Highland Village, Houston, Texas

‍ ‍

Hackberry Lane, Highland Village/Midlane, Houston, Texas

A house in the Highland Village/Midlane area of Houston glows with warm light behind a wrought iron fence. The front door stands within a portico flanked by smooth columns with Doric capitals. The door is glass and metal with intricate wrought iron scrollwork over the glass. There are sidelights on each side of the door, and small, narrow fixed transoms above the sidelights and the door.

Just inside the front door, the foyer has dark slate tile flooring, cream-colored walls with cream baseboards, and a white ceiling with cream crown molding and recessed lighting. A curved staircase rises gracefully from the foyer to the second story of the house. The staircase has wooden risers painted cream, and natural polished wood treads. The newel posts and handrail are black wrought iron. The balusters are black wrought iron with twists and ornate embellishments. The double-sided curtail step curves around the newel posts and wrought iron. French inspired bronze candlestick sconces with white linen shades are mounted at regular intervals on the staircase wall. A bronze, eight-arm chandelier with glass shades in a soft shade of amber shaped like flowers is suspended from the second story ceiling over the center of the staircase. The foyer narrows at the foot of the staircase, then widens back out past the staircase, with curved walls giving this portion a circular appearance. A small, mandorla-shaped wall-hanging console table is affixed to the wall on the right. The surface of the table is brown marble, with one curved side that fits snugly into the curve of the wall. The surface is supported by a highly scrolled wrought iron base. An interior designer might suggest placing a small sculpture or a vase of flowers on the console table, and a large potted plant or a potted tree on the floor in the curve of the opposite wall.

After entering the foyer from the front door, a wide, arched, cased doorway on the right leads to the formal living room. This room has polished hardwood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding and recessed lighting. A gold, eight-light chandelier in a waterfall style is suspended over the center of the room. A polished black granite gas log fireplace in one wall has a tiered surround and a flush black granite hearth. The fireplace is installed in a bump-out, which forms an alcove on both sides of the fireplace. Two oversized sets of double French doors open to a small front patio overlooking a water feature. An interior designer might add occasional tables, large paintings, or large mirrors in the alcoves.

On the other side of the foyer, a wide, arched, cased doorway leads to the formal dining room. The flooring in this room is warm, polished hardwood; the walls are a pale cream shade with pale cream baseboards, and the ceiling is white with pale cream crown molding and recessed lighting. A twelve-arm candelabra style chandelier is suspended over the center of the room. It features a tiered design with a gold finish, a crowned top, and dangling teardrop crystal pendeloques. There is a built-in cabinet to the left of an arched doorway leading to the kitchen. The cabinet is dark wood with modern square stainless steel pulls on both the lower and upper cupboard doors. There is a matching pseudo-cabinet to the right of the doorway; when the cabinet's upper glass doors are opened, they reveal a pass-through window to the bar on the other side of the wall. Three sets of oversized, double French doors are spread across two walls. The doors open to a small patio at the front of the house. With the neutral color palette, abundant natural light, and connection to the outdoors, this room is compatible with many interior design styles. ‍ ‍

The home bar is in a corner that is reached through an arched doorway. A small white cabinet topped by a white quartz countertop fills the corner of the space. It holds two wide, shallow drawers above a large cupboard. Above the cabinet is a white, customized wine rack that holds more than forty bottle cubbies. The walls and ceiling are white. A small, single bulb light with a white fabric shade is suspended from the ceiling. ‍

Walking past the staircase and straight ahead through the foyer brings one to the open concept area of the house. The first space through the wide, arched cased doorway is the family room. This space has dark slate tile flooring, pale cream-colored walls with pale cream baseboards, and a white ceiling with pale cream crown molding. Recessed lighting is installed in the ceiling. A twelve-light, candelabra-style chandelier is suspended over the center of space. The chandelier features a dark bronze finish with cascading crystals, and clear crystal beads draped over the arms. Three sets of double French doors in this space open to a backyard patio. A gas log fireplace is located between two of the sets of French doors. The fireplace mantel and surround are limestone, and limestone blocks create an accent wall behind the fireplace. A recessed area in the accent wall above the mantel provides space for hanging a painting or mounting a television set. An interior designer can choose from many design styles that highlight natural materials, natural light, an airy ambience, and a connection to the outdoors. ‍

The family room flows unimpeded through a wide, arched doorway to a flexible space that works well as a breakfast nook or a sunroom. The flooring in this room is dark slate tile, the walls are a pale cream color with pale cream baseboards, and the ceiling is white with pale cream crown molding.  Recessed lights are installed in the ceiling. A smaller, six-light version of the family room chandelier is suspended over the center of the room. A bay window forms a space large enough for a small breakfast table if the room is used as a breakfast nook, or for a couple of small armchairs and a coffee table if the room is used as a sunroom. A set of double French doors opens to a backyard patio, connecting the space to the outdoors and allowing natural light into the room. Across from the French doors, a white quartz breakfast counter separates this room from the kitchen. Four tall stools will fit under the breakfast counter. An interior designer might place a framed painting, a colorful rug, a vase of flowers, and some potted plants in this space to create depth and energy. ‍

