4 min read
What started as a furnishings-only project quickly escalated to what designer Cynthia Rojas “would almost call a renovation.” When the designer, founder of Minty Synth Interiors, based out of Dallas, Texas, first sat down with her clients-to-be, she presented schemes filled with new light fixtures, different paint colors, and various wallpapers—you know, the essentials. “This got the client so excited, he asked for a completely re-imagined fireplace, an unrecognizable powder bath, and a ‘facelift’ for the kitchen,” Rojas tells House Beautiful. The next thing she knew, two years had passed, and her clients were living in a completely different home.
The kitchen is what really started the need for an update, and it’s now one of Rojas’s favorite rooms in the home. Thankfully, it wasn’t necessary to completely demolish the all-white cook space, so Rojas pulled what she could from the existing kitchen and recycled it elsewhere in the home. The old light fixtures above the island were replaced with more modern ones, and the cabinets got moved from the main area to the refreshed butler’s pantry, which houses the coffee machine, fresh produce, and extra water bottles.
The fireplace in the formal living room was another sore point for the homeowners—built-in bookshelves flanking the hearth were despised by the client. “He wanted a clean look, and something he didn’t have to fill with meaningless objects and clutter,” the designer explains. It took a few iterations, but Rojas presented an asymmetrical, terrazzo-covered fireplace surround that filled the client’s face with excitement. It’s safe to say that design made it past the initial renderings.
My experience with this house was terrifying at times, but it provided me with so many growth opportunities.
Though not everything happened as smoothly as it did when presenting her ideas to her clients. “We fired a total of four contractors in the time we worked on this project,” she says. She and her team tried a lot of new techniques for this design, such as the terrazzo fireplace detail and a custom, statement-making marble dining table.
However, things happen for a reason, and the finished home proves that sometimes tough decisions lead to wonderful results. The clients’ joy was proof enough that they made all the right choices.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Cynthia Rojas of Minty Synth Interiors
Location: Dallas, Texas
The Space: A 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom contemporary European revival style home built in 2021.
FAMILY ROOM
The “Bubblegum Room,” as it’s affectionately known, boasts a pink ceiling.
Lacey Land
Curtains: SUPPLY Showroom. Coffee table: Ellison Studios. Console table: Bernhardt. Sconces: Allied Maker. Rug: Loloi.
Lacey Land
Ceiling paint: Oleander, Sherwin-Williams. Pendant: Herman Miller.
The biggest splurge item in the entire house was this deep green, B&B Italia sofa. It’s cozy but playful, making it the perfect addition to the main lounge, where the clients and their dog watch TV, listen to music, and relax.
FORMAL LIVING ROOM
A terrazzo-clad fireplace surround lends a touch of midcentury charm.
Lacey Land
Curtains: The Shade Store. Couch: Ellison Studios. Coffee table: Maiden Home.
Lacey Land
Sconce: CB2. Chairs: Ellison Studios. Bar cabinet: Alfred Newall.
Removing the built-in shelves on either side of the fireplace breathed new life into the formal living room. Rojas transformed it to be more contemporary, choosing an asymmetrical design covered in terrazzo, handmade with a mix of mocha, pink, and Carrara marble chips.
To match the blush tones, the designer picked out a rosy-taupe velvet sofa, a sage-and-pink checkered Eames chair, and a beige wool rug; the different woods from the oak beams and hardwood flooring add to the warmth. “The sage chairs introduced a complementary color to all the shades of pink in the room, and they allowed us to really play with the funky art from our client’s collection,” Rojas says.
KITCHEN
Tall cabinets flanking the range hide countertop appliances.
Lacey Land
Island tile: Clay Imports. Bar stools: De La Espada. Lights in alcove: Etsy.
The kitchen’s facelift transformed it from an inoffensive white space to a bold and moody cooking lounge. The redesign included replacing the old tile backsplash with a quartzite slab that matches the new countertops, adding a built-in shelf, and replacing the light fixtures with new pendants from Allied Maker. The tile-covered island provides depth to the space, both in color and in the light reflection. It’s luxe and daring but easy on the eye, Rojas explains.
DINING ROOM
Sheer drapery creates a romantic backdrop for dining.
Lacey Land
Curtains: The Shade Store. Rug: Nordic Knots. Dining chairs: Carl Hansen & Søn.
Visible from the main entry, the dining room serves as a glimpse of what’s to come in the rest of the home. The curtain-filtered natural light provides a soft glow, highlighting the veining in the custom marble dining table. “From the beginning, we were intentional about creating one unforgettable moment in each room, and this [table] was it,” Rojas says.
Her clients wanted a table that could sit at least eight, so they had to go through a few iterations due to the spatial restraints and the fact that they had a single slab to work with before coming to this design. “In collaboration with the fabricator and the client, we landed on an oval silhouette with sculptural, organic legs that gently form a yin and yang. It’s a subtle nod to balance, movement, and connection,” Rojas adds. “The Lindsey Adelman chandelier was the cherry on top.”
PRIMARY BEDROOM
The wallpaper mural seamlessly covers the door, making it disappear when closed.
Lacey Land
Wallcovering: Momentum Textiles & Wallpaper. Bedding: CB2. Stools: West Elm. Rug: Nordic Knots. Nightstand: Maiden Home.
Lacey Land
Wallpaper: Calico Wallpaper. Chair: vintage Soriana Sofa, by Cassina. Floor lamp: Merve Kahraman.
“The primary bedroom was made to feel like a stay in a beautifully designed hotel that doesn’t really feel like a hotel, but more like a home,” Rojas says. Custom pieces, like the headboard and bed frame, give it a unique touch, while carefully curated accessories feel warm and welcoming.
DRESSING ROOM
A custom white oak desk anchors the versatile space.
Lacey Land
Wallcovering: Momentum Textiles & Wallpaper. Shelving paint: Red Earth No. 64, by Farrow & Ball. Sconces: Blueprint Lighting. Art piece: vintage, from Chairish.
Lacey Land
Roman shades: Métaphores. Stool: custom, by Métaphores. Rug: Rugs USA.
Through the hidden door from the primary suite is this overflow space. Rojas’s clients use this room to get ready in the mornings, store their luggage, and hold their dog kennels, so there’s less clutter in the bedroom.
About the Designer
Cynthia Rojas is the founder of Minty Synth Interiors, a full-service design studio based in Dallas, Texas. She’s dedicated to creating beautiful and deeply personal homes for her clients, both in and outside of the Dallas area. Viewing homes as stories, Rojas blends thoughtful design with the comfort of everyday life in mind.