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This week’s edition of Leader Listings takes a look at developments along the Ella Corridor, the demolition of a well-known house on West 43rd, and dos and don’ts of remodeling.
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Medical center on E. T.C. Jester 4B ¡ Abandoned home ready for demo 6B • Realty Real Talk 6B
713-290-8277 5000 west Tidwell www.oslschool.org
Saturday, June 27, 2015 • Page 1B
The Do-Over: Dodging Common Pitfalls When Remodeling By Cynthia Lescalleet For The Leader “Measure twice, cut once� is only the start of cautionary home improvement advice. Here are some tips from remodelers and related experts working in Leader News neighborhoods. Do the numbers Walls have mass, something a lot of renovation newbies forget in their plans, said Katy Fernandez, designer-owner of My Design Team. Those overlooked inches can add up, especially in older homes and particularly in bathroom redos, where every increment counts. “The 4 1/2 inches of a typical wall structure can be prime real estate,� she said. To pick up a tad more room, turn the studs sideways, though not on a load-bearing wall. Doors also affect adjacent space, thus light switch placement and wall display use. Pocket doors, sometimes a solution, require walls without wiring or plumbing passing through. Even door trim, especially wide in older homes, can be a space eater. And yet, Fernandez champions more generous doorways on the first floor. New construction and open floor plans with narrow access to the
powder room “is the height of irony,� she said. Meanwhile, don’t forget that the second floor has weight, she said. Homes with too many interior walls removed end up with first floor columns in weird places. Fernandez “feels space viscerally� and is sensitive to the 3-D implications of plans. For those not on that spatial wavelength, however, she suggests trying tape on the floors and stacking boxes or other standins for the impact of any proposed changes. Mind the gaps Also, pay attention to clearances, she said, particularly around the kitchen island, which needs at least 36-inches passing room on all sides (and 42 inches is even better when there’s more than one cook). If the island’s clearance is tight, consider one on wheels. Aaron Brittain of Happy Medium also minds the gaps – and the overlaps. “Just because you add something doesn’t mean it’s in the right place,� he said. Ill-conceived appliance location and island placement can affect how the kitchen works and looks. Go easy on the demolition, particularly in older homes with floor plans attuned to an earlier lifestyle. If you take out storage to capture space for a
more open floor plan, he says, don’t forget to add storage back in somewhere. “In the (redo) process, it’s easy to lose something along the way, such as storage, access or ‘flow’,� he said. “The results need to feel like the home was always built that way.� Since planning and compromise are part of any project’s budget and build-out, he advises homeowners to (each) make a list of absolutes and “wishes.� Weight them, knowing some might be eliminated, altered or resolved by an alternative treatment. And since Brittain’s renovation role includes a fair amount of “counseling,� he has observed: “It’s not a good idea to start a new job, have a baby and renovate your home in the same year!� Make it match Dye lots matter, notes Harry James of Harry James Building & Design, who reminds doit-yourselfers tackling a tile job to make sure numbers match on the batches of tile. Also, when tile or stone meet different materials, such as backsplashes at counter tops or tub at tiles, use a color-coordinated caulking or matching grout caulk on angles and corners. “Just plain grout will crack
from movement and shrinkage and create potential problems,� he said. Consider the inevitables “People don’t take into account how long they’ll be in the home,� observes Kevin Vick of Vick Remodeling and Construction. Few admit they might age or require some “lifestyle adjustments,� whether due to illness, injury, failing eyesight or mobility issues. Adding a bench seat in the shower stall to the plans is an easy adjustment with longerterm use. On a lighter note, Vick said homeowners adding space, rooms or an addition don’t necessarily anticipate the “whoops,� whether it’s baby number three, in-laws needing care or a Millennial moving back home – and taking over the long-awaited, just completed man cave.
Narrow 24-inch doors in open floor plans are “the height of irony,� said Katy Fernandez, designer-owner of My Design Team.
