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78 W ells Design, founded more than 60 years ago by legendary Houston designer Herbert Wells, has long been a staple among Houston's upper crust. Wells famously collaborated with noted architects F r a n k W e l c h a n d H o w a r d Barnstone, and bastions of civility called upon his services —Riverhill Country Club, River Oaks Country Club, Rice University's Wiess House, and Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson's ranch home. Jerry Jeanmard, who joined the firm in the 1980s as Wells' right-hand man, donned the mantle when Wells passed away in 2010 and has ushered the company into new territory. In December, Wells Design debuts a namesake showroom and retail storefront at Decorative Center Houston, along with a Wells Design Collection of furniture. Jeanmard's new partner, Lauren Hudson, says the ventures are part of a diversification plan that include an interactive ecommerce website that debuts spring 2017. The Wells Design Collection of furniture is based on archival sketches hand-drawn by Wells himself, which were discovered last year while the company was moving its offices. About 16 upholstered pieces will be on offer to start — Wells' most iconic furnishings he turned to again and again — a tuxedo sofa, tub chairs, ottomans, and a chaise. Prototypes were created by the son of Wells' original upholsterer; going forward, the line will be produced in North Carolina. "Some of Herbert's designs needed a little updating," says FOR THE GENTLEMAN AGES BY REBECCA SHERMAN. PHOTOGRAPHY MAX BURKHALTER . Found archives of legendary designer Herbert Wells spawned a collection of furniture and a new showroom to go with. Herbert Wells, 1950s, studied weaving at Cranbrook Academy of Art, and had his own loom.