Houston's Best Furniture Stores

Houston's Best Furniture Stores: From high-end luxury to budget bargains, these 10 spots deliver

Buying furniture is a subjective, time-consuming and ultimately, an expensive adventure, especially if you want your purchase to last.

I remember taking home my first couch from a local department store long ago. The oversized bat-wing back pillows drew me in. Years and a divorce later, I don't even know where the piece is.

I realize now it truly wasn't that special. Heck, I could have 20-plus cushions of the same styling and be enjoying them today.

With that in mind, CultureMap scoured Houston for the best furniture destinations for pieces that will leave an impression on you and your home. Some recommendations are for the budget-restricted; some are for those people ready to make lifetime investments. All the stores on this list have that extra appeal that makes them stand out, subtlety or sensationally, whether that "wow" factor comes in design, quality or service — or even location.

In any situation, I hope these selections will help you discover Houston's best furniture stores — and not leave you with vague memories of a bad purchase.

19th Street in the Heights — Best shopping destination
 Budget to expensive 
Take an afternoon — or entire day — to peruse the many stores that line this funky little historic district. Shop Eclectic Home for shiny, new objects to brighten your abode. Jubilee, mainly a chic clothing spot, sells some of its display units of antique French country design, including buffets, wardrobes and dressers.

A.G. Antiques is chock-full of Mid-Century modern, early American and Italian furniture mixed in with accent pieces such as vases, lamps, porcelain and even ladies' vintage hats. At Gen's Antiques, find the full gamut of collectible furnishings, from juke boxes to art deco to classic European and more Mid-Century modern — plus work by local artists. Don your best linens for White Linen Night each August for a celebration of it all, with stores open for perusing, street music and dance for entertaining and restaurants for indulging.

Carl Moore Antiques — Best antique store 
1610 Bissonnet St. 
713.524.2502
 Moderate to expensive
In a white, two-story clapboard house in Rice Village, Carl Moore Antiques quietly sits as not only a treasure trove of antiques, vintage finds, art work and accessories, but also a source of 30 years of knowledge in the industry — thanks to owner Geoffrey Westergaard.

"The best antique professionals are those who are willing to take the time to explain and share their understanding of what makes something an antique," Westergaard says. "Frankly, most clients want to know and conversely, we also want them to know. Sometimes a small clue is able to open a whole world."

Westergaard encourages shoppers to look for what he exactly does on his extensive buying trips to Europe: Magic, or that combination of creative imagination and superior skill that makes you fall under a spell. Some "magic" Westergaard recently brought back to his shop includes a very rare find: A Regence/Louis XV-period painted corner cabinet or buffet from France, c. 1740. And there's much more at Carl Moore.

 High Fashion Home — Best eclectic conglomeration
3100 Travis St.
713.528.3838
Moderate to expensive
With four stories, 125,000 square feet and more than 60,000 products, High Fashion Home really can't be beat for its selection of eclectic stock - plus home accents, gift ideas and even clothing. Think classic contemporary, vintage European, casual shabby chic and exotic Asian flair — and more. HFH's online catalog does offer about 4,000 products, but it's the downtown destination building — the only location — where you'll find all the goods.

You also can customize the fabric on much of the furnishings. And it's no secret: HFH's store across the street, High Fashion Fabrics at 3101 Louisiana St., is filled with bolts holding miles of textiles in the 30,000-square-foot showroom. Truly a Texas-sized selection.

IKEA — Best assembly 101 for cheap
 7810 Katy Freeway
 713.688.7867 
Budget-minded 
Who hasn't made their way through the three-storied maze to furnish a college dorm or apartment or even a first home? You may get lost in this adventure (I do, every single time), but everyone walks away with budget-conscious furniture pieces.

These are not even hand-me-downs, much less heirlooms. Who cares, at these prices?

IKEA is also a great place to shop for seasonal flair, such as fun, plastic outdoor dinnerware and home accents. With Allen wrench in hand, everyone can be a "builder." Reward yourself in the cafe with some meatballs. But remember: These are not even hand-me-downs, much less heirlooms.

Who cares, at these prices? You get what you paid for, and for temporary furnishings, IKEA can't be beat.

