Build &Bloom
Standard Fredericksburg Radio Post
Home and Garden Guide
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A PASSION FOR BUILDING, COMMUNITY p.20
City’s Historic District protects town’s charm. LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNER SUPPORTS CLIENTS’ UNIQUE STYLES - p.24
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ARTICLE INDEX
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GILLESPIE WILDFLOWERS SPOTTY DUE TO LACK OF FALL RAIN
10 NATIVE PLANT POLLINATOR MAGNETS 13 MARKET BRINGS FRESH, LOCAL FARES 14 RESTORING TREES DAMAGED BY WINTER STORM 16 A PASSION FOR BUILDING, COMMUNITY
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20 CITY’S HISTORIC DISTRICT WORKS TO PROTECT TOWN’S CHARM 24 LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNER SUPPORTS CLIENTS’ UNIQUE STYLES 30 FREDERICKSBURG WATER RESTRICTIONS 32 ONE PIECE OF LITTER AT A TIME 36 EXTERIOR LIGHTING CAN ADD AMBIANCE TO A PROPERTY 38 5 OUTDOOR PROJECTS THAT ADD VALUE
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GILLESPIE WILDFLOWERS SPOTTY DUE TO LACK OF FALL RAIN
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By Samuel Sutton and Joe Southern
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He added the areas where they’re more plentiful — where they got the most rainfall — are in northern Gillespie County is known for having an abundance Gillespie County, closest to Llano County. of wildflowers, but they may be few and far between in 2021. Thomas also noted February’s winter storm did not have much effect on local wildflowers. John Thomas, owner and founder of Wildseed Farms on U.S. 290 East, contributed this to the lack of rainfall in the fall months.
“The wildflowers here are tough and winter hearty,” he said. “They come up in October, they grow through the winter and they bloom in the spring. The only thing the freeze did was delay the blooms about a week to 10 days.”
NATIVE WILDFLOWERS Gillespie County has plenty of other wildflowers than just bluebonnets.
John Thomas, owner and founder of Wildseed Farms, notes that wildflowers may be a little spotty this year due to lack of rain in the fall months.– Submitted photo
“Most wildflowers in Texas are annuals, they need fall rains to germinate. They need rainfall in the October, November and December months for that good spring color,” he said. “Guess what they did not get?”
While bluebonnets may be the most popular, Thomas noted several other types, including, but not limited to: • Engelmann D aisy; • Desert Verbena; • Indian Blanket; • Indian Paint Brush; • Thelesperma (greenthread); • Showy Primrose; • Mexican Hat; • Purple Horsemint. He added these are only a few types and there are probably twice as many native wildflowers to see.
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RESPECT THE FLOWER While it may be fun to get out and look at the wildflowers up close, Thomas wanted to remind visitors to be respectful of the plants. “When you see them on the side of the road, don’t sit in the middle of them,” he said. “Don’t stomp on them or walk on them.” He said this could damage the plant and prevent it from producing seed for the next year.
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Thomas also wanted to remind wildflower enthusiasts to be aware of people’s private property. Look for “Private Property” signs and ask the property owner’s permission to walk up to the wildflowers on their land. And, as always, Thomas encouraged drivers and viewers not to litter. “It stands to reason that the wildflowers will be pretty hard to see if there is a bunch of trash covering them,” he said.
Bluebonnets and other wildflowers are in bloom along the Willow City Loop, a popular place for viewing the state flower this time of year. – Standard-Radio Post/Joe Southern
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NATIVE PLANT POLLINATOR MAGNETS
Build&Bloom By Paula Stone
The Texas Hill Country is known for its rugged beauty. It draws people from far and wide to visit and, if they’re lucky, live here.
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We must be careful, though, that our cosmopolitan mix of people doesn’t translate into a cosmopolitan landscape. When people bring the plants that they “grew back home,” it dilutes our native flora which also impacts our native fauna. Knowledge of what to plant and where to plant it prevents costly mistakes, unnecessary maintenance and the creeping homogenization of our landscape. Our local Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) was founded to help us learn about and enjoy the NATIVE landscape around us. And as Maya Angelou said, “When we know better, we can do better.”