The kitchen has dark slate tile flooring, pale cream-colored walls with pale cream baseboards, and a white ceiling with pale cream crown molding. Recessed lights are installed in the ceiling. The cabinetry is painted pale cream and has contemporary, streamlined, stainless steel handles. The countertops are white quartz. A rectangular, single basin, stainless steel undermount sink is located below a window overlooking the side yard of the house. The faucet has a gold finish and is a high arc, single lever model with a pull-down sprayer. A six-burner gas cooktop is installed on one of the countertops, with a contemporary, curved, stainless steel exhaust hood above it. The appliances are stainless steel and include a refrigerator, the cooktop, a dishwasher, and a stacked appliance unit that includes an oven, a microwave, and a warming drawer. This kitchen can provide the foundation for a variety of interior design styles. ‍

Other rooms downstairs include a half-bath and an elevator. The second floor of the house contains the primary suite, two guest suites, an exercise room, and a laundry room. The second-floor hallways have polished hardwood flooring in a warm natural hue. The walls are white with white baseboards, and the ceilings are white with white crown molding. ‍

The primary suite is located near the second-floor landing. The entry to the suite is through a seating area with hardwood flooring, white walls and a navy-blue accent wall with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding. Recessed lights are installed in the ceiling. A black framed window with black muntin’s fills the space with natural light. White pocket doors slide out from each side of the wide doorway leading from the seating area to the master bedroom. The seating area is roomy enough for a small sofa or two small armchairs to be placed below the window. The main part of the bedroom has white textured carpet covering the floor, white walls with white baseboards, and an oval tray ceiling that is white with white crown molding on the outer edges and vibrant gold on the inside of the tray. Recessed lighting is installed around the outside edges of the ceiling. An eight-light, candelabra chandelier is suspended from the center of the tray. The chandelier is bronze with a crown structure and endeloques with clear crystal beads strung throughout. Two large, black-framed windows with black muntin’s allow natural light into the room. A built-in cabinet on one wall has three upper cupboards and three lower cupboards with a space between large enough to hold a television. An interior designer can use layered textiles, including curtains, bed coverings, and throw pillows, to adapt this room to one of many interior design styles that emphasize natural light, a neutral color palette, and a light and airy ambience. ‍

The master bathroom has glossy cream-colored, stone tile flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a long, narrow tray ceiling that is white on the outer edges and vivid gold inside the tray. The tray is lined with white crown molding. Recessed lighting is installed on the outside edges of the ceiling. There are two vanities, one on a side wall and one on the back wall. Both vanities are white with sleek stainless-steel handles. The countertops and backsplashes are granite in a deep, rich shade of brown. The sinks are oval, white undermount with contemporary black, flat waterfall faucets and square temperature knobs. Next to the vanity on the side wall, a built-in cabinet has six drawers of varying depths topped by a tall cupboard. The rectangular soaking tub is in a corner with cream-colored stone tile walls and black tile decorative trim at the top of the walls, inside a deep brown granite surround structure and on a deep brown granite platform. The waterfall faucet is mounted approximately 24-inches above the edge of the bathtub, and the round temperature knobs are installed vertically. The bathtub is placed below a large, glass block window that allows natural light to enter the room while preserving privacy. Stepping off the platform on the opposite side from which you step onto it, brings you to a wet room with three additional large, glass block windows. The flooring of the wet room is pale tan, rectangular mosaic tile. The walls are cream-colored stone tiles with black tile decorative trim at the top. The wall mounted showerhead is shiny chrome, and the temperature knobs are installed vertically. A large, round rainfall showerhead is mounted on the ceiling. The toilet is in a private water closet behind a door just inside the bathroom entrance. An interior designer might add a large potted plant or a large vase of flowers to add energy to this elegant, light-filled room. ‍

Guest suite number one has neutral colored carpet covering the floor, cream-colored walls with cream baseboards, and a white ceiling with cream crown molding. A crystal drum chandelier is suspended over the center of the room. The metal elements of the chandelier have a silver finish. There are five candlestick lights covered by a drum-shaped, white, pleated fabric shade. Crystal pendants and beads are hung in from the arms that hold the candlelight, and strings of crystal beads are attached to the rod from which the chandelier hangs. Two large windows with black muntin’s allow natural light into the room. The ensuite bathroom has natural stone tile flooring in shades of tan and gray, cream-colored walls with cream baseboards, and a white ceiling with cream crown molding. The vanity is white with an undermount, oval sink, and a brown granite countertop. The faucet and water control handles are a blocky, minimalist design with a brushed nickel finish. The toilet is located below a window, between the vanity and the bathtub/shower combination. A small shelf above the toilet is the same brown granite as the vanity countertop. The tub/shower combination has brown stone tile walls and a clear glass door. An interior designer might place a potted plant on the shelf above the toilet and a plush rug on the floor. ‍

