Drastic Primary Bathroom Renovation in Houston, TX

Location: Fulshear, Houston, TX | Project Type: Complete Primary Bathroom Remodel

The Challenge: An Outdated and Cramped Footprint Bathrooms are often the most visually dated rooms in a house, and this primary en-suite was no exception. Before the renovation, the space was weighed down by an inefficient, compartmentalized layout, heavy builder-grade materials, and poor lighting. The clients desperately needed to maximize their usable square footage and upgrade the room from a strictly utilitarian space into a relaxing, functional sanctuary.

The Solution: A Dramatic Spa-Like Transformation We executed a complete "down-to-the-studs" overhaul to drastically reimagine the flow of the room. By completely rethinking the spatial footprint, we were able to open up the sightlines and introduce an abundance of light. Swapping out the outdated finishes for a curated palette of elevated, timeless materials completely transformed the atmosphere of the space.

The Details: Curated Everyday Luxury

Optimized Space Planning: We reconfigured the plumbing and layout to create a more intuitive flow, allowing for a significantly larger walk-in shower and improved daily function.

Custom Vanity Design: To maximize storage without making the room feel heavy, we designed custom vanity cabinetry paired with textural accent tile and natural stone countertop with double bullnose detailing.

Elevated Finishes: The dramatic transformation is anchored by stunning new tile work, featuring large-format porcelain floors elevated by modern luxury plumbing fixtures.

Builder: Brooks Construction Group

This West University Place renovation project was set on the real estate market to sell when an unfortunate water accident occurred. The client took the opportunity to renovate the house which worked to their advantage being able to sell the home beyond the renovation costs. Take a look at these before & after photos to see the transformation.

Contractor: Brooks Construction Group

Open-Concept Kitchen Renovation in Bellaire, Houston

Location: Bellaire, Houston, TX | Project Type: Structural Kitchen Remodel & Butler’s Pantry Update

The Challenge: Opening a Compartmentalized 2000s Layout This project is proof of just how successful and transformative a standalone kitchen renovation can be. Originally built in 2000, this Bellaire home featured a heavily compartmentalized, closed-off kitchen that blocked flow and natural light. The client wanted to create a sprawling, open-concept kitchen built for modern entertaining, but it was vital that the new design didn't feel out of place or disconnected from the rest of the traditional home.

The Solution: Structural Freedom and Seamless Integration To achieve the open layout, we removed a major structural dividing wall and engineered a new header, completely blowing out the footprint of the space. Rather than fighting the home's original architecture, we honored the existing ornamentation and classic trim, carefully simplifying it so the sleek, new kitchen seamlessly integrated with the surrounding rooms. We utilized a sophisticated two-tone paint palette, grounding the room with darker tone columns that provide beautiful visual balance against the expansive cabinetry.

The Details: Hidden Functionality and Star-Studded Accents

Dual Countertop Materials: We anchored the room with a massive natural stone island, pairing it beautifully with highly durable quartz on the back perimeter counters for everyday prep work.

The Appliance Garages: To maintain a pristine, minimalist aesthetic without sacrificing utility, we designed a full wall of cabinetry that doubles as integrated appliance garages. This allows for full, easy-access functionality that can be quickly closed away to hide countertop clutter.

The Butler's Pantry Conversion: We completely redesigned the outdated butler's pantry, turning it into a true entertaining bar. To highlight the client's fun personality, we finished the bar with a stunning, hand-painted marble tile featuring a playful star motif.

Builder: Brooks Construction Group

Builder: Brooks Construction Group

Vibrant Tex-Mex Restaurant Interior Design: Kokomo's

Location: Houston, TX | Project Type: Commercial Restaurant Remodel & Hospitality Design

The Challenge: Rescuing a Drab Commercial Space Before its transformation, the future home of Kokomo's was an uninspiring, drab restaurant space plagued by oppressive, low lay-in ceilings. The clients needed an energetic, highly visual environment that matched the bold flavors of their Tex-Mex menu. The challenge was to completely overhaul the atmosphere of the room while smartly utilizing some of the existing restaurant furniture to maximize the commercial build-out budget.

