I was thrilled to be a part of Houston's Villa De Luxe Designer Showhouse benefiting Preservation Houston. Love the Promo piece below that Muffy Buvens who also is my graphic designer created for the event.
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With so many new constructions cropping up in Houston, it was a real treat to work on this historic 1924 Italian Renaissance Revival home that Preservation Houston chose for the 2013 showhouse.
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Located in the gorgeous Shadyside neighborhood near the Museum District and Rice University, the house, designed by architect William Ward Watkin, was originally built for hardware magnet F. A. Heitmann and stands on two acres of land!
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Designers Jane Page Crump and Bill Stubbs (you may recognize him from his TV show, Moment of Luxury) were the two oh-so-gracious chairs of the showcase.
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Entering the estate, you're greeted by these very rich, traditional wood-paneled walls that designer Peggy Hull offset with some contemporary elements like the bright pink chair, patterned pillow and modern accessories.
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I adore the dining room that the talented design firm, Lucas Eilers, created! Applying Farrow and Ball Churlish Green (donated by Boxwood) over a tan grass-cloth wallcovering gave these walls a marvelous texture that I just love! The lush chairs are piped with a deep chocolate brown, pulling in the table color while also accentuating the beautiful lines of the chairs. Segreto was honored to paint the details on the ceiling to complete the room's beautiful backdrop.
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Here's my team, hard at work, preparing the ceiling to be glazed and hand-painted. On the right, you can see the original rendering for the mural detail! We decided to simplify the pattern on the rendering, so I taped over a few of the areas we needed to omit.
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The table was set to perfection with amazing orchid centerpieces, pretty china and crystal, and monogrammed napkins with the Preservation Houston icon! The painting by Hunt Slonem, represented by Gremillion & Co., brings a great pop of color and sophisticated whimsy to the room.
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Jane Page Design Group did a wonderful job - as usual - with the design of the formal living room, combining a feel of old Hollywood glam with contemporary furnishings. To respect the history of the estate, the original fireplace remains the focal point of the room. The abstract painting commissioned by Joyce Combs, really marries the old with the new in a fabulous way.
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I was so excited when Jane Page purchased two chairs from my shop! These 1930s beauties had a worn French blue finish on them when bought. To blend with the room and fabrics, she coated them in black lacquer - so perfect.
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It was such a joy to work with the incredibly gifted (and prolific) designer, Bill Stubbs, and his wonderful assistant, Phyllis. Named to the AD 100, Architectural Digest’s list of the World’s Top Designers and Architects, Bill Stubbs is an inspiration. I was excited to add the painted, carved detail to the ceiling that pulls the tone of the wall panels up and highlights the interesting shape of the ceiling.
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Heading upstairs, Montgomery Roth Architecture and Interior Design turned one of the bedrooms into a modern, functional home office. I love the color combinations and, of course, the well-executed ceiling finish from Imago Dei that brilliantly features the greek key design on the window treatments.
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Tokerud & Co. transformed a bedroom suite into a pied-à-terre and studio. Known as one of Houston's top contemporary design firms, they incorporated some unique furnishings like these chairs with novel excerpts written on the fabric.
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I truly adore this fabulous light fixture - slick and glossy on the outside, white plaster floral relief on the inside. Beautiful!
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The upstairs master has a soft romantic feel thanks to designer Donna Vining who incorporated a lavender damask stencil, linens and an eclectic assortment of antiques. I really liked the concept of having an upholstered poster bed. Although this bed is new, what a great way to update those beds that many of us bought in the 80s! Donna also writes a blog, Donna's Blog-A Designer's Perspective, which also featured many of the rooms in Villa de Luxe.
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Lynne Jones put together a bright, fun artist's studio with comfortable seating and a place to work. If I hadn't been dressed up for my lecture there, I would have dived right in and started painting!!!
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Darla Bankston May would definitely get the "Most Transformed Award" for her work converting the cinder block basement into a media sitting room. Covering the walls and ceiling with Kravet fabric brought so much warmth, comfort and romance to the space. Her selections of clean line, yet comfortable furnishing from Mecox and Vieux Interiors look wonderful on the Madison Lily rug. I have worked on many projects with Miss Darla, and I must say, once again - job well done!!!
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The team at Laura U designed the interior of the estate’s Writer’s Cottage. They made a genuine design statement here, complete with a hanging bed and brass finishes.
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I thought the teal screen was such a clever way to cover the air conditioning unit and add a decorative element at the same time! What a fun room!!! Laura U also writes a blog - check it out here.
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I would love to have this bench at my new place - exquisite!
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McDugald-Steele and Articulture Designs collaborated on this exterior wall, creating an interesting, one-of-a-kind backdrop out of the white stucco wall. The flower arrangements throughout the house and at the special benefit event were all stunning.
Look for this home to be featured in its entirety in Luxe Interior+Design magazine soon!!! For those of you who couldn't attend, I hope you enjoyed my partial tour of the grand estate. Sadly most of my pics didn't turn out well enough to post. Kudos to all of the talented designers selected to participate - you did such a fantastic job! Have a great week, everyone! xo Leslie
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