Kuhl-Linscomb — Best contemporary complex in town — with a dash of old 
2424 W. Alabama St. 
713.526.6000 
Moderate to expensive
 In addition to housing in the 70,000-square-foot retail mecca some of the most classic contemporary brands to be found, such as Herman Miller, Eames and Kartell, owners Pam Kuhl-Linscomb and Dan Linscomb offer for sale prized antiques they have collected through the years, going back to even before store opened in 1984. Stop by again for the latest green editions from Cisco Brothers and Gus Modern, as well as outdoor favorites from Dedon.

While most of the large furniture pieces are located in Building 3, you'll discover the inventory overflows into Buildings 1 and 2. A suggestion for the store? Add a tea room with the planned expansion to the adjacent space that Cierra Furniture formerly occupied (a Houston loss). Customers will enjoy getting a bite to eat and a refreshing drink, regrouping and then continuing to shop. 

Lam Bespoke — Best custom upholstery (with a Heim Lam seal of approval) 
2032 W. Alabama St. 
713.523.1558
 Moderate to expensive 
This gem is an extension of the masters of upholstery at Hein Lam, where I watched not too long ago an "apprentice" of 20 years perfectly match a diagonal pattern on the front and back of a chair — in fine fabric, of course. On the floor are neutral couches, chairs, headboard, ottomans and more in clean, timeless designs from a North Carolina vendor plus Lam Bespoke handmade creations just waiting to be expertly upholstered in your choice of textile.

Hein Lam's woodworkers and metalsmiths also can construct custom pieces that are then finished by the local upholstery artists. The store is packed with a great selection of accent pillows, too.

Ligne Roset — Best comfy, cool, contemporary and French
 2800 Kirby Drive, Suite A-210 in West Ave 
713.630.6500 
Expensive
 Sit in any of Ligne Roset's luxury foam-filled (not stuffy) chairs and couches and you won't want to get up. Ligne Roset enthusiasts already know this, and they — and you — will come back for more with the a chaise lounge in the popular Togo collection by Michel Ducaroy now available and deliverable by order within days.

 Sit in any of the luxury foam-filled (not stuffy) chairs and couches and you won't want to get up.

Designer Philippe Nigro expands on his Confluences line with more puzzle-like configurations for seats and couches. And don't forget to check the new armchair for Ruché by Oliver Sievers, complete with one shorter arm rest to throw a lady-like leg over. 

Made at New Living — Best artisan furniture
 6111 Kirby Drive 
713.521.1921
 Prices depending on project 
What began just four years ago as owner Jeff Kaplan's passionate vision as a paint store for nontoxic, environmentally friendly finishes grew to an organic mattress center (headquartered now at New Living Bedroom on 19th Street in the Heights) and has branched out like a fast-growing tree into a furniture store with a one-of-a-kind concept. Customers partner with local artisans in creating custom furniture made of locally sourced materials. All with the goal of improving the quality of life at home with healthy products.

Look for Made at New Living furniture examples at Oxheart and Punk's Simple Southern Food, not to forget a recent commission for a huge conference table for the new JW Marriott Houston Downtown's $81 million renovation of an old building. Sign up for finishing school classes to learn how to bring personal treasures back to life — in the greenest of ways.

Meredith O'Donnell — Best soft contemporary to fine traditional 
1751 Post Oak Blvd. 
713.526.7332 
Moderate to expensive 
With Houston's largest inventory of Baker Furniture, the respected furniture design company headed by a tremendous team of designers including Barbara Barry (I still swoon over her glamorous creations), Thomas Pheasant and Jacques Garcia, Meredith O'Donnell is the place to go for soft contemporary to elegant traditional. Find Trosby Furniture's fine reproduction pieces, 100-year-old Hickory Chair's handmade treasures and Stickley, maker of America's premium hardwood furniture.

Maitland-Smith creations are destined to become family heirlooms and quite possibly valuable antiques for future generations.

Note: Baker Furniture in Uptown Park is moving to Decorative Center Houston late this year, as the building is to be destroyed in the $1.2 billion renovation of Uptown Park. Their offerings at the new location are to include retail and to-the-trade pieces. The question is: Will they still charge for shipping and freight? Meredith O'Donnell doesn't. 

