interior design

Texas belle Danika Frank is not just a medical doctor but a design doctor too. Her interior design goes from bohemian to minimalist but always shows her unique style. Take a look at her profile and see her beautiful home below!

All Images by Connie Meinhardt of Connie Meinhardt Photography

Name:

Danika Franks

Title:

M.D.

Hometown: 

San Antonio, Texas

Current City: 

Fort Worth, Texas

Website:

www.thisdoctordesigns.wordpress.com

What is your favorite room in your home?

Right now, my special room in the house is our “not so formal” living room. The house is a 1950s Ranch Style home built with several living spaces. We kept one for a family room, one for a gymnastics room and one for Momma, but all are super family-oriented and functional. It gets gorgeous afternoon sun, that compliments the warm color palette of the room. Although I do share this space with my husband’s most prized possessions (ahem, three mounted replicas of his monster bass catches), this room has so much of what I love in my house. Brass accents, super plush soft rug, and smoky indigo walls. It’s a favorite spot for me to watch TV and read, or just sit and look outside when those rare opportunities present themselves. 

For the holidays, what are some of your favorite decor pieces to incorporate?

Since moving to this neighborhood, I find myself decorating for all holidays. My favorite go-to decoration, no matter the holiday is a wreath. I have quite the collection now that we have settled into this community. Wreaths are just so welcoming. They set the tone for your home’s style and can add great curb appeal.

How would you describe your home decor style? 

Bohemian-Anthro-European-Traditional-Minimalist. Whatever inspires me at that time! Innately, I am a minimalist that loves natural color palettes and black and white simplicity. However, I think it’s important to flow with the style of the home. This 1950s Ranch has very traditional architecture. When we moved into the home from our previous house (new construction), we had to rework our look to compliment the interior design. We incorporated more antiques and textiles with more traditional patterns. 

What is your favorite piece of art in your home and why? 

When we were preparing the nursery for our third child, I wanted to have a gallery wall in her nursery showcasing women. I found this beautiful reproduction oil painting of a lovely young woman sitting on rocks and contemplating, possibly cooling her feet in water? She is stunningly beautiful. She has since found a new home in my favorite “not so formal” living room.

Did your mother inspire any of the pieces in your home?

My mom inspired a love for design in various mediums. She was a musician, a crafter, a sewer, and even a sketcher for me as a child. She is the daughter of an artist who inspired her with her creativity. For fun, on the weekends, we rearranged furniture to create new looks. Our tastes are different, but she is always at the center of my love for interior design.  

What is your motto when it comes to decorating your home?

“Nothing is permanent”. This reminds me to go for what I love and not to hold back on bold statement pieces. A second motto is to “keep it functional”. There are five humans that live in my house and two dogs. We have to live freely.

Did you do any DIY projects in your home? If so, what did you do?

No, I am not a DIY kind-of-girl. I admire that skill and quality tremendously. My amazingly talented brother-in-law was responsible for some impressive woodwork in our previous home. I designed the look and he put his artistry to work. Looking forward to future collaborations for this home.

What are some uniquely southern items in your home?  

We are missing that show-stopping, wrap around porch on this Texas ranch house to accommodate those rocking chairs and porch swing that I so love! Instead, we hung a beautiful boho inspired swing in the backyard. It’s the perfect spot to lounge and sway and listen to the crickets on a hot summer night.

How does living in the south affect your home decor style?  

Southern hospitality is the real deal. Our home premise is centered around gathering. How we gather with the five of us and with our community is at the absolute center of our lives. We are forever hosting something. The style of the home décor needs to be functional and inviting to accommodate our family and friends. I like open space, comfortable furniture, and crafted conversation spaces to promote good dialogue.

Do you utilize local furniture brands? 

Nothing consistently. The look in the home is eclectic and gathered and is sourced from many different retailers.

Do you have any family heirlooms? If so, what and tell us more about them?

I recently inherited my Great-Grandmother’s china. It is a complete set of super delicate gorgeous 1960s antique china. I also have what my Grandmother calls her “masterpiece”. It is an off-white knitted afghan that she says is absolutely “flawless”. I have them up for safe keeping until my littles become more civilized. These are some of my greatest treasures. I like to imagine my Grandmothers in their prime, hosting dinner parties and creating masterworks as their lives unfolded.

What are some of your mother’s home decor traits or styles that you inherited?

My Mother loves unique serving dishes. When we moved into this 1950s home, I instantly fell in love with a gorgeous built-in display in the formal dining room. I realized pretty quickly that I did not have much to showcase in it. I bought a few milk glass pieces and the rest is history. I am obsessed now. Tablescapes are some of my favorite blog posts and social media photography features. I also inherited my love of all things bohemian from her. The ’70s was her decade. I remember as a child the wall hangings that she created doing macramé. I wish that I had her green thumb. She has always made a home for plants in the house, no matter where we lived. As a military dependent, I remember traveling in the car with her plants as we moved because they were not going to be left behind!

What is your fondest memory or home decor shopping with your husband? 

 My husband is usually deferential toward me and all of my “decorating antics”. However, he dove in when it came to picking out the furniture for our first baby. One of my fondest memories of us is putting together the crib that we picked out that would serve all three of our precious babes.

In your kitchen, what piece of decor is the most functional and stylish and why?   

My mother gifted me an antique wood trencher dough bowl that we have centered on our island. I am no bread maker. However, it serves as a wonderful place to store fruits and healthy snacks. We keep it stocked with bananas, oranges, apples, avocados, snack bars and nuts. Its our go to place to get a quick fix when we are hungry.