NPSOT-WHITE MIST FLOWER – The White Mist Flower is a rounded shrub that adapts well to our climate. This one survived the February freeze with no problem. – Photo by Paula Stone
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Below are Texas native plants that are guaranteed to bring pollinators to your gardens and a smile to your face. All native flowers will attract butterflies or moths or bees, but some just seem to be magnets. Some of the biggest pollinator magnets for our area are:
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NPSOT-GREGG’S BLUE MIST – A Queen’s Butterfly makes a stop on Gregg’s Blue Mist, a great attractor of butterflies and other pollinators. – Photo by Paula Stone
Fredericksburg is lucky to have an active NPSOT chapter that offers many educational opportunities. We invite you to join us as we learn together about the fascinating plants that belong right here in Gillespie County, because nature, like most things, is so much more fun when we know something about it. Contact us at https://npsot.org/wp/ fredericksburg.
Ageratina havanensis. (Aka White Mistflower, Boneset, Shrubby Boneset) which grows into a rounded shrub that under the right circumstances, can reach six feet tall and wide. It is native to the Edwards Plateau where it is found on rocky hillsides and bluffs in the southern half of the Hill Country. It is adapted for our limestone soils and yearly rainfall. It will grow in full sun or part shade and should be cut back severely each year. Mine came through the February ice storm (Valentine’s Day Plant Massacre) with no problems. They start to bloom in April and can bloom on into December. They can be so covered with bees that you can hear the buzz from 10 feet away. All of the honeybee and native bee activity doesn’t keep the butterflies away though, they just join right in.
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Salvia farinacea. (Aka Mealy Blue Sage, Blue sage) which grows to three feet tall and spreads slowly by seed. It is native to Texas and likes full sun and low water. The grayish tint to the leaves is a nice contrast in a flower border.
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The blue and sometimes white flowers start in April and bloom until the first hard frost. As a perennial, they will come back for many years and require very little care other than removing the dead branches in very early spring.
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Again, the ice storm in February had no effect on my mealy blue sage. Besides butterflies, this plant attracts the very large, gentle, fuzzy native BLUE SAGE 2 – Mealy blue sage bumblebees. They are so fat and furry that they look NPSOT-MEALY (purple flowers above white rocks) spreads slowly more like pets than insects. by seed and bees love it. – Photo by Paula Stone Conoclinium greggii (Aka Gregg’s Blue Mist) grows their black edgings, while Queens will also have to about two feet tall and spreads (not fast enough white spots on the orange parts of their wings. for me) by runners. It isn’t really blue, but a lavender Ray flowers in general — this is not the name of color. It is native to the Texas Hill Country and used a plant or plant family, but rather the name of the to our climate and soil. flower structure used by many plants. They are When it first appears in the spring, the leaves are a physically appealing to insects because they offer lovely chartreuse color. They will darken slightly as an easier landing pad. Their simple structure also they mature but still form a nice contrast with other facilitates a fast getaway when needed. greens in a border. Ray flowers include many species such as: Blooming from April thru the first hard frost, these sunflowers, asters, coreopsis, daisies and flowers will deliver more butterflies per square foot coneflowers. of planting than any other flower that I know of. And We are lucky to have several native varieties in of all the butterflies they attract, the vast majority each of those flower families. with be Queen butterflies. I’ve never seen a patch of Gregg’s Blue Mist that didn’t have Queen butterflies When you are considering the plants for your on it. garden, if you want butterflies and all the other fun pollinators, the plants listed above will be your best Queen butterflies look very much like Monarch bets for attracting them. butterflies and are easily confused with them. Monarchs are larger and only have white spots in Paula Stone is the president of the Fredericksburg Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.
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MARKET BRINGS FRESH, LOCAL FARES The Fredericksburg Farmer’s Market (FFM) has begun its seven-month-long schedule of bringing locally grown and produced foods to downtown Fredericksburg.
