Secret Home Tips

Designer stars spill their secrets: How to have the welcoming house everyone loves to visit

Designers Jane Schwab and Cindy Smith, co-owners of Charlotte-based firm Circa Interiors, have distilled a collective 59 years of decorating knowledge and experience into one 240-page book, The Welcoming House: The Art of Living Graciously, released just this week.

And though they don't always work in tandem on projects, it's clear that the two share design sensibilities and perceptions of elegance.

"Jane and I both grew up in friendly, small towns, with families that entertained a lot. We always had room at the table for an extra person," Smith tells CultureMap.

"When you make a purchase, look at it as a long-term investment, not something that's just going to fill the space."

That, she believes, is the definition of gracious living: Having a comfortable, inviting home where people want to visit you, one that can easily adapt for large groups and casual entertaining — in addition to serving as a backdrop for private family moments.

There are tricks of the trade to getting this formula right — Smith hinted that it partly involves decorating with "a lot of chairs" — but in the end, thoughtfully-considered pieces are as crucial as the room's layout.

"When designing a home, no matter what stage you are in life, we suggest that you start with one or two really special pieces that you love," Schwab says. "Then fill in with things that will be functional and accommodate your family and the way you want to live."

"And when you do make a purchase, look at it as a long-term investment, not something that's just going to fill the space," advises Smith. "Buy something that's the very best quality that you can possibly afford."

"It's a bit of a trend for people to do a quick fix . . . but something of good quality elevates everything else in the room."

Schwab and Smith will share more of their design wisdom at the Houston Design Center's Spring Market at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Admission is free but reservations are required. RSVP for the event here.

Jane Schwab and Cindy Smith of Circa Interiors recently released The Welcoming House: The Art of Living Graciously.

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sleep like an olympian

Houston Olympians share sleep tips at luxury mattress maker's posh store

Luxury sleep brand Saatva’s Houston showroom (1703 Post Oak Blvd.), referred to as a “Viewing Room” by the company, is one of only three in Texas, and 17 in the country. Its steadfast stance to exclusively manufacture all of their products — from mattresses to furniture collections— in the US, has contributed to the 15-year-old, eco-friendly company’s success.

Courtesy of Saatva

Saatva has joined Team USA as the official mattress for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Saatva is known for its made-to-order luxury mattresses that are always delivered white glove — never rolled and shipped. Designed in collaboration by Hines Collective and award-winning multidisciplinary architecture and design firm Ware Malcomb, the 4,000-square-foot viewing room integrates modern touches and emphasizes the new interpretation of Smarter Luxury Sleep.

From the moment a visitor enters through the foyer, the viewing room aims to redefine the customer experience. With its aromatic fragrance, subtle color palette, warm lighting, and sustainable flooring and wall treatments, Saatva Houston offers an inviting respite from the city’s bustle.

Further into the space, silvery trees form a canopy under the ceiling’s gentle curves. Soft fabrics and floor-to-ceiling mirrors punctuate the walls throughout, creating a unified environment from start to finish. In keeping with Saatva’s “made in America” philosophy, interior materials and finishes, including the architectural lighting, were manufactured in the U.S.

The Houston store also features a collaboration with Samsung, allowing customers the option to choose a self-guided tour of Saatva’s products. Customers can also test pillows, sateen sheets, and beautifully-upholstered furniture collections in store. Saatva even thought of the four-legged family members with a posh dog bed.

Supporting Team U.S.A.

Saatva’s commitment to all things American now reaches beyond the realm of manufacturing. The brand recently partnered with Team U.S.A. to provide mattresses during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. To celebrate their 15 year anniversary and new partnership, Saatva Houston recently invited two highly-decorated, Houston-native Olympic athletes to an intimate gathering to share the importance of restorative sleep.

Three-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Manuel — who also happens to be the first Black American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming — was joined by two-time Olympian and four-time Olympic medalist Bryce Deadmon (Track & Field) for the celebratory breakfast. Both athletes dished on their favorite Houston cheat meal spots and the restorative sleep routines they live by.

Pre-sleep routine of Olympian Simone Manuel (two Gold, four Silver, one Bronze)

“I think the biggest thing is definitely putting my phone away as early as possible,” she says. “It’s hard, you know? There are so many distractions, but I try to at least limit them if I can’t completely eliminate them.” Manual gets in bed around 9 pm, with her phone off limits. “I like to watch TV before I go to sleep, but I at least try to turn down the brightness and put on blue light glasses, and that helps a lot. Sometimes I’ll put the TV on mute and then I’ll turn on some white noise.” Manuel’s go-to sleepy time extras? Lavender linen spray and eucalyptus incense.

Favorite Houston healthy spots: Local Table and JLB Eatery
Favorite Houston cheat meal spots: On The Kirb, The Rouxpour, and Pappadeaux.

Pre-sleep routine of Olympian Bryce Deadmon (two Gold, one Silver, one Bronze)

Deadmon relies on 20 minutes of meditation to get ready to go to bed. “I try to make sure I do that just to make sure I’m not really thinking when I get into bed. So, I kind of regulate my breathing before getting into bed — that’s really my main thing. It can be dangerous,” Deadmon adds with a laugh. “I have fallen asleep while meditating. I’ll wake up like ‘What’s going on?!’ That’s not supposed to happen. But it really calms me down before I actually go to sleep.”

Favorite Houston healthy spot: Pre-made meals from H-E-B
Favorite Houston cheat meal spots: Doña Leti’s and Burger Bodega.

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