Spaces: Art rules a Monticello Park home

The blue-painted dining room is the site of the Lanes' numerous dinner parties and, of course, more art. The blue-painted dining room is the site of the Lanes' numerous dinner parties and, of course, more art. Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Spaces: Art rules a Monticello Park home 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

It's the first thing Eric and Kellen Lane exclaim when discussing their home: “Our house is about art.” Their home is situated in the Monticello Park Historic District on the near West Side.

The home has been a long-term project for the Lanes, who have renovated it and added modern amenities such as central air and heat and a new kitchen.

The Lanes are very involved in their local art community and consider themselves very “Fredericksburg Road-centric.” It is a prime spot for their visiting artist friends, whom they often host, and Kellen and Eric both are founders and board members of the nearby Bihl Haus Art Complex.

Supporting local artists is of primary importance to them, and they bought the house with the idea that art would look good there.

Since the Lanes acquired the property in 1996, they have turned a guest bedroom into a wine cellar.

They describe their home as eclectic, which fits considering the many types, shapes, colors and styles of art around the home. “We love the quirkiness in Monticello and were attracted to its architecture and different styles, as no two homes are the same here,” Kellen explains. “The best part of this house is that there is no structure,” she adds. Every room in the house has doors on opposite sides, which Kellen says is “great for parties and gives a nice flow to the house.”

Each room contains something of personal significance to the couple.

In their entryway stand two large cutouts of Diego Rivera and Frieda Kahlo from an art show at the San Antonio Museum of Art. In the formal living room, an 1,800-year-old Native American Anasazi pot — which Kellen adores — was a gift from Eric's family that he surprised her with one day. “All our art is functional, movable and in transition,” the Lanes said, discussing the various art shows they curate and from which they purchase art.

They hold frequent dinner parties and gatherings after art shows and entertain guests in their blue-painted dining room that features a large, sparkling chandelier. Nearby is the connected kitchen, living room and bar area, which they call their “party communal space.”

The kitchen, one of their favorite spaces in the house, was constructed in a 1950s style and with cooking in mind as each likes space to cook. Their blue laminate countertops and white cabinets were designed to give a retro feel to the space. “Roswell UFO-style lighting” designed by Stacy Parten adds an illuminating glow to the room.

More Information Got space? Know of a beautiful, unique house that would be great in Spaces? Email your suggestions to Home & Garden Editor Tracy Hobson Lehman, home@express-news.net House rules Purchase what you love. If your style ranges from Victorian to pop art, find a room or theme to fit it all in. Have art that you enjoy showing people and using. “Everything we have or buy, we use. We move it around, we touch it, pick it up,” Kellen explains. Their kitchen pottery is art to them but also their dinnerware. You can mix modern and antique. The Lanes have a Japanese arcade Pachinko machine that nestles right up to family heirlooms such as a captain's table from a ship and a china cabinet Kellen's family bought in Japan.

The Lanes liken their living room to a “lanai room” — lanai is a Hawaiian word for sunroom. Eric, an avid wine enthusiast, found his personal domain in the large bar that was an original piece in the house when they bought it. Eric is also a photographer and takes pictures of his many travels. A hallway leading to the couple's bedroom is a revolving display of his current works.

The bedroom is painted a light lavender color to reflect Kellen's desire to “sleep in a calming iris.” A nearby art deco-inspired bathroom full of art also has the same color scheme.

The Lanes welcome more art all the time and enjoy the dynamic that their art adds to the home.

Leandra Hernandez is a freelance lifestyle writer.