Roche Bobois — Best in European designs
 4810 San Felipe St.
 713.629.0442
 Expensive 
With most of Roche Bobois' furniture designers being architects first and furniture designers next, the store is a playground for innovative design — and relishes in the Europe-based company's motto, l’art de vivre (the art of living). Sit at the Astrolab and let a design expert press a button to set shiny, visible gears in the middle of the large glass table in motion to seamlely drop two extensions in place at either end of the dining room piece. We think an engineer must have been involved in the development.

Mah Jong modular sofas and pillows from designer Hans Hopfer in Bohemian-influenced Missoni Home upholstery and endless configurations continue to be a popular choice. And new to the Houston showroom floor: An indoor/outdoor collection, Escapade, featuring three-seat armless couches and adjustable back rests covered in bright solids and floral patterns in a waterproof material by Papavero Outdoor.

From soft contemporary like Baker to classic traditional like Trosby of England, you'll find it at Meredith O'Donnell Fine Furniture, Accessories & Rugs.

MeredithODonnell.com

From soft contemporary like Baker to classic traditional like Trosby of England, you'll find it at Meredith O'Donnell Fine Furniture, Accessories & Rugs.

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Compound Returns

Houston building's restoration balances modern touches with historic details

Courtesy of NewForm Real Estate

The 1904 Commercial National Bank building has undergone an extensive restoration by NewForm Real Estate.

An undisputed downtown darling of Houston’s early skyline shines once more, thanks to a yearslong, multimillion dollar restoration project. Chipping away a not-so-sensitive 90s renovation, the Commercial National Bank building at 917 Franklin Street has been returned to its former architectural vernacular, while simultaneously appealing to the modern gaze.

Completed in 1904, the six-story building stands at the prominent intersection of Main and Franklin streets, an area that served as the center of Houston’s financial activity from the turn of the 20th century through the Great Depression. Often regarded as the heart of early banking and commerce in Houston, the district remains one of the city’s most historically significant urban environments.

The Commercial National Bank Building is designated a City of Houston landmark and is a contributing structure within the Main Street Market Square Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is one of only two remaining structures designed by architecture firm Green and Svarz.

The restoration is a continuation of the Main & Co. development by NewForm Real Estate. Stretching from Commerce to Franklin Streets, Main & Co. includes the Raphael and Dorrance buildings at 110 and 114 Main Street — the Dorrance building being the second remaining design by Green and Svarz.

Interestingly, what sets Main & Co. apart from other developments is that the restoration of all three buildings has been a labor of love. NewForm Real Estate president Dan Zimmerman purchased the first building after a trip to New York in 2010, and the rest — as they say — is history.

“I fell in love with the building just because of its history and its charm,” Zimmerman tells CultureMap. A nightclub on the first floor paid the rent, while Zimmerman and his now wife built and occupied a third floor loft space.

“We literally lived downtown, on top of a bar, which was fun before we had kids. Over the course of that project, I got to know my neighbors, and that’s how I came to buy the other two buildings in 2016.”

During the restoration of those two buildings, Zimmerman met and “courted” the owner of the Commercial National Bank building. It took four or five years, and when it came time to sell, Zimmerman was the logical — and trusted — choice.

“It was a much lighter lift than phase one of Main & Co., which was a shell when I bought it,” he explains. “It had a lot of the bones, it just needed — I don’t want to say a facelift, because it was some pretty major work — but it wasn't a gut job, so to speak. We just brought it up to the level we did the other buildings."

Zimmerman enlisted interior designer Margaret Naeve and, together with Andres Construction, revitalized the lobby, corridors, restrooms, and first floor anchor space that is now intended as a restaurant.

"The lobby we kind of brought back to its original grandeur, with a bit more modern style. We brought in plaster workers, we brought in terrazzo workers, we brought in marble workers — we really brought it back,” Zimmerman says. “The materiality is the same, but the composition is a little different. It doesn't look like an old time capsule. In some of these restorations, they like to turn the clock back and make it look just like it did originally. In this particular instance, we wanted to make sure people knew it was modern. Because it's modern with the original stuff, to respect the original materials and use that language throughout the building."

When it came time to choose a designer to help guide the extensive restoration, Zimmerman didn’t need to look too far. Interior designer Margaret Naeve’s former M.Naeve offices at Main & Co. perfectly embodied the historically modern aesthetic he was looking to implement next door.

