Saturday Shelterporn (Sunday edition)

Devoted readers of Shelterporn will remember that we're fans of John Staub, one of Houston's most sought-after residential architects of the early 20th century. (Devoted readers of Shelterporn will also notice that there hasn't been much Shelterporn to read lately. Sorry about that.) We also love imagining what it would be like to live in River Oaks — the daily cocktail hour; long, relaxing drives in the Bentley; sipping cocktails while driving the Bentley — and so we couldn't resist pointing out that another Staub-designed River Oaks manse is on the market.

Staub designed the house, which was built n 1935, for George S. Heyer and his wife, Jane Gregory Heyer; it was, Howard Barnstone wrote in his book on Staub's work, intended to be a backdrop of sorts for the Heyers' collection of English antiques. You don't see much evidence of that now — an interior makeover by Mario Buatta left a lot of, in his words, "chintz, color, classicism and comfort" (in our words, acres of patterned fabrics) — but original features like 18th century Irish mantelpieces and a specially-cast aluminum stair railing remain. You also get a mahogany-lined library, glass garden room, wine cellar and four guest bedrooms, each with its own bath. In the back yard are gardens designed by Fleming and Sheppard (local garden design rock stars of the 1930s, we're told), plus an oak allée leading to a heated outdoor pool — and nearby, a 2006 pool pavilion designed by Curtis & Windham, which features a circular bar (classy!) and a "grand salon" that kinda reminds us of a hotel ballroom, potted palms and all.

Bedrooms: five. Bathrooms: six full and three half. Square feet: 7,968. Price: $9.95 million.