The Solution: Exposed Infrastructure and Bold Layering We immediately opened up the footprint by removing the low drop ceilings, exposing the industrial infrastructure above to make the room feel expansive, dynamic, and modern. To bring the Tex-Mex soul to life, we saturated the space with bold colors and playful architectural elements. We sustainably spruced up the existing restaurant furniture with fresh, vibrant accent upholstery, and then layered in curated new pieces to elevate the overall dining experience.

The Details: Immersive Dining and Authentic Textures

The Agua Fresca Bar: We designed a custom, high-energy bar complete with bespoke signage, cleverly engineered to mimic the look and feel of an authentic, bustling street-side Agua Fresca stand.

The Ribbon Banquette Alcove: To create a sense of intimacy within the large, open-concept dining room, we designed a stunning, colorful ribbon installation that suspends over the banquette seating, forming a cozy and highly photogenic alcove.

Natural Textures & Patterns: We grounded the bright, bold color palette by weaving in natural, earthy materials, utilizing beautiful grasscloth thatching and eye-catching patterned tiles throughout the restaurant.

PhotographyGary Griffin

Open-Concept Ranch Home Renovation in Spring Branch, Houston

Location: Spring Branch, Houston, TX | Project Type: Full Home Remodel & Structural Reconfiguration

The Challenge: Compartmentalized Layouts and Cramped Spaces Like many original ranch-style homes in Houston’s Spring Branch neighborhood, this property suffered from a heavily compartmentalized, closed-off floor plan. The kitchen was entirely isolated from the main living areas, the utility layout was inefficient, and the primary bathroom was incredibly small. The homeowners desired a simplistic, modernized flow that maximized every square inch of their footprint without adding an exterior extension.

The Solution: Structural Freedom and Seamless Minimalism We executed a major structural reconfiguration, taking down the dividing walls to completely open the living, dining, and kitchen spaces. By streamlining the architecture, we introduced a clean, simplistic aesthetic defined by seamless natural stone and highly customized spatial planning. We also overhauled the primary bathroom, utilizing strategic design techniques and material selections to visually expand the tight dimensions and make the space feel airy and luxurious.

The Details: Hidden Doors and Seamless Stone

Seamless Quartzite Design: The newly opened kitchen is anchored by a breathtaking natural quartzite waterfall island. To create an ultra-clean, minimalist look, we utilized the exact same quartzite slab for the seamless backsplash and custom vent hood.

The Secret Bookcase Door: At the end of the kitchen run, what appears to be a beautiful built-in bookcase is actually a custom hidden door. It swings open to reveal a completely reconfigured laundry room.

Unexpected Pops of Pattern: While the main living spaces rely on a simple, natural palette, opening the hidden door to the laundry room reveals an unexpected, playful pop of bold pattern on the tile floor.

Maximized Primary Bath: We rethought the layout of the cramped en-suite, maximizing the usable space and opening it up to feel significantly larger and more accommodating.

Photography: Gary Griffin

Luxury Home Office Conversion in West University, Houston

Location: West University Place (West U), Houston, TX | Project Type: Single-Room Home Office Renovation

The Challenge: Repurposing Unused Formal Space As the needs of this growing West University family evolved, their traditional formal living room sat unused. They approached Amy Vonderau Interiors with a highly specific, single-room renovation goal: to completely repurpose the formal space into a dedicated, highly functional home office without sacrificing the home's open feel or natural light.

The Solution: A Bright, Private Work-From-Home Sanctuary We transformed the open-concept room into a private, productive sanctuary by enclosing the space with striking architectural elements. The goal was to provide acoustic privacy for working hours while ensuring the room still felt connected to the rest of the home. The result is a sophisticated study that balances ergonomic, modern work-from-home necessities with elevated, luxury design.

The Details: Ergonomics Meets Elevated Design

Custom Sit-Stand Cabinetry: We designed beautiful, custom built-in cabinetry that seamlessly conceals a fully functional sit-stand desk base, allowing the client to maintain ergonomic health without settling for sterile, corporate-looking office furniture.

Glass Steel Doors: To enclose the office, we installed stunning glass and steel doors. This architectural feature provides essential sound privacy during working hours while allowing natural sunlight to continue extending deep into the main house.

