A well-known baroque estate in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood urgently needed an update when the clients — a young family — approached Nadia Palacios Residential Design. An award-winning architect, owner Nadia Palacios Lauterbach understood that the limestone facade was an essential component of the design, so she worked to respect the integrity of the exterior structure. She and her studio stripped the home down to its studs to complete the major renovation, adding steel reinforcements, a copper roof, new plumbing, and electrical and HVAC systems.
Collaborating with Courtney Hill on the interiors, Palacios recreated the classical space for the contemporary era: luxurious marble surfaces and ample architectural detailing are classically high end, while the layout was revised to incorporate practical considerations, including a new mudroom, as well as the construction of a large master bath and dressing suite on the second floor. Here, we explore the architecture of the inspired, historic home.
Built in 1965, the exterior of the home was modeled after the Baroque pavilions outside Paris, like the Grand Trianon, King Louis XIV's Versailles retreat that was intended to house the king and his mistress. Because the garage of the original property had been impractically positioned and was seldom used, it was remodeled to serve as a morning room and mudroom on the first floor, and a master bath and dressing area on the second floor.
Photo by Tria Giovan
The glamorous foyer helps impress guests of the clients, who love to entertain. Marble flooring weaves a beautiful, Art Deco-inspired design throughout the space. Across the walls rustication is rendered in true Venetian plaster, and the second floor features detailed and eye-catching mouldings. For the entire home, the architect notes a range of influences, including the work of the English neoclassical architect, Sir John Soane.
Photo by Tria Giovan
The curved design of the balcony and staircase imparts a surreal quality to the architecture, as if these elements were floating.
Photo by Jack Thompson
The house originally featured Georgian double-hung windows, which had rotted; Palacios replaced them with French-style custom casements.
Photo by Tria Giovan
A skylight enhances the flow of light within the entry hall.
Photo by Jack Thompson
For the family room, Palacios designed a tray ceiling that adds further grandeur to the space. The elegant plaster cornices were created by Hyde Park Mouldings.
Photo by Tria Giovan
The boiserie was inspired by the Petit Trianon in Versailles, which was built a century after the Grand Trianon during the transition from the Recoco to Neoclassical period in France; sliding media doors stylishly obscure electronic equipment.
Photo by Tria Giovan
Deep emerald green with a touch of cyan brings an indulgent, maximalist tone to the library. Lacquered walls and mouldings surround the room, punctuated by glass cabinet doors featuring unique metalwork.
Photo by Tria Giovan
The dining room is equally impressive with Art Deco-style mouldings.
Photo by Tria Giovan
Throughout the first floor, Palacios crafted an elegant sense of flow between each common space. For example, plaster mouldings and cornice offer cohesion across rooms, as guests may move from the living room to the dining room to the bar. Within the cornice here in the living room, the architect hid the air conditioning system, and she used invisible speakers so that the audio technology would not clutter the ceiling. Graphic neutrals inform other aspects of the design. The contemporary style is offset by the stone fireplace, which is original to the home.
Photo by Tria Giovan
Black-and-white tile in a Greek Key pattern offers a unique touch to the powder room.
Photo by Tria Giovan
Wall details here demonstrate how Palacios used unique touches to wade into maximalism, while grounding the design in classic materials like plaster. The mirror above the bar cabinet hides the TV, so that the space can convert into a media room.
Photo by Jack Thompson
Because the clients enjoy entertaining, it was important for the design of the bar to aptly reflect the clients and their style. Palacios designed a marble alcove for the bar and carved scalloping into the bar's edge. Antique mirrors and reeded mercury glass flank the bar shelving.
Photo by Tria Giovan
Ample light flows into the morning room's gridded doors, which were custom-created by Rehme.
Photo by Jack Thompson
The butler's pantry relies on contemporary accents to update a classic, French provincial look.
Photo by Tria Giovan
The kitchen is bright and neutral with brass accents throughout.
Photo by Tria Giovan
The master bath features a sophisticated vanity set within an alcove.
Photo by Tria Giovan
Built-in cabinetry in eggplant-colored paint makes the home office stylish and organized.
Photo by Tria Giovan
A range of cream-colored, built-in storage options line the walls of the dressing room.
Photo by Tria Giovan
A cased opening bordered by Greek Key detail opens into the master bedroom.
Photo by Tria Giovan
