HGTV Stars Chris and Calvin LaMont Reveal How They Designed Their Dallas Homes To Beat the Sweltering Texas Heat

Twin brothers and real estate developers Chris and Calvin LaMont have shared everything from a childhood bedroom to cohosting duties on HGTV’s “Build It or Buy It,” so it’s no surprise that they now share an identical vision for how they want their family homes to feel.

The 40-year-old siblings live separately in Dallas with their respective wives and children, though both brothers prioritized comfort when designing their homes to keep cool in the Texas heat—and under the pressure of balancing business with family life.

Chris bought his home’s lot in 2021 and built a Craftsman-style abode on it in 2022. The following year, he moved into the four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 2,500-square-foot dwelling with wife Latoya and sons Jayden and Chris Jr.

Calvin purchased a 1924-built Tudor-style property in 2023, tore it down, and rebuilt it so he, his wife Sabrina, and their daughter Journee Jewel could get settled inside the 2,600-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence in 2024.

The American Standard partners honored the historical legacies of their homes and neighborhoods in their designs, while adding contemporary touches such as energy-efficient heating and cooling systems for comfortable modern living.

In the latest installment of Celebrity Sanctuary, each LaMont brother lets Realtor.com® inside their favorite room in their house: Chris unlocks his personal office and Calvin opens up his living room to share the meaningful art and smart technologies that put them at ease so they can focus on their families and futures in real estate. 

Chris LaMont

I chose to build my house in the historic district of Dallas because I love historic homes. I have remodeled several homes in the historic district, so I know how difficult it can be, but I also know how satisfying it is when you take an old home and restore it.

Since [the COVID-19 pandemic], when I purchased my lot in 2021, I couldn’t find a house that I could afford. They were going for so much money, so I decided to find a lot from someone I knew and then build it myself.

We decided on a modern Craftsman style, featuring plenty of white oak and stone. The walls are smooth, with black and brass fixtures and cabinetry, and a beautiful quartzite countertop in the kitchen. 

I have a lot of great spaces in my house, but if I had to say where my sanctuary is, it would be my office. That’s where I do most of my work, so I spend a lot of time there. It’s also a quiet, soothing space designed to help me focus and relax.

To me, sanctuary means an area in which you mentally and physically can relax, put your guard down, and reenergize. Sanctuary is also the place where you should be able to be creative, a place where you can get work done and put a lot of time into your goals and what you need to accomplish.

I was very involved in creating the sanctuary, mainly because I was both the designer and the builder of my home. I was inspired by my work with HGTV and by the creativity of my designer friends, whose work I deeply admire. Through my role as a designer within a building firm, I’ve developed and appreciated a wide range of design ideas. I brought all of that inspiration into my own home, especially in my office.

The main items I needed in the sanctuary were a full bathroom so I didn’t have to leave the area if I was still working, beautiful wood floors, and large windows I could look out of. I placed the sanctuary at the front of the house so I could see the front yard and stay connected to what’s going on outside. It was important to me to be able to see nature.

The windows are beautiful—double-hung, all wood, carefully chosen to fit the historic district I live in. They feature a sleek yet classic design, with hidden latches and glass that blocks 98% of UV rays. 

I used custom-made wood and white oak doors with frosted glass, crafted by a skilled company in Louisiana. The doors are stunning double doors—solid, heavy, and crafted from white oak. 

The floors are rift-cut hardwood, also made in America, adding warmth and character to the space.

I also included tall ceilings—10 feet high—and some beautiful lighting.

It truly feels like a sanctuary because I built a full bathroom in that area, utilizing the space under the steps for a unique shower with impressive 10-foot ceilings. We also added an amazing rose-colored tile that brings warmth and character to the space.

As an art collector, I’m blessed to have a beautiful collection displayed in my study featuring incredible pieces from talented artists that help keep me calm. Every one of my pieces is from artists I believe in—artists who are working toward being successful.

Some of the artists include Nikko Washington from Chicago, Riley Holloway from Dallas, and a wonderful artist based in San Antonio, Sesse Elangwe. To be able to live with museum-quality art, and to walk into my study and be surrounded by it is a blessing. I’m humbled every day.

