Stunning River Oaks Mansion With a French Twist Hosts Houston’s Hottest New Society — A Crown Jewel Of the Neighborhood

Houston’s fledgling chapter of the French Heritage Society enjoyed a notable coup as the first group to be invited into the historic River Oaks home of Susan Sarofim. A Francophile in her own right, Sarofim unveiled the remarkable results of four years of restoration and interior design by the internationally celebrated Timothy Corrigan, who happens to be the chairman of Houston’s French Society.

This was his second sojourn to Houston on behalf of the society. Corrigan visited the Bayou City in April to launch the local chapter. The fall event that spread throughout the house and annex and into the surrounding terraces was co-chaired by Hallie Vanderhider and Frederic de Joybert.

Francophiles to the core Sarofim has long had an affection for all things French and Corrigan has a celebrated home in Paris where he also has an interior design office in addition to his base in Los Angeles. The designer is now into owning his fourth chateau in France.

The well-heeled clutch of some 150 Houstonians was awed by the transformation of the Spanish Revival mansion designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram in 1926 for the Cleveland Sewall family. It was the second house built in River Oaks and is considered one of the crown jewels of the posh neighborhood.

“The act of restoring a house, any landmark like this, is very much in keeping with the work of the French Heritage Society,” Corrigan says. “The French Heritage Society was founded in 1982 as a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the rich architectural and cultural heritage of France as well as sponsoring transatlantic cultural exchange.”

In the desire to maintain the architectural integrity of the house, Sarofim and Corrigan tapped Stern and Bucek Architects for the sensitive project that required four years to complete. The result is a masterpiece of timeless elegance that gracefully salutes the historic significance of the mansion.

The ambience of the evening was that of la belle France as French music wafted throughout while wait staff from Tony’s restaurant circulated with trays of hors d’oeuvres and champagne. In one corner of the garden, a lavish buffet of French-inspired food beckoned to guests who found seating at floral decked tables scattered across the elegant terrace.

“You don’t have to speak a word of French. You don’t have to have French blood. Simply, if there is something that you love about France, the French Heritage Society is for you,” Corrigan says.

As incentive to join, everyone who attended this night were gifted with Corrigan’s beautiful coffee table book At Home in France: Inspiration and Style in Town and Country when they departed. Tucked inside was a membership application for the French Heritage Society.

PC Seen: Consul General of France Frank Marchetti, Isabel and Danny David, Joan Schnitzer, Whitney and Jim Crane, Joella and Steve Mach, Joanne King Herring, Phyllis Williams, Ceron, Amy and Neil Leibman, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Becky de Joybert, Robert Sakowitz, Bobby Dees, Kathy de la Mora, Melissa Sugulas, and Zane and Brady Carruth.

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