How a globetrotting Exxon couple turned their new Woodlands home from dated to divine

Stacey Ford was working in Papua New Guinea when her husband found the house. The couple had been planning to build a home in Houston - but when those plans fell through, Andrew Ford was ready for more permanent digs than a temporary apartment, so he found a house for sale in The Woodlands.

The Fords, who both work for Exxon, decided to make the leap: They bought the four-bedroom, 3,500-square foot house before Stacey had even seen it in person.

The main draw was its location - close to restaurants and to I-45 - but the suburban-style builder home really wasn't their style. It was traditional, overdone and dark; Stacey wanted something clean, contemporary and bright.