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    a very fine house

    Top Texas interior designers team up for first-ever Round Top Showhouse

    Emily Cotton
    Mar 26, 2025 | 4:38 pm

    For the first time ever, Round Top Spring Antiques Show attendees have another must-see item to check off of their lists — the first Round Top Designer Showhouse. Situated on two acres of land, the house — sponsored by industry leaders Kohler, Thermador, and Ferguson — promises an immersive experience highlighting “the best of Texas design.”

    Partners in Building constructed the 3,500-square-foot home, complete with four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and a powder bath. It is located at 114 Turney Trace, Round Top, Texas, 78954 and is offered for sale by Annie Boland and Angela Longo, both of Compass, for $2,495,000.

    Top designers from Houston, Austin, and Dallas took charge of the interiors. Open daily (10 am - 4 pm) from March 20 to April 5, the showhouse will host book signings and panel discussions. The garage has been temporarily outfitted as a lounge area with an intimate, vintage-inspired ambiance. Garage-adjacent, a tented “Retail Roundup” invites show-goers to shop curated goods to take home.

    During a visit on opening day, the participating designers shared their inspiration for each room, as well as their favorite pieces. While the house is filled with beauty practically anywhere one looks, one of the most eye-catching contributions is the custom plaster range hood by Segreto Finishes — she’s a show stopper.

    Foyer, Living Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen by Marcus & Autumn Mohon of Mohon Interiors (Austin)

    “Our room was largely inspired by the ‘moon’ light fixture dominating the living room. With a green, black, and white color scheme, the living, dining room, and kitchen all have subtle nods to nature. The hand-crafted branches on the cooktop hood are a show-stopper. The ‘branch’ light fixture and live olive trees in the dining room infuse romance upon entering the house.”

    Favorite Detail

    “Our favorite piece has to be the 20th century bronze French standing screen of vines separating the living and dining spaces. It has all the qualities of the space in one item: strength, an elegant-meets-rough-hewn nature, elegance, antiquity, modernity, and romance. It’s a seeming contradiction that unites the whole space.”

    Guest Suite Two by Staci Steidley of Studio Steidley (Dallas)

    “I wanted to bring the layered, eclectic soul of Round Top to life in our English Vintage Treehouse bedroom. The room is a rich tapestry of textures and patterns — classic plaids, forest animals, romantic cabbage roses, and natural linens — accented by a stunning embroidered armchair in a Schumacher fabric. The space feels both whimsical and enveloping, romantic yet mysterious — like stepping into a beautifully-storied hideaway.”

    Favorite Details

    “I can't choose just one — the mural and chandelier are equally mesmerizing. The mural sets the tone with its mix of playfulness and depth, evoking a woodland fairytale with its deep greens and rich details.

    “Then there's the Hudson Valley chandelier. Instead of a conventional chandelier, this design lets us suspend each globe and chain precisely where we want, creating a sense of movement and modernity against the deep Jasper green ceiling. It's a little bit moody, a little bit magic.”

    The Study: “A tribute to Derrill Osborn” by Kurt Bielawski of MORE design + build (Dallas)

    “Derrill Osborn (1942 – 2019) was the vice president of men’s clothing at Neiman Marcus. He was well-known within the fashion menswear communities of New York, Paris, and Milan and was a character like none other. Derrill loved all things bovine and he loved red and green…all were used extensively in his own home. My study is a nod to all of this and includes menswear fabrications (herringbone and flannel wall coverings / flannel drapery), a custom cowhide rug in an exploded reds/greens plaid, and subtle bovine touches throughout.”

    Favorite Detail

    “I love the plaid cowhide rug. Kyle Bunting made this specifically for the RTDS and I think it sets the tone for the room. I like to mix old and new and like the way this balances in this space too.”

    Guest Suite Three by Susan Semmelmann of Semmelmann Interiors (Dallas-Fort Worth)

    “This room is a love letter to my Texas roots, blending nostalgia with a refined approach to design. The foundation of the space was the wallpaper—it set the tone for everything that followed.

    “The custom bedding, made in-house with our own fabrics, brings a sense of craftsmanship and history, while the crystal chandelier and tailored headboard add structure and balance. The drapery, also made in-house, was finished with chenille balls to introduce a touch of whimsy, movement, and playfulness — breaking up the structure of the panels in just the right way and proving that the smallest details are the true magic of design.”

    Favorite Detail

    “The hair-on-hide pillow at the foot of the bed is my favorite detail because it ties everything back to my Texas heritage. This pillow, with its organic texture and subtle nod to the ranching history that shaped so much of Texas, grounds the space in something deeply personal while still adding that touch of innovation and boundless design that Semmelmann Interiors is known for.”

