Courtney Hill Fertita Branches Out
Longtime residential designer applies her good taste to Houston’s restaurant scene. Article by Diane Cowen Originally published in River Oaks Lifestyle Courtney Hill Fertitta is known for her elegant and timeless touch in residential interior design but lately she’s found a new outlet for her creativity at popular Houston restaurants. She’s been busy adding color and rich pattern to the original Carraba’s, which opened nearly 40 years ago, and to two of the city’s newer restaurants, Bludorn and Navy Blue, a...
A Life and Career of Grand Gestures
Kelly Gale Amen creates furniture, textiles, and, now, delicate pashminas. Article by Diane Cowen Originally published in River Oaks Lifestyle Kelly Gale Amen’s life is full of grand gestures, but his work is admired for the simplicity with which he approaches clients’ needs. They want to keep a favorite brown sofa or have stacks of books they can’t live without. Amen will make it work. He can change the energy in a room by adding color or shifting in furniture, hanging new art and mirrors or placing a new rug or...
Telling Stories Through Her Architecture
Michelle Old nurtures art and architecture while elevating design and mentoring younger peers Article by Diane Cowen Originally published in River Oaks Lifestyle When Michelle Giuseppetti Old was younger, art was her passion. When a high school art history teacher posed the idea that great architecture was an expressive public art form, Old could see her future occupation in a whole new light. In addition to its inherent beauty, great architecture offers functionality and performance to its users and focuses on...
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...
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...
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...
Interior Design Event and Trends in Interior Design at Houston’s Fall Design Week
The Houston Design District is thrilled to announce its annual Fall Design Week from Tuesday, October 8th, through Thursday, October 10th. This three-day event promises to bring together top talent from the interior design world, offering a unique opportunity for design enthusiasts to engage with industry leaders. From insightful panel discussions to exclusive book signings, Fall Design Week provides an in-depth look into the creative processes and innovative trends shaping modern interior spaces. Be sure to grab...
Discover Meredith O’Donnell: A Premier Member of the Houston Design District
Meredith O’Donnell is a beacon of luxury and style in the vibrant Houston Design District. This premier furniture store has a reputation for offering an exquisite range of furnishings catering to diverse tastes and styles. Whether you’re drawn to formal, traditional, contemporary collections, or casual European and eclectic selections, Meredith O’Donnell offers something to suit every aesthetic preference. A Legacy of Excellence Meredith O’Donnell is more than just a furniture store;...