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The market is celebrating their 14th year of operation. Every Thursday, rain or shine, from 4-7 p.m. from April 22 to mid-August, shoppers can meet farmers and producers while shopping for fresh produce at Marktplatz. The producer/grower market consists of farmers, ranchers and wineries located within the geographic neighborhood of Gillespie and adjacent counties, offering a wide variety of tomatoes, vegetables, peaches, blackberries and other fruits, mushrooms, meats, goat cheese, eggs, Gulf seafood, baked goods, wine, vinegar and herbs, as well as flowers. Shoppers are invited to come for the food and stay for the family friendly party atmosphere where they can purchase meals and snacks while listening to live music. Pizza baked in a wood burning oven, various dishes, including soups, salads, sliders and pastries are all made with local ingredients and can be enjoyed picnic-style under the pavilion. Wine from local wineries can be purchased by the glass or bottle and non-alcoholic iced beverages are also served. Desserts and ice cream are also available. At the Chef’s Corner, visitors will find free samples prepared by local chefs using ingredients from the
market. Chefs and volunteers are happy to “talk shop” and answer questions about how to cook the dish being sampled. “Meet the farmer, rancher, chef and artisan baker,” said a spokesman for the market. “Support local agriculture and viticulture in Fredericksburg, the community way to shop for great food.”
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RESTORING TREES DAMAGED BY WINTER STORM
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By Madalyn Watson
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Standard-Radio Post reporter
A: “If the leaves turn brown but do not fall off the tree, there is a good chance it is dead.”
Winter Storm Uri left damage in its wake. Luckily, Q: How do you replant a tree that has fallen from the damages to the greenery in yards can be helped. the storm? Texas Tree Service Owner Jerry Eddy started his A: “You can upright a tree. You would have to business in McAllen in 1975. By 1999, Eddy relocated stake it to secure the tree. Then, slowly soak the the family-run business to Kerrville, where it has rootball with water to remove air pockets around now grown to serve all of the Texas Hill Country. the roots.” Eddy, who has been in business for over 40 years, Q: Are there any types of trees that can withstand shared some tips for those who want to restore their a storm? trees to their former, pre-storm glory. A: “Any trees that have been properly pruned and Eddy also answered some common questions thinned out reduces the sail resistance, allowing the about trees that spark curiosities this time of year. wind to go through the tree.” Q: How can you tell if a tree has been damaged Q: Do you have any safety tips for people who are beyond repair by the storm? working on their trees?
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A: “Stay off ladders, do not cut above your head.” Q: What situations require professional help? A: “Any time you don’t know exactly what to do, it is best to get or ask a professional, including when there are tree limbs near power lines, or on roof lines, anything near houses. Also, any removals of any kind.” “We, as professionals, risk injury. Tree work is the sixth most dangerous occupation as reported by hospital emergency rooms.”
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Q: How has the storm affected your day-to-day job? A: “With over 40 years of experience, we are working very long days to clean up this last ice storm’s damage. A lot of broken limbs, split trees, uprooted trees, reshaping trees and removing trees.” Q: What are the little worms that are hanging off of oak trees and can they be prevented? A: “They are called web worms. You can spray them but they usually just die off after a couple weeks. If the infestation is bad enough, they can defoliate the tree which stresses the tree.”
Jerry Eddy has been in the tree restoration business for over 40 years. His company, Texas Tree Service, serves Kerrville and the rest of the Texas Hill Country. – Submitted photo
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A PASSION FOR BUILDING, COMMUNITY By Samuel Sutton Standard-Radio Post reporter Chris Kaiser Builder has been working on local homes and businesses since 2008, but the Fredericksburg native has been molding his skills for longer than that. The fourth-generation home builder remembers working in his father’s cabinet shop and homebuilding firm when he was just a kid. “I played in that cabinet shop and I made trinkets and things and sold those at Oktoberfest,” Kaiser said. He went on to college afterward and studied as an English major for a few years, but said he wasn’t really into school. During his junior year, when he was only taking Tuesday and Thursday classes, his passion for building repurposed when working on a home that he later turned into a B&B. “I guess I got the bug and I really hit a home run with that house,” he said. “It got a little harder after that first one, but I always liked what my dad did and it stuck.” The builder worked for his father’s firm for a while after leaving college and continued working on other speculative houses and B&Bs on the side. “I ended up working for my dad mostly through about 2008 and then amicably split and opened this,” he said.
