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    Dropping House Knowledge

    Look hot, not old: Top Houston designer reveals what to avoid and embrace this year

    Barbara Kuntz
    Barbara Kuntz
    Jan 27, 2015 | 11:01 am

    In this new periodic series, the city's hottest interior designers offer fresh ideas to revive spaces throughout your home, from the kitchen to the bedroom. Let's get started!

    Whether Laura Umansky of Laura U Interior Design is putting the final touches on a Houston home, working with clients at Studio U as they approach "a la carte" or small-scale projects or taking care of customers' wishes at her new Aspen boutique, she and her team always have ears to the ground and eyes wide open for the latest in trends.

    "Working as a seasoned designer, I’m used to the inevitable cycle of coming-and-going trends," she says in a recent post on her blog. "It’s bittersweet when a pattern, color or finish you couldn’t get enough of dwindles from the selections of your favorite vendors. But, I am never disappointed with what the New Year brings."

    Umansky shares with CultureMap what's new and hot . . . and what's old and not. Every year brings with it a new set of design trends.

    In: Green Tones
    "We have always appreciated the beauty of green, but we predict this hue will make more of a splash in 2015," she says. "We particularly love earthy shades of green like olive, and it can be featured on a bold accent wall or as fabric on a fabulous dining chair."

    Out: Chevron
    "We were seeing this pattern on everything from walls to bedding to rugs beginning in 2012 and throughout 2014," Umansky says. "Chevron hit the scene big time, but we don’t think you’ll be seeing much of it these playful zigzags this time around."

    In: Natural Aesthetics
    Watch for chiseled edges, natural wood and unlacquered steel, she says, adding, "Materials in their natural state lend a warm and authentic look. Mix metals such as steel, copper, pewter and brass for a collected feel."

    Out: Big Brass
    The use of brass in large-scale projects is fading from the spotlight and will probably be "outdated," for the time being, before the close of the year. "We love this tone for sure, but see a resurgence of warm platinum tones coming to the forefront," Umansky says.

    In: Photo Filters
    "Photographic images from social media outlets such as Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest will be used as decor even more in 2015," the designer notes. "One client’s stair hall is filled Instagram photos from their family trips and adventures."

    Out: Completely Neutral Rooms
    "While we love a completely neutral room — what is more serene than tone-on-tone cream — we think that the all-white space will be replaced with a more contrasted look this year," Umansky says. "Lots of black lacquer and ebonized woods paired with neutral upholstery will be en vogue.

    "While we love trends, we do rely on them to create our 'Classically Current' spaces. Mixing in the latest trend in a small dose is a fun and easy way to keep your interiors fresh and makes them easy to update when something new hits the scene."

    Take a look through the images above for examples of Umansky's tips as shown through some of her own finished projects.

    In addition to holding a master's degree in architecture from the University of Texas, Umansky is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and an associate member of ASID. Laura U was recently awarded Best of Houzz and a space on the prestigious National Gold List by Luxe Magazine.

    The firm holds more than 19 ASID awards for outstanding interiors including Best of Show 2012. Laura has been recognized as both a Leader in Design by the Houston Design Center and Star on the Rise by the Decorative Center Houston.

    "Our client’s stair hall is filled with Instagram photos from their family trips and adventures," Umansky says.

    1 Laura U interior design ideas January 2015
      
    Photo courtesy of © Laura U Interior Design
    "Our client’s stair hall is filled with Instagram photos from their family trips and adventures," Umansky says.
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    Nancy Meyers-inspired Houston designer launches new website for home goods

    Emily Cotton
    May 2, 2025 | 3:30 pm
    Katie Davis Design Bungalow website
    Courtesy of Katie Davis Design
    Expertly mixed patterns play well together in this sunny living room.

    Houston interior designer Katie Davis possesses an immense talent for creating lively, lived-in spaces that feel warm and inviting — grandma’s “traditional” style, this is not. Effortlessly elegant, Davis’ ability to blend old with new has garnered her a bevy of inspired fans wishing to replicate her looks, and now they can.

    Enter The Bungalow, Davis’ personally-curated e-commerce site for shopping all things Katie Davis Design. Social media influencers and bloggers have long been known to create “shop the look” posts based around published projects by interior designers. With The Bungalow, Katie Davis fans are getting the real deal. Shop vintage, antique, and new furniture, home decor, and accessories chosen by Davis herself — imposters need not apply.

    Davis recently transitioned from her previous location in a Heights bungalow (we see what you did there) to an expansive space in Memorial to be closer to projects, expand her team, and offer pop-up shopping activations for The Bungalow.

    Formerly an attorney, Davis fell in love with design while working with a builder on her own family home. She launched her eponymous design firm with the intention to be the comforting and guiding light she wished she had during her own building process — and what a success. Davis’ unstuffy take on traditional style is perfect for clients who balk at trends and seek interiors that stand the test of time.

    “We design homes that we want people to really live in,” Davis tells CultureMap. “Our spaces are always beautiful, but our first priority is comfort. Every detail is considered and custom for the way a client lives. We believe good design can make life better.”

    Davis’ knack for creating personalized, curated interiors for clients is something that sets her firm apart from others. “Our clients and their families provide us with the most inspiration — the way they live, their priorities. Our clients keep us guessing and inspired,” says Davis.

    Serene color palettes, botanical prints, layered textures, and an abundance of natural materials are Davis’ signature, making her interiors truly timeless. “Our inspiration comes from nature first, always. For us, blues and greens are neutrals, and we constantly pull our colors from our surroundings here in Texas,” she says.

    Perhaps clients are drawn to Katie Davis Design for the familiarity of their interiors, drawing inspiration from traditional design powerhouses like Mark Sikes, as well as iconic movie sets. Who doesn’t want to live in Diane Keaton‘s Hamptons abode from Something’s Gotta Give? “Historical or cultural references we turn to when seeking inspiration are Sister Parrish and Nancy Meyers,” says Davis. “I want to live on a Nancy Meyers' set! So collected and cozy.”

    Davis’ foresight to launch The Bungalow is a testament to her intuitive nature. Antique and vintage goods are more popular than ever, and their star is only on the rise. More businesses are introducing antique and vintage items to their inventories at a rapid pace — for example, the Bergdorf X Chairish collaboration is a great success. Houstonians looking to emulate the Katie Davis look, but cannot commit themselves to weekends spent cruising estate sales and secondhand shops will do well, curled up on the sofa, shopping The Bungalow.

    Not one to fully embrace the vintage and antiques craze? New items are also available to purchase, and shoppers can find opportunities to go bespoke if they wish. “I would say it's half and half,” says Davis. “As we do in our projects, we put old alongside new. There are lots of great blue and white finds.” Delftware and many other blue and white ceramics are experiencing a renaissance, having a readily-available cache from Davis’ collection sounds almost too good to be true.

    “I like to say, what we are selling on The Bungalow are our favorite things. So yes, you'll see a light fixture we might have included in a project, or a familiar artist, but it is ultimately a collection of pieces and brands that we love.”

    Katie Davis Design Bungalow website
      

    Courtesy of Katie Davis Design

    Expertly mixed patterns play well together in this sunny living room.

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