It’s an all too common problem when parents are faced with their children moving away and then having children of their own. Suddenly you have to make a choice between the life you’ve built for yourself and the lives they’re building. Certainly there are holidays and birthdays and, these days, all manner of video chat technology that allow parents to be with their children
and grandchildren from afar, but to be there in their lives is a special privilege that is hard to pass up. It isn’t all sacrifice either. Making this choice offers a magnificent opportunity for reinvention especially when it comes to your new home life.
Recently a couple from the McAllen and Brownsville area found
themselves faced with this choice and decided to take the leap. They sold their home and their business and relocated to Houston. Not only would they be fixtures in their grandchildren’s lives, but a great piece of luck would give them the opportunity to enjoy sprawling views of downtown Houston and beyond from the Kirby building. Luckier still, Bernbaum/Magadini archi-
tects would provide the design, skill, and ingenuity to give them a spectacular modern living space that takes full advantage of their vantage point above the city.
Bruce Bernbaum recalled “The project was actually brought to us by Marilyn Rolnick,” the celebrated Dallas interior designer
who sadly passed in 2022, “(The couple) purchased a portion of the penthouse floor. The penthouse was originally designed as one unit. (At this point the original owner had only) framed out some metal studs for the walls, and then something happened and the property/floor came back on the market. Our client basically got about two thirds of it. In our design we shifted the spaces to really focus on the view for everyone from the living room.”
Completely shifting a floor plan, especially rotating the living room and master bedroom spaces, is a challenging enough task, but when you’re doing it in a high rise building it comes with an entirely different set of obstacles. The primary issue is the plumbing. Everything put in place for the master bathroom now has to be relocated to the other side of the floor plan, and vice versa for the kitchen which shares the space with the open floor plan living room. Thankfully, another piece of luck made this
possible, as the neighbor living below the penthouse had a vacation planned. “We negotiated with the gentleman who owned the floor below, and he went out of town for a month or two, and the contractor went in there and took out ceilings, moved plumbing lines, and put ceilings back in…what isn’t shown in the space-one of the bigger engineering feats- there is a core where we created a mechanical room on a mezzanine level to
house all of the plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning.”
Bruce continued “Our client depended on the interior designer and us to do the space planning, and then Marilyn and her team focused on selecting the materials and finishes. We did a lot of work on the architectural details, the functional planning, detailing out how the wine refrigerator would work because
that is a custom unit. Just working with the client to facilitate their dreams.” The careful planning and decades of expertise amongst everyone involved, whether seen or unseen, is evident from room to room and beyond the glass that encircles the living room. It begins as soon as you step in the front door.
One of the signatures of the penthouse is the remarkable walls
of stone you find throughout, which begin in the foyer, and which required everyone involved to truly capture the beauty of the stone itself and create a stunning, majestic space. “When Marilyn chose to do the stone walls we would go back and figure out the detailing for that and work with the lighting designer, Suzanne Branch of LuM Architectural Lighting Design, on how to create a cove for the light well and how to light the wall.” The
stone walls brilliantly pair with the views through the windows to create an all-around showcase of natural wonder with clean modern lines to frame all of it. However, the breathtaking views aren’t just relegated to the public areas of the penthouse. The master bath, which was turned around to favor the view for the living room, still offers magnificent sightlines on either side of the mirror at the vanity, as well as from the bathtub.
Of course, there are some man-made pieces to enjoy as well. In addition to the art collection, Dallas glass artist Carlyn Ray crafted the custom chandelier over the dining room table on the right side of the living room, as well as the textured plane-like pendants on the left. Their colors match the carefully placed pops of warmer reds and oranges that help to give the more contemporary whites, blacks, and greys a more welcoming palette to play off of. Whether in the fabric of the dining chairs or
the bold background of a Warhol it’s a wonderful approach to create a cozier atmosphere while still maintaining an elegant air.
The entire project took eighteen months to complete- six on the design phase and then a year of construction. “It was a gamble flipping the plan around, which the owners didn’t really think about until we started working on the design and saying ‘Here’s the glory shot, and here’s how these spaces should work.’ We had some challenges, but we had some good opportunities to
overcome them for the success of the unit.” Success is putting mildly. Their work has created an absolutely unforgettable living space. The windows will likely show more than a few smudges from grandchildren pressing their faces against them, but as they grow they’ll certainly come to appreciate everything they’re surrounded by, especially their grandparents.
// bmarchitects.com
Get Inspired
Two incredible shows of artists are exhibiting at the Cris Worly Fine Arts Gallery. Charlotte Smith’s and Adrian Esparza’s art will be on display through August 2, 2025.
Adrian Esparza has been deconstructing a Sarape, a blanket or shawl, for years. Esparza pulls the Sarape apart and repropses the thread to wooden structures by nailing and wrapping the dyed churro wool yarn. A Sarape is a culturally relevant object
to Mexico and former Mexican territories in the United States.
A blend of Navajo and Spanish cultures influenced the current style of the Sarape. This blanket has several symbolic meanings, but a dominant association is with Mexican independence from Spain or the pride of being from Mexico. Esparza moves past the nail art to begin incorporating the lines of wool in paint.
