About
A studio at the beginning.
One designer, a short list of trusted trades, and a genuine hunger for the next house.
It started with my own house, and it hasn't really stopped.
I bought my house while I was in cancer treatment and renovated it as I got well. It was not a sensible time to take on a house. But choosing tile on the days I could stand up, and watching a room become something better than it was, gave me somewhere to put all of it — and I fell for every part of the process: the drawings, the demolition, the dust, the moment the light finally lands right.
I've renovated homes of my own before that one, and I'm still working on this one. So I'll be honest about where I am: this studio is new, and you would be early. What you get for that is my whole attention — I draw every plan myself, I'm on site every day, and I'd rather over-explain a decision than let you find out about it after the fact.
The name comes from the prickly pear that grew through the fence line and refused to leave. Tough, a little unruly, quietly beautiful once a year. It felt about right.
Who you're working with
Florence Wong
Founder & designer
A soft spot for plaster, a rule that every room needs one thing older than the house, and several of my own renovations behind me — including the one I'm living in right now. I draw every plan myself and I'm on every job site; there's no account manager between you and the work.
And the people I build with
Design is mine end to end. For the building, I work with licensed, insured general contractors and tradespeople I've chosen carefully — people whose work I've stood in, who show up when they say they will and treat a client's home like someone lives there.
One number, held
I price the whole scope up front and bring you every change order before the work happens, not after.
Local hands
My millwork, metal and stone come from shops close to home. I'd rather you meet the maker.
Old before new
I save the original doors, floors and trim wherever I can. Patina is cheaper and better than a replica of it.
Built for Texas
Deep porches, real shade, materials that survive August. Pretty has to work in 105 degrees.