Chris Kaiser, of Chris Kaiser Builder, is a fourthgeneration home builder and Fredericksburg native. He’s recently been able to use his craftsman skills for the benefit of others in the community. – Standard-Radio Post/Samuel Sutton
HELPING OTHERS Since beginning his own firm, he’s lost count of how many projects he’s worked on, but said it’s been a lot. More recently, he’s also been able to use his building abilities for the benefit of others. In March of 2020, when a vehicle damaged storefronts and pillars on Main Street, his business and several other builders helped build metal poles to hold up a balcony. In March of 2021, he and other builders pitched in to build bunks for local fire crews.
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Chris Kaiser’s firm can customize the interior to the homeowner’s liking, like they did with this kitchen in 2018. – Submitted photo
“Those sorts of things, that camaraderie with my competitors and those friendships with not just our competitors, but our subcontractors, that’s been really rewarding,” he said. “It’s very common that firefighters and police officers are needed, but it’s not real common that the building community gets to come rush to something, so that was a heady feeling to be able to help people and get rid of some safety concerns.”
lumber quote that we had, every 2x4, every piece of plywood went from $71,000 to $89,000 in a threeweek period, in the same quote,” he said.
TOUGH TIMES
In challenges like these, Kaiser often has discussions with some of his competitors in the business about how they’re handling the situation. However, some challenges — like the lumber price increase and COVID-19 — are uncharted waters. In that instance, he said he and the other builders “just did our best.”
Though the industry has been rewarding recently, it’s also been more challenging with COVID-19 and, maybe the toughest, the increase of lumber and steel prices. “Steel took a 25% jump in one fell swoop,” he said. “That goes through rebar and rain gutters and it trickles its way all the way to refrigerators and things.” Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plywood also took a hefty jump going from about $17 to as high as $100 in some places. Locally, Kaiser has found it for around $50. This has led to increases in job costs. “We had a residential house under contract, ready to go, and just in the period of siding the house and finalizing the contracts and stuff, this
For fixed-price jobs, the increase of pricing falls on the builder, but if it’s cost plus — or the open billing method — Kaiser said it can be a difficult conversation to have. “Luckily, it’s fairly common information, so they know I’m not just making it up,” he said.
“During COVID-19, we were always essential so we never had to close, and it was almost as if there was a building boom,” he said. “We didn’t really feel the effects of COVID in the beginning. As far as supply chain stuff, there was a big lag and we’re actually feeling more effects of unavailability of products and things like that now.” Even though the job gets difficult at times, Kaiser said his passion for turning lumber into a home will never go away.
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Chris Kaiser works with future homeowners on their plans or put his expertise to work in giving form to the homeowner’s vision. – Submitted photo
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ADVICE FOR FUTURE BUILDERS For prospective builders coming into the industry, Kaiser offered some advice.
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“I think those degrees offered at trade schools, all the way up through the construction management degree at Texas A&M are really worthwhile, I would recommend a little bit of time in the field,” he said. “It’s not imperative, but learn a little bit about how to swing a hammer or cut a rafter or something. I found that, even though I’ve been a business man for a number of years and not a carpenter, it’s good to have a base.” He also advised newcomers to “pay your dues” and work for somebody else for a while. “I’ve had some guys whom I hire and who I wish the best, but they’ve stopped working for me a little younger than I think would’ve been wise,” he said. “I didn’t hang out my own shingle until ’08. I was 31 years old or something and had been in the business for 14 years, so I probably waited a little long.” Lastly, he said having business education is also helpful. “A little bit of education there is beneficial, which is provided in the degrees I mentioned,” he said.
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CITY’S HISTORIC DISTRICT Build&Bloom WORKS TO PROTECT TOWN’S CHARM By Samuel Sutton and Joe Southern
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Hudson, Fredericksburg’s Historic Preservation Officer.
In a town rich in history, preserving the buildings that have stoically survived the test of time and progress has become of increasing importance. For more than three decades the City of Fredericksburg’s Historic Review Board has worked to preserve and protect the town’s more notable properties. From historic homes once misidentified as “low importance” to neglected buildings, the board has used the Historic District to help bring Anna Hudson those properties out of disrepair. “The city’s Historic Review Board has been placed to review all applications for exterior changes in the Historic District and really are there to protect the historic resources in the district,” said Anna
If a landowner in the Historic District wishes to make any changes to the exterior of his or her building, a Certificate of Appropriateness application must be filed. The board will then review what types of alterations are being requested.