Why would Esparza deconstruct a Sarape to make a new
piece of art? This unweaving of strands is politically charged. A symbol of Mexico taken apart and reassembled can’t be a mundane act of vandalism. The deconstruction doesn’t have the same ironic wink that Jasper Johns’ American Flag paintings had either. Esparza is not randomly picking yarn, but rather using these strings from an already meaningfully charged object. A popular object that has so much demand that Esparza found the Sarape was also being produced in India. Symbol of
local ideas can’t escape globalism. I think Esparza is using the Sarape to recontextualize the meaning. He makes flat abstract shapes. Past works employed perspective shapes found in Western Renaissance paintings. Other works reflect High Modernist minimal shapes with a hint of color. Don’t forget, patterns and simple shapes are found on textiles and pottery. These simple abstracts are as meaningful as the Modernist paintings. The viewer’s knowledge of the Sarape helps to appreciate the
work, but I enjoyed the work even before I knew the backstory. I enjoy working embedded in paint. I think this gives the work a further connection to the tradition of Western painting, while retaining the deconstructed craft of using yarn. Espariza reminds us that a transfer from one idea to another doesn’t negate the old idea, but rather reinterprets the ideas in light of the contemporary condition.
Yarn, string, and fiber arts are having a moment. Medieval tapestries were the high art, above paintings. Fiber art could reclaim dominance. Wait, many paintings have been on canvas. Fiber dominance never really left. The Impressionists, like other later Modernists, sometimes embraced that canvas peeking through.
Charlotte Smith’s paintings are in the next gallery space. If you are interested in someone who creates abstract works that take patience to produce, Smith is your artist. Subtle build-up of paint has been Smith’s legacy. I have seen other artists attempt the pile-up of paint like Smith, but none have come close to her skill and dedication to her craft. This body of artwork is an all-over abstraction peppered with areas of detail. Smith’s paintings
leave plenty of space for quiet contemplation. A great abstract painting can capture your attention in three stages. First, you are captured by her work from a distance. Smith hooks you with muted colors. Then you start to walk towards the work. The texture emerges from the full composition of well-disturbed elements. Finally, you are drawn in for a close inspection. This provided the fine details and inventive mark-making from her
processes. I enjoy a painting that gives you more as you move in for closer inspection. Midnight Drift is the boldest in color. She uses rich blues to draw the viewer closer. Of course, you might also be looking for a bit more meaning in these paintings. I think Smith’s interest in the sciences, like physics, comes across in the work. I am reminded of Scott Barber’s interest in representing abstract images of his cancer cells. A sublime ap-
// adrian esparza, bundle, 2025 sarape, wood, enamel 42h x 82w in
proach to abstraction, but it was related to biological processes. Adrian Esparza in the front gallery and Charlotte Smith in the middle gallery will provide a much-needed summer think space. Get out into the hot weather and enjoy some art by two very thoughtful artists.
// crisworley
On any given evening or weekend, Los Colinas is a 15 minute drive from Dallas and offers a 4 star get away at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel which has recently completed a redesign of of all their 421 guestrooms, a transformation of their resort-style poolscape, waterfront lounge, and new dining concepts.
Perched on the banks of Lake Carolyn, this renovation continues to honor the unique character of the master-planned community shaped by ranching heritage. Once affectionately known as El Ranchito de Las Colinas by original landowners John W. Carpenter and his wife, Flossie, the area has evolved into a symbol
of entrepreneurial spirit and urban sophistication. That spirit is carried into the redesigned guestrooms and suites, which incorporate warm neutral tones, natural woods, and soft dusty blues to reflect the surrounding hills, native wildlife, and peaceful waters.
Curated abstract artwork, and brass accents add texture and
refinement, while intuitive layouts create a sense of modern comfort. In the Governor and Presidential Suites, original floor-to-ceiling green marble bathrooms have been thoughtfully preserved, adding a dramatic and timeless touch.
Engage Educate Experience Enjoy
The Dallas Architecture Forum is for everyone who wants to experience inspired design. The Forum presents an award-winning Lecture Series that brings outstanding architects,interior designers, landscape architects and urban planners from around the world, as well as Symposia, Receptions at architecturally significant residences, and Panel Discussions on issues impacting North Texas.
The Presidential Suite offers sleek, modern furnishings with touches of Texas elegance, equally suited for hosting or recharging in this expansive living area with a pool table, grand piano, and multiple social spaces including dining table for eight, buffet cabinet and a dramatic green marble enveloped bathroom, an
original feature of the hotel preserved for its timeless appeal and floor-to-ceiling windows with skyline views.
The previous renovation introduced a true lakeside resort-style experience with The Lakehouse Waterfront Lounge & Pool
Deck, featuring daybeds, fire pits, private cabanas and a 10,700-square-foot outdoor event lawn. It also debuted three new dining concepts: LRH Restaurant & Bar, offering elevated Texas-style cuisine in a sleek, modern setting; Flossie’s, a relaxed breakfast and weekend brunch destination inspired by the area’s ranching roots and named after the original landowners;
and Over the Counter (OTC), Omni’s first gourmet market concept serving hand-crafted espresso drinks and locally curated snacks.
“This renovation marks a defining moment for Omni Las Colinas as we continue to evolve with our community,” said Anthony
Buttafuoco, Omni Las Colinas General Manager. “By revitalizing every guestroom and suite, we’ve elevated the entire guest experience while remaining true to the spirit of Las Colinas. This transformation is a reflection of our long-term investment in this neighborhood and our role as a lifestyle destination in the heart of Irving.”
Whether you need a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life or a weekend getaway, the Omni Los Calinas has the luxury style and comfort to recharge your night or weekend..
// omnihotels.com
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