While the state name may conjure visions of cowboy boots on the prairie, Texas’ design influences are as vast and varied as its terrain. Across environments ranging from beaches and deserts to swamplands and the iconic rolling greens of the Hill Country, you’ll find everything from expansive Spanish Colonial, Georgian and Victorian estates to low-slung ranches, sculptural modern residences and glassy high-rise condos. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that certainly applies to acreage, square footage and even the dimensions of our chandeliers.
As a fifth-generation Texan and design and lifestyle editor of nearly 15 years (the past two and half with LUXE), I’ve spent most of my life immersed in the region’s rapidly transforming landscape, maintaining a great appreciation for the ways my home state sets itself apart—especially when it comes to the metropolitan areas of Austin, Houston and Dallas. Between these major cities, many ideals resound: Homeowners invest in generous spaces for entertaining (the state motto is “Friendship,” after all), celebrate the great outdoors and favor highly customized design elements. Each locale also takes pride in its own distinct identity, from Houston’s bespoke craftsmanship to Dallas’ opulent interiors and Austin’s innovative architecture, showcasing some of the very best the state has to offer.
Designers Report That One-In-Three Clients In Texas Has A Home Valued In Excess Of $11M
Austin + San Antonio
Central Texas has long drawn creatives to its scenic views and artistic ventures, resulting in an ethos of forward-thinking, modern architecture and design. Nowhere is this more evident than in the capital city, where youthful energy and a growing design industry enrich the architectural language marked by swooping silhouettes and raw, locally sourced materials, such as white oak and limestone. “Austin is a unique balance between sophistication and ease,” notes architect Megan Lin of CoXist Studio, who designed the sculptural home pictured at right. “Clients want thoughtful designs that feel grounded in the landscape and expressive of the way people actually live.”
That same sensibility extends to the broader Hill Country—including San Antonio and the surrounding environs—where houses are often engineered to honor the region’s natural resources, framing heritage trees and verdant panoramas. Wellness, too, has become integral to daily life; whether driven by triple-digit summers or year-round access to refreshing spring-fed pools, the community has readily embraced amenities like cold plunges, saunas and hyperbolic chambers.
Photo: Chase Daniel
Houston
A variety of aesthetics converge in Houston, where inspiration from the nearby Gulf Coast and its status as an international port city shape an eye-catching amalgam of rich palettes and eclectic touches. That global influence is tangible. As one of the first domestic stops for numerous imports, the area has long provided luxury residents with exceptional artwork, objets d’art and stone from around the world.
Balancing this international perspective is a formidable culture of craftsmanship. As an oil-boom capital and home to NASA’s space center, Houston benefits from a population of extremely skilled artisans. “That talent shows up in the level of detail we’re able to achieve—from hand-applied plaster and custom millwork to beautifully fabricated stone and metalwork,” says designer Benjamin Johnston, whose project (right and below) features a living room detailed in bespoke millwork and a kitchen with cabinetry wrapped in brass by a local metal artisan.
94% Of Designers Indicate Luxury Homeowners In Texas Consider Craftsmanship Very Valuable
Dallas + Fort Worth
Established as a trading post in the 19th century, Dallas lives up to the hype defined by heritage ranchland and cinematic glitz, with its legacy as a fashion hub leveling up the bold statements found within its homes. Behind custom doors, you’ll find an emphasis on beautiful prints bestowed with a couture touch, including hand-painted murals and lighting that reads as jewelry. “My clients want elevated, personalized perfection,” says interior designer Laura Lee Clark Falconer, who crafted the dining room pictured at top right. “We are seeing high-end mural wallcoverings being used as status symbols.”
Similarly, Dallas interiors come well-adorned to host dinner parties worthy of soap opera screens. Entryways are soaring and lavish, and kitchens are adorned for entertaining (see the elegant cook space and pantry shown at right designed by Maestri Studio). Even utilitarian spaces are never overlooked, with sculleries, laundry rooms and—perhaps not surprisingly—closets dressed to the nines. This confluence of classic values, modern touches and lustrous polish give a timelessly grand aesthetic.
Photo: Stephen Karlisch
Photo: Stephen Karlisch
Photo: Stephen Karlisch
