Based in (of all places) Houston, Steve Howard proves that geography doesn’t have to dictate design.

Growing up the son of a “rocket scientist for NASA and a housewife with a job at the high school,” Steve Howard wasn’t exposed to architecture and design concepts as a young boy. Still, he could hear his calling quite clearly. “It’s just who I am,” he says. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do since I was 4 years old.”

A native Texan, Howard enrolled at Texas A&M University and received a degree in environmental design. Immediately he set to work designing such no-frills structures as boat slips and RV parks, and later segued into upscale law offices and high-rise buildings. Finally in 1993, after serving his time, he established his own firm, which specializes in high-end residential projects. “I never want to go back to doing hardcore commercial [architecture],” says the designer whose titles not only include owner and founder of Steve Howard Designs, but also architectural designer/interior designer/lighting designer. And he’ll be the first one to make a joke about all those slashes.

Greatly enjoying the creative freedom that comes with this sphere of the design field, Howard boasts a portfolio that includes a second home near Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort and an abode in Bermuda (that he can’t talk about, making in that much more intriguing). Closer to home, he has outfitted several Houston penthouses and from-the-ground-up dwellings with his clean-lined and functional style. In addition, he has explored the world of renovations, but says he’s “cured of old houses.” “You have to be on your toes during a renovation,” he adds, “because everything you think won’t happen will. Many times a wall doesn’t really exist because termites have gotten to it before you did.”

One of his latest projects, a 5,700-sq.-ft. town home, is going very smoothly, however—probably because Howard has been working with the owners for five years, starting with their beach house in Galveston, Tex. Howard sometimes refers to this newer undertaking as the “natural house” because of its organic ingredients (espresso-finished oak and Mediterranean limestone countertops). This natural nest also features a pool on the second floor and a European contemporary disposition—a characteristic that most of his designs have in common.

Europe is, in fact, where Howard draws much of his inspiration, admitting: “Houston isn’t a real big design city in the first place. I say it’s about 10 years behind Paris.” To bridge that gap, the designer jaunts across the pond a few times each year bringing back new design ideas as his own personal souvenirs. And though he doesn’t impose his own tastes on his clients’ blueprints, he does like to expand upon them, making education one of his biggest priorities. “That’s a big hurdle, getting the client up to date on what’s current and what’s going to stay current for a longer period of time.”

Howard also concentrates on making sure the plans match the person. “I like to tap into their personalities and know who they are,” he says. “Then I take [the design] 10 steps farther.” Often times the resulting proposal calls for a chair or table so specific that Howard has added another title to his long list: furniture designer. (In the future, he would love his résumé to include restaurant and hotel designer as well.) “The style of my furniture is soft contemporary with clean lines and luxurious fabrics, which you might find more from a Seattle designer versus what you’d find on the East Coast,” he says.

But above all else, Howard notes, “People live in houses, not on the street.” Which is why he focuses so much time and energy ensuring the client’s lifestyle is as much at home as the client himself.

To Learn More

Steve Howard Designs, 713.283.0777, www.stevehowarddesigns.com.