In the Dallas penthouse of H. Ross Perot, Jr., and his wife, Sarah, Emily Summers designed a modern décor inspired by the sky, the couple’s collection of British contemporary art—“As it turned out, a lot of their artwork has incredible blues,” notes Summers—and his passion for aviation.
Metal-framed doors along the main corridor and between the living and family rooms have laminated glass for added privacy.
Peter Lanyon’s painting Blue Round Corner hangs in the living room. Ample natural light allowed Summers to use dark furnishings for contrast. The Arne Bang stoneware in the room is from Maison Gerard. Manuel Canovas velvet on sofa at rear. Larsen fabric on chaise longue. Slipper chair silk, Jim Thompson. Beauvais carpet. Murano glass lamps, John Salibello Antiques.
“They’ve never lived in a place as contemporary as this,” says Summers. “They wanted the interiors to fit the modern building.”
The family room. Fabric on swivel chairs, right, Clarence House. Beacon Hill cream felt. FJ Hakimian rug.
Many of the design elements, including the pocket doors throughout and the African teak cabinetry in Sarah Perot’s study, were created by Summers’s architectural team. The painting One More Day 4 is by Hungarian artist Zsolt Bodoni-Dombi. Edelman leather on guest and desk chairs.
The kitchen can accommodate both caterers for large events and the family for private meals. Banquette fabric, Lee Jofa. Bulthaup kitchen elements. Brueton barstools.
The dining room. Scalamandré velvet on chair cushions. Beauvais carpet. Crystal goblets, Neiman Marcus.
The master bedroom. Cowtan & Tout drapery sheer. J. Robert Scott velvet on chair and ottoman. Bench and bed skirt fabric, Larsen. Edelman leather on side table, far right.
The wife’s bath. Chair fabric, J. Robert Scott. Chaise longue fabric, Jim Thompson. Column tiles, Ann Sacks. Lamps, John Salibello Antiques. Vanity mirror, Baker. Fixtures, Waterworks.
The northeast terrace. Side tables and chairs, Richard Schultz.
