Designing your custom home can be more rewarding than purchasing an already designed space. However, proceeding with a custom build can present a number of challenges. Lack of robust knowled… Read More
Every six months, the Laura U Design Collective team takes a trip to North Carolina to attend the High Point Market. A biannual destination for designers across the globe, the High Point Mar… Read More
Last year, safer-at-home orders underscored the value of meaningful interiors that reflect the character and memories of those who inhabit them. As we head into the holiday season, many of u… Read More
Our Favorite Kitchen Remodels to Inspire Your Project
Many say the kitchen is the heart of the home. Though this was certainly true before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it appears even more… Read More
2021 was a magical year for the entire Laura U Design Collective team. Looking back at a wonderful year, we reflect on our westward expansion into Aspen-Snowmass. We also recall our favorite… Read More
Home to a young family – two Rice University alums and their boys – the Rice Residence was built in the 1930s. After its whole-home remodel, this 5,414 square foot residence now… Read More
Your home office might be a wall-mounted secretary’s desk in the kitchen or a converted closet in the primary bedroom. If you’re lucky, your home office might actually be a dedic… Read More
In consultation with partners Perennials and KURFI, the Laura U Design Collective has picked the perfect window treatments for our Mountain Lane Show House. From saturated colors to classic… Read More
Centuries after it was first invented, wallpaper remains popular amongst homeowners and interior designers alike. Interest in wallpaper waned after the 1980s, when glamour was overdone to th… Read More
The owners of Oak Estate recently moved to Houston from New York. There, they lived in a much smaller space with a crisp, modernist aesthetic. Moving from an apartment in New York to a home… Read More
Timeless and transcendent, white paint color is one of the most popular color choices for good reason. Selecting a white paint color will make a room appear bigger and allow your furnishings… Read More
With rainstorms and wildflowers, spring is always a season for fresh starts and new beginnings. Spring-cleaning is another hallmark of the season. According to Emily Williams in a post for D… Read More
Summertime means vacations, laying out by the pool and gathering with friends for a relaxing dinner under the stars. It also means we’re halfway through the year and before you know it… Read More
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us adapted to a life spent mostly at home. While restaurants were delivery-only and bars were non-operational, we cooked our own meals and mixed our own… Read More
Beginning with an initial consultation and ending with a final reveal, the interior design process is very similar from firm to firm. What sets our process apart is our client-first approach… Read More
Over the last fifteen years, esteemed designer Laura Umansky has transformed her boutique interiors practice into a widely celebrated full-service design firm. Today, the Laura U Design Coll… Read More
The key to creating a gorgeous custom home within the client’s budget and timeline is assembling a stellar team of designers, builders and engineers. While some clients choose each mem… Read More
Working with a full-service design firm on your custom home means collaborating with an incredibly organized, focused and creative team of professionals. Our in-house designers work closely… Read More
University Place can be found in the West University suburb of Houston. In this Houston neighborhood, tree-lined streets, large lots, unique boutiques and incredible restaurants draw young f… Read More
Any established design firm – whether a sole proprietorship or a multi-office international – will have a portfolio. Prospective clients can browse each design firm’s portf… Read More
Whether you’re involved in a renovation or starting a new construction project, there’s a lot to think about in terms of your home’s exterior design. Landsca… Read More
The typical laundry room formula of subway tiles, winter white walls and pine board flooring is classic and reliably pretty. However, after decades of similar designs, it can feel a bit too… Read More
Home Additions & Renovations: Take a Virtual Tour of Our Hedwig Village Project
As a residential building design firm, we often tackle interior design, major gut remodels, and new const… Read More
When remodeling an existing house or building a new custom home, owners hope to create an inviting space that evolves with them over time. They want a home that will meet their needs and cap… Read More
MAKE ANY ROOM LUXURIOUS WITH JEWEL TONE DESIGN TRENDS
After many months spent at home, Americans are looking for ways to mix things up. We are searching for ways in which to create spaces th… Read More
Shannon Smith Announced as Laura U Design Collective’s New Director of Interior Design
Smith steps into a new role at the award-winning design firm
Houston, TX – Shannon Smith h… Read More
After the COVID-19 pandemic and several lockdowns, homeowners simply do not take their outdoor living space for granted. This year’s interior design and home renovation trends both dem… Read More
