don't spare the waterworks

Design experts and real estate pros celebrate posh plumbing brand's Houston return

For many people, their homes are the largest and most significant investments they make. While a trusted broker is there to guide the selection of the initial investment, be sure not to overlook how certain designer finishes guarantee top-dollar when it’s time to sell — now, or one-hundred years from now. Choosing a designer with experience utilizing investment-worthy finishes certainly helps.

Ultra-luxe hotels and spas often inspire design for private homes, especially the bathrooms. Check the pulse of anyone who doesn’t let out an audible gasp when visiting any outpost of Soho House, one of the 27 Auberge Resort locations, or perhaps something closer to home, Houston’s own Lancaster Hotel. What these properties have in common is who they trust to do their outfitting — Waterworks.

Houston designers were devastated to lose our Waterworks showroom in 2009. After years of constant courtship by Elegant Additions owner Julie Koch, they have returned. The boutique Waterworks showroom could not be more at home in the historic building in the Heights that Elegant Additions occupies. Seeing the brand’s beautiful forms and finishes juxtaposed with the building’s exposed historical brickwork is just the classical vibe one expects from the 46-year-old plumbing institution. While the showroom is only open to the trade, designers, contractors, and builders can schedule appointments for clients who want to see these products before deciding to purchase them.

With little more than an arts background and a loan, Barbara Sallick founded Waterworks in 1978 inside her father’s pipe fitting outfit. Sallick’s vision of elevating plumbing fixtures into works of art has grown into the world famous and beloved brand known today. Completely customizable, the 27-step artisanal manufacturing process takes place in one of four countries: Italy, France, Portugal, or the UK — completely dependent on the collection. With an international reputation for quality, it’s safe to say that Sallick's risk has paid off.

Last Friday, designers and luxury real estate professionals were invited to welcome Waterworks back to Houston. Graciously co-hosted by Compass broker Caroline Bean and famed interior designer Paloma Contreras, Elegant Additions invited Miranda Ness, senior managing boutique partner for Waterworks, as keynote speaker for a morning salon focused on the company’s role within luxury property ROI. She noted its track record of a minimum $400 return for every $100 spent on Waterworks products.

Invitees enjoyed delectably curated bites by chef Jo Celestrini while mingling amongst themselves and their hosts. While neither Contreras nor Bean spoke during the event, each talked to CultureMap about the subject of brand recognition within the luxury home sphere.

Photo by Andy Phan

Courtney Robertson.

“In the world of luxury real estate, high-end fixtures are more than just finishing touches; they are statements of quality that significantly enhance the value of a home,” Bean says. “When it comes time to list your home, these premium upgrades not only attract discerning buyers, but also ensure a higher return on investment, elevating your property to the next level.”

Contreras added her thoughts on why certain brands perform better than others. "Waterworks is a heritage brand that seamlessly merges timeless design with the highest quality. I know that when I specify Waterworks for my clients, they will be getting something that will stand the test of time.

“Their product assortment runs the gamut from classic to transitional to modern, so I can always find something to suit the projects I am working on. The fact that the brand has such distinct name recognition is the cherry on the sundae as my clients understand that they are making a solid investment in their homes."

Guests were generously sent home with a goody bag and a copy of Sallick’s coffee table book: The Ultimate Bath by Rizzoli. Leafing through it, one can see how fixtures truly are the jewelry of the home. If incorporating elegant, artisan crafted fixtures to a home in order to increase resale value, while introducing beauty, Waterworks is the way to go — ask any designer, especially Paloma Contreras.

designer finishes luxury real estate waterworks showroom elegant fixtures the-heights

making design approachable

Houston designer shares 5 expert tips for mixing classic and contemporary

Courtesy of Melissa Roberts Interiors

Mix design eras for an approachable space.

Houstonians are, as a rule, enthusiastic about an elegant blend — in any form. From historically-lax zoning laws to fusion cuisine and everything in between, a “little of this” and “a little of that” is unequivocally Houston.

It seems, however, that when it comes to choosing how one reconciles the desire to embrace the contemporary architectural design boom happening in and around the city, while avidly participating in the highly-fashionable quarterly antiques fairs taking place outside of town, things have run amok. Not to worry — a Houston pro is here to help.

Successfully blending classic and contemporary design is a dance 10-year interior design veteran Melissa Roberts knows all too well. One challenge Roberts and her team encounter the most is how to take a new, contemporary, custom-build home and create an elegantly pared-down space that exudes warmth and classic Texas charm. They see the same from their robust list of remodel clients as well.

“Refined, natural, layered, organic — that’s our style,” Roberts tells CultureMap. “If you just put a vintage piece in there, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be successful.” Melissa Roberts Interiors isn’t in the business of construction project management. While her firm is happy to make recommendations for contractors, Roberts’ design niche is solidly in consultations and procurement.

“We’re solving problems. We are like a consultant for people and their lifestyles,” explains Roberts. “How can we assist. How can we take off the stress so that it’s more of an enjoyable project versus being a chore that needs to be tackled. It’s a thousand decisions for one room. We make those decisions for the clients and then they just see the overall picture and know they like what they see without having to stress over edge profiles of counter tops and little things like that that people don’t usually consider.”

The firm’s new location above Yves Saint Laurent on The Woodlands’ luxe Market Street conveys that elusive blend of classic and contemporary well — elevated (both literally and figuratively) and approachable. That approachability is what led Roberts to keep up a design blog and home decor gift guide, a little something to invite potentially-skeptical readers into the conversations revolving around design.

“There was an era when designers were stiff and just not approachable,” Roberts laments. “I want this to be refined and luxury, but approachable at the same time — there is flexibility. How to make [design] work for a busy lifestyle, versus, ‘I’ve got one way and this is the way we’re going to do it.’ We’re really problem solving.”

Melissa Roberts’ Five Tips for Blending Classic and Contemporary Design

Anchor the space with timeless pieces
Start with classic foundations: tailored upholstery, natural stone, or traditional millwork. Next, layer in contemporary elements through lighting, art, or furniture silhouettes. This creates longevity while keeping the space feeling current.

Mix eras, not styles
Rather than combining multiple design styles, focus on blending eras. A traditional room can feel fresh with a modern light fixture, while a contemporary space gains depth from an antique or heirloom piece that is paired with a modern fixture and mirror.

Let materials do the talking
Classic materials like marble, wood, and brass feel elevated when paired with cleaner lines or unexpected applications. The contrast between material and form keeps the space from feeling predictable. Unexpected applications is key here.

Use restraint with trends
Contemporary design often shows up in trends, curves, bold finishes, or sculptural forms. Introduce these in ways that are easy to edit over time, such as accent furniture or decor, rather than permanent architectural elements.

Edit for balance
The most successful classic-meets-contemporary spaces feel intentional, not layered for the sake of it. Thoughtful editing ensures each piece has room to breathe and the overall design feels cohesive.

Courtesy of Melissa Roberts Interiors

Mix design eras for an approachable space.

home-design interior design