    Upper Den and Mudroom by Renea Abbott of Shabby Slips (Houston)

    “Our space is located in the center of the home’s second floor, with bedrooms on either side. We wanted the space to be multifunctional for guests or family game nights. Leaning on a stripe-on-stripe theme, our goal was to make this space a cozy retreat within the home. We incorporated a cabinet that can be used to conceal a TV, or as board game and book storage. We opted for mohair, boucle, and wool fabrics from Kravet for upholstery to complement our layered flooring: zebra hide over custom cut dark sisal rug and runner that flows through the stairs.”

    Favorite Detail

    “The stripe-on-stripe pattern throughout the room. From the Gaston & Daniela wallpaper, to the detailed carvings on the Alfonso Marina cabinet, you will find a play on stripes in nearly every corner of the space.”

    Powder Room by Kara Childress (Houston)

    “For this Round Top Designer Showhouse powder bathroom, I’ve partnered with Chateau Domingue to create a space that blends antique charm with modern elegance. The antique Provençal door and 19th-century Italian processional lantern, which was electrified, bring warmth and sophistication to the room, while the reclaimed cement tile flooring adds beautiful color and texture. Segreto's expertly applied lime plaster walls in a warm finish create an inviting atmosphere. This space is complete with carefully curated accessories that tie everything together.”

    Favorite Detail

    “My favorite piece in this powder bathroom is the 18th-century horse trough stone sink. It’s such a unique and striking element, with its rich history and beautiful character. The way it blends seamlessly with the modern Kohler faucet creates a perfect balance of old and new. It’s a true focal point of the room, and I love how it adds so much depth and personality to the space.

    Primary Suite by Julie Dodson of Dodson Interiors (Houston)

    “For these spaces I really wanted to go back to my traditional design roots with a twist and some of the things I love the most, which are antiques and Holland and Sherry light-weight wool fabric! We worked with the Joseph Company and Garrett Leather to custom design the bed which was a modern take on a traditional wood four poster bed. Finally the bedding, it just puts the room over the top! I had the honor to work with Look Linens for the incredible monogrammed bedding.”

    Front and Back Patios and Lounge by Darla Bankston May of Bankston May Associates (Houston)

    Lounge

    “For the Round Top Designer’s Showhouse, we transformed a two-car garage into a refined yet inviting lounge and bar — an unexpected fusion of sophistication and Texas charm. Dividing the space into four intimate seating areas, we anchored the design with striking floor-to-ceiling wine racks featuring selections from local favorite Killer Vino. Layered textures — like green leather bar stools, aged brass and leather lighting from Studio Luddite, and plush mohair swivel chairs — create warmth and depth. Fabric drapery softens the space, concealing functional elements while adding a rich touch of color, making this lounge a seamless blend of luxury and functionality.”

    Favorite Detail

    “The charcoal horse mural by Paul Montgomery Studio is our favorite feature in the lounge. Its dramatic scale and rich texture create a striking focal point that instantly sets the mood, bringing movement and artistry to the space. The mural embodies the spirit of Round Top, blending western elegance with a modern, moody aesthetic.”

    Exterior Spaces

    “Partnering with David Sutherland for foundational pieces and sourcing unique furniture and decor from Round Top’s talented vendors, we designed inviting front and back porches that celebrate the beauty of the Texas landscape. The front porch offers the best seat in the house for sherbet-colored sunsets, with a cozy daybed on one side and a pair of chairs on the other. The back porch is designed for gathering, featuring a bar top table with English saddle bar stools, a dining setup with a custom rug from Houston Rug Co., and a fireside lounge courtesy of Austin brand Tupelo Goods.”

    Favorite Detail

    “The horse head sculpture from Architectural Artifacts is a striking focal point that ties the whole space together. It adds a sculptural, story-rich element that feels both timeless and distinctly Texan, perfectly complementing the home’s rustic-luxe aesthetic.”

    A portion of the event proceeds will benefit Camp For All, a nationally recognized barrier-free camp serving children and adults with challenging illnesses and disabilities.

    Round Top Designer Showhouse 2025

    Photo by Julie Soefer

    The house is currently listed at $2,495,000.

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    made with care

    Houston company builds custom furniture for hotels and restaurants

    Emily Cotton
    Aug 14, 2026 | 12:15 pm
    Creative Style Furniture
    Courtesy of Creative Style Furniture
    A statement-scale custom round table, designed and handcrafted to anchor this expansive entertaining space.

    Since 2011, April Dardis has owned Creative Style Furniture, a Houston-based, under-the-radar custom furniture builder. From restaurants to hotels to manufacturing pieces for national brands, CSF sits quietly behind it all.

    Dardis sits at the helm of the largest female-owned furniture manufacturing company in the city. For 15 years CSF has won countless ASID awards and even received a proclamation — from Houston’s late former mayor Sylvester Turner — recognizing its contributions to Houston.


