In the heart of Dallas’s Preston Hollow, a unique showhouse has been created, showcasing the work of Josh Collins, a Dallas-based designer, and Kevin Ellis, a celebrated Texas builder. The Rue House, as it’s known, is a blend of styles, with a mix of traditional and modern elements.
Josh Collins was given the freedom to design the house without a client brief or limitations, allowing him to create a space that reflects his signature approach: layered, timeless, and intentionally restrained. “Early on in my career, I was told restraint is the hardest part of any great design, and it is something that has stuck with me,” Collins says.
The Design Process
Collins and Ellis have known each other for over 20 years and have developed a strong trust in each other’s expertise. “Kevin and I have known each other for over 20 years, and we have an incredible amount of trust in one another,” Collins explains. “I know that Kevin understands the building process better than anyone. I also know he is always going to make the right decision for a project, even if it’s not the easiest.”
The goal of the project was to create a thoughtfully designed home for a family to fall in love with. Collins designed the house with a buyer in mind, considering how they would live in the space. “When going into a project like this, I always have a buyer in mind and I design to all of the aspects of how they will live in the home,” he says.
The house features a mix of styles, with clean lines, traditional elements, and unique materials. Collins and Ellis gave equal attention to both the interior and exterior of the house, selecting a perfect brick with soft cream and salmon tones and a tumbled, rolled edge. The exterior also features a mix of Roman bricks at the entry, walls, and parapet walls, adding great dimension.
Stepping inside, the grand foyer opens to the great room, with delicate handmade hammered steel stair rails, subtle limewash on the walls, and hand-cut parquet floors. The kitchen is the heart of the home, with hardworking appliances from Thermador and a timeless elegance created by the use of white oak, Calacatta Viola countertops, and a backsplash.
The primary suite features a larger-than-life bathroom with Calacatta Verde marble from Ann Sacks, covering the floors, shower, baseboards, and door casings. The bathroom also includes a pass-through spa shower and his-and-hers California Closets, creating a true sanctuary and space that would stand the test of time.
The theme of indoor/outdoor living is present throughout the house, including in the primary suite, which has access to an intimate patio featuring Brown Jordan furniture and a Bromic outdoor heater for Texas winters. This patio is a private space for the owners to enjoy, whether it’s a morning coffee or an afternoon spent reading.
Attention to Detail
Collins chose an unlacquered brass faucet from Brizo’s new Faircroft Kitchen Collection, which can tell a story with its natural patina. The hardware throughout the space is by Emtek, and the kitchen also features linen pendants from Hinkley, adding a soft touch. Every single finish was meticulously chosen to create a balanced space, with a Venetian plaster hood contrasting with the white oak.
The home gym features NordicTrack’s Ultra 1, a state-of-the-art Pilates reformer, continuing the theme of self-care and wellness. And if the idea of self-care looks more like a cocktail poolside, two at-home bars are at the ready. At the core of Collins’ work is helping people live in their homes to the fullest, creating lasting memories and a more fulfilled life.
Creating a Sanctuary
The home gym is an example of Collins’ focus on self-care and wellness.
