Photo by Kathy Tran
LThe ove is an important part of making a house a home, but it's not the only part of the process. Transforming your wall and floor collection into something more requires keen observation, a willingness to experiment, and a lot of trips to the hardware store. For Angelie and Eddie Fortuna, these were just some of the key elements of their DIY “Texas Cottage.”
Located on a busy street in Hampton Roads, Fortuna's home doesn't attract much attention. For now, he's kept a low profile and blended in with his neighbors. When the couple moved from downtown three years ago, they first spent time sculpting, painting, and styling the interior.
“We're right next to Hampton Roads, which could deter people from buying this home,” says Eddie. “But in a weird way, it was comforting. Like the familiar sounds of downtown.”
Eddie, an architectural designer and photographer, and Angelie, a digital marketer, are well-versed in design and aesthetics. They are taking their expertise home.
Their relationships helped them decide what would and wouldn't work within their space.
“We've been able to grow and evolve our style organically through travel, life experiences, and even social media,” he says.
Their home is something they are proud of. Although there is no definitive style for their home, it resonates well. The pair purposefully curate the space so that no two rooms or works clash with each other. They carve out every detail in the home's design, including an arch built into the pony wall to match the existing kitchen and stairwell.
“It's a little hard to pinpoint a specific style for our home,” says Eddie. “But we would describe it as kind of a Texas vacation home.”
Being a DIY enthusiast isn't easy, but the two have worked on a variety of projects at home. With help, we added trim to the living room, applied gallons of paint, and built a built-in shelf with a mantle.
“We've been approaching this in a very DIY spirit in a way. I'd love to throw endless amounts of money at someone and have them do it fast and do it really well, but we… I'm proud to say, 'We did it ourselves,'” Eddie says.
By working in a creative space, the couple was able to discover a wealth of local talent. “We have been very fortunate to be immersed in the creative community here in Dallas for over a decade,” they say. “Through it, we developed very special personal and professional connections that have manifested in our friendships and, at times, in our art in our home.”
One of their current favorites is a commissioned painting from Charis Fawcett.
Although their home is already a point of pride, the couple still has to spend a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to continue making their dream home a reality. But as Angelie admits, the DIY element is also part of the home's appeal.
“Even if it's not perfect, it's still fun.”