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To share your home’s renovation story as a Do-Over in The Leader News, contact cynthia. lescalleet@gmail.com
Home SeRviceS PRemieR PRoPeRtieS 713-686-5454
The Carolyn Bryant Team Thank you to everyone who voted for me as your Favorite Realtor. your votes are appreciated very much - Carolyn FOR Sale
2503 Tannehill
$385,000 TimBeRgROve manOR 3 BR, 2 BA, 2 Car attached. Great opportunity for Timbergrove! Just needs cosmetic updates! MLS# 14097655
OpTiOn pending!
1276 Seamist
$599,900 TimBeRgROve COuRT One of a kind! Gated community Over 3000’, 7200’ lot 3 BR, study, gameroom Salt water pool & hot tub
Photo by Betsy Denson Greg Gatlin said that their opening has been pushed back to late July/early August due to delays with the permit process. In the meantime, they are fulfilling their catering orders from another location.
Residents excited about development, restaurants along Ella Boulevard By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com The news that Ella Plaza had locked in its anchor restaurant – Union Kitchen, which also has locations in Bellaire, Memorial and Kingwood – in addition to demolitions and the appearance of a green fence around the former That Pizza Place, has got area residents excited about the future of dining out on Ella. The Leader offers a rundown of what’s to come. Dan Braun said that the procurement of Union Kitchen for Ella Plaza was the end of a journey to find something that would be a good fit for the neighborhood. It will occupy the space formerly occupied by longtime tenant the Golden Wok, which is staying, but will move to a different location within the center. Golden Wok is also rebranding and will continue to offer take out as well as sushi. Other new restaurants in Ella Plaza include Marco’s Pizza and bagel shop Toasted. As The Leader previously reported, Frida’s will not remain. Braun said he is not pursuing any additional restaurants for the complex. While one side of Ella Plaza has recently gotten a facelift, the other side, where Union Kitchen will go, has not been renovated yet but
that’s about to change. “We’re starting next week,� said Braun. Union Kitchen isn’t the only restaurant news in the area. Tacos a Go Go will move into the space formerly occupied by Roznovsky’s Hamburgers at 3401 W. T.C. Jester. When asked about all the projects they have in the works in the area, Braun said, “We like the [Leader] neighborhoods a lot. Combined, they are the size of many mid-sized cities with terrific demographics and extremely dense. Not a whole lot not to like.� Another restaurant that caused a lot of excitement when it was first announced was Gatlin’s BBQ which vacated its location at 1221 W. 19th St to move to a 4,200 square foot location at 3510 Ella Boulevard. It might not be a surprise to those who have followed The Leader’s coverage of the permitting process that permitting delays have pushed back Gatlin’s anticipated June opening date. Greg Gatlin said that that the date has now moved to late July/early August. Gatlin said that they now have the permits they need and are forging ahead with construction. In the meantime, they’ve been fulfilling their catering orders from a kitchen near Tony’s Mexican Restaurant.
MLS# 96585054
FOR Sale
4015 alba
$399,000 Oak gROve COuRT Beautiful 3BR, 3½ BA, 2 car attached with a gameroom, patio and greenspace MLS# 18521467
neweR COnSTRuCTiOn
1718 Hewitt
$675,000 Oak FOReST 3BR, 3½ BA, 2 car attached + study + flex room Open floor plan. Awesome kitchen. MLS# 11379145
Nobody knows the neighborhood like a neighbor Re/max metro 281.723.9810 Carolyn@CarolynBryant.com Carolyn Bryant
See Ella, P. 2B
LOT VALUE
2031 Viking Dr 3/2 $397,500 MLS #35366613
713.202.9656
713.686.5454
713.416.5074 Janet Schmidt
Lori Austin
Patsy Bushart
4206 Marlborough Dr 4/2.1 $369,900 MLS #90929090
1606 Du Barry Lane 2/1 $299,000 MLS #72131884 P rAeName m i eYou r Can P rTrust. oP e rt i e s • A NAme you cAN trust 713-686-5454
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1803 W. 43rd • Houston, TX 77018