Paper City Houston Design Awards - Retail Winner (2025)

Last Call Ice Cream is a Houston-based dessert shop founded by Allen Ebadat, whose family has been in the ice cream business since 1958 in Iran. The shop began as a food truck in 2018 and has since expanded to a brick-and-mortar location in Katy, Texas. Last Call blends traditional Persian recipes with inventive, modern twists, offering a range of distinctive flavors, including saffron pistachio bastani, cream bastani and faloodeh. The menu also features rotating vegan options made with a coconut base, such as vegan pistachio and German chocolate.

The interior design concept draws inspiration from Persian desserts, specifically rose and pistachio flavors, reflected in the shop’s main colors of pink and green. Artisan tiles add a focal point behind the counter, highlighting Persian design lineage. Mirrors along the walls bring light into the space and direct attention to the counter, while globe lighting playfully nods to ice cream scoops, adding sparkle and warmth.

Last Call Ice Cream is designed to be a welcoming community gathering spot, bringing the rich culinary traditions of Persian desserts to a diverse audience while maintaining a contemporary, inviting atmosphere.

The transformation of the lobby space within The Woodlands Towers at the Waterway is a product of Howard Hughes’ commitment to providing the highest quality design and amenities within The Woodlands, TX. The project scope included the introduction of a new food and beverage operator, Bluestone Lane, as well as new lighting, furniture and plants throughout the lobby.

Our design approach centered around creating a harmonious fusion of Bluestone Lane's ethos with the elegance of the existing space. A carefully curated color palette was employed in the kiosk materials and the ancillary furniture to complement both the Bluestone Lane aesthetic and the architectural elements of the lobby. Natural woods and caramel tones, prominently featured in the kiosk screen, dining chairs, and select lounge furniture, imbue the space with warmth and texture. Shades of blue echo the Bluestone Lane brand and The Woodlands’ iconic Waterway, weaving the two concepts together. The introduction of lush greenery on a grand scale anchors the space by defining lounge groupings, while also creating a symbolic and literal connection to nature.

Through meticulous attention to detail and a keen understanding of the client's vision, the lobby has become a destination, rather than a pass-through. This space not only celebrates the essence of the Bluestone Lane brand but has also enhanced the overall experience of the space for tenants and visitors alike.

Primary Photograghy: Mariella & Luis Ayala

Secondary Photography: Marcel Merwin

Done in collaboration with A. Oxford Studio.

Houston coworking concept in the Heights

Candle Bar concept in the Heights

This boutique hotel is unique to Texas. It’s eclectic palette caters to clientele that value authentic experiences but don’t want to skimp on luxury and service.

The interior refresh is tailored to it’s Museum District location which is more theatrical and opulent. There are two guestroom palettes. One is rich and bold - Modern Renaissance, while the other is light and bright with pops of color, Hollywood Baroque. Both designs continue the classical language already within the hotel but do so in a new and elevated way. The headboard resembles a collection of antique picture frames, the integrated nights stands are fluted like Greek columns, the lighting sparkles, and the textiles are painterly and plush.

Architect: HR Design Dept

This soon-to-be boutique hotel is a historic 1920s brick building located right on Park City’s Main Street. It is in the progress of becoming an exclusive 14-key boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar on the bottom floors.

The aesthetic of the interior is curated and eclectic. There are traditional elements pulled from the building’s historical context, as well as contemporary motifs taken from Park City’s vibrant art scene. The architectural elements, like the brick walls and wood floors are highlighted with thoughtful restoration, while fun forms and pops of color are layered into the interior using furniture and art. The juxtaposition between traditional and contemporary, and old and new, constructs the narrative of Park City as a lively community and global destination.

“Located on an ideal site featuring sandy soils and rolling topography near Aiken, South Carolina, The Tree Farm seeks to bring to life a transcendent modern golf experience that respects, amplifies, and blends in with the natural landscape. The masterplan and buildings for the project all work toward creating simple, thoughtful spaces that are rooted in and responsive to the place, climate, culture, and rich history of the game.

A simple material palette blends with the natural surroundings, including wood sourced from on-site, local reclaimed brick, and Corten roofs that dissolve at the edge.

Interior spaces like the Bar/Grill and Locker Rooms thoughtfully gather views and light, creating intimate places for gathering at multiple scales under timber framed vaults.” - WAL Studio

Cabins take on their own unique aesthetics based on their location and room type. The material palettes are simple and refined to provide a comfortable, yet grounding experience completely focused on the golf.

Presentation and renderings done in collaboration with WAL Studio and RiversBarden Architects.

For more information, please visit -

https://wal-studio.com/the-tree-farm

This home is settled in a forested area of the Texas Hill Country. The owners wanted to embrace a Texas regionalist style by utilizing local materials and embracing Texas ranch forms. The interior is warm, yet contemporary. Simple plaster walls highlight the views beyond and natural materials bring the outdoors in.

Done in collaboration with Revere Architecture.