Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Restores Historic Marble Floor at Rienzi
Photos courtesy of International Stoneworks
Photos courtesy of International Stoneworks
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) recently completed a meticulous restoration of the marble foyer floor at Rienzi, its house museum for European decorative arts. The project, executed with precision, has revitalized the historic space, enhancing its elegance for visitors.
Located in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood, Rienzi is a cultural gem situated on four acres of wooded gardens. Designed in 1952 by renowned architect John Staub for philanthropists Carroll Sterling Masterson and Harris Masterson III, the former residence opened as a museum in 1999. It houses an extensive collection of European decorative arts, including paintings, furnishings, porcelain and miniatures, welcoming visitors for tours, lectures, performances and special events.
International Stoneworks of Houston, TX, was in charge of the restoration and was prompted by a general contractor overseeing multiple projects at Rienzi, who enlisted a trusted stone restoration team with a proven track record. To prepare, museum staff carefully removed all artwork, statues and columns from the foyer to ensure a safe workspace.
The restoration process began with a thorough cleaning using Lavenet neutral stone cleaner and soft scrub brushes to refresh the marble and grout lines. The team then honed the surface with diamond grinding discs -- first a 500-grit disc, followed by a 1000-grit disc -- before applying a final polish with Marbrofin polishing compound. The result was a gleaming, mirror-like finish that impressed both the general contractor and MFAH staff.
Rienzi, located about five miles from the main MFAH campus and two miles from Bayou Bend, the MFAH’s American decorative arts museum, continues to be a vital part of Houston’s vibrant art scene.
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Jason Kamery is the Managing Editor and Group Digital Editor of Stone World. With more than a decade of experience covering the stone and countertop industry, he has conducted hundreds of interviews with fabricators, manufacturers, and industry leaders, and hosts the Stone World. podcast. He reports from events worldwide, including TISE, Coverings, and Marmomac, and his coverage extends to worker safety and silicosis, trade policy and tariffs, and fabrication technology. Kamery has also served as a speaker and panel moderator at The International Surface Event (TISE). He graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Mass Communication.
email: kameryj@bnpmedia.com | office: (248) 833-7356
