Proof That a Big Texas House Can Be a Charming Francophile Retreat
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They say Paris is always a good idea. So when designer Marie Flanigan decided to infuse this Houston home with details inspired by the city, the homeowners didn’t argue. “They live in Paris for part of the year, so much of the design aesthetic was influenced by their European roots,” she says of the young international family.
The newly built, 9,000-square-foot property in River Oaks—with architecture by Houston’s Benjamin Johnston Design—is, like the City of Love, utterly timeless and as indulgent as a tarte aux pommes from Poilâne. “They worked with a great architect to develop the shell, which was a beautiful combination of this classically drawn building with a lot of modern, contemporary details,” Flanigan says. “We tried to keep the aesthetic really clean too.”
They shirked the overly ornate and leaned into old-world finishes with a timeless patina that have gone the distance for centuries: plasterwork, stone, and grids of paneling. “We wanted the natural materials to be the stars of the show,” Flanigan says, adding that wallpaper and smoked-mirror inlays brought in subtle detail. “The goal was for everything to feel effortless, like it had been there forever and layered over time, but we didn’t want to overdo it.” The result is “a space that is modern but also warm and welcoming, and really embraces you when you come in.”
One of her favorite design moments is the hulking veined Calacatta Viola marble dining table, which weighs thousands of pounds. “We had to anchor it to the slab of the house!” Flanigan says with a laugh. But it was worth it. “It’s really a centerpiece. The table itself is the sculpture.”
Entryway
The statement charcoal-and-white marble flooring, which Flanigan describes as a modern square parquet design, was one of the first things her clients asked for. Roman shade: Kravet. Paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore.
Living Room
“The entire house radiates around this neutral, sunny room,” Flanigan says. Chandelier: Iatesta Studio. Sofas and chairs: Silvera. Coffee table: Somar Creations.
Kitchen
Using the same marble for the waterfall island, countertops, and backsplash keeps this space feeling bright. Pendants: Silvera. Hardware: Rocky Mountain Hardware. Counter stools: 1stDibs.
Dining Room
Flanigan complemented the custom dining table by Jorge Saba with dark accents. Sculpture: antique, from Area. Chandelier: Silvera. Rug: Marc Phillips. Drapery: Fabricut.
Bar Lounge
“We wanted to bring in jewel tones to create a dynamic space,” the designer says. Panels built into the bar hide extra storage. Paint: Carnelian, Sherwin-Williams. Chandelier: Bella Figura.
Primary Bedroom
“We wanted it to feel bespoke—like a boutique hotel,” Flanigan says. Side table: 1stDibs (right). Other furniture: custom. Bedding: Matouk. Art: Steven Alexander. Rug: Rug Mart.
An RH desk fits perfectly into this nook in the primary bedroom. Lamp: Visual Comfort & Co. Chair: custom, in Kirkby Design Fabric. Art: Javier León Pérez.
Nursery
“The client said, ‘I want clouds, and I want it to feel light and airy,’ ” Flanigan says. “We ran with that.” The balloons are authentic hot-air balloon models. Wallpaper: Anthropologie. Chaise: CB2. Balloons: Authentic Models.
Playroom
The Charles Patrick artwork is made of paper butterflies, “each suspended on a little pin, so they move and dance,” she says. Chandelier: Visual Comfort & Co. Sofa: Rove Concepts.
Office
Backyard
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