"When we moved in," Elias continues, "we took our pieces out of boxes, and they were just sitting on the floor. Interior designer Greg Mewbourne helped us assemble them."

After taking one look, Greg knew he didn't have to add a thing to the Hendrickses' home. "If you have interesting things, they last forever," he says. "You should customize your look based on your interests. It doesn't have to be out of a rule book. I just showed them the impact of small group settings."

Greg styled the African sculptures, chairs, tables, and other accent pieces in little vignettes that present a cultural cross section of that diverse continent. He left the walls a neutral color. "Quality art is quality art," he says. "You don't need anything to distract your eye."

The exceptional wood carvings and intricate beadwork hint at timeless stories. Their vibrant colors and textures complement the other vintage furnishings. That unconventional mix of elements and cultural palettes gives the rooms interest and flair.

"One's home should be treasured," says Elias. "It should be a place you can live with and feel a sense of comfort and pride in ownership." The Hendricks family has that--and so much more.