    View this post on Instagram
    A post shared by Creative Style Furniture (@creativestylefurniture)


    Starting with a team of six, Dardis now employs 32-34 people, depending on the season. Creative Style Furniture’s recent move to a new 24,000-square-foot facility near Spring Branch increases its ability to design, build, restore, and upholster custom furniture for the city’s most popular restaurants, hotels, and interior designers.

    While Dardis admits that she stays too busy to remember every project she’s headed over the last 15 years, there are some that stand out among the rest. CSF manufactures all the furniture for the Pappas Restaurant Group, Gringo’s, and even fine dining establishments like The Marigold Club — including the miles of green velvet pleated and draped over everything from the ceiling downwards.

    Furniture for iconic Houston institutions such as The Houstonian Hotel, The Lancaster Hotel, plus the House of Blues and its Foundation Room have all received the Creative Style Furniture treatment. Randall Davis-owned luxury developments include CSF creations in all of the common spaces, and countless boutique projects.

    “I just knew there was a need. I had a group of creatives, artists, and artisans come together — there were like six of us — and opened a reupholstery company,” explains Dardis. “We just grew, and grew, and grew. We have six upholsterers and six framers who make everything custom. We do case goods, upholstered items, tables, everything. You name it.”

    The ability to bench-make any type of furniture here in Houston is definitely a plus for clients who have large orders to deliver. For example, the ongoing remodel of The Lancaster Hotel calls for over 300 individual furniture pieces, but it’s nothing CSF can’t handle.

    “I have an amazing team. Most of them have been with me all 15 years. Of course, we have added on, but my main team and my management team have been with me almost the entire time. We have a good, quality core group that is amazing,” says Dardis. “There are three sets of eyes — a data coordinator, office coordinator and management, and then me. Before things get sent out we make sure everything looks good. I have my production director, my upholstery director — all of the directors meet constantly.”

    Dardis is also behind scenes of the interior design world, producing designs by top interior designers in Houston and far beyond. The team at CSF regularly drives up to Utah to deliver furniture manufactured for the popular design firm Studio McGee. Dardis feels closely connected to interior designers, since they mostly all came up together during the design boom of the 2010s.

    “They [designers] are such a great support for me,” says Dardis. “They’ve been with me since I started. Way back 15 years ago when we were all small and now everyone is huge and growing. I love the support from them. They come to us usually because they like to see our workshop. They want to see where everything is made, what it looks like, what we can do, and meet the staff. They can come in and tour around.”

    Like many private label manufacturers, Dardis mostly works outside of the public eye. Custom orders that have been dreamt up by designers get delivered to their clients in unmarked box trucks and vans. Clients can include anyone from Houston Astros players to a member of the band Aerosmith — they just never know. One thing is for sure: CSF is loyal to its designers. The company isn’t super interested in dealing with clients or customers direclty. CSF will work with members of the public — they just have to know what they want.

    The team at CSF also knows that their clients appreciate quality. They aren’t trying to compete with large overseas manufacturers and fast-fashion style brands.

    “I cannot compete with China, and I won’t try to,” says Dardis. “I’m not here for that. We are making this by hand, right here in Houston. We aren’t mass producing anything, and that’s okay. It’s [fast furniture] not going to be good bones or good quality, but go for it.”

    Dardis often sees clients who want the look of some of the well-known big brand companies but are aware that having it handmade is a superior choice. As many people know, even the more expensive brands sell items that are rarely worth the fabric they’re wrapped in.

    “We hosted a thing for Texas Design Week and we opened up all these chairs — it’s just cardboard,” explains Dardis. “You’re just paying for the name; you’re not getting quality. A lot of times those pieces will fail, and then we will redo them for the client.”

    The new Creative Style Furniture location allows clients to come in and look everything over. The selection processes have been streamlined and fabrics are available to look at in the showroom as well; the team just requests that people have a design in mind.

    “We sell fabrics for a reasonable price ($30-50 per yard). If people don’t want to spend hours looking for fabrics, they can come in —w e have a little setup — and look at all sorts of things. You can choose your nailheads, your springs, and the inserts for your cushions. We even have a ‘Frankenstein sofa’ where it shows all the skirts, legs, nails, and different cushions. It’s really neat; you can sit and test things.”

    From custom creations, to restoration and reupholstering projects — or even just some pillows — Dardis and her experienced team are happy to make any dream a reality.

    —-

    Creative Style Furniture: 2002 Karbach St.; (713) 927-3720; Open Monday-Friday, 7:30 am-4 pm


    Creative Style Furniture

    Courtesy of Creative Style Furniture

    A statement-scale custom round table, designed and handcrafted to anchor this expansive entertaining space.

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