October days are ones to savor, with cooler weather, gameday gatherings and special fall events like the Alliance Kitchen Tour. Don and Candi Bullard embrace it all.
The Bullards’ newly remodeled modern Mediterranean-style home will be buzzing during Thunder and OU football games as well as the Alliance Kitchen Tour. The all-day event showcases five homes throughout the Nichols Hills area on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Bullards love hosting friends and family, and they designed their home to accommodate big gatherings. (Last Christmas, they welcomed 58 loved ones.) Candi Bullard described the typical scene: Visitors just walk in the front door; no need to ring the bell. Piñon wood burns in the courtyard off the dining room, and patio doors are open to encourage indoor-outdoor enjoyment. The bar, which is situated generously alongside the main living area, is set up with drinks while the large kitchen island holds an array of foods. People often bring dishes to share, and they know they can easily pop into the back kitchen to prep and arrange platters. Four ovens are also available for warming favorite foods.
People coming to the Bullard home during the Kitchen Tour will see there is much to take in, beyond the two well-appointed kitchens.
“I hope people who come through here are surprised,” said Bullard, knowing that her style favors unexpected designs.
While renovating the 1952 ranch-style home, originally built by G.A. Nichols, Candi and Don Bullard led all design decisions and worked closely with architect Alisa Weatherman, Eric Carlson and Corbett Thompson from CTC Construction to bring her carefully curated inspiration board to life. The Bullards moved the garage to the front of the home and added a second kitchen (or scullery) in place of the porte-cochere. The newfound space also allowed the addition of an office, powder bathroom and primary suite. The updated backyard patio and pool further enhance the home’s hosting capabilities.
The home blends the timeless beauty of Mediterranean architecture with unique interiors: marbles, cowhide and grasscloth textures complement bold patterns and paint colors. The back kitchen features moody blue cabinets, while the formal living and dining rooms showcase shades of pink and plum.
Candi Bullard described her style as maximalist and eclectic. Rather than matching a specific aesthetic, she said, she fills her home with favorite things, adding: “We don’t buy anything we don’t love.” The furniture presents an appreciation of all styles, and many of the beloved pieces were purchased and used in their previous home.
The Bullards’ generous and inviting lifestyle has shaped their home, making it a great stop on the Alliance Kitchen Tour.
“I think it’s a great cause, and so we’re always happy to help and open our home,” said Bullard, noting that their previous home was on the tour 14 years ago. “I think the cause is wonderful, and the work the ladies [in the Alliance] do is amazing.”
This year’s event is fundraising for Magdalene House OKC, Healthy Schools Oklahoma and Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance Community Service. During the Oct. 18 tour, in addition to touring kitchens, attendees can purchase raffle tickets to win a diamond pendant necklace donated by Naifeh Fine Jewelry, and enjoy cooking demonstrations and food samples at Culinary Kitchen, located at 7222 N. Western Ave. Kitchen Tour tickets are currently available at Culinary Kitchen and ocmsalliance.org.
