Houzz Tour: Playful Luxury Infuses a 1929 Houston House

Artisanaworks The emperor has no clothes.

smoore Love the mirrored vanities in the master bath. So decadent!

olldroo So elegant and perfect for the style of the house. Afraid I'm too much of a klutz to live somewhere like this. Love the attic playroom and the colours.

ababe311 OMG! This house just made my day. I would want to hang out there. It would make me feel very cool.

trasgorshek What's the square footage of this monster, did I skim over it? Stunning living room and family room. Love the fact that the mom's closet is connected to the girls room so they can hang out together. Clever.

kharrison186 While I love the style of some of the rooms, this home deserves more of a timeless understated elegance that matches with the exterior architecture. Looks like a young couple with a lot of money got their hands on an otherwise very well designed home.

newmouse This is a beautiful home and seeing it really makes me miss living in Texas.

jsinco Yeah, awesome house, but I wish the inside was as royal as the exterior, very weird, very Vegas. Did not expect that from the first picture.

mdanielismail88 I love the master bedroom. It's elegant and beautiful. I wonder how the kitchen look like?

hdc77494 Nice, but for somewhere north of $5 million, it should be.

kittybomb The exterior and bones of this house are beautiful but the decor screams 'lottery winners'. If they had carried the theme from the third photo throughout it would have been perfect but to quote poster jsinco, it all went very Vegas. The 'fun family' interior could have been done with much more sympathy to the stunning design of the building - there is no flow between rooms or even themes. I don't think it's brave design, just a case of the owners tastes not actually suiting the house. The frontage and pool patio is lovely, but balanced against the Liberace-esque bathroom, unsympathetic sun room extension, motel-style pelmets in the bedrooms and clashing colours in the pool pavillion it's almost schizophrenic the way the exterior is completely at odds to the interior decor.

JAN MOYER Girls, girls, girls.... IT'S TEXAS!! It's much more glitz than I would want personally, but having worked on homes of this vintage, a little bit of a kick in the pants doesn't hurt, is often needed. I wouldn't want the air conditioning bill, that is for certain!

patricia beharry Love the Home. Don't want it.

kennedytarheel i could chill at the pool or in the sunroom!

lpmenache I have to agree with those who dont like this house interior. Everything is new and looks like it fell out of the showroom sky. There is not one good piece of art nor an antique piece to ground these rooms. This house requires a nod to the past. Alot of those new items probably cost more than a nice antique would. Overall it just has no personality. I did like the Lacquer library.

jsinco Yes I agree, they should have built the decor around the third photo, and I can deal with the living room (minus the sofas maybe). But im sorry, that dining room ceiling is already outdated.

patricia beharry Looked at this post at least five times trying to get comfortable with the interior. I finally gave up. Even if I was offered to have a seat anywhere in this house I would remain standing. And in one spot.

Becky Harris Thank you JAN! I couldn't haver said it better! I have been shocked such a beautiful home has been inspiring some downright nasty comments, though larger homes do tend to elicit more negative responses for a host of reasons.

I understand that it's not for everyone, of course, what is, but there are so many design moves here I absolutely love and admire. It's certainly a go big or go home approach, which takes a lot of guts and talent. I am really bummed we couldn't show you the kitchen in this feature because it's my favorite room in the house (if you poke around Houzz just a little you'll see find it). To each his or her own! ;)

JAN MOYER Ladies, (before you beat the homeowner and designers senseless), it is the people/designers who "shake up" their interiors, that move the hands on the design clock. Much the same way fashion design trends move from the street up, or from the runway DOWN. If it weren't for the courageous, and yes, sometimes.... even that which we deem a little too outre, too bawdy, too gaudy, we'd all be wearing hairbands that matched our little plaid skirts and peter pan collars, and we'd all be living with prim chintz sofas and matching drapery. LIGHTEN UP! It's a big ol' design world out there, and there is room for every taste and style. Even the ones you don't like, and many of which have regional and climatic, and socio economic influences. As I said before...IT IS TEXAS! (:

JL Preston To everyone their own taste-this is a young family. They have a fun + eclectic interior decor while their kids are growing (+ this family will probably change decor as they grow). The outside is probably reflective more of the home's classic lines, while the inside is more reflective of the family's taste + age. Visit the Chateau Versailles in France, and you will see whimsical exterior art mixed with classical art + archtecturen that will make you smile-even if it upsets your sense of classical symetry!! Have fun in your life!