Guest suite number two has white carpet covering the floor, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding. Recessed lighting is installed in the ceiling. Two large windows with black muntin’s allow natural light into the room. A long, built-in desk fills the width of one wall. The desk is white with a black granite desktop. Multiple deep drawers are interspersed with a seating area and customized compartments to hold electronic components. Twin white, glass-fronted cupboards are mounted above the desk, one on each end. The ensuite bathroom has an industrial vibe with white porcelain tile flooring, walls covered in textured brown tile with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding. The pedestal sink has a built-in towel bar across the front that follows the curve of the sink basin, and a brushed nickel, single handle, single hole faucet. The pedestal is wrapped in a customized cover that gives it the appearance of an industrial bucket with the towel bar forming the handle. Above the sink, a square mirror is mounted in a frame of thick mosaic stone tiles in shades of gray and brown. The walk-in shower has patterned glass doors with a stylized, curved chrome handle. The bathroom door has two abstract art prints in black and gold affixed to the inside of the door, giving the appearance of two black-framed panels. There is not much for an interior designer to do in this well-designed bathroom. ‍

There is a media room located on the third floor of the house. The area at the top of the curved staircase is set up like a theater lobby. The floor is covered with white carpet, the walls are white with white baseboards, and the sloped ceiling is white with recessed lighting installed. Two white cabinets form a snack and drink area. The cabinets have black granite countertops, and one of them holds an undermount, square, single basin sink with a high arc, double handle, single hole faucet. This space is compatible with many interior design styles that require clean lines and a neutral color palette. ‍

A door behind the cabinets leads to a half-bathroom that has white tile flooring with black mosaic tiles forming a geometric pattern, white walls with white baseboards, and a white sloped ceiling. A small window with white trim and black muntin’s looks out over the rooftops of neighboring houses. The vanity is white with black decorative trim and a black granite countertop. The sink is a bowl-shaped stone vessel with a multi-colored interior of black and shades of gray and gold. The wall-mounted faucet stretches over the vessel sink between two cross handles. An oval, gold framed mirror is mounted above the vanity. A bronze candelabra sconce near the window holds three electric candles. Crystal pendants hang below the lights, and strings of clear crystal beads are strung among the pendants. This small bathroom offers the drama of theaters of the Art Deco era; an interior designer will carefully choose accessories to enhance the drama without overpowering the room. ‍

This house on Hackberry Lane in the Midlane area of Houston also features wireless speakers installed in the ceilings of most rooms, adding a layer of luxury and convenience to the elegance found throughout the house. ‍

Highland Village is a small suburb of Houston located within the 610 Loop in a triangle formed by Uptown, River Oaks and Greenway Plaza. It is an upscale community containing new construction and original mid-century modern homes on tree-lined streets. According to U.S. Census data, Highland Village  has a population of approximately 19,000 evenly divided between male and female, and an area of about 2.5 square miles. The median age of Highland Village residents is 36. 

Highland Village is served by Houston Independent School District. Public school children are zoned to St. George Place Elementary School, Lanier Middle School and Lamar High School. Nearby private schools include St. John’s and River Oaks Baptist.

The location of Highland Village make it almost easier to walk than drive to the retail businesses in the area. Highland Village Shopping Center, The Galleria and the River Oaks District are all nearby and offer a variety of shopping and dining options. Favorite shopping destinations for residents include Restoration Hardware, Central Market, Anthropologie and LuluLemon.

A few of the favorite dining establishments in the area include: Bosscat Kitchen which serves New American cuisine and offers a whiskey bar. Escalante’s offers Tex-Mex dishes and tequila drinks. For seafood, give Loch Bar a try. If you’re looking for Southern style comfort food, State of Grace has you covered.

There are several parks near Highland Village that provide recreational activities. Levy Park and Pumpkin Park, also known as River Oaks Park are the nearest. Pumpkin Park features tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts, an outdoor theater and imaginative playground equipment, the centerpiece being a play structure designed as a pumpkin coach in the spirit of Cinderella’s ride to the ball. Levy Park offers two dog parks (one for large dogs and one for small dogs), an activity lawn, an event lawn, a pavilion, a children’s park and a rain garden. A short drive away from Highland Village is Houston’s largest park, Memorial Park. It occupies 1500 acres, making it nearly twice as large as Central Park in New York City. It contains a golf course, hiking trails and many, many other amenities.