When guests walk into Latuli, they may not know that every element, from the hand-troweled plaster walls to the terracotta lamps overhead, was chosen with purpose. But they can feel it. Located in the Memorial neighborhood, the style of Latuli is a collaboration between co-owner Allison Knight, chef Bryan Caswell, and Alfredo Paredes Studio. "I've had so many people tell me it feels like they're sitting in someone's home," Knight said. "That's exactly how I want them to feel."
The idea for Latuli took shape over a period of more than three years. "The design part probably took about 27 months," Knight said. "It started as a much smaller project in our heads." But once the team chose the site and brought in Paredes, known for his layered interiors and narrative style, the scale expanded.
The restaurant features custom-built furniture and a layout that feels inviting. "All the tables are custom," said Knight. "The chairs are Alfredo's design, but we had a different vendor make them." The design choices strike a balance between beautiful design and practical needs. "Bryan and I worked on the floor plan together," she added. "He was very focused on the functionality of everything. I didn't think about things like how many swipes the fabric could take. He brought that perspective."
Caswell's culinary influence is evident throughout the space, especially in the visual language of land and sea. "We tried to weave both of our stories together," Knight said. "He's very much a water person, so we tried to bring in those elements, the fish, the materials, to complement that." The theme carries into the bar, which features artwork tied to hunting, fishing, and rodeo culture. "The bar is definitely in high demand," Knight noted. "But people love the main dining room too. It feels comfortable."
Latuli's art collection also holds personal meaning, with approximately 30 percent of the pieces coming from Knight's home. "My husband loves John P. Cowan and has been collecting his work for a while," she said. "I love Fritz Scholder and Alex Katz. We also included two signed Picasso prints, because I am a big Picasso person." Some pieces had been in storage. "The cow prints were actually in our guest room closet. I laid everything out and asked my husband, 'Which ones are off limits?' It seemed silly not to share them."
That approach to an elevated ambiance extends to how the restaurant works for all types of diners. The space is refined but not rigid. "It's meant to be welcoming for kids and families," Knight said. "We worked hard to make sure it's functional and not just beautiful." That philosophy is especially visible on the patio, which includes lawn games and space to linger.
Even the name Latuli was chosen with family in mind; it comes from the first two letters of Knight's three children's names: Lawson, Tucker, and Lillie. But the focus of the restaurant wasn't just on telling her own story. "I want people to forget they're in Houston when they walk in," she said. "I want them to feel like they're somewhere else, maybe on vacation, wherever this reminds them of."
Much of the material sourcing was local to Houston and Texas. Gas lanterns were created by a Houston artist, Sheryl Stringer. Doro, a local woodworker, made beams and breadboards. "They made all of the cutting boards and the serving boards, too," Knight said. "Their crew was here seven days a week at one point, and they take so much pride in their work."
In the end, nothing was too small to consider. The team collaborated on tile patterns, lighting, acoustics, and even the feel of the menus. "We just wanted every detail to feel intentional, and for the space to last."
Latuli is not trying to recreate any one place. Instead, it holds space for memory, for comfort, and for a kind of personal luxury that doesn't exclude anyone. "I hesitate to call the design anything specific," Knight said. "Everyone has something in their head, and that's what I want them to feel." latuli.com