kvswoods I had many opinions and thoughts form as I looked at the pictures. The first picture totally drew me in, especially since it identified TX in the headline and it had a decidedly different feel than the typical TX housing development. For those who referenced TX in their comments--looks VERY different than the 'usual' TX decor. Perhaps I live in a different end of town:) (truthfully it looked a bit more fun, CA/celebrity-esque than anything) but here's the thing, isn't this the beauty of design? Making your home reflect your family and lifestyle? Remember the kids sunroom w the carpet tiles? Smart choice, maybe not some folks' taste but still a smart choice no doubt for the use of that room. And to the homeowners...hope you bought extra white carpet tiles, lol!

ragsangle not my style and not impressed at all, too cold and barren , doesn't look like anyone lives there...I would have liked to seen some warmth put into the house...

JAN MOYER Okay, I am getting a little annoyed. Not your style? Great! Super!!! You aren't living there! Seriously, if you are the HOMEOWNER OR DESIGNER in this case, you are wondering what has happened to manners which I can tell you are abundant in Texas, despite I do not live in Texas, and have only visited. If you hate the decor, how 'bout you just be glad it isn't yours and refrain from comment. As Mom, always said, if you can't say something nice, or at least something reasonably appropriate, don't say anything at all. The houses you drool over online, are courtesy of those willing to be photographed, and worthy of being photographed. If I am this homeowner, I am re-thinking my decision in a big way. Look around your house before you become a critic, and let us know when it becomes a FEATURE, here, or anywhere else. And a special thanks to all homeowners who open the doors for the camera. It would be a void in the design world without you!

trasgorshek Thank you, Jan! Often times I've wanted to say just that! So many people forget that these are real homes and, more times then not, the homeowners will be reading the comments. Design style is individual, just like ones choice in art. Why do we feel we need to chastise those we don't agree with? If you don't like it, then just skip on to the next ideabook or find a more appropriate way to focalize your comments. I have to say though, that the posts here are not near as bad as I've seen on other ideabooks, where the homeowners were absolutely slaughtered. One particular ideabook comes to mind. I wanted to cry for the homeowner.

kittybomb Wow! I thought this was a discussion forum where opinions were welcomed? I didn't realise we could only comment if we liked everything we saw. In my opinion the point of design is that it inspires a response, positive or negative. I don't think it's realistic or even useful for people to only comment when it is positive. The comments here are already moderated for politeness so to be honest I don't think we need to tell each other to shut up. I like to hear views that both agree with and challenge my own, it's part of being a grown up to debate and discuss.

dianestyle This is a lived in home for sure. Love the way the personality has blended with functionality and design. Each room is a lovely surprise. WELL DONE!

JAN MOYER Kittybomb, a comment like " I would need more warmth in my own home, would have done this house with fill in the blank..." is very different from, "cold and barren, not impressed at all" Don't you think? One manages to say it isn't your style or taste, and that you don't like or want it....and the other comment, (while not yours), is not particularly kind, or considerate of the person who opened their home for all to view.

kittybomb Jan I do take your point but I everyone is entiltled to their opinion and is free to express as they wish, particularly on an article inviting comments. Some people are more articulate than others but the really offensive ones are always removed. If it upsets you then maybe don't read the comments, because eventually you'll find something you don't like - such is the nature of free speech/the web.

The people who submit their homes for critical appreciation on Houzz must be aware that they are subject to both favourible and negative reviews, and yet they still choose to go ahead: I assume it is because they are confident in their own style choices, want everyone else to see them and comment on them (after all, no-one is forcing them to show off their houses). I doubt they will be devastated by a few negative comments, and might even be excited by the debate they've sparked, or interested in hearing how their home has been received. But ultimately, if they are pleased enough with their home to show it to the world, why should they care what you, I, or anyone else thinks?

JAN MOYER kittybomb,
So were in agreement! "

"The exterior and bones of this house are beautiful but the decor screams 'lottery winners'."
Which could just as easily been said as LOVE THE EXTERIOR! but, I like a quieter interior." "Nuff said huh?

patricia beharry after reading all the pros and cons on this feature, I must say sometimes I seem to forget it IS someones home. I would hate for someone to come into my home and be so ugly to my face. I will try to remember that before posting. But I still think I should be able to say what I like and dislike, maybe in a more subtle and polite way.

trasgorshek Thank you! That's all I'm saying Patricia. I mean, after all the homeowners did agree to the article. I'm sure one expects negative as well as positive feedback. But I have seen some really bad, negative comments before. They really aren't so bad on this article but there have some doozies in the past. If I could remember the name of the one article, in particular, I would reference it...but I don't remember the name.