I spend a lot of time in my sanctuary because it’s not only a place where I can relax and get away, but also where I study, [took] tests when I was working on becoming a Realtor®, or work on other certifications. It’s my go-to space for focus or just unwinding. I used to spend between four and six hours a day in there.

A perfect day in my sanctuary starts with waking up, turning on the lights, and taking a moment to absorb the energy of my beautiful art. Then, I open the drapes to enjoy the view outside. I head to my desk, check some emails, and do a little bit of work.

After that, I put work away, turn on some music, maybe read a book about art, scroll through social media, and just relax and chill. The kids stop by to say hello, and my wife comes in to check on me. That’s a great day.

Because I built an entire house, everything was on the table. Therefore, I had to figure out which items were most critical to me when building. For me, these items were windows, the roof, floors, doors, and especially in Texas, my HVAC system.

I’m so glad I was able to team up with American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning on my construction project for my personal home. They were a lifesaver [with] products that provide optimal comfort as well as energy-efficient solutions.

Living in Texas, where it can hit 110 degrees, I am grateful for my AccuComfort™ Variable Speed Platinum 20 Heat Pump. I can control it from anywhere, so if I’m home alone and it gets too hot, or if the family turns the AC down too low when they leave, I don’t have to get up and disrupt my peace. I just grab my phone, open the American Standard app, and adjust the temperature to stay super comfortable. 

Separating work from home life is difficult, especially when you’re an entrepreneur like myself. Most times, you can’t really separate the two. If I get a phone call while I’m doing something and someone needs an answer to finish their job, I feel like I have to answer so I take the call. That can be an issue. The family doesn’t always like it and I get that; it causes tension.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to put the phone away. It makes a difference. You can take intentional moments during your day, your week, or your weekend, to step back and really focus on family.

My family loves my sanctuary because they get to use it, too. I believe a house becomes a home because of family, and just because I’m in there more than they are doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy it. They may tell you otherwise, but I truly believe that.

It means a lot to have this space, especially since when I was growing up, I didn’t have a room of my own. Being a twin and having another brother, I never had a space that was just mine. So having a room now, one that I can go into and close the doors, where my family knows “Daddy’s working” or “Daddy’s focused”—it’s a blessing.

Calvin LaMont

What made my family choose our house was the neighborhood. I live in an amazing community filled with beautiful Tudor, Neocolonial, and Craftsman-style homes. The area is designated as a conservation district, which means all the homes have to follow specific guidelines regarding style, materials, and more.

My twin brother Chris and I knew the community well because we’ve built million-dollar-plus homes there in the past. Along with the amazing elementary school my daughter would attend, these were the deciding factors for my wife and me.

When I bought my home, I would classify it as a Tudor Revival, though just barely. It was built in 1924 and over the last 100 years, previous homeowners had made changes to the brick color and other small details. The house was only 980 square feet, with two bedrooms and one bathroom when I purchased it.

Although my wife couldn’t fully see my vision at first, she trusted me to transform it into an amazing home for our family. Soon after buying it, I completely reimagined what the house could be. We tore it down to the foundation and built a 2,600-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home. I made sure that the most important things in our home were top-notch and reliable for my family.

I drew my design and decor inspiration from the homes my brother and I have designed and built across the [Dallas-Fort Worth] area. Through those experiences, I learned which details to focus on: Symmetry, colors, textures, materials, and more.

Feedback from Realtors, designers, and homeowners who toured or eventually purchased our homes also shaped my approach. Along with traveling and exploring incredible designs from around the world, these experiences continue to influence and refine my design style.

We used buff-colored brick with real stone around the front entryway, complemented by double-hung windows and stained glass windows throughout the home. The hard part was navigating the strict building guidelines and regulations in the area while making sure my wife would love the house both inside and out.

Our focus for the exterior design was to bring back the classic Tudor style, which meant incorporating features such as several steep gables, arched doorways, and an oversized fireplace visible from the street with a herringbone brick inlay, along with real stone around the front arched entrance. 

