La Bella Vita Found in a Houston Midrise

By Kiley Faulkner

For this longtime couple, finding a new home meant finding the perfect place to start their second act. That place, as it turns out, was Giorgetti Houston—the design-forward condo concept bringing a slice of Italy to Upper Kirby.

Designer living takes on new meaning at Giorgetti Houston, the city’s buzziest residential concept to date. A work of art in itself, the boutique building is the inaugural collaboration between Italian furniture maker Giorgetti, developer Stolz Partners, architecture firm Mirador Group and real estate brokerage giant Douglas Elliman. And, for local couple Randy Mitchmore and Michael Horner, it’s the place they call home. “We’ve been together for nearly two decades,” says Mitchmore, “so when our daughter got married and moved to San Antonio, and our beloved cat passed away, we knew it was time to make some life changes.” Looking to avoid the exorbitant HOA fees often associated with a high-rise and the many headaches that come with single-home ownership, the couple saw the midrise as their best housing option. Yet in a city with an abundance of stunning neighborhoods and a thriving real estate market, finding their perfect match was no easy feat.

Two statement pieces from Giorgetti anchor the study: the Barry desk chair and the Tenet desk.

In the living room, a Giorgetti Move armchair and Poltrona Frau Let It Be sectional sit atop a Kymo rug.

Of all the choices, Giorgetti Houston stood out among the rest, for several reasons. Comprising 32 units, the sevenstory, midrise condo complex sits in the desirable Upper Kirby neighborhood, within walking distance to top-notch shops and restaurants. Th e development also off ered the nontraditional design elements Mitchmore and Horner craved. “We did not want the traditional, cookie-cutter layout,” explains Mitchmore. “We chose Giorgetti for its unique Italian interior and exterior design.” Seeing as they’ve toured Giorgetti’s factory outside Milan, Mitchmore and his husband are more than familiar with the iconic furniture manufacturer. “We learned that modern Italian decor no longer means sleek, shiny, black surfaces. Today’s Italian look is rich with high-quality textiles, earthy colors and natural surfaces like wood and stone.” The pair had accumulated quite the collection of furnishings over the years, including many pieces by Giorgetti, so the designer’s namesake residential space seemed like a well-suited fit.

While every kitchen is equipped with Giorgetti cabinetry and Gaggenau appliances, Mitchmore and Horner furnished theirs with Giorgetti’s Ode bar stools and Leaf pendant lights.

Aside from the property’s overall design and distinctly European ethos, Mitchmore and Horner were drawn to the thoughtfully planned nature of each individual space within the residence—not to mention the high-end fixtures and finishings that come standard with each unit. “What we love about our Giorgetti living space is the chef-grade Gaggenau kitchen appliances, the open floor plan and the high ceilings,” says Mitchmore. “We’ve also come to love the outdoor kitchen and large terrace. After a busy day doing our own separate things, we can relax outside and have meaningful conversations over cocktails, with views of mature live oaks and the city skyline.” Known to indulge their wanderlust, the couple especially appreciate the condo’s smart-home technology that allows them to control their lights, music, TV, temperature and window shades from anywhere in the world. With these luxe amenities, paired with its striking aesthetic and handcrafted interiors, Giorgetti Houston is setting the new standard in condo living.

Giorgetti’s Progetti armchairs were the perfect fi t for this moody corner in the study.