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Interior Designer: Laura U Design Collection

Architect: Charles Tapley

Associated: Serena Gibson Design, Duchateau

Photography: Par Bengtsson

Laura U Design Collective has completed a thoughtful renovation of a 1970s Charles Tapley designed residence in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood, blending modern updates with deep respect for the home’s Bauhaus inspired architecture. The project was guided by a desire to honor Tapley’s sculptural vision while enhancing the interiors for contemporary living, resulting in a refined space that feels both tailored and timeless.

Every design decision by Laura U Design Collective was rooted in the original architecture. Rather than simplify or modernize away the distinctive character, the team preserved key features such as curved walls, elevation changes, and dynamic planes that define the home’s expressive geometry. The renovation emphasized visual rhythm and spatial harmony, maintaining a delicate balance between the boldness of modernism and the softness of everyday comfort.

Materials were chosen with intention. A satin stain was used throughout to highlight the crisp architectural lines, while layered neutrals and warm tones softened the existing black and white palette. This restrained approach created interiors that feel sophisticated and serene, where sculptural integrity meets subtle warmth. By opening up sightlines, especially on the main floor, Laura U Design Collective improved the flow without losing the intimate zoning originally crafted by Tapley.

Set into a lush ravine lot, the home already had a strong connection to its natural surroundings. The renovation preserved that sense of grounded elegance, making the house feel both elevated and rooted. From bespoke finishes to preserved architectural quirks, Laura U Design Collective treated every element with reverence. Rather than imposing a new identity, the studio elevated what was already remarkable.

This project succeeds because it embraces contrast, old and new, minimal and expressive, architectural and organic allowing the home to reflect both its historical significance and its modern purpose. The result is a residence that feels whole, harmonious, and entirely unique.