BRAVAS Case Study:

English Charm

in Houston Heights

"Marie Flanigan, an award-winning interior designer, was presented with a challenge when designing her dream home in the Historic Houston Heights region of Houston, Texas. As the houses in the area are built quite close to each other, BRAVAS utilized Lutron automated shades to aid Marie in achieving the ideal balance of privacy and natural light."

Marie teamed up with BRAVAS Houston and bespoke window coverings brand Hartmann & Forbes to incorporate automation seamlessly into each shade, with the use of custom handwoven fabrics designed exclusively for the project.

I knew my home would be a very large install with lots of details; however, I felt incredibly confident in Kevin and the BRAVAS team we assembled for measuring and installation. A lot of my windows, like the very large kitchen window, required multiple panels, so precision was key. With the measurements, the Hartmann & Forbes team was able to create perfect symmetry between panels, and BRAVAS ensured that all panels were raised and lowered equally.
For my home, windows and natural light were an imperative design element. Windows were one of my biggest investments in the home, and I knew it would take a special partner to help me harness the natural light that I desired. That said, with so many windows throughout the home, it was very important to include automation. The shades are set to a timer making the ability to open and close the shades seamless. We have an abundance of light during the day when the shades are raised, and at night, we’re able to enjoy privacy while closed.

To accentuate and not distract from Marie’s incredible design, we focused on products that were both functional and beautiful. Instead of large ceiling speakers, we chose James Small Aperture speakers designed to match the architectural lighting, providing a clean and uncluttered ceiling. To avoid banks of plastic light switches we specified Lutron Alisse keypads in an aged brass finish. The Alisse keypads add a European sophistication to the space with the warmth of real brass and a timeless design, while also removing undesirable clutter from the walls. A Savant Control System was incorporated to control every aspect of the home.

"In my industry, experience matters, especially as it relates to windows, window coverings, installation, and automation. Automating shades is incredibly nuanced, as there is so much to consider in each install. Partnering with an expert integrator like BRAVAS, allowed me to incorporate automation technology into this project while still honoring the design of the space."

- Marie Flanigan

Read more about Marie and this project in Architectural Digest.