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    CultureMap Video

    The most romantic house ever: Historic lovebirds nest comes with a cursed chandelier

    Joel Luks
    Nov 5, 2013 | 3:08 pm
    The most romantic house ever: Historic lovebirds nest comes with a cursed chandelier
    play icon

    Darling,

    I haven't stopped for a minute so there's been no time to write. But I thought about you, and wished for you; in fact, I don't approve of the way I miss you!

    I bought the figure of the girl with the grapes and the baby. It is gorgeous, I think; if you do too, I think it would be super in the middle of the hall. It is really beautiful from every angle.

    I love you,

    Guess who.

    Pass the tissues, a box of bonbons and a gallon of ice-cream: This tender letter written by Harris Masterson III to his wife, Carroll Sterling Cowan, dated Sept. 15, 1952, is in a different league when compared to make-believe romantic charades common in television drama nowadays. No Shondaland fantasy holds a candle to an affectionately handwritten note that was never intended for others to see.

    When he wrote this letter, Harris Masterson had taken leave from Houston to gallivant through Europe, in part to shop for items for their architect-designed home at 1406 Kirby Drive.

    Carroll must have trusted his impeccable taste. How else does one justify allowing a Texas gent to decide on such significant decorative purchases?

    The residence is best known today as Rienzi, nicknamed after Harris Masterson's grandfather Rienzi Melville Johnston. The home was bequeathed to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, which welcomed the public for the first time in 1999 when curators morphed the building as a satellite destination to house a sparkling collection of European decorative arts.

    Rienzi Begins heightens the heartwarming relationship between two lovebirds as they built their dream home — shall we say party house?

    But as a cultural institution that's experienced by visitors with certain air of formality, it's often the case that the true story of how Rienzi came to be — one that's filled with emotional and amusing anecdotes — takes a backseat to the provenance of the items on display.

    A new exhibition, titled Rienzi Begins: Architect John F. Staub and the Mastersons, on view through Jan. 31, 2014, calls attention to the decisions that shaped this mid-century River Oaks address and the important players who made it happen. Through hand-drawn sketches, architectural schematics, photographs and private correspondence gathered from the MFAH Archives and the Woodson Research Center at Rice University, Rienzi Begins heightens the heartwarming relationship between two lovebirds as they build their dream home — shall we say party house?

    The marble sculpture mentioned in the letter is one of the collection's most impressive pieces. Giovanni Maria Benzoni's 1866 Young Dionysus with a Nymph — plausibly a classic nod to the couple's penchant for social affairs — anchors a skylight-kissed octagonal foyer with floors adorned with marble inlays, its walls coddling built-in displays teeming with delicate glass figurines.

    The couple, who married in 1951, tapped notable Houston architect John F. Staub to design a Palladian home with contemporary accents on a four acre parcel of land that was purchased from Ima Hogg. Staub, who designed some 30-plus homes in the luxe neighborhood, took rough diagrams from the Mastersons to outline his renderings. Prominent landscape architect Ralph Ellis Gunn was hired to lay out the formal gardens.

    As part of the exhibition, Rienzi debuts an original bathroom designed for the Mastersons' teenage daughter Isla Reckling. Bathed in Norwegian rose marble flooring, countertops and walls, the bathroom was by period standards quite posh. Creating a playful mood are swan-themed plumbing fixtures sourced from Midtown Manhattan, which are still available today, and a floor-to-ceiling glass door that opens to a poolside veranda.

    Take a moment to watch the CultureMap video above in which Rienzi director Katherine S. Howe and curatorial assistant Caroline Cole walk through the exhibition and tell stories that include a potentially cursed regal chandelier.

    ___

    Rienzi Begins: Architect John F. Staub and the Mastersons is on view through Jan. 31, 2014, at Rienzi. Admission Wednesday through Sunday is $8 adults; $4 MFAH members; $5 senior adults, youth (10–18) and students with ID. Children 9 and younger are admitted free.

    As part of the exhibition, Rienzi debuts an original bathroom designed for the Masterson's teenage daughter, Isla Reckling.

    Rienzi Joel Luks Video
    Photo by Joel Luks
    As part of the exhibition, Rienzi debuts an original bathroom designed for the Masterson's teenage daughter, Isla Reckling.
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    more than floors

    70s revival and layers of style lead design expert's top tile trends

    Emily Cotton
    Jan 16, 2026 | 11:00 am
    Home design trend tile wall Floor & Decor
    Courtesy of Floor & Decor
    In 2026, bold statement tile is reaching far beyond kitchens and bathrooms.

