Tucked away in the forested area just west of the city’s outer loop, Houston’s Memorial neighborhood is known for its diverse architectural styles, especially its large mid-century homes. Sadly, Hurricane Harvey’s record-breaking rainfall devastated the area in 2017. Many homes were beyond remediation and were forced to be torn down.
Our clients loved the area’s rich history and mid-century influence. They decided to build a custom home that exemplified everything they loved about the period: its focus on function, its clean lines, and its vibrant color schemes. We were brought on along with Frankel Builders to help their dream come to life. When you walk into this home, you have a clear view to the pool and park beyond. The home is nestled in Terry Hershey Park’s pathways, surrounded by mature trees and landscaped grass. The verdant views outside contrast with the warm and welcoming interior.
Mid-century styles can often be too utilitarian, but not here. A swath of purple shades, which the client insists is a neutral, flows throughout every room. There is a mid-century feel in its massive Miesian windows, but there is a warmth as well. The wood floors soften the black-framed windows and the clients’ colorful art collection lends a heavy dose of personality.
The homeowners love to entertain. We selected double islands to provide enough room for both prep and enjoyment. With the charcoal cabinets, we felt two islands in the same dark hue would be overwhelming and visually dense. We opted for a white Caesarstone on the second island, but found that the room lacked cohesion. To center the space, we began sourcing for the perfect pendant lights.
We selected the Berlin pendants from Troy Lighting. The perforated gun metal inserts are surrounded in a thick glass, which we felt mirrored the windows surrounding the home. They have presence without feeling too heavy. This is very important because there are four of them and they aren’t small fixtures!
Troy’s selection of lighting really fits with the energy of the home. Very modern, but with an almost industrial influence. Combined with the warm woods and natural stone you’ll find throughout the home, they make a balanced partnership.
For the master suite, we began selecting the bath finishes first, which influenced the design of the bedroom. The wall behind the bed is made from Segreto Finishes’ plaster in a moody color that carries in the slate shades from the bath tile. It is really the star of this room, which is pared down to encourage rest and relaxation. The plaster finish is dynamic, changing with the natural light. Low profile furnishings elongate the effect.
Above the bed, we selected the Network fixture, again from Troy Lighting. The room’s simplicity and softness needed a geometric, industrial touch. And this fixture does just that. From wood to stone to metal, there are a lot of different elements at play here, but none are so overpowering that they completely take over the room. A sense of balance restores warmth to this mid-century inspired room.
