Interior Designer David Brandon Thomeczek
balances color with texture in his 1925 home.
Great design can turn daydreams of the perfect home into tomorrow’s reality. Such is true for homeowners Brandon Thomeczek and his husband, Zebulon. More than a decade ago, the couple lived at the opposite end of the street from the home they now live in. During their evening walks, they would find themselves admiring their current home, often stopping to fantasize. For years, they considered this a dream home. Even in its dilapidated state, both always saw the home’s immense potential.
Brandon pursued the previous owner for years, but she was never emotionally ready to let the home go. When the couple moved back to Jefferson City from the East Coast in 2021, their dream unexpectedly became a reality. However, at the time, they were not anticipating taking on a renovation project since they were already in the process of designing a new construction home. Knowing this opportunity wouldn’t come around twice, they could not say no. Brandon and Zebulon found themselves up for the challenge.
Brandon and Zebulon were the general contractors on the renovation, along with Dean Holtmeyer Construction, who handled all the structural upgrades for the home. The remodel allowed them to reimagine the home’s floor plan, bringing this 1925 Colonial to modern living standards. Their favorite additions include a screened-in porch with a fireplace, the reconceived kitchen with a scullery, and a primary ensuite.
For the home’s interior design, Brandon, who owns David Brandon Home & Design, found inspiration in old English estates. Inspired by the use of textiles and collected atmospheres, he imagined the lineages of the families who once lived on these estates and added their own styles and preferences to the decor. He hoped to do the same, creating collected spaces with texture, interest, and inherent comfort.
“It is nice to have a playful pattern that really sparks conversation and piques people’s interest.”
Brandon Thomeczek
The massive oak tree anchoring the front yard also provided the couple ample inspiration. An enchanting forest mural covers the walls of the dining room in watercolor strokes. The starting point for a lot of the home’s other finishes, the mural frames the arched kitchen entryway with its branches and leaves — setting the tone for the rest of the house.
“There are a lot of traditional landscape murals where you see people in a scene by the river or village, which are beautiful and very traditional, but not necessarily my style,” Brandon says. “I wanted a modern take on that, so I chose scenery of being in the forest for the dining room wallpaper mural.”
References to this space can be seen throughout the home in color choices, tile work, and complimentary wallpaper selections. The kitchen’s wallpaper, Strawberry Thief, designed by Scottish textile designer William Morris, was first seen in the early 19th century and adds a whimsical touch to a sometimes utilitarian space. Brandon adored the pattern for years and was delighted to finally have a space that could handle this bold choice. Placing it in the kitchen unified the space and tied the main level together.
“The kitchen is always the hub,” Brandon says. “It is nice to have a playful pattern that really sparks conversation and piques people’s interest. I like creating spaces that evoke different feelings. Where the dining room mural may feel more peaceful, it transitions into the kitchen, where it’s bolder and more playful. The two spaces still complement one another flawlessly.
To balance the more intricate wallpaper designs, Brandon used a color-washing technique throughout the home. There are no white ceilings or contrasting trim in the home. Walls, ceilings, and millwork are drenched in the same hue. A great example of this technique is the main living space’s neutral appearance, which creates a calm atmosphere so that not everything is busy.
“After a couple of years of work, we both feel honored to call this beauty home and are grateful that we are now a part of the home’s history.”
Brandon Thomeczek
“I feel this unifies a room, almost making it feel a bit bigger,” Brandon says. “One’s eye doesn’t get caught up on the breaks of paint colors throughout the room.”
The couple’s personal style is “collected,” Brandon thinks. He often sits with a space and decorates it over time, layering items in and editing as time passes. He loves finding a balance between old and new when layering a room.
While the foundational elements of the kitchen are traditional, such as the inset cabinet doors, marble countertops, and the William Morris wallpaper, the still life painting in the kitchen is a modern piece. The colors from the painting complement the colors of the wallpaper. Even though the colors are not exact matches, their shared elements create a captivating and elegant space.
“It is the colors from the painting, the blues, browns, and charcoals, that make it feel cohesive,” Brandon says.
Despite the endless tinkering that comes with homeownership, Brandon and Zebulon found joy in all the work during the remodel of their home.
“There will always be one more thing that I want to do, whether it’s finding another piece of art or tweaking a paint color,” Brandon says. “This home is a real accomplishment for us. After a couple of years of work, we both feel honored to call this beauty home and grateful that we are now a part of the home’s history, having enhanced its legacy.”
Resources: Cabinetry – Smith’s Custom Cabinets | Countertops – Carved in Stone
Drywall – Pat Castrop Plastering Company, Inc. | Flooring & Tile – Howell’s Carpet
General Contractor – Dean Holtmeyer Construction | Interior Design – David Brandon Home & Design
Plumbing – Joe McFerron Plumbing | Roofing, soffit, fascia gutters – Absolute Roofing & Exteriors
Windows & General Material – Scruggs Lumber