Renowned Houston-based architect William “Bill” Curtis of Curtis & Windham Architects spoke before a packed house of designers, vendors and shoppers about the firm’s countryside projects, including his family’s own weekend retreat in Central Texas, as part of the Speaker Series At The Halles in Round Top during the Spring 2022 Antiques & Design Show.

Presented by co-host Greg Schenck, membership chair of the Houston committee of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, Curtis waxed poetic about the joys of country life in the heart of the Lone Star State. 

“The things we love about being out here are probably the same things that you all love,” Curtis says of the Central Texas experience, “We revel in the sun rises and sunsets. We all love the bluebonnets, which are kind of like our ocean once a year.” 

Curtis went on to describe the basic needs he keeps in mind when designing country homes.

“There are several things that are important to have,” he says. “A great place to sit. A great view. You also have to have shade. And you have to have a breeze.” 

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Curtis & Windham designed home in Burton. (Photograph by Paul Hester)

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Goodthyme Farm: designed by Curtis & Windham Architects in Bellville. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clinton)

Curtis & Windham’s projects in Fayette, Washington and Austin counties tick all the boxes on this must-haves list while also delivering quietly stunning facades and outbuildings that speak directly to the mid-1800s Central Texas vernacular. Curtis notes that the firm’s goal with country home renovations and new builds is to stay as true to any existing original structures as possible.  

Among the group’s recent local projects that exemplify this design philosophy are Bailey and Pete McCarthy’s Goodthyme Farm in Bellville and a stately abode in Burton. 

Members of the rapt audience included Austin Wilson of the ICAA, Avery Cox and Helen Cox, Shawna Bridgman and Beth Neely of Smithville General Store,Mary Malik and Kristy Geary of Materials Marketing, Marianna Giblin and Ellen Morris. Members of the Curtis family were also on hand for support, including Bill’s wife Jane and daughters Lucy and Hannah Curtis. Kathy Young joined local business owners Marla Hurely of Modern Marla, Dana Vidal of Topped Hats, and Greg Forticq of Red Antler Bungalows. Also in attendance were Zoe Bonnette, Janet Gridley, Hill and Mary Swift, Gretchen Hicks, Tense Vitali, Debra Marziale, Corrine Rotan and Esther Gamez of Ester Gamez Jewelry. Halles dealer Cheryl Long of Pure West, Melanie Jorden, Jan Carroll, Jesica Beken and Ashley Mitchell also sat in on the talk.

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Hill and Mary Swift, Greg Schenck

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Austin Wilson, Greg Schenck

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Curtis family: Lucy, Hannah, Bill and Jane

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Avery Cox, Helen Cox

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Jan Carroll, Zoe Bonnette, Jesica Beken

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Gretchen Hicks, Tense Vitali

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Bill and Jane Curtis

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Kathy Young, Marla Hurley, Dana Vidal

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Greg Forticq

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Marianna Giblin, Ellen Morris

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Mary Malik, Kristy Geary, Greg Schenck

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Cheryl Long

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Debra Marziale

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Corinne Rotan, Esther Gamez

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Shawna Bridgman, Beth Neely

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Melanie Jordan, Kathy Young, Jan Carroll, Ashley Mitchell, Jesica Beken