Step Inside This Thoughtfully Designed Houston Heights Haven

By Elisabeth Brigham By Elisabeth Brigham | February 22, 2023 | Home & Real Estate, Home & Real Estate Feature,

When this Houston couple set out to build their long-lasting family home, it was a natural decision to join forces with local interior design firm Hallie Henley Design. Here, she seamlessly blends opulence and functionality to create a standout abode that’s better described as a work of art than a house.

The study comes to life with geometric wallpaper lining the walls, fused with marbleized wallpaper on the ceiling and a snake print desk chair by Highland House.

“I always think it’s important that a project has a sense of place, and oftentimes we in Houston as we’re not directly on the coast forget that we actually live in a subtropical climate zone,” shares Hallie Henley Sims, who took the reins on all things design for this family of four’s brand-new build. “We embraced that on this project. The overall design reflects the modern sensibility the clients have, their appreciation of colors and patterns and, of course, their love for travel.” Having both grown up in Oklahoma, the wife and Sims shared the same circle of friends for years and later reconnected in Houston. “We clicked immediately,” tells Sims. “With her background in residential real estate (and a career in fashion before that), there was a great sense of camaraderie and collaboration as we embarked on their project. The first time she and I met at the house, she had created a mood board taped to the walls of the study complete with a Slim Aarons photo and a printout of a fabric trim. I knew in that moment we would create magic together!”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JACK THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Nestled nicely in the historic Heights neighborhood, the 3,600-square-foot home is complete with four bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. From first foot in, you’re greeted by rich hues of sea blues effortlessly fused with vibrant prints and wallpapers. “What makes me most proud of this project is that it’s so reflective of the homeowners. You walk inside and immediately get a sense for who they are, their sense of style, their zest for life and love of family,” notes Sims. Never shying away from the bold, each room plays with a unique set of patterns, materials and color: The family room and connecting breakfast area are tied together with similar Hinson and Mokum banana leaf foliage fabrics; the study pairs clean lines with masculine geometric wallpaper, ceiling marbleized wallpaper and a showstopping snake print desk chair; and the dining room goes for the dramatics with lacquered peacock walls accompanied by a blush and gold tumbling block patterned wallpaper on the ceiling coffers. With no detail overlooked, Sims’ signature touch is thoughtfully woven throughout the space, transforming this house into a true Houston haven.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JACK THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY Old meets new with accessories like the vintage bar cart from Round Top, detailed draperies, Manuel Canovas coffers on the ceiling and so much more

“THE OVERALL DESIGN REFLECTS THE MODERN SENSIBILITY THE CLIENTS HAVE, THEIR APPRECIATION OF COLORS AND PATTERNS AND, OF COURSE, THEIR LOVE FOR TRAVEL.” –HALLIE HENLEY SIMS

Perfect for entertaining, the playful yet sophisticated family room features the Highland House sofa, Hwang Bishop lamps, Fermoie lampshades and more.