Interview with Laura Manchee Designs

Entertaining Island with a Backdrop of Custom Hood and Black Glass Fronts

Laura Manchee Designs is an award-winning, full-service interior design studio based in Houston, Texas.

Combining her extensive commercial design experience with a passion for curated residential interiors, Laura brings a sharp business acumen and a refined aesthetic to luxury home design. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Texas at Austin. She began her career at one of Houston’s top commercial architecture firms, Ziegler Cooper Architects, where she became an associate principal and managed a corporate interiors studio for the firm. In 2004, Laura started her own interior design practice focusing on residential design. Laura gravitates towards warm and welcoming interiors that incorporate pattern, color, and unexpected details. As an avid art collector, she loves visiting art galleries and curating selections for clients, as well as her own personal collection.

Laura is a licensed interior designer and serves on the board of advisors for the Interior Design program at Houston Community College. When Laura isn’t busy running the design studio, she enjoys traveling, collecting, and spending quality family time with her husband and two young boys.

We had the pleasure of working with Laura Manchee Designs on a residential high-rise project in the renown Four Seasons in downtown Houston. Basic Builders was responsible for the construction that brought the design to life.

eggersmann: Thanks, Laura, for taking the time to talk with us about this amazing Four Seasons penthouse project. Tell us what your client wanted to achieve and your team’s approach.

LMD: Our client wanted us to develop a corporate apartment that reflected his style and personality. He wanted a comfortable atmosphere that emphasized rich textures and colors and was open to the fabulous views of the city. The space would be designed to entertain guests and the location was selected to have walking access to various sporting and entertainment venues in downtown Houston.

eggersmann: How were the key finishes chosen?

LMD: The materials selected for the high-rise condo were reminiscent of a modern-day speakeasy. Dark tones on the wood floors and kitchen cabinets with a smoked oak finish created a moody base for our clean lined space. We also incorporated cork wallcovering with metallic accents and LED custom lighting. For the kitchen countertop, the design team selected a Cambria black stone with a specialty matte finish which was imported and meant to complement the sleek cabinet design. The stone was installed with a waterfall edge feature on both ends of the island. Smoked glass upper cabinets with interior accent lighting showcase the silhouette of the owner’s barware.

eggersmann: What other key features did you include to ensure that the residence served your client’s needs?

LMD: Key features of the space were a custom foyer flooring design that incorporated brass inlay in an a-symmetrical pattern. The office featured a leather desk with inlayed credenza in a modern pattern. The room also incorporated a murphy bed to accommodate guests. The master bedroom had a feature accent wall with a wood veneer link pattern that was supported by custom furnishings and bedding. Both bathrooms had floating vanities with accent lighting and large walk-in showers with modern tile patterns as a design focal point.