Depending on the type of alteration and the rating of the property, the alteration could either be approved immediately through Hudson’s office or have to be approved by a board vote.
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Fredericksburg’s Historic District expanded in 2019. This map shows the previous boundary and the expansion area. — Submitted photo
“If it’s an 1880s limestone house versus something from the 1960s, we look at those buildings a little differently,” Hudson said. Certificates of Appropriateness can be submitted via email to ahudson@fbgtx.org. Applications can be found at https://www.fbgtx.org/ DocumentCenter/View/3218/CofA-2020-fillable.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS The Historic Review Board has helped protect several properties from neglect. For example, a “hidden gem” on Creek Street was misidentified in a 2003 survey as a “low-rated structure.”
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“An owner in town discovered it and said, ‘Wow, there’s an old log cabin in here,’” Hudson recalled. “We were able to rerate that and we let the owner do some additions.”
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After it was rerated and the cabin was restored, Hudson said the house now tells its story better. Another example Hudson mentioned was a building at 411 E. Main St. It had been neglected for so long that it nearly fell into demolition.
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Using the Demolish by Neglect ordinance, the Historic Review Board was able to stabilize the property. Through more maintenance, new owners were also able to help save the property.
used preservation grant money to paint and save the house. “This was really an example of us doing some outreach and really helping those in need,” Hudson said.
BENEFITS OF OWNING PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT Some landowners fear that if their property is in the Historic District, it means the government is taking full control of their land. It’s not.
“It’s not really as bad as people may hear and the review is just limited to the exterior property,” Hudson said. “There is absolutely Another example of how the Historic Review Board was able to help came a couple years ago with no limit on interiors.” a home on South Milam Street. She added the board is there to approve projects, not to deny them. “An elderly couple that has lived in the house for 20-plus years just needed help to keep the wooden “We all benefit from it, and most people aren’t house painted,” Hudson said. going to make huge alterations to their property,” Since property values tend to go up when a house Hudson said. is in the Historic District, the couple wasn’t able to If someone is to make a big change, Hudson afford the maintenance on the home. The board said this just gives them a chance to get some expert advice.
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The Historic District also protects the value of landowners’ property from being ruined by a neighbor’s alterations, like building a big mansion or placing a mobile home outside someone’s little cottage home. The district also benefits locals by keeping the charm of the streets and properties, Hudson said.
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The Historic District expanded in 2019 after the City Council adopted new borders. “It had gone through a survey and a public process and several public meetings,” Hudson said. After a year-long process of holding several public hearings and surveying the properties, Hudson said they were able to expand a bit in each direction. “We did bump it out to the north and also a bit to the west and a little bit to the south,” Hudson said. Included in the expansion was the old Fredericksburg High School building, located on the current Fredericksburg Middle School campus on Travis Street. Hudson said this was done after the City Council had deemed the building as an historic landmark. The district roughly encompasses the downtown from Centre Street on the northeast to Creek Street on the southwest and Cherry Street on the northwest to Washington Street on the southeast.
ORDINANCE REVISION Just like historic properties need upkeep and revision, so do the ordinances that govern them. Hudson said the city is holding public hearings on revisions to the 235-page Historic District Design Guidelines & Standards document. The meetings were scheduled for late April and early May. After the meetings are held, the proposals will go before the Fredericksburg City Council for approval. Hudson said this is the first revision to the document since 1997. The document can be found online at https://www.fbgtx.org/DocumentCenter/ View/3834/2nd-Draft_Fredericksburg-HistoricDesign-Guidelines-Standards_2021-01-29.
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LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNER SUPPORTS CLIENTS’ UNIQUE STYLES
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By Madalyn Watson
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Standard-Radio Post reporter
Kelly Hallman worked in a Chicago brokerage firm before she switched gears to focus on her passion for interior design. Today, the owner of her own business, Kelly Hallman Design helps clients in the Hill Country area realize the potential of their space. Hallman enjoyed interior design as far back as her teenage years when she would completely redecorate her childhood bedroom.
