When Stacey and Bryan Dyson stumbled upon a unique 1970s home located in a quiet Nichols Hills cul-de-sac, they knew they had struck gold. Originally built by Jim Frazier, the home presented interesting architectural lines and curves — plus an exciting opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind living space that reflected the Dysons’ vibrant personalities.
“This house is something that Stacey and I had always dreamed we could do, but we would have never pulled it off from a ground-up build, because it would have been probably too outside of our comfort zone,” said Bryan Dyson. “Typically when you build up from the ground up, you go a little more squared-off and cookie-cutter, if you will. This house is anything and everything but cookie-cutter, which we loved. It allowed us to really have some fun with it.”
Enlisting the help of Travis Neely and Phara Queen of Neely + Queen Design, the Dysons embarked on a renovation that would transform the dated property into a stunning, personalized oasis.
“The bones of the house were just amazing,” Neely said. “It had such great character, the kind you just don’t see in new builds today.”
The project was truly collaborative. As COO of Bob Mills Furniture, Bryan Dyson had a go-to furniture resource. He also brought his previous building experiences to the project. (A serial mover, Dyson has built and sold 16 homes in the area.) The Dysons hired builder Corbyn Roberts to address construction needs, as the property required new plumbing and drainage — as well as a new roof.
Meanwhile, Phara Queen and Stacey Dyson paired bold tile patterns with playful wallpapers, mixing in a healthy dose of color and a little humor. (Note the eyeball-themed wallpaper in the laundry room, directly tied to Stacey Dyson’s career in optometry.)
The designers also tackled the awkward primary suite layout, reconfiguring the space to create a more cohesive and functional flow. Travis Neely worked and reworked CAD renderings, ensuring each space could operate at its highest level within the home’s set parameters.
Neely and Queen thoughtfully incorporated custom design elements that blended old and new. In the dining room, a snake-inspired wood veneer wall covering by Arte highlights a curved wall, complementing the home’s wooden elements and architecture. In addition, heavy flagstone floors were replaced with 54-inch square porcelain tiles that instantly brightened the home.
For the Dysons, Neely and Queen were essential in bringing their dream home to life.
“They’re just such fun people to work with. They have such a fun vision, which is kind of our style,” Stacey Dyson said.
Art appreciation also elevates the home. A commissioned painting by Denise Duong adorns the living room, while Stacey Dyson painted several pieces in the dining room. The home itself stands as a celebration to creative expression — filled with bold patterns, vibrant colors and unexpected design elements.
“We never really follow design trends,” said Neely. “We’re always creating spaces that are timeless, so that our clients can live with them as long as they want to … With the Dysons, we were able to bring the home into this century in a lovely way.”
