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
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less

THE CORINTHIAN WAS the scene for a haunted happening benefiting Children’s Museum Houston. The decidedly adult bash was filled with dark allure, gothic glamour, and generosity to the tune of $1.14 million, the second-highest total in the event’s history.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

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