A ROOM’S PERSONALITY When a client hires Hallman to design a room for them, the process begins with a meeting so Hallman can understand where her clients are in the design process. “If they’re doing renovations in their current house, then it is a great place for that meeting so that we can see the space, and then also find out what works for them and what doesn’t,” Hallman said. Hallman takes all the information she gathers from her clients about their space, their style and their lives and creates a storyboard for the design.
“I’ve always just kind of had an eye where I can walk into a space, and see it differently than it is usually set up and see how When her clients aren’t sure Kelly Hallman is an interior something can be improved designer based in the Texas Hill about the style they want, she asks Country. – Submitted photo upon,” Hallman said. them to prepare images of things they like and make note of the items in their house During her 11 years working in retirement planning, that are already working. her interest in design was on the back burner. After retiring, she moved around before settling down in Fredericksburg where she worked for Red, a home design store in the area from 2011-2016. “Then, that parlayed into being a design liaison between the store and interior designers while also working part time to develop my interior design business,” Hallman said. In 2016, she transitioned to working on her own design business full-time, taking with her what she learned in past experiences. “It was a lot of learning, a lot of reading and researching and exposing myself to books and literature,” Hallman said. “So, there was a steep learning curve, initially.”
“I’m somebody that’s a big advocate for listening to clients, they are ultimately the people that live in this space or they’re the ones that work in the space,” Hallman said. While Instagram and Pinterest are great resources for gathering inspiration, Hallman said she is often inspired by her travels. “Lately, the last couple of years, I’m gravitating toward liking modern, contemporary type of work, but that’s where my eye goes and that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the type of work that I do for clients,” Hallman said. Hallman keeps up with interior design trends, but tries not to incorporate them too much into her designs unless they are what her clients want in their home.
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Kelly Hallman loves to cook, so one of her favorite rooms in any house to design is the kitchen. Hallman and her husband attended culinary school in New York City for a time, and they both love to cook. – Submitted photo
“I don’t want every house to be cookie cutter and all look the same; I want it to reflect their personality,” Hallman said.
She said many of her clients have a few unique pieces they want to highlight and she builds the rest of the home around that item.
Trends change so frequently, Hallman said, that if designs rely too heavily on them, the room can look outdated very quickly.
DESIGN CHALLENGES
“I don’t want somebody to walk into somebody’s house and go, ‘Oh, I know exactly what year you installed those light fixtures,” Hallman said. Hallman’s personal taste is something timeless with a few contemporary or unique elements thrown in.
One of the more challenging aspects of working in interior design, Hallman said, was finding compromise between clashing personalities. “You’re dealing with a lot of different personalities. Having husbands and wives together and not being on the same page, you have to kind of find a point where they each feel like they’ve contributed to their home,” Hallman said.
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Kelly Hallman said she enjoys picking out the little details and textures that come together to make a room. From bathroom tiles to bed spreads, Hallman finds joy in personalizing these details to each of her clients. – Submitted photo
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Kelly Hallman’s personal style can be described as “modern, contemporary,” but when it comes to designing for her clients, she wants a room to reflect their personality instead of her own. – Submitted photo
Another challenge Hallman and other interior designers in the Hill Country have is a lack of nearby resources. Even though Hallman loves working with many of the local artisans, sometimes she has to venture to Austin or San Antonio to get the right pieces for her clients. “There are certain clients that wants furniture from a particular store that is not necessarily a local store,” Hallman said. “Although it’s getting easier because there are sources for us to have things sent to us overnight.” Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected delivery times as well as the availability of
certain items for people designing or renovating their homes. “I’m seeing that things are out of stock, so you’re needing to have a Plan B as well right now in case something’s not going to be in stock when you need it,” Hallman said. Patience, Hallman said, is so important today for those who are wanting to change up their homes. When business dropped during the height of the pandemic, Hallman and her husband had more time to work on their own home. “With me personally, my house got tabled for clients’ projects getting done first,” Hallman said.
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The pandemic gave her time to finish the projects on her own house since she would normally leave her personal designing to late at night after she finished her work.
