River Oaks District, Houston, TX

Shepherd Drive, River Oaks

An unusual house on Shepherd Drive in the River Oaks area of Houston looks like a small, unassuming one-story house from the street but is full of surprises inside. When you walk in through the front door, you are in the living room which has an open floor plan, flowing without barriers to the dining room, breakfast nook and foyer. The front door is not the main entrance to the house. Going around the corner and entering an alley will bring you to the garage and the main entrance to the house.

The garage is attached to the two-story back of the house and has space for two vehicles. There are built-in shelves and a mail slot on one side wall. The back wall has built-in shelves and a door into the foyer. Walking around the back corner of the house to the side brings you to the main entrance.

The wall of the house curves as you near the dark-stained wood double doors. Set into the curved wall are glass bricks, giving the outside a dramatic look and allowing light into the foyer. When walking into the foyer there is a door immediately on the left that accesses the garage. A straight staircase hugs the left wall of the foyer and ends on a dramatic curved landing with more glass bricks inset into the drywall. The floor of the foyer is marble tile and extends to double doors on the left that hides a storage space. The walls are white, as are the stairs and the carpet runner on the stairs. The marble floor tiles are white with black veins and two solid black strips that run parallel to each other the length of the foyer. Interior designers might continue the white theme by adding a white console table holding a vase of flowers, or they may opt to accentuate the touches of black by adding a black bench or console table.

Turning right at the end of the foyer takes you into the breakfast nook. This space adjoins the kitchen, with a dark peninsula counter/bar with a black granite countertop separating the two rooms. The walls of the breakfast nook are white, and the floor is a light hardwood. Interior designers have a large white wall and shelves built into the side of the bar to enhance with artwork.

The kitchen is long and narrow, with ceramic tile flooring. Appliances are stainless steel. Cabinetry is mahogany with black hardware. Countertops are black granite. There is a lot of cabinet, drawer and counter space. There is a window next to the stove and a stained glass window above the sink. Three hanging pendant lights are suspended over the peninsula. Interior designers can choose from a plethora of design styles that will enhance the beauty of the kitchen.

From the breakfast nook, the open flooring flows into a formal dining room. The dining room is long and narrow, sharing a short wall on one long side with the kitchen. The other long wall overlooks the private backyard through a series of floor to ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light. The narrow end of the room has more glass blocks high on the wall. Ceiling and walls are white and the floor is a light hardwood, providing a blank canvas for interior designers to work with.

The breakfast nook opens up to the living room. This room has floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the front yard and the front door provides access to the front yard. On the opposite wall there are removable dark shelving units. Interior designers may choose to design the space around the shelves or remove them. On the wall to the right of the front door, a black marble fireplace provides a focal point for the room. There are two groupings of glass bricks in the wall on either side of the fireplace.

The master bedroom suite is located at the end of a short hall off the breakfast nook. Just before reaching the bedroom, a door on the left side of the hall opens to a half-bathroom and laundry room. The bathroom is long and very narrow but allows plenty of room for a toilet and a pedestal sink for guest use. The floor is the same marble tile as the main entryway. Two large doors open to reveal a full-size washing machine and dryer. Walls, ceiling, doors and appliances are all white, giving the small room an illusion of spaciousness.

Upon entering the master bedroom, there are custom built cabinets along the wall on the right. The floor is light hardwood. Ceiling and walls are white. There is a ceiling fan with attached light fixture on the ceiling in addition to recessed lighting, and large windows allow sunlight into the room.  White double doors on the left lead to the ensuite bathroom. The bathroom is large with gray stone tile and white ceiling, walls and vanity. There are two sinks with brushed nickel hardware and lots of storage space in the vanity. A large rectangular mirror hangs above the two sinks, and four cylindrical light fixtures are affixed above the mirror. At the end of the room is an open wet room with a large glass brick window and a row of small lights to the right of the jumbo-sized shower head. An interior designer will probably opt to keep the surfaces mostly clean and uncluttered, perhaps adding a few plants, a natural fiber rug and a large basket to hold towels. A door between the vanity and the wet room provides access to a large walk-in closet featuring hanging space for dresses on one side and slacks and shirts on the other side, as well as built in storage shelves and a full-length mirror. The closet walls and shelves are all white. The hanging rails are the same wood tone as the hardwood floors,

With the exception of the pendant lights hanging over the kitchen peninsula, and lighting in the master suite, lighting throughout the downstairs is recessed.

