Sensory Experiences

Sensory Experiences

Designer Gail McCleese makes her mark on the hospitality industry in Houston. Article by Diane Cowen Originally published in River Oaks Lifestyle Gail McCleese sits in a curvy booth at Annabelle Brasserie, watching other diners experience the setting she helped create: a ceiling dripping with colorful faux florals and French country style using materials so plush you want to reach out and stroke them. “Biophilia is important to me. I like to bring in nature or the sense of a garden since we’re stuck inside so...

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The Luxury of Home

The Luxury of Home

Article by Diane Cowen | Photography by Lucy Call | Originally published in River Oaks Lifestyle After more than 20 years in business, Erin Stetzer has carved a comfortable niche in Houston’s luxury home-construction industry, but doesn’t forget those early days, when she and her husband were starting their family. A native of Ohio, Erin moved to Houston as a sales representative for a chemical company and her work schedule found her constantly traveling. She and husband Alec married 23 years ago and they now...

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Great Style Yésely Love

Great Style Yésely Love

Mixing Great Style Better Health Yésley Love creates beautiful spaces with sustainable healthy materials. Article by Diane Cowen Photography by Samantha Sanchez Originally published in River Oaks Lifestyle   When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, mother-of-two Yésely Love, sprang into action. An interior designer and construction project manager, she knew exactly how to get her children organized to keep learning. She and other neighborhood moms worked together, setting up a school-day schedule that...

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Spring 2024 Leaders In Design

Spring 2024 Leaders In Design

The Houston Design District is excited to announce that Lucinda Loya, Courtney Hill Fertitta, and Kelly Gale Amen have been inducted into the prestigious Leaders in Design program. This recognition celebrates their exceptional contributions to interior design and architecture, solidifying their places among Houston’s elite design professionals. In a warm, intimate gathering, the three honorees stood before an audience of around 65 family members, friends, and fellow designers at the Houston Design Center...

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Discover Thorntree: Where Tradition Meets Innovation in Home Design

Discover Thorntree: Where Tradition Meets Innovation in Home Design

If you’re seeking to infuse your home design with a touch of timeless elegance and modern practicality, Thorntree Slate is your go-to destination. Established in Houston in 1980 by the Rae family, who hails from South Africa, Thorntree has become a premier provider of top-tier porcelain, natural stone, and glass products. Their ethos? Catering to the exotic, the unusual, and the practical—a perfect match for the Texan spirit. From Humble Beginnings to Global Excellence Thorntree Slate’s journey started humbly in...

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The Houston Design District