Inspired by the Flora and Fauna of the Gulf Coast, Virginia Tupker Infuses a Historic Houston Home with Natural Wonder

A late-1930s River Oaks house with traditional architecture is refreshed through nature-inspired design choices. Squirrels become a central decorative theme in a powder-room vestibule, appearing among other woodland creatures on walls and ceilings through a grid of antique Audubon prints. The homeowner and designer emphasize both historical design knowledge and openness to fun. Additional custom elements include a home bar inspired by a London members-only club, executed with Russian cotton and brass lighting. The overall result blends pedigree and sophistication with unexpected charm and whimsy throughout the home.

"Squirrels are an unlikely hero in any decorating story, but in this Houston home, they-fluffy of tail, sprightly of character-were heroes nonetheless. "The clients love nature, and the clients also especially love squirrels," says their designer, Virginia Tupker. That's a playful turn for this pedigreed property in Houston's leafy River Oaks neighborhood. The late-1930s house was designed by Birdsall P. Briscoe, among the architects whose work helped usher the city from its modest roots into an era of unchecked grandeur."

"They now appear crawling amid other woodland creatures up the walls and ceiling of their powder-room vestibule via a grid of antique Audubon prints, all carefully arranged with art consultant Illa Gaunt ("I just adore those little zany creatures!" the homeowner says). "From the outside you think you know what it will hold inside," Tupker says of the gracious faade. "But in fact, this house is full of surprises.""

""One of the great things about Virginia is that while she has a serious eye and a serious knowledge of historical design, and she is very sophisticated in her application of everything, she also is very open to fun and whimsy," says the homeowner. So alongside meeting her clients' fervent desire for those squirrels, Tupker brought so much more. Among the family's now satisfied requests was a home bar inspired by the one at members-only club 5 Hertford Street in Mayfair, London (here, it's tented in Russian cotton and lit by a sparkling brass Soane Britain lantern)."

Read at Architectural Digest