”Projects like this are incredibly fulfilling because you’re working with something that already has a soul and a history,” Naeve tells CultureMap. “There’s a sense of discovery that happens over time as original details begin to reveal themselves. It never felt like creating something entirely new, but rather thoughtfully editing and layering the building back into relevance in a way that still honored its character.”

The result is a fresh space that takes complete ownership of the original source material, while introducing modern elements that resist feeling forced or anachronistic. The restored brick-and-limestone façade and dramatic, curved-bay corner entrance give way to a light-drenched lobby complete with brass-inlaid terrazzo floors, restored plaster walls, dentil moldings, and a full view of the brass elevator doors.

“The lobby was my favorite part of the project because it really sets the emotional tone for the building,” says Naeve. “We wanted it to feel restrained and timeless while still bringing in a sense of warmth and atmosphere. Restoring the original plaster detailing and moldings while layering in more contemporary elements created a really beautiful tension between old and new, which is always something I’m drawn to.”

Original wood and marble flooring continue throughout most of the upstairs, where exposed brick envelops updated office suites with new lighting and audio-visual infrastructure, kitchenettes, and modern bathrooms that utilize marble countertops and unlaquered brass fixtures to partner perfectly with the restored materials seen throughout the building.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the process was uncovering original architectural details that had been hidden over decades of renovations and modifications,” says Naeve. “Those discoveries always influence the direction of the interiors because the building begins to tell you what should stay quiet, what should become more pronounced, and where restraint is more powerful than over-designing a space.”

Over the years, the Commercial National Bank building has been home to the original offices of Baker-Botts, Western Union, and — perhaps most notably — William Marsh Rice, founder of Rice University, who maintained offices on the third floor. Following his death, the first offices of Rice Institute occupied part of the sixth floor until 1926.

“Historic buildings give a city depth and memory. They tell stories through scale, materials, imperfections, and craftsmanship in a way that newer buildings often cannot,” says Naeve. “In Houston especially, where so much changes so quickly, preserving these structures creates a stronger connection to the city’s identity and allows history to remain part of everyday life.”

The restoration happily coincides with the new Main Street Promenade project that Downtown Houston+ has been preparing in time for the FIFA World Cup. Now dedicated to pedestrian and light rail, the tree-lined promenade will see the addition of enclosed patio spaces that will service the ground floor occupants of Main & Co. Current occupants include Liv Houston, Distrito Federal, Thai Cafe, and the very popular coffee shop The Fifth Vessel.

Those familiar with downtown will recognize the 7,000-square-foot mural that decorates the Main & Co. parking garage on Commerce Street. The mural, by Houston artist DUAL, titled “Produce Row,” was completed in 2018 and pays homage to Commerce Street’s history as the site of Houston’s first farmer’s market in the 1870s.

It will please art lovers to know that Main & Co.’s commitment to public art continues into the lobby of the Commercial National Bank Building. As with any project of this scale, budgets are tight, so Zimmerman borrowed works from his family’s personal collection for this project. Astute Houstonians have undoubtedly viewed some of this collection at the city’s beloved La Colombe d’Or Hotel in Montrose, which the Zimmerman family also owns.

Works by Joanna Ference and Guy Van den Bulcke receive pride-of-place, while a limited-edition Picasso print hangs in the magnificent marble stairwell just off the lobby.

“We didn’t have the budget to acquire new art, and every time I try to acquire new art, it’s kind of silly anyway because we have so much and have relationships with these artists,” explains Zimmerman. “These particular pieces we ended up finding in our private collection, and they fit, so we just hung them, and they look great. That was a collaboration with Margaret, and of course, we’d discuss everything and go back-and-forth, but we just have such a wonderful art collection that’s constantly growing and changing anyway.”

Danielle Rothchild and Thomas Metz of Stream Realty are leasing available office spaces throughout Main&Co. Street-level retail space totaling approximately 3,390 square feet, ideal for a restaurant concept, is represented by Abby Hawkins and Gideon Perritt of Rebel Retail Advisors.

Courtesy of NewForm Real Estate

The 1904 Commercial National Bank building has undergone an extensive restoration by NewForm Real Estate.

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