By far, the hardest exterior feature to decide on was the brick. I had to select three different shades of buff-colored brick to comply with the conservation district’s strict requirements. Finding the right options and availability was a challenge, but with great support from our brick supplier, we were able to achieve the look and style I envisioned.

Another architectural feature I wanted is immediately noticeable upon entering the home: Cathedral ceilings. In the entry foyer, I wanted to emphasize the size of the house, so I went with a 22-foot cathedral ceiling to draw the eyes upward as soon as you walk in.

To bring the focus back down while maintaining the wow factor, we chose a checkerboard marble floor with a six-inch marble border to enhance the design. After exploring many options locally, my wife and I decided on a combination of honed marble tiles in soft white and gray tones to complete the look.

To keep the interior feeling light and airy, we selected a warm, soft white paint color for the main areas—walls and ceilings painted the same to create a serene and inviting vibe. For some individual rooms, like the dining room, we went bolder, choosing a rich, earthy tone to add contrast and character.

We designed our home to flow seamlessly once you walk into the sliding glass doors and even upstairs. We made sure to design areas where people can congregate with poofs and accent chairs surrounded by art mixed in with family photos.

You especially feel the family love when you walk through the hallway from the foyer to the living and kitchen area. That’s sort of our walk down memory lane where you can find photos of family and friends from the past to present.  

To make our new construction home truly feel like our sanctuary, we focused heavily on the interior design. As art collectors, my wife and I approach shopping for furniture and home accessories much like we do with art: We seek out pieces that bring color, texture, and meaning to the space.

As a builder and TV host on a national network, I have a lot of advantages when it comes to designing and building a home. I definitely had to use every single one to complete my family’s house.

My wife and I designed every inch of it, but of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without an architect to bring my vision to life on paper. Being involved in the design stage allowed me to plan out important details early on, such as the main suite bathroom, or as I like to call it, my wife’s bathroom.

One area I never skimp on is plumbing. My wife and I chose beautiful brass fixtures for our stand-alone tub filler, double shower heads, vanity faucets, and toilets to ensure quality and longevity.

My favorite room in the house is the living room. We wanted to maintain the feel of a Tudor-style home but with a modern touch, so we incorporated arches throughout the space and added a reeded fireplace that really sets a vibe of sophisticated luxury. 

The reason I love the living room the most has to be the incredible view. I have large custom sliding glass doors that flood the room with natural light and give me the perfect spot to watch my daughter and her cousins or friends playing in the backyard. That’s truly a dream come true.

We love to keep the sliding doors open and really experience indoor-outdoor living. We have outdoor furniture that not only looks and feels amazing, but really stands up to the outdoor elements.

My sanctuary is my serenity. It’s my inner peace. Sanctuary, to me, also means comfort, calm, and control, especially in the middle of the Texas heat.

It’s about creating a space that feels like a retreat from the outside world, and for our home, that starts with a soft, neutral color palette of warm whites and earthy tones, accented with natural wood finishes and clean, modern lines. We’ve upgraded with thoughtful touches like smart lighting, layered textures, and cozy textiles that make the space feel both elevated and inviting. 

My wife and daughter cannot function if the home is too hot or too cold. Not to mention they both have severe allergies.

The first thing I planned for was to replace the entire heating, air, and ventilation system. I wanted efficiency and reliability but also peace of mind that the air quality in our home was always clean and safe, so installing [an] AccuComfort™ Variable Speed Platinum 20 Heat Pump was a key step in our renovation process, making sure our home is clean and comfortable all year round.

The real game-changer has been the American Standard Link UX360. It doesn’t just manage our HVAC system, it enhances the entire feel of our home. Our space stays cool, consistent, and efficient no matter how hot it gets outside.

I am always traveling or out on a job site, but we are homebodies at the end of the day. We love spending time in our backyard on the patio or just lounging around in bed as a family watching television. 

A perfect day in my sanctuary is simply my wife, daughter, and me together, no matter the room, as long as we’re together. I need to do better separating my work life from my home life. I have built myself a great home office that is not 100% complete, but once it’s done, I know I’ll be able to keep my work confined to one area … maybe.