Over the last three years, the Laura U Design Collective collaborated with the architecture firm studioMET, and our Braeswood Place clients to craft a truly special space that honors their l… Read More
Designing a bathroom can be daunting. After all, materials must stand up to high humidity and daily use. No matter their size or location, every bathroom should be both durable and beautiful… Read More
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans exercised and entertained outdoors because it was the only way to socialize safely. More than two years later, a greater number of Ameri… Read More
Elegant and organic, the French Modern interior design style is a genre of juxtapositions. It pairs gilded accents with natural elements and contemporary art with antique furniture. The Fren… Read More
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans exercised and entertained outdoors because it was the only way to socialize safely. More than two years later, a greater number of Ameri… Read More
What does lodge living mean to you? Musty bear skin rugs and dusty trophies all over the wall? Say goodbye to fussy old-fashioned log cabins and hello to modern mountain homes, where beautif… Read More
The River Oaks neighborhood of Houston, Texas is a multigenerational mix of historic homes, mid-century manors and new construction estates. For the Colonial Drive project outlined below, ou… Read More
Focus on mental and physical wellness came to the fore shortly after COVID-19 emerged. Renewed discussions about home health naturally intertwined themselves with conversations about sustai… Read More
2022 was a momentous year for Laura U Design Collective. We hosted a fête filled with friends, partners and colleagues to celebrate fifteen years in business. We put the finishing touc… Read More
Since 2006 when Laura Umansky founded the Laura U Interior Design firm, we never anticipated that we would grow to where we are today. Over the last fifteen years, we have expanded our studi… Read More
Strasburg steps into a new role at the award-winning interior design firm
Houston, TX – Megan Strasburg has stepped into the Director of Residential Design role at Laura U Design Colle… Read More
Homeowners embark on kitchen remodeling projects for all sorts of reasons. They remodel to make their kitchens more energy efficient, more functional for their families and more enjoyable wh… Read More
Your home’s interior can be functional and family-friendly while expressing your unique design aesthetic. Family-friendly homes can embrace bold colors and intriguing textures that del… Read More
Whether a vacation house or a primary residence, planning a whole home remodel can be complicated, time-consuming and a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate the stress of… Read More
Installing a plaster range hood is an easy way to create a stunning architectural element. Plaster range hoods elevate your kitchen without disrupting its flow or functionality. Finished to… Read More
Every guest – whether an elderly parent or grandchild, close friend or colleague – should feel welcome when staying in your home. While that welcome starts with a bright foyer an… Read More
At Laura U Design Collective, we pride ourselves on creating spaces that embody our two mantras: “livable luxury” and “for the love of home.” Produced through a partn… Read More
Acting as steward of a historic home is both rewarding and challenging. Homeowners simultaneously take great joy in restoring historic houses and stress about the issues a renovation might… Read More
Whether stone or ceramic, tile is one of the most versatile elements you can use in your home. It is also one of the most ancient and enduring decorative elements found in homes around the w… Read More
Welcome to Part II of our Historic Homes in Houston series. This week’s post will focus on Revival styles of architecture. Houston’s historic neighborhoods are filled with C… Read More
Your guest house might typically serve as a crash pad for adult offspring or a vacation spot for friends visiting from out of town. But as our parents and friends age, accessible guest house… Read More
As we note in our recent historic homes series, modern interpretations of Neoclassical interior design and architecture are all over Houston. Prizing symmetry, simplicity, and sophistication… Read More
A gut renovation is a major undertaking. However, it can make a massive difference in property value and quality of life if executed by the right design team. During gut remodels, specialist… Read More
Over the last few months, we have celebrated the architecture and interiors of Houston’s historic homes. We reveled in the revival architecture of Westmoreland, West Eleventh Place, a… Read More
Everyone loves a clutter-free countertop, but no one enjoys rifling through drawers or rooting around the pantry while cooking for one’s family or preparing to entertain guests. Keepi… Read More
A few years ago, our team embarked on a renovation of and addition to the stunning 1974 Bauhuas Expressionist home revealed in this post. We sought to preserve this one-of-a-kind home design… Read More
With Fall and Winter fast approaching, many of us will be spending more time at home. During these cozier months, we often search for ways to create special spaces that capture our memories… Read More
Over the years, our team at Laura U Design Collective has created and updated dozens of home offices. Some are quirky and colorful like the home office at Circle Drive. Others are serene and… Read More