West University Place, Houston, Texas

Georgetown Street, West University Place, Houston, Texas

A Mediterranean style house in the Houston neighborhood of West University Place features high ceilings, an open floorplan and light filled rooms.

Entering from the arched front door, one finds oneself in a light-filled foyer with white stone tiled flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding and recessed lighting.

To the immediate right of the front door, a wide, square doorway hides glass paned pocket doors that open to a home office. This room has white, stone tile flooring, wood paneled walls with picture frame molding, and a white ceiling with natural wood crown molding and recessed lights as well as a semi-flush mounted, eight-armed candelabra chandelier. Three windows are trimmed with natural-tone wood and covered with natural-tone wood plantation shutters. A natural wood desk with a granite top is built into one wall. Storage cabinets reach the ceiling above the desk. On each side of the desk, natural wood built-in cabinets feature drawers below and open shelving above. An interior designer might recommend an area rug in warm, deep colors to accent the warm tones of the natural wood in the room.

Past the office entrance and a bit further down the entry hall, a half-bathroom is tucked behind a sweeping spiral staircase on the right. The staircase features white risers with rich oak treads and a graceful, wrought-iron newel post with a curved wrought-iron handrail and wrought-iron balusters. Centered above the staircase, an open-frame metal chandelier with two tiers of candelabra lights is suspended by a long chain in front of white-trimmed clerestory windows.

On the left side of the hall, a wide, arched, cased doorway leads to the formal living room. This room features warm oak hardwood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding and recessed lighting. Floor to ceiling windows overlook the front and side yard and fill the room with natural light. The classic hardwood floor, neutral color palette, and abundant natural light make this room compatible with many interior design styles.

The open floorplan flows from the living room through a wide, arched, cased doorway to the formal dining room. This room has oak hardwood flooring, white walls and a white ceiling with white crown molding and recessed lights as well as a modern, twelve-light chandelier in gold-tone metal suspended from the center of the ceiling. Two large windows overlook the front lawn. A white brick accent wall has a small arched doorway that leads to a hall with a walk-in pantry on the left, and the kitchen straight ahead. A wide, arched, cased doorway allows unimpeded access from the dining room to the family room.

The family room may also be accessed from the foyer hallway via a wide, arched, cased doorway. This room has warm oak hardwood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding and recessed lighting. Floor to ceiling windows overlook a covered patio. French doors next to the windows open to the covered patio. The focal point of the room is the large, white brick fireplace surround, and white brick raised hearth. The gas log fireplace is arched. A rectangular niche above the fireplace is customized to hold a television. Built-in cabinetry flanks the fireplace. On one side, the natural wood cabinet features cupboards on the bottom, topped by shelves that can hold books or decorative accessories. On the other side, the wide, natural wood cabinet is an enclosed storage space with tall, face frame double doors on the top and slightly shorter, face frame double doors below. An interior designer can easily adapt this room to several different design styles due to the neutral color palette, hardwood flooring, natural light and arched doorways.

An arched, cased doorway provides access from the family room to the hallway leading to the pantry and kitchen. Tucked between the entry via the brick wall in the dining room and the pantry door is a customized, built-in, natural wood cabinet with a wine rack on top and storage drawers below. The walk-in pantry has hardwood flooring, a white ceiling, and white walls filled with white built-in shelves. A semi-flush mount light fixture with milk glass shade provides light. The hallway has hardwood flooring, white walls with white baseboards (plus the white brick wall providing entry from the dining room), and a white ceiling with white crown molding and inset lighting.

The kitchen features creamy white travertine tile flooring, white walls, and a white ceiling with white crown molding and recessed lighting. Dark cabinetry is interspersed with cream-colored, glass fronted cabinetry. One side of the kitchen has a cream colored, custom-built, floor to ceiling, hutch-style cabinet with drawers below, large, mullioned glass doors in the middle, and small mullioned glass doors on top.  The opposite side of the kitchen has U-shaped cabinetry with dark wood cupboards forming an arch above the stove on one end of the U-shape. In the middle of the U-shape, cream-colored upper cupboards with under cupboard lighting and arched, mullioned glass fronts flank the sink. The custom cabinet below the sink is also cream-colored. The farmhouse sink has an apron front and a bridge-style faucet. The backsplash is cream colored stone with a diamond rhomboid pattern carved into it. The countertop is brown granite. A window with plantation shutters is located above the sink and overlooks the side yard. The cabinetry on either side of the cream cupboards is dark wood with a raised panel design on the doors. The other end of the U-shape forms a breakfast counter with an arched recess containing storage shelves on the end, and a white brick front on the side facing the breakfast room. A work island in the middle of the kitchen has dark wood cupboards and drawers providing extra storage space. The countertop is light colored stone with a textured finish and an eased edge profile. The round undermount prep sink has a bridge-style, high arc faucet with a side spray accessory.  Appliances are stainless steel and include a refrigerator, a cooking range, a dishwasher, and a trash compacter. An interior designer will probably choose accessories that enhance the relaxed mix of traditional and modern elements in the room.

