Specters, Spirits — and Chic Design? Take a Look Inside this Funeral Parlor for Some Unexpected Inspo

Specters, Spirits — and Chic Design? Take a Look Inside this Funeral Parlor for Some Unexpected Inspo

The arrangement office

NEAR BEAUMONT, THERE is a small town called Nederland, home to Broussard's Mortuary, a 133-year-old funeral parlor with a fifth-generation owner — and, as of recently, surprisingly chic interiors.


The Broussard family tapped well known Houston designer Gin Braverman — the force behind some of the most recognizable hospitality spaces in the city, like Traveler's Table, Saigon Hustle, Eunice and Common Bond — to give the business a new aesthetic. Elements of the century-old building were preserved, like ornamental wainscoting and reeded glass, while more modern touches — as in abstract art and mid-century club chairs — lend a contemporary look.

As for the color scheme, Braverman and her team at Gin Design Group pulled from a palette of jewel tones, aubergine and plum, and added additional warmth and interest in the form of textured fabrics (boucle, velvet) and wood. The end result is an elegant and contemplative space in which reflection and commemoration will come natural.

“People deserve to be celebrated in style,” says Braverman. “Broussard’s has a long history of family ownership and they felt the interiors should reflect their commitment to remembering the deceased in a beautiful setting.”

The visiting room

The visiting room

The lounge

The lounge

The lounge

Reception

The arrangement office

The chapel foyer

The restroom

Home + Real Estate

Morris Smith, Tilman Fertitta and Toni Smith

THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.

Keep Reading Show less
Party People

EVEN THOUGH WE hope things cool down outside, some folks in Houston are about to get even hotter with the arrival of trendy fitness studio Ritual One next month in Uptown Park. The Dallas-based concept will offer classes like Power Sculpt, Hot Pilates, Power Yoga, Inferno Flow, and Inferno HIIT — all taking place in its infrared-heated studios.

Keep Reading Show less
Style