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“My husband and I are glad that our house is done, so then that allows me to focus on other people’s houses,” Hallman said. To learn more about Kelly Hallman Design and her past projects, check out her website: www.kellyhallmandesign.com
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FREDERICKSBURG WATER RESTRICTIONS
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The City of Fredericksburg has implemented Stage 3 water restrictions for its residents.
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Under the restrictions, all outdoor irrigation may occur between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on designated days. Watering of plants with a bucket or other handheld container, hand-held hose or drip irrigation is permitted through Stage 4 of watering restrictions without limitation as to the day of the week; however, it can only be done during the hours of 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The designated days for watering depend on what number a resident’s address ends in (see sidebar).
REGULATIONS The day of the week restrictions does not apply to the irrigation of commercial plant nurseries;
City of Fredericksburg water restrictions are currently in Stage 3, which limits watering between 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The watering day depends on the ending number of a resident’s address. – Standard-Radio Post
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however, these establishments shall curtail all nonessential water use.
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WATERING SCHEDULE
The watering of the ground around foundations to prevent foundation cracking is permitted only during times designated for outdoor irrigation, except when watering to protect foundations is accomplished by a drip irrigation system or a hand-held hose. A drip irrigation system or hand-held hose may be used to water the ground around foundations to prevent foundation cracking at any time.
Addresses ending in: • 1 or 2 - Monday 3 or 4 - Tuesday 5 or 6 - Wednesday 7 or 8 - Thursday 9 or 0 - Friday
Hotels, motels and other lodging must institute, offer and clearly notify guests of a “linen/towel change on request only” program.
Means used or operated while being held in the hand or hands.
With the summer months fast approaching and water bills expected to rise, local homeowners can be proactive about protecting both their landscape and their pocketbook by reviewing the City of Fredericksburg’s water rationing policies. City staff encourages residents and commercial businesses to familiarize themselves with the requirements of the ordinance, which is available for review online at www.fbgtx.org, and contact staff if they have any questions.
HAND HELD
HOSE Means a common residential garden hose not more than one inch in diameter, which includes a positive cut-off nozzle.
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ONE PIECE OF LITTER AT A TIME
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STATE, COUNTY ROADWAY CLEANUP PROGRAMS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN IMPRESSIONS OF VISITORS With increased visitation seems to come additional litter along our roadways. The AdoptA-Highway program run by the Texas Department of Transportation aims to keep them as clean as possible.
appearance, a spokesperson for the highway department stated. In scenic Gillespie County, that makes a difference in the first impressions of visitors. And even the smallest efforts can pay big dividends in the appearance of area roadways.
Gillespie County alone has 34 adopted stretches of state-maintained highway as of April, ranging from one to three miles in length.
The original Adopt-a-Highway program, which includes roads maintained by the state, began in 1985 and currently has more than 3,800 participating groups across the state, according to TxDOT’s website.
Keeping roadways clean gives the message that this county and community cares about its
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A little regular effort pays big dividends in keeping county roadways free of litter. – File Photo
Anyone interested can stop by the local TxDOT office or apply online. The department is always looking for additional roadway cleanup sponsor organizations. The local TxDOT office is located at 1623 E. Main St. The phone number is 830-997-4361.
Individuals, families, youth organizations, businesses (large and small), civic and nonprofit organizations, religious groups, fraternities, sororities and schools are among the groups encouraged to adopt highways. Those who adopt roads will pledge to pick up trash along the typically two-mile length for a minimum of two years.
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Interstate highways are also eligible for adoption. The highway adopters agree to pick up litter four times a year.
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Applications are available at www.dot.state. tx.us/apps-cg/aah/contact.htm. Guidelines for highway adoption are also available at http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trv/aah/ application-guidelines.pdf.
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Gillespie County also provides an “adopt-a-county road” program that allows locals to clean up roads maintained by the county. The two-mile stretches of road are adopted for a minimum of two years and the entities agree to pick up litter four times a year or more in heavy traffic areas. Like TxDOT’s adopt-a-highway program, a sign will be erected with the participant’s name, and safety information, trash bags, traffic control signs and safety vests will be provided on clean-up days. Applications and more information is available by calling 830-997-1726 or visiting www.gillespiecounty.org.