lpmenache Well this house has certainly evoked alot of emotions. I have lived in Texas and have done homes there for clients. I do not like the statement that "this is Texas" implying that all Texans have bad "taste" and as an excuse for the work that has been done, good or bad. I prefer an old money look that has been updated using the principles of the great designers of the past, Billy Baldwin, Dorothy Draper, and The Great Eleanor Brown whose rooms are still timeless today. She would often change the rug out or the lamp shades and make the room more " Au currant". We all need to review the work of these greats and then apply it to modern times. There is no reason that being young with money has to equate to "their tastes will change with time" and there is no reason to compromise "taste" because one has children. My wife and I never did.

Deb Smith One of my thoughts as I read all the negative statements was, "Maybe y'all are just a little bit jealous."

pharwell Didn't mean to make this private: Love the house inside and outside! The kid's rooms are fun and beautiful. How lucky they are! I think the home is elegant.KB, pull in your claws.
Deb, I agree!

lillisnana Love it - start to finish!

Deb Smith I'm debating on whether to comment on future Houzz pieces, if this is how it's going to be. I don't like being a part of this, reading the incessant negativity. It serves no purpose. (And I'd love to critique a few of you for your spelling of both French and English words) Honestly, do we have to continue to beat the dead horse? Hasn't it all been said? Let's call it a day!

JAN MOYER Ever climb into bed and get disrupted by a lightning bolt thought? And just as someone posts "why bring politics into this...." I turned the computer back on. Every single week, there are people who post their design "dilemma". Some of the posters clearly lack a design skill, some of the homes needing help are downright sad. Some folks seem to just want to chat. But rarely is anyone slapped with "Lordy dear! that house is so tacky, why don't you just move?!" It seems the faceless, and nameless are easier targets. The "rich and faceless" today took a real beating! Almost as if so many think it is OKAY to bash the home of someone for whom resources are clearly not an issue, and it would be UNKIND to do same to someone who clearly has little disposable income for decorating. Think about that. Who decided that little gem? Nobody grows an extra coating of human skin from the money in their bank account, or the size/luxury of their home. So clearly, in many ways, long before it "turned" political, it was a nasty and thinly disguised political thread, based solely on some misguided belief that it is perfectly acceptable to be nasty to certain people, and definitely not to others. Think on that.

Decor Studio1 Very well done by designer. Love the pops of orange, purple, etc.

mrsben Ultra beautiful home Becky. Many wonderful details!

jsinco Im sorry but I get on Houzz not to feel anything towards the homeowners miles away, that would be creepy. It's all about the rooms, and the design. I get on Houzz to, develop my own style, get inspiration, save things I like, and critique others. None of these comments have been any different than anything you would hear on any kind of HGTV design shows like Design Star. For those who worry about the millionaire's feelings I would say, grow up. Stop worrying about the homeowners. And get back to the design. Any professional should be able to handle criticism.

olldroo Couldn't agree more with your comment for using Houzz, jsinco, I posted a similar comment but for some reason it has been deleted.

However, I can't agree with your comment about not considering the home owner's feelings or the designers. I will never live in a ritzy enough home to be featured on this website, but if I did I would be very interested in other people's opinions, constructive criticism is good, but there is no need for rudeness - it is not WHAT you say, it is HOW you say it.

JAN MOYER Hello Deb Smith... and thank you! : )

John Roberts Personally, I'm just glad to see that this beautiful old home wasn't demolished in favor of one of the many "builders McMansions" that seem to proliferate in some of Houstons beautiful old historic neighborhoods.

Stevie How clever are thoes bunk beds!!! The white outdoor furniture would be pooped on here in my neck of the woods......beautiful idea though. :-)

cdbh can anoyone tell me how to achieve the look of this exterior brick?

JAN MOYER cdbh,
The brick is a wash, is painstakingly applied by hand, is achievable with major expense! This I know, as I researched the look for a client who was building a classic Georgian colonial a few years ago, and we abandoned the concept and imported stone from Connecticut and took a pass on new brick.

Elizabeth Rival That Hudson chandelier is doing something very special to my heart. Thank you for sharing!

Rebecca Evans I would love to know where the designers bought the mirrored dressers that serve as the bases for the custom bathroom vanities.

bonnieinflorida Absolutely beautiful exterior, but the interior is disappointing. There are some components I really like, but it never really seems to come together.