    Year after year, trend forecasting is all the rage come January. From bold flooring to cream-colored kitchens, a pair of themes ties all of 2026’s home design trends together — organic materials and vintage vibes reign supreme.

    This week, economical designer and DIY-weekend-warrior favorite Floor & Decor released its four top style predictions, plus its 2026 “Tiles of the Year.” Interestingly, tile is extending its reach beyond the typical wet space parameters. Think bold statement walls in dining and living rooms, and fun textures and patterns splayed across tabletops. When it comes to tile, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of “why not?!”

    Trends this year draw from a wide range of influences — vintage eras, natural elements, and inventive material combinations — allowing homeowners and designers to reimagine kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces in distinctive ways.

    “We're craving the comfort of nostalgia. Vintage-inspired tile is surging, especially styles that nod to the 70s with warm tones, textures, and patterns,” Ashley Biscan, design and trend expert at Floor & Decor tells CultureMap. “What makes this revival feel current is the balance against clean lines and modern installation, so it feels intentional and pays homage, as opposed to feeling dated.”

    As far as application is concerned, Biscan points out that tiling walls in dining and living rooms is more in line with a renaissance than a revelation. “Although wall tile might seem unconventional in a dining room, it's more traditional than some might think and harkens back to charming design eras,” explains Biscan. “This year, style is all about curating personal statements through layers of texture, pattern, and color in key gathering spaces. Every dinner party needs a conversation piece, after all.”

    Trendy Houstonians and Round Top regulars — arguably cut from the same cloth — have no doubt taken notice of tiled tabletops popping up everywhere from top shops to the see-and-be-scene patio at the new Hotel Daphne in The Heights.

    “Seeing tile used in unexpected places like tabletops or coffee tables reflects a broader shift toward material-driven design and handmade craftsmanship,” says Biscan. “There are durable options that work really well in these formats that are both functional and beautiful and truly one of a kind.”

    Looking to incorporate tile into an unconventional room or furniture piece, but can’t seem to commit? Mixing and matching new tile trends into somewhat of a quilt or tapestry design is not something to fear.

    “Mixing and matching tile is a clever way to enrich a space, add character, and make it personal,” shares Biscan. “To keep an eclectic look cohesive, layer tiles within the same color palette. A popular example with warm neutrals is the combination of depth and texture through natural stone and ceramic zellige combinations.”

    "This year's design trends celebrate both nature's richness and the joy of personal expression," says Biscan. "From earthy palettes and textured materials to layered patterns and tailored combinations, every space can feel thoughtful and dynamic. The Vetta Elements Collection in Luxe Earth captures this spirit perfectly, offering versatile ways to mix colors, textures, and formats for interiors that are both sophisticated and uniquely personal."

    Biscan has named Luxe Earth from the Vetta Elements Collection as the Floor & Decor Tile of the Year. A versatile porcelain tile designed to elevate any space, its rich, earthy tones bring warmth to both indoor and outdoor settings, providing a welcoming foundation. With a mix-and-match approach, homeowners and designers can experiment with sizes, colors, and patterns to craft a personalized look that is durable enough for high-traffic areas yet refined enough for feature walls. Vetta Elements demonstrates how design-forward style and practicality can coexist seamlessly.

    As promised, here is Floor & Decor's 2026 Design Trends Forecast, showcasing interiors that are bold and full of character.

    Retro Rhapsody: 70s Revival with Modern Edge
    Warm nostalgia meets contemporary polish as the spirit of the 1970s reenters the home. Saturated hues, sculptural forms, and rich wood finishes create spaces that feel expressive yet intentional. Deep ambers, soft burgundies, and smoky neutrals pair with geometric patterns, curved silhouettes, and tactile materials to bring depth and personality to kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. When balanced with clean lines and refined finishes, these retro influences feel inviting and distinctly current.

    Crème Brûlée Kitchens: Warm Neutrals Reimagined
    The classic white kitchen is being refreshed through toasted neutrals, with layers of vanilla, eggshell, and Swiss Coffee bringing warmth and depth to the heart of the home without sacrificing brightness. Subtle tonal variation across cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes creates a cohesive, elevated look that feels timeless yet indulgent.

    Lush Landscape: Organic Depth and Texture
    Natural influence is taking a more textural, tonal form. Colors drawn from earth, sand, and sky are interpreted through layered finishes and pronounced surfaces, adding richness and dimension to interiors with material-driven spaces and an emphasis on depth and organic continuity.

    Eclectic Artistry: Personalized Layers of Style
    Mix eras, textures, and patterns to create bold and unexpected combinations that tell a story with nods to the past. Intentional combinations of color and material create spaces that feel layered and unmistakably personal.

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