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING CAN ADD AMBIANCE TO A PROPERTY
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The value of the right lighting in a home is undeniable. Lighting can instantly transform a room and create the ambiance homeowners are looking to establish. Though it might be mostly seen as a way to create mood inside a home, lighting also can do much for lawns and gardens. Backyards have come a long way over the last several decades. Once reserved as play areas for children and stomping grounds for the family dog, backyards have become oases for homeowners and their families. Outdoor living areas are wildly popular, and no such area is complete without exterior lighting. In
fact, a recent report from the National Association of Home Builders found that 85 percent of home buyers want exterior lighting, making it the second most desired outdoor feature (patios topped that list). Exterior lighting can have a dramatic effect on landscaping, and estimates from the online financial resource Kiplinger.com suggest such lighting is inexpensive, with installation averaging roughly $67 per fixture. When installing exterior lighting around their landscapes, homeowners can keep various tips in mind to create a relaxing, awe-inspiring mood on their properties at night.
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Consider uplights. Uplights are installed in the ground and direct light up at a tree, focusing on its trunk or canopy. This creates a dramatic effect that makes it possible to enjoy majestic trees at night just like you might when spending time in the yard during the day. Focus on trees. Many homeowners already have exterior lighting lining their walkways and patios, but focusing on trees can create an entirely
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lighting experts at Utah Lights acknowledge that choice of lighting is up to homeowners but also note that, in situations with lower levels of ambient light, such as in exterior lights around a property, people typically prefer warmer light. That’s because warm light tends to be easier on the eyes and directs attention to the features of the landscape, which is many homeowners’ goal when installing exterior lighting in their yards.
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A little regular effort pays big dividends in keeping county roadways free of litter. – File Photo
different look. Though it’s possible to install exterior tree lighting on your own, landscaping professionals with lighting experience know which fixtures will pair most effectively with the trees around your property and how to arrange them for maximum effect.
Utilize a timer. Modern exterior lighting timers make it easier than ever to control the lights outside a home. Many such timers even adjust for the changing seasons and the shifting hours of daylight. That means homeowners shouldn’t have to tinker with the timer once it’s set.
Opt for warm light. Warm white light creates an inviting feel around the property. The exterior
Exterior lighting can add significant appeal to a property without breaking the bank.
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5 OUTDOOR PROJECTS THAT ADD VALUE
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Outdoor improvements can improve the marketability of a home, as well as enhance its appearance and function.
Exterior renovations can enhance the appearance of a property and make it more enjoyable for homeowners. Certain renovations have the potential to add value to a home, while others may do the opposite. Learning which one have the largest return on investment can help homeowners select features that will have the most positive impact. Curb appeal goes a long way toward attracting potential buyers. According to the National
Association of Realtors, first impressions of a property have a strong influence on buyers. Landscaping and external features can do much to influence such impressions. Lawn care program: Investing in a lawn care program that consists of fertilizer and weed control application and can be transferred over to a subsequent home owner is an attractive feature. NAR says such a care program can recover $1,000 in value of the $330 average cost, or a 303 percent ROI.
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Low-maintenance lifestyle: When choosing materials for projects, those that offer lowmaintenance benefits can be preferential. These include low-maintenance patio materials, composite decking, vinyl fencing, and inorganic mulched beds.
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Fire pit: A fire pit can be used for much of the year. In the spring and summer, the firepit is a great place to congregate to roast marshmallows or sip wine and gaze into the fire. In the fall, the fire pit can make for a cozy retreat. A fire pit that has a gas burner is low-maintenance, and the National Association of Landscape Professionals says that most can recoup about $4,000 of their $6,000 average price tag. Softscaping: Hardscaping refers to structures like outdoor kitchens or decks. Softscaping involves the living elements of the landscape. Hiring a landscape designer to install trees, shrubs, natural edging, and rock elements can do wonders toward improving the look and value of a home. Pool or water feature: In certain markets, particularly hot climates, a pool or another water feature is a must-have. However, in other areas
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where outdoor time is limited, a pool or water feature can actually lower the value of a home. Speaking with a real estate professional can give homeowners an idea of how a pool will fare in a given neighborhood. Outdoor improvements can improve the marketability of a home, as well as enhance its appearance and function.
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