The second story of the house are two bedrooms, a full bathroom and a family/game room. At the top of the staircase is a large landing which an interior designer could have some fun with. There is a small hallway to the left and on the left immediately after entering the hall, is the bathroom which is shared by both upstairs bedrooms. The bathroom contains a combination bathtub and shower, a toilet and a vanity with an oval sink and light brown granite countertop. Walls and ceiling are white, as is the vanity. The flooring is white ceramic tile. The rest of the upstairs rooms have white ceilings, pale gray walls and light gray carpeting.

Straight ahead from the entrance to the hall are two doors that open to the two bedrooms which are mirror images of each other. The bedrooms are similar in size and features, with large windows, vaulted ceilings, closets along the inside wall, and white ceiling fans.

Turning to the right from the entrance to the hall takes you to the large family/game room. This room has a vaulted, shiplap ceiling that extends over the staircase to the main entrance wall. The room is long and filled with natural light from four windows. The far wall features built-in shelves and cupboards with an open, triangular shape on top that an interior designer could use to display a neon sign if the room is used as a game room, or a sculptural artwork for a family room.

This unassuming Houston house has a unique design and a fun use of curves and glass bricks that make it stand out from the more elaborate homes in River Oaks.

Troon Road, River Oaks, Houston, Texas

At a home on Troon Road in River Oaks, the front door opens to reveal a stylish foyer with a sweeping staircase curving up to the second story. The foyer is painted white, giving the space a spacious, airy feel. There is room for a bench or console table. A piece of abstract art hangs on the wall, the dark swirls on white background echoing the graceful curves of the staircase.

The living room extends the airy ambiance with white walls and ceiling, white overstuffed furniture and five large windows allowing sunshine to fill the room with natural light. Interior designers have kept the decor simple and homey, with clean lines and pale tones. Bamboo Roman shades on the windows roll up to allow sunlight into the room. The floor length drapes are pale gold.  A natural wood and cane sideboard, a throwback to a vintage stereo console, supplies hidden storage space. The comfortable couch and armchair are grouped in front of a black stone fireplace and positioned atop a white area rug with geometric pattern. The floor is a warm oak hardwood. The fireplace is surrounded by a white mantelpiece. The only decoration on the mantel is a simply framed mirror that reflects the light, making the room even brighter. Potted plants and fresh flowers in vases make up the bulk of the decor. Evenly spaced sconces on the walls provide artificial light.

Off the living room is a formal dining room which continues the white, airy theme. The hardwood floor is the same as the living room and foyer.  A simple wood plank table stands in the center of the room surrounded by chairs with white upholstery. Interior designers chose a black iron chandelier with electric candles that contrasts with the white walls and ceiling. Large windows with bamboo Roman shades echo the living room and flood the room with natural light. A contemporary, white console table stands against one wall and holds a vase of fresh flowers. Above the console table, a large, framed black and white photograph is the only wall art in the room other than a wall sconce that provides atmospheric lighting. A potted palm tree next to the windows and a vase of greenery on the table provide the final decorative touches to the room.

The kitchen is is a long, narrow room opening up to a breakfast nook on one end. There is ample storage space with cupboards, drawers and countertop running the length of the room. Cabinets are painted pale gray and have brushed nickel knobs and handles that coordinate with the stainless-steel appliances. The backsplash is shiny, light gray subway tile with white grouting. Recessed lighting keeps ceiling unbroken, maintaining height and airiness. The countertops are mostly empty, embracing a minimalist look often favored by interior designers and giving the room a spacious look. The breakfast nook has light gray subway tile on the bottom half of the walls. The centerpiece of the room is the breakfast table, a round table in the shape of an electrical spool. A black, wrought iron chandelier is centered over the table and black chairs surround it. The floor throughout the kitchen and breakfast nook is the same oak hardwood as the rest of the downstairs.

The family room is accessible from both the kitchen and the formal dining room. The statement floor is black stone, a bold choice by interior designers that gives the room an individualized look. The walls and ceiling are off white, and trim is painted taupe. The ceiling features exposed beams painted the same shade as the trim. Two small chandeliers hang from the ceiling. One wall is covered with built-in shelves and cabinets. There is a casual, comfortable couch, two modern wood and cane chairs and a contemporary cube shaped, glass-topped coffee table grouped together on a white area rug. French doors open to a backyard patio.

The remaining downstairs rooms are a half-bathroom, a home office and a mudroom. The home office has the oak hardwood flooring featured in most of the downstairs spaces. The walls and ceiling are white and the built-in shelves and cabinets have off-white painted exteriors and taupe painted interiors. Interior designers have embraced a minimalist decor for this room. There is a simple white table desk with a white wooden chair behind it and two contemporary white tulip chairs facing it. The furniture is positioned on a white rug with a subtle grid pattern. There are large windows filling the room with natural light. There are only a few carefully curated decorative accessories in the room, keeping the vibe minimalist.

The half-bath is tucked behind the staircase in the entry hall. The walls are covered with a pale gold floral print wallpaper. A round mirror with a thin brass frame hangs above a pedestal sink. The towel hangs on a brass ring, and the faucet and tap handles are brass. The only purely decorative item is a small brass vase, holding fresh flowers, perched on the back of the sink.

The mudroom is located off the kitchen, near the backdoor. It's a small, long room containing coat hooks, shelves and shoe drawers.

There is also a basement storage space. Stone steps lead down to the 10x13 foot room. Ceiling and walls are painted white. There are recessed lights in the ceiling and the floor is covered with hexagonal shaped, terracotta colored Saltillo tiles. An interior designer could turn this space into a game room, a play room, a movie room or other personalized space.

The curved, wooden staircase to the second floor is covered with a carpet runner.  At the top of the stairs, four bedrooms open off an L-shaped hallway. All of the upstairs flooring is a rich, dark hardwood. Each bedroom features multiple large windows offering a multitude of choices for interior designers. The bedroom nearest the stairs has an ensuite bathroom. The other two secondary bedroom share a Jack and Jill bathroom.

The master suite features a cathedral ceiling and a black brick and tile fireplace. A small, ornate crystal chandelier hangs from the bedroom ceiling. The ensuite bathroom has a white ceiling with trim and cabinets painted cream. There is a modern bathtub and a clear glass enclosed shower. The floor is penny tile in shades of light brown. The vanity is long, with two sinks and lots of storage drawers.

Knollwood Drive, River Oaks - Houston TX

The grand entryway to a house on Knollwood Drive in the River Oaks neighborhood of Houston has marble tile flooring with a widely spaced diamond pattern. The curved staircase to the upper floor is natural wood with a floral-patterned Oriental style runner on the stairs and wooden banisters. The banister rails are natural wood, while the banisters are painted creamy white. A cylindrical glass chandelier with gold trim hangs from the vaulted ceiling. The walls are painted the same creamy white as the stair banisters and adorned with square panel wainscoting.  Clear glass windowpanes frame both sides of the oversized dark wooden door. There is a narrow-arched window above the door. An oversized, clear rectangular window with grids rises from a couple of feet above the arched window to just below the ceiling, allowing natural light into the entryway. The ceiling is painted white, slightly contrasting with the creamy walls. Recessed lighting allows the entryway to retain its light, airy ambiance even after nightfall. An interior designer might add a potted tree and perhaps a console table with a vase of fresh flowers.

Just off the entryway is a library featuring floor to ceiling built-in wooden bookshelves. The wood is a burnished reddish-brown that matches well with the oak hardwood floor and the wood square-paneled ceiling. Subtle recessed lighting is widely spaced in the ceiling panels for a sleek look that does not detract from the ceiling. Floor to ceiling windows allow for an abundance of natural light in the room. The grids on the four windows and the square panels on the ceiling bring visual continuity from the entryway to the library. The centerpiece of the library is the gray marble fireplace flanked by two pairs of pink marble columns with ornate capitals. The columns support a richly carved wooden mantelpiece that rises to the ceiling. The mantelpiece contains two additional columns, one on each side, as well as intricately detailed carvings and scrollwork. An interior designer would be able to choose from any furniture style to add chairs, tables and lamps to the room.

The library flows smoothly into the living room, a long, white, airy room with two sets of floor to ceiling windows flanking the double French doors that open onto a screened-in patio overlooking the backyard and swimming pool.  Filling the wall on one end of the room is a gray marble fireplace with a large, recessed area above it, just the right size to hold a large screen television. Storage areas flank the fireplace on both sides. The flooring is oak hardwood. The neutral colors and abundant natural light provide a blank canvas for an interior designer to work with.

The kitchen is L-shaped with a rustic work island in the center. The island is distressed wood with a butcher block top. Cabinetry is painted light desert brown and is flat front with understated hardware. There are two tiers of upper cabinets, with the upper layer being smaller and glass fronted. Pale sand-colored bricks make up the backsplash. Appliances are stainless steel and include two wall mounted ovens. Interior designers would have little to do in the kitchen. Perhaps a bowl of fruit on the island, some potted herbs in front of the large window behind the sink, and a patterned rug on the floor. The centerpiece of the kitchen is the decorative tile art adorning one wall. The design features a large urn of flowers, a cherub in each of the upper corners and a delicate floral design in blue framing the central design. There is an open back staircase upstairs from the kitchen. The steps are wood with a blue runner covering them. The flooring is stone tile that carries through the kitchen and into the breakfast room. The breakfast room features French doors leading onto a screened-in patio.

Connecting the kitchen and the entryway is the morning room, a cheerful room with red walls above low, square paneled wainscoting painted white. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to flood the room and afford a view of the lush green lawn and shade trees outside. Interior designers may recommend neutral color furnishings and plenty of plants.

There is a full bathroom downstairs containing a combined bathtub and shower with white porcelain tile walls. The vanity has a granite countertop and backsplash with an oval sink. The faucet and tap handles are gold. There is a large mirror over the vanity. The mirror reflects the window opposite and the view outside. The window can be covered with white shutters for privacy. On each side of the mirror is a vertical line of six lightbulbs. The floor is stone tiles. Delicate floral wallpaper covers the walls outside the bathtub. An interior designer might add a large wicker basket to hold towels and a small potted plant.

The second story of the house contains the master suite and three guest suites. The master suite consists of a large bedroom with built-in cabinets topped with built-in bookshelves, a dressing room containing a large closet with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a marble-topped dressing table with a large lighted mirror, and finally, a bathroom with a modern bathtub and separate clear glass shower enclosure. There is recessed lighting throughout. The walls in the bathroom are stone tile and the floor is marble tile. The vanity is extra-long with one sink, an extensive marble countertop and backsplash, and more than usual storage space underneath.  In the rest of the bedroom, the walls are white, and the carpet is pale gray, allowing interior designers a lot of latitude in furniture and art styles.

The three guest suite bedrooms are all the same neutral shades beloved of interior designers as the master bedroom. One of the three guest bathrooms is all white with subway tile walls and fun round tiles on the floor. The window and mirrors make the room seem larger than it is. This bathroom contains a combination bathtub and shower. Interior design suggestions might include colorful towels and washcloths, a patterned rug and a small plant. The second guest bathroom is in the same colors and style as the master bathroom, although the room is smaller. It contains a walk-in shower with clear glass doors. The third guest bathroom features shower tiles and stone floor tiles in shades of pale brown. The shower has multiple jets and two clear glass sides. The vanity is topped with a brown marble countertop with an oval sink and brushed nickel faucet and tap handles. The large window lets in plenty of light. There is not much work for an interior designer to do in this bathroom.

The final room in the house is reached by an elevator to the topmost floor and the large flex room. There are multiple storage closets behind closed doors on the inside wall, perfect for storing seasonal decorations.

This spacious house on Knollwood Street requires interior design only in furniture and accessory choices and provides living space on a grand scale.

 Pelham Drive, River Oaks, Houston, Texas

The brick house on Pelham Drive in the River Oaks neighborhood of Houston has a homey feel to it that is sometimes lacking in modern home architecture. Upon entering the wide front door, visitors find themselves in a simple foyer that is a hub leading to all other areas of the house.

Turning left from the foyer, a double door leads to a large living room. Walls and ceiling are white, a blank canvas for interior designers to work their magic on. The floor is a warm golden hardwood that draws you into the room. The home's design allows the living room to have three walls with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing Houston's abundant sunshine to pour into the room. A black fireplace with white mantel is situated along one wall, between two of the magnificent windows. Wall sconces on either side of the fireplace provide accent lighting for the room.

As you enter the living room from the foyer, there are two doors to the right. The nearest door goes to the dining room. The door in the far corner leads to the sunroom. The sunroom is a long, narrow space with brown tile on the floor and a long wall of windows looking onto the backyard. There are French doors leading from the sunroom to the backyard. It's a peaceful place to sit with a book and a cup of coffee to enjoy a peaceful pause in a busy day. An interior designer might add wicker furniture and a few potted plants to enhance the small space.

There are four doors in the dining room, one provides access from the living room, one provides access from the sunroom. A large set of French doors provides access to a covered patio. The final door provides access to the breakfast room and kitchen. The dining room, like most rooms in the house has all white walls and ceiling, and hardwood flooring. There is a modern Edison bulb light fixture suspended from the ceiling. Two double doors on the outer wall lead to the sunroom and a covered patio. Interior designers can choose from almost any style of dining room furniture and it will look good in this room.

The breakfast room shares an open floor plan with the kitchen with only an island work center/breakfast bar separating the two rooms. A vintage looking, brass accented pendant light hangs from the ceiling. The breakfast bar is white marble with gray veining. An alcove on one end of the room contains three large windows.

The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry with brushed nickel hardware, and white marble countertops with gray veining. The sink is a single basin undermount in stainless steel with a brushed nickel faucet. The range is set into the center of the work island, with a modern, stainless steel ventilation hood suspended from the ceiling.  The refrigerator is a double-wide refrigerator freezer combo that is set in an alcove, giving a seamless line to the wall. The white walls, ceiling and cupboards add space and airiness to the kitchen. An interior designer could choose to play up the modern aspects of the space with a contemporary design style, or bring in traditional accents for a relaxed, homey feel.

Near the refrigerator is a door leading to the backyard. On the opposite wall from the backdoor, there is a door that leads to the utility room. This is a small room with enough space for a large, modern, stainless steel washer and dryer set on pedestals. There are storage cabinets above the appliances. Ceiling, walls and cabinets are white. The flooring in this room is white penny tiles with small, widely spaced black design. There is a door to the left of the washer and dryer that opens onto a covered patio.

The final room downstairs is a half-bath off the hallway behind the staircase. When the door is opened, you are met with an explosion of color. The bathroom interior design is a nature theme. Nature themed wallpaper in vibrant shades of green, blue, yellow and orange cover the walls and the sloped part of the ceiling. The bathroom is just large enough to hold a toilet and a wall mounted sink with a rectangular frame mounted above it. A small window is just to the right of the sink and the sunlight coming in the window reflects off the mirror, bringing natural light into the room. The window frame is painted white. There is a small bit of ceiling that is white. It anchors a small pendant light that hangs above the mirror.

The second story of the house holds the master bedroom suite, two secondary bedrooms and a bathroom. The master bedroom suite consists of a large bedroom space, a sitting room or home office and a bathroom. The bedroom has white ceiling and walls, a hardwood floor and three closets. White shutters cover the large windows. A round, flush mount light fixture is affixed to the ceiling.

A door on one wall of the bedroom leads to a room that may be used as a sitting room or home office. This room is long and narrow with two exterior walls that are lined with windows. A vintage style clear glass pendant light hangs from the white shiplap ceiling.

The ensuite bathroom is all white with penny tile flooring, a bathtub/shower combination with white, subway tile walls and a clear glass enclosure, a pedestal sink and a large window with white shutters. The shower head, bathtub and sink faucets, and towel bar hardware are all polished chrome. A flush mount ceiling light fixture lights the room when the shutters are closed.

The two secondary bedrooms are nearly the same size. One bedroom features an accent wall covered in a delicately patterned pale mauve wallpaper. The other bedroom is a corner room and features large windows on two walls. Other than the wallpapered accent wall, all walls and ceilings are white. The windows have white shutter coverings. Floors are hardwood and both rooms have flush mount ceiling light fixtures.

The secondary bedrooms are separated by a Jack and Jill bathroom featuring a bathtub/shower combination with an arched entry. The bathroom is all white with chrome accents. The bathtub/shower combination has white tile walls. The flooring is white penny tile. A three-light sconce with fluted glass shades hangs above the round, frameless mirror over the sink. All faucets, tap handles, towel bar hardware and the shower curtain rod are chrome. The ceiling and walls are white.

This Pelham Drive home is a comfortable size with versatile rooms that any interior decorator in the Houston area can turn into a vibrant, personalized space for the home's occupants.

Discover Houston’s High-End Luxury Destination:

In the heart of Houston, TX, the River Oaks District is an unmatched blend of lush shopping, upscale dining, modern entertainment, and charming walkability. Its location along Westheimer Road in this posh upscale neighborhood, this lifestyle destination has become a hotspot for visitors and locals seeking a high end, immersive experience. The River Oaks area is one of Houston’s most prestigious neighborhoods, known for its elegance and stately homes valued between $1 million and over $20 million.

The River Oaks Shopping District spans over 300,000 square feet and features a carefully curated mix of over 60 global luxury brands, top-tier restaurants, wellness services, and entertainment. The district has established itself as Houston’s go-to place for designer shopping with coveted brands such as Hermès, Cartier, Dior, and more. But River Oaks District is more than just a retail hub, it’s a lifestyle statement. For those who love to indulge in health and wellness, the Equinox fitness club, upscale spas, and beauty salons provide everything needed to look and feel your best inside and out

River Oaks falls within the Houston Independent School District (HISD), the largest in Texas. River Oaks Elementary School (PK5): A magnet/vanguard and neighborhood school with about 744 students, a student-teacher ratio near 18:1, and test proficiency rates above 85% in math and reading. Lanier Middle School (grades 6–8): The designated public middle school. Lamar High School (grades 9–12): The zoned high school for River Oaks students. Nearby charter and private schools include YES Prep, St. John's School, River Oaks Baptist School, and St. Anne Catholic School.

Adding to its appeal, the River Oaks District regularly hosts exclusive events, from fashion pop-ups and gallery style shows to hands-on workshops like sushi-rolling classes. The on-site iPic Theater heightens movie nights with plush seating, in-theater dining, and special craft cocktails. Whether you're out for a relaxing day or a glamorous night, this district provides the perfect backdrop. Part of what makes this destination so special is its uniqueness and capability to provide the ideal context for the District’s luxury forward vision. The area combines timeless Houston charm with forward thinking development, and the district’s culture reflects that perfectly.

In 2024, local entrepreneur Tilman Fertitta, Houston billionaire and owner of the Houston Rockets, purchased the River Oaks District with expansion plans. New retailers and enhancements are underway, shaping what he calls "River Oaks District 2.0", a vision that will elevate this already iconic space into a global luxury leader. Plan your visit to River Oaks District today and experience the best in shopping, dining, and lifestyle Houston has to offer. Whether you're a local or a traveler, this is one destination you won’t want to miss.