;quot; Dodson says. Dodson reconfigured the piece so that the intricate marquetry doors now open to reveal a swanky cocktail bar and cigar humidor. And so guests would always have a place to set their drinks, cocktail, accent, and nesting tables are scattered throughout the seating areas. Dodson chose surfaces like mirrored glass, black marble, and polished wood that are both easy to clean and enduringly chic. The resulting areas are perfectly suited to mixing and mingling\u2014and cut back the chances of an errant spill. Know your goals By editing and curating, Dodson managed to accessorize without distracting from the home&amp;#039;s greatest asset: stunning, wraparound views. The result is a smart, sophisticated, and remarkably unassuming atmosphere\u2014perfect for a homeowner who opens his home with the same warmth for business clients as he does for family and friends. See the full tour of this modern, party-ready home.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/entertaining/tips/a2060/a-sophisticated-party-house-a-58402/?src=shelter_footer>