Curated Ambiance: We finished the space with new luxury lighting fixtures that elevate the room's aesthetic and provide optimal task lighting for the workday.

Contractor Belmont Custom Homes

Photographer Gary Griffin

Luxury Home Renovation & Reconfiguration in Piney Point, Houston

Location: Piney Point Village (Memorial), Houston, TX | Project Type: Full Home Remodel & Space Planning

The Challenge: Modernizing a 1997 Floor Plan Originally built in 1997, this Piney Point home possessed incredible potential but suffered from an outdated, compartmentalized floor plan that no longer served the clients' lifestyle. While the entire home required fresh finishes and updated bathrooms, the primary focus of this massive overhaul was completely reimagining the kitchen and the primary en-suite to maximize space, flow, and function.

The Solution: Timeless Neutrals and Smart Reconfiguration We completely reconfigured the architectural space plan to allow for a more intuitive, open flow throughout the home. To ensure the investment would age gracefully, the clients opted for a sophisticated, neutral palette that creates a calming, timeless aesthetic. By stripping away the heavy, dated 90s elements and focusing on clean lines and elevated materials, we brought this luxury property firmly into the modern era.

The Details: Dramatic Transformations and New Additions

The Open-Concept Kitchen: We blew open the original, boxed-in kitchen. We completely cleaned up the cabinetry design to provide significantly better, customized storage, and anchored the new open space with a breathtaking, bold natural stone countertop on the island.

Primary Bath Overhaul: The primary bathroom was gutted and entirely reconfigured into a spacious, spa-like retreat that aligns with the home's new luxury standard.

Second-Floor Upgrades: To elevate the home's everyday functionality and entertaining capabilities, we didn't just renovate existing spaces—we added new ones. We carved out a brand-new, dedicated laundry room on the second floor and designed a custom entertainment bar in the upstairs game room.

Builder: Brooks Construction Group

Builder: Brooks Construction Group

Structural Kitchen Expansion & Renovation in Cypress, TX Location: Cypress, TX | Project Type: Structural Kitchen Remodel & Spatial Expansion

The Challenge: Trapped by a Traditional Layout Before the renovation, this home suffered from a classic, compartmentalized layout: a cramped kitchen cut off from the rest of the house, sitting adjacent to a separate, underutilized formal dining room. The clients needed a significantly larger footprint to cook and entertain, and they wanted a design that moved away from the standard "all-white" aesthetic to make a bold, sophisticated statement.

The Solution: Blowing Through the Walls To give the clients the kitchen of their dreams, we executed a major structural reconfiguration. We completely blew through the dividing walls, absorbing the formal dining room and extending the kitchen's footprint directly into the newly opened space. This massive expansion transformed two chopped-up rooms into one expansive, open-concept culinary and entertaining hub.

The Details: Bold Color and Tactile Textures

The Perfect Pairing: We moved away from safe neutrals, anchoring the massive new space with striking, bold green custom cabinetry. To balance the cool tones of the green, we paired it beautifully with warm, custom stain-grade wood cabinets.

Elevated Architectural Details: To add a layer of bespoke, high-end luxury, we integrated beautiful fluting and textural wood accents into the millwork. These tactile details elevate the design from a standard kitchen remodel into a highly curated, architectural space.

Maximized Flow: By expanding into the dining room, we were able to incorporate a massive island, creating an intuitive workflow and an inviting gathering space for family and guests.

Builder: Brooks Construction Group

Builder: Brooks Construction Group

One of the original developments in the Woodlands is the Panther Creek area. Built in 1985 this original kitchen had a formal dining, small kitchen & even smaller breakfast area, check out the before photos below. By opening up the kitchen, raising the ceilings this new design is not only aesthetically more modern but highly functional. All details were thought through and designed from a whole baking station where the breakfast room once was to easily accessible spice drawers cook top island now overlooking the living room. Every last inch was considered and used for either kitchen storage or displayed shelves for cook books.

Contractor: Premium Home Remodeling

Before & afters:

Contractor: Brooks Construction Group, LLC