Every room of the Round Top Designer Showhouse tells a story. The through line? The heart and soul of Texas design. The custom-built modern farmhouse features the work of eight regional designers. Learn how their creative spaces distill what makes the Lone Star State so special below.
The Round Top Designer Showhouse is open through April 5, 2025. Get tickets here.
The Essence Of Texas, Distilled
Darla Bankston May, Bankston May Associates, embraces rustic elegance in the lounge. Working with a number of Texan artists, Bankston May aimed to "elevate the distinctive and laid-back charm of Round Top while adding a sophisticated, contemporary twist," she says. Ryan Buenning’s large-scale abstract metalwork above the sofa brings bold energy to the room. The pièce de résistance is the stunning charcoal-and-sepia-tone horse mural by Paul Montgomery Studio lining a wall.
The lounge's Western-themed mural is by Paul Montgomery Studio.
Delicate Details Add Character
Marcus Mohon, Mohon Interiors, designed three rooms for the Round Top Design Showhouse. Featured here is the kitchen, whose standout element is undoubtedly the unique addition to the vent hood. "The surrounding oak trees were the inspiration for the handcrafted plaster oak branches above the hood," shares Mohon. The piece, realized by Houston-based Segreto Finishes, adds texture to the refined space. "They did a masterful job turning my napkin sketch into artful reality," he says.
The oak-branch reliefs atop the kitchen's vent hood were completed by Segreto Finishes.
Texan Craftsmanship Takes The Spotlight
This guest suite by Susan Semmelmann of Semmelmann Interiors draws on Texas heritage. "The design is a love letter to Texas roots, blending nostalgia with a refined aesthetic," Semmelmann shares. An accent wall covered in floral wallpaper aims to honor the vintage charm of Round Top while nodding to Semmelmann's signature chic aesthetic. Custom bedding, made in-house, emphasize the region's storied craftsmanship. The combination of artisan elements "ensures the design feels both storied and intentional, merging the past with the present in a way that is uniquely Texan," she says.
In the guest suite, custom bedding was made in-house by Semmelmann Interiors.
A Texas-Sized Tribute
Kurt Bielawski of MORE Design + Build designed the study as a tribute to a beloved mentor and Texan icon: Derrill Osborn (1942–2019) who served as the vice president of men’s clothing at Neiman Marcus. A well-known figure within the fashion menswear communities of New York, Paris and Milan, Osborn hired Bielawski as the design buyer for his division. Bielawski remarks: "He was a character like none other. He hired me as the designer buyer for his division, moved me to Texas and changed the direction of my life." A lover of red, green and all things bovine, Osborn's style leads the look of the study. The space employs menswear fabrications (see: the flannel wall coverings and drapery) and a bespoke cowhide rug by Kyle Bunting.
The plaid cowhide rug was custom-made by Kyle Bunting for the Round Top Designer Showhouse. "It sets the tone for the room," designer Kurt Bielawski notes.
Rustic Beauty
In this powder room designed by Kara Childress of Kara Childress Interior Atelier, form and function intersect. "This space is deeply rooted in Texas heritage—raw, refined and full of soul," Childress says. The spirit of the West is deeply personal for the designer, who, alongside her husband, previously worked in the cattle business. "I wanted the space to feel authentic, with materials that tell a story," she shares. Concrete floors, a reclaimed sink and dark, moody plaster walls tie together in a ruggedly beautiful vignette.
The walls of the powder room were finished by Segreto Finishes using a lime-based plaster sourced through Atelier Domingue.
Local Love
Long part of Round Top's design scene, it was important for Julie Dodson, Dodson Interiors, to locally source as much as possible when designing the primary suite of the show house. "Some of the pieces I used in this space I’ve had for years, just waiting for the right place to let them shine," Dodson notes, "and some I acquired specifically for this project." The locally sourced antiques fit right in alongside a custom bed by The Joseph Company, upholstered in Garrett Leather. "The leather is a natural fit for the area’s style," Dodson says.
"It was important to me to use locally sourced items when I could, as it speaks to what Round Top is known for," Dodson says of her work on the primary suite. "It is a wonderful collection of people with an appreciation for antiques and a keen eye."
English Countryside Meets Texan Charm
Another of the show house's guest rooms was designed by Staci Steidley of Studio Steidley. Inspired by the wooded surroundings of the home, Steidley refers to the space as a vintage English tree house. "When we looked out the window and saw the beautiful countryside, we decided to lean into a cozy vibe for the small room," Steidley says. A House of Hackney woodland mural envelops the space, and a deep green-black paint color was chosen for the trim and ceiling. Locally sourced antique finishes abound, balanced with modern lighting and an array of English-inspired fabrics from Schumacher, Fabricut, Thibaut and Samuel & Sons. "By adding a few details like antlers, ruffles and pom-poms, you get that sweet countryside aesthetic that is so very Round Top," she says.
"We wanted to capture the eclectic soul of Round Top by bringing in antique furnishings, artwork and mirrors that we sourced in Round Top," Staci Steidley says of the show house's charming guest suite.
Down To Earth
An array of patterns enlivens the media room, designed by Renea Abbott of Shabby Slips Home. "I started with beautiful wallpaper and fabric from Kravet," Abbott shares. The wallcovering, a linen ticking design, helps ground the space. Embracing an earthy aesthetic, the designer employed a range of textures and natural colors. The result is a multifunctional space filled with character. "The dark sisal floor covering with the layered zebra adds a bit of a country-casual vibe to the space," she says.
In the media room, wallpaper by Kravet sets a serene tone, allowing bolder elements to take pride of place.
Visit the Round Top Designer Showhouse through April 5, 2025. Get tickets here. Read more about the showhouse at https://luxesource.com/round-top.