Husband and wife team, Todd and Linda Riddle, are passionate about their home. And they know homes. As a couple with a business (they are real estate professionals) and with children, they have long appreciated the perks of their neighborhood, Sienna Plantation. An active lifestyle is only one of the reasons why this area is a great fit; they play golf together and he loves to fish while she plays a pretty good game of tennis. Another plus is the opportunities afforded for community service; they generously support the community and various local charities.

The Riddles moved to Sienna 13 years ago when they bought their first home together as a blended family (she from Sugar Land with a son and a daughter, and he from Clear Lake with a daughter). Their one-story, starter home was 3,000 square feet and offered them 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Linda recalls, “We were one of the first families to move in.” Todd adds, “We built our home from the ground up on a golf course lot. Everybody was happy.”

However, things have changed. Sienna Plantation has grown. A lot. And so have the Riddles’ children. No longer are the Riddles so concerned with raising kids; now, they are more about entertaining—friends, business associates and even grandkids — in their home. As empty-nesters, they knew it was time for a new home to match the zest they feel for their new phase of life.

How did they begin? “We had some non-negotiables,” admits Linda. They had to find the perfect lot. The couple desired an oversized, centrally located lot on waterfront with trees in a more custom section of Sienna. “We really waited,” says Todd, “for the right opportunity, and when the new section — The Crest of Bee’s Creek — opened, all of the factors were right for us.”

The Riddles jumped at the chance to build their dream home. The couple interviewed several builders before selecting Fedrick, Harris Estate Homes by Newmark, where Ron Rice played an intricate part in helping design their custom floor plan. Their 1.5 story home on a cul-de-sac has a large open concept kitchen/living space and huge master suite. There is also a separate casita at the front of house with its own bathroom and courtyard which, according to Linda “makes visits from kids and guests so comfortable.” A wine room by Custom Redesign is espeically enjoyed when they are entertaining.

The kitchen is Linda’s favorite part of her new home. She says, “I have an enormous island workspace and can see every room in the house from the kitchen, even outdoors,” where there is another kitchen, a putting green as well as a swimming pool — “My favorite part of the house,” declares Todd. It was designed by Encore Pools.

For design and decorating guidance, the Riddles turned to the The Design Source. Interior Designer Shannon Campos assisted Linda through the process, “I knew I wanted a fresh and updated look,” Linda said. “My previous home was dark with a Mediter­ranean feel. This time I wanted something more updated, fresher.”

Linda and Shannon collaborated to create a new style for the home. The Riddles wanted to incorporate pieces from their previous home and blend them with a new transitional design. Linda explains, “I wanted the look to be chic, sophisticated, luxurious and inspirational.” Shannon chose a palette of taupe with champagne undertones. Then they incorporated gold and silver accents with pops of color ranging from purple to turquoise. Crystal touches can be seen throughout the house — on the chandelier crystal buttons; on Linda’s pillows. “My home feels very metropolitan and perfectly chic.”

No longer are the rooms in their home stuffy, dark and predictable. The couple’s new ambiance is casual elegance with furnishings that are a mix of modern and streamlined pieces. Linda and Todd achieved a look that offers timeless appeal, yet is fresh and youthful.

Linda elaborates, “I wanted to use neutral fabrics on the major pieces while punching color into minor things so that I could change them on a whim.” With the new design, the décor is more flexible and can evolve with the couple’s tastes. Beyond that idea, the inspiration in each room plays off key pieces. Linda reveals, “My inspiration in the living room was my Wedge sofa; I was drawn to the angular lines.”

“However,” Campos explains, “design inspiration can come from many sources like fabric, a painting, the outdoors, etc.” Typically, she will start with any large pieces in the room and build from there. “I tell my clients, it’s like a puzzle — you put all the pieces in until it is complete.”

“The design process can be tedious but having a trained designer by your side can save you time, money and aggravation,” admits Linda. “Todd and I love our new home. We have such a sense of pride that comes from having our home and design dreams realized.”

(top image: The dining room beckons family and friends with a soft aqua hue and sheer fabric drapes which serve to soften the space, add a little glam and also create an impeccable backdrop for the peacock painting. Large corbels provide a perfect place to display hand-painted Italian vases. The homeowner’s existing chairs were updated by reupholstering them with a new transitional fabric. A beautiful chandelier elevates the casual rustic table to a sophisticated and elegant level.)

Text by Cheryl Alexander |  Photography by Next Listing | Interior design by

Shannon Campos of The Design Source | Construction by Fedrick, 
Harris Estate Homes by Newmark