Houston House & Home Magazine March 2011 Issue

Page 1


2

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com



Since 1988

NATURAL STONE FABRICATION FINE FURNITURE, COUNTERTOPS, VANITIES & FIREPLACES. FOR APPOINTMENT CALL (281) 242-9009 I WWW.ICMMARBLE.COM

* Must be presented at time of bid

4

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


Save Now on the home

improvements you really want. Get a

$200 GIFT CARD from Best Buy with purchase of any of our products. Minimum $5,000 Expires 4/10/11

BEFORE

AFTER

500 OFF

James Hardie Siding

2500 OFF

$

$

Patio Covers

Conventional Sunroom or Room Addition

Exp 4/10/11

Minimum size, 250 Sq. Ft. • Exp 4/10/11

FREE

R-30 Attic Insulation

10 Windows Installed

3750

$

with purchase of complete

Up to 96UI

siding & windows

Not valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at time of estimate. Exp 4/10/11

Not valid with other offers

FREE In Home Design Consultation

495 sf

$

FREE

Architectural Drawing & Engineering Seal with Room Addition Exp 4/10/11

Senior Discounts & Cash Discounts Celebrating 23 Years of Excellence • 20-Plus Years Serving Houston and Surrounding Areas

Affordable 281.860.0000 Sunrooms, Siding & Windows

www.bestaffordablesunrooms.com

S P E C I A L I Z I N G I N K I T C H E N & B AT H R E M O D E L I N G


Custom Built to YOUR yard, YOUR family and YOUR budget

Official Floor of

NEW State-of-the-Art NON-ABRASIVE Cushioned Surface! Check it out on our 80,000 sq. ft. display at FANFEST, March 31-April 4 George R. Brown Landscaping by Lush Outdoor Landscaping

15 Games...One Court...Your Backyard. FREE ESTIMATES • 832-244-0963 • www.sportcourt-texas.com 6

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

Financing Available