The breakfast room is adjacent to the kitchen. This room has the same cream-colored travertine tile flooring as the kitchen, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding. The recessed lighting is augmented with a modern, eight-light, gold toned chandelier which is like the one in the dining room, but smaller. A dark wood cabinet with a brown granite countertop is placed on one wall. The upper cupboard is tall; the lower cabinet holds a wide, shallow drawer above a small cupboard. A white brick fronted breakfast bar faces the breakfast room from the kitchen. There is room for three or four tall chairs at the counter. Two sets of windows in the room flood the space with natural light. The windows on one side of the room are covered with plantation shutters and overlook the side yard. On the opposite wall, large windows overlook the flagstone pool deck and the swimming pool with cascading water feature. These windows are uncovered, allowing Houston's sparkling sunshine to fill the room unfiltered. The breakfast room's natural elements and neutral palette make it compatible with many interior design styles.

An arched, cased doorway leads from the breakfast room to a hall. The hall has the same travertine tile as the kitchen and breakfast room, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding and recessed lights. Four white doors with white trims are in the hall. One door opens to a half-bathroom convenient to the swimming pool.  Directly across from the bathroom, an exterior door exits on the pool deck. Next to the bathroom, a door provides access to the main laundry room. A towering built-in hall tree with drawers, a place to hang jackets, and a bench to sit on while removing footwear is in the hall. The hallway ends at a door that leads to the garage.

The second floor of the house holds a primary suite, four secondary bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a game room. The first room of the spacious primary suite is a sitting room with hard wood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with recessed lights. A large window with plantation shutters overlooks the side yard. There is ample room for a sofa, armchairs, and occasional tables in this room. A long, uninterrupted wall is ideal for hanging large paintings or prints. An interior designer can make this room elegant or casual according to the homeowner's wishes.

A wide, cased doorway leads from the sitting room to the master bedroom where the flooring, walls, and trim are continued. The white tray ceiling has four dark wood exposed beams and recessed lights. Two large windows on one wall overlook the side yard. With its hardwood floor and exposed beam ceiling, this room can embrace either elegant or rustic interior design styles.

Double doors connect the master bedroom to the ensuite bathroom. The bathroom has white travertine tile flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with white crown molding. A door to the left of the entry hides the water closet where the toilet is installed. The vanity is white and sits in a wide, shallow, arched alcove with recessed lighting installed across the top of the arch. There is a seating area built into vanity where a chair, stool, or pouf can be placed. The countertop is white quartz with an undermounts oval sink. A large, white-framed, rectangular mirror is hung horizontally above the vanity. The wall across from the vanity holds a walk-in shower with white travertine walls and a mosaic tile floor. The shower door is clear glass. Next to the shower, a drop-in soaking bathtub is encased in a travertine surround with a decorative mosaic tile band running horizontally across the travertine tiles. The Roman style faucet is dark metal and includes a diverter knob for the handheld spray attachment. The backsplash is travertine tile with a decorative mosaic tile band running around the top. A small window above the bathtub is covered with plantation shutters. A white cupboard built into the corner next to the bathtub is ideal for storing towels and washcloths. A second, smaller vanity is housed in a custom-built, shallow, arched alcove on the back wall of the room. It is white with a white quartz countertop, an oval undermount sink, and a white-framed square mirror hung above it. Recessed lights are installed at the top of the arch. The lighting in the bathroom is recessed, augmented by a Hinkley Collier, semi-flush mount pendant light centered over the room. The stone and mosaic tile accents and arched alcoves make this bathroom compatible with several design styles popular in Mediterranean areas.

A set of double doors in the back corner of the bathroom opens to a spacious walk-in closet. The floor of the closet is hardwood, the walls are white with white baseboards, and the ceiling is white. White track lighting is installed on the ceiling. At the entrance to the closet is a landing with built-in shoe cubbies to the right, and a small, secondary laundry area to the left. The laundry area is in a corner with travertine flooring and a full size, stacking washer and dryer. There is a window in the laundry area that overlooks the side yard. Two steps lead down from the landing to the main part of the closet. Each wall in the main section of the closet has multiple hanging rods at different heights, interspersed with open shelving and/or cubbies. A total of five small windows on three walls allow natural light to fill the closet. In the center of the closet, a custom-built, double-sided dresser has a row of four shallow drawers across the top, and three rows of four deep drawers on each side. At each end of the dresser is a bench with a hinged lid, providing a place to sit while dressing, as well as extra storage.

Secondary bedroom #1 has hardwood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with a white ceiling fan and attached light fixture. A large window covered with plantation shutters overlooks the front yard. To the left of this window, a white built-in bookcase fills the space between the window and the corner of the wall. To the right of the window, a large white built-in desk fills the space from the window to the other corner of the wall. The desk has drawers below and ceiling high shelving above.  Below the window, a built-in bench provides seating space as well as storage drawers. A window on the wall to the left of the built-ins overlooks the side yard. This bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet.

Secondary bedroom #2 has hardwood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with a white ceiling fan/light fixture combination. A large window opposite the entry is covered with plantation shutters and surrounded by a built-in desk with ceiling-high shelves above, and a built-in cabinet with drawers below. Beneath the window, a built-in bench provides seating as well as storage drawers. A window on the wall to the right of the built-in cabinet overlooks the side yard. This room has a walk-in closet and shares a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with secondary bedroom #3.

Secondary bedroom #3 has a large window, covered with plantation shutters, that overlooks the side yard. Covering the wall from floor to ceiling around and above the window are built-in shelves that can hold books or decorative items. The flooring in this room is hardwood, the walls are white with white baseboards, and the ceiling is white with a white ceiling fan/light combination centered over the room. This room has a large walk-in closet and shares a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with secondary bedroom #2.

Secondary bedroom #4 has hard wood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling. A white ceiling fan with attached light fixture is centered over the room. Oversized, white double doors cover the closet. This room has an ensuite bathroom with another door that accesses the game room. All four secondary bedrooms can be transformed by an interior decorator in a variety of design styles with the addition of textiles, artwork, and decorative accessories.

The main entry to the game room is through a set of double doors across the hall from the primary suite entrance. This room has warm oak hardwood flooring, white walls with white baseboards, and a white ceiling with recessed lights and wireless speakers installed. A very large window covered with plantation shutters overlooks the swimming pool. A sleek black ceiling fan is centered over the room. There is ample space for sofas, chairs, tables and storage cupboards or shelves for games and gaming paraphernalia. A wide, arched, cased doorway provides entry to a small wet bar. This space holds a white built-in cabinet with a brown granite countertop and a small sink with a chrome, high arc faucet. The lower cabinet has drawers and cupboards. An upper cabinet has white, glass front cupboards on either side of a white wine rack with slots underneath to hold stemware. If a game room is not needed, an interior designer could easily convert this room to a family room, a guest bedroom, or a study.

This beautiful Mediterranean style house located in the highly desired Houston neighborhood of West University Place offers high ceilings, arched doorways, large windows and a light, airy ambience that makes each room compatible with many interior design styles. 

Nestled within the Houston-Sugarland metro area is the City of West University Place, also known by the nickname The Neighborhood City. Named for its proximity to Rice Institute (now known as Rice University), University Place was formed in 1917 and incorporated in 1924 after the City of Houston declined to extend power lines into the area. Thus, it escaped annexation during Houston’s expansion and has evolved into a bedroom community for high income families that work in the Houston area or at Rice University. On March 6, 2000, West University was the first Houston community to be designated a Super Neighborhood. West University Place has a Council-Manager form of government with the City Council made up of a mayor and four council members. The Council adopts budgets, enacts legislation, establishes policies and appoints positions including a city manager, a city attorney, a city secretary, clerks, municipal judges and prosecutors. The city has its own police department, fire department and municipal court system. A branch of the Harris County Public Library is also located in West University Place. According to the most recent census, the population of the city was 14,955 in 2020. The Houston Independent School District serves West University Place, with public schoolchildren zoned to West University Elementary School, Pershing Middle School (with the option to apply to Pin Oak Middle School), and Lamar High School. Early in 2025, the Public Works Director retired and a new Director was sworn in at a crucial time as West University had begun replacing sidewalks and making plans for some major infrastructure upgrades at an estimated cost of $44 million. There are several public parks in West University Place that serve different age groups and interests. There are playgrounds for children, a passive park featuring lush landscaping and a clock tower, tennis, basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, walking paths, a gaga ball pit, BBQ grills, nature areas, green spaces, and even a quiet park featuring a streambed with a push button water feature, and a front porch style shade structure furnished with rocking chairs. City amenities that require a membership include a swimming pool and a recreation center. West University Place has made it onto a list of best places to brunch, best patio dining, and in 2018 it was named one of fifty cities across the nation named to 24/7 Wall Street’s list of America’s Best Cities to Live In. It is a city that takes its responsibilities seriously, provides a variety of parks and recreational facilities for its residents, places a priority on safety and takes pride in what it has accomplished.