Shelby's Social Diary

The Ultimate House Party: Prominent brothers shake up Houston's social scene with lavish bash

Brothers Bo and Scott Butler have been slowly building their design/development company since 2003. But it wasn't until this week that the duo made a major splash on the social scene with an evening dubbed "The Ultimate House Party."

In tandem with Todd Events, Butler Brothers (you've probably seen their distinctive double B signs across the Inner Loop landscape) erected a 3,000 sq.ft. party tent in lifelike design of a real home. Todd Fiscus' team worked its magic bringing in flooring, carpeting, rich furnishings, artwork and sophisticated lighting to create an environment reflective of the quality of Butler Brothers projects.

"This is the celebration of our company," Bo Butler said. "We just wanted to have a celebration that kicks off all of the Butler Brothers products that we have right now. We're just celebrating all the products and introducing ourselves to Houston."

"This is our biggest project and we wanted to put a really great party together that would capture what we are doing here at Audubon."

The PR splash took place in Audubon Hollow, the firm's 22-home development site tucked into a pocket between River Oaks and Tanglewood. The Butler brothers are native Houstonians, sons of well-known community leaders Penny and John Butler. Both earned undergraduate degrees at Texas A&M and masters degrees in architecture from the University of Houston.

"This is our biggest project and we wanted to put a really great party together that would capture what we are doing here at Audubon as well as all the other projects," Bo Butler said.

The unique party tent featured a dining room where guests could fill up on party foods from Lucille's chef Chris Williams, Fusion Taco treats courtesy of chef David Grossman and dessert offerings from Ruggles Black's chef Ryan Ng. While waiters circled with trays of wine and champagne, Reserve 101's Michael Raymond mixed sophisticated cocktails in the study. On the back terrace, complete with rose bushes and outdoor furnishing, elaborately constructed bars at each end offered Tito's Vodka drinks and 8th Wonder Brewery beers.

Throughout the home setting, guests could view renderings of the Butler Brothers' various projects, pick up brochures and chat with Bo and Scott about their business.

Among the 250 who turned out for a tent party despite rainy weather were Michael Chabala, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Martha Turner and Glenn Bauguss, Saba Jawda, Sarah Jawda, Melissa Zarikian, Monique Mannke, Neal Hamil and Kim Turner, director of Dallas-based Dwell With Dignity, beneficiary of the event.

Scott and Stacey Butler, left, with Chris and Bo Butler.

Scott and Stacey Butler, from left, and Chris and Bo Butler at the Butler Brothers party November 2014

Photo by © Roswitha Vogler Photosbyrovo.com

Scott and Stacey Butler, left, with Chris and Bo Butler.

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Garden of Glam

Versailles vibes shine at Houston's Women of Distinction winter ball

Photo by Jacob Power

Dr. Linda Magill, Michelle Lilie, Shawn Stephens, Desrye Morgan, Helen Shaffer, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Pitsami Norm, Robin Klaes, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Kristen Cannon, and Lauren Gow.

If Marie Antoinette had RSVP’d, she’d have approved.

The Post Oak Hotel glittered with regal sass as elegantly clad guests gathered for the Women of Distinction Winter Ball, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s signature black-tie soirée. The Southern Texas Chapter pulled out all the stops for its 39th edition, raising $675,000 toward curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — no powdered wigs required.

Hosted by co-chairs Elizabeth DeLuca and Alice Mao Brams, alongside design chair Lauren Gow, the evening bloomed under a Gardens of Versailles theme. Floral artist Blooming Gallery transformed the ballroom into a rococo mirage with flourishing arrangements, candlelit ambiance, and enough gold accents to make Louis XIV beam.

Serving as the night’s guide, NPR’s Frank Billingsley emceed the program, introducing the newly inducted class of 2026 Women of Distinction: Kristen Cannon, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Robin Klaes, Michelle Lilie, Linda Sagarnaga Magill, Desrye Morgan, Pitsami Norm, Karen DeGeurin Remington and Gow — each honored for their philanthropy, leadership, and impact. Ambassadors Helen Shaffer and Shawn Stephens were also spotlighted for their ongoing service.

Keynote speaker Lindsay Horton brought heartfelt weight to the evening, sharing her personal journey with Crohn’s disease with raw honesty, humor, and resilience. Her story of navigating chronic illness while raising a family reminded everyone in the room of the life-altering stakes behind the gowns and glitter.

Summoning their inner Versailles were Leigh Smith, Rosalyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Leila Perrin, Anita Smith, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Shelley Taylor Ludwick, Joann Peterson, Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Jerre Williams, Peter Remington, Audrey and David Gow, Scott Konitzer, Jill and Brad Deutser, Heidi Turney, Edward Sanchez, Trini Mendenhall, Sneha and Nick Merchant, Whitney Lawson, Lesha Elsenbrook, and Jayne Johnston.

Photo by Jacob Power

Dr. Linda Magill, Michelle Lilie, Shawn Stephens, Desrye Morgan, Helen Shaffer, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Pitsami Norm, Robin Klaes, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Kristen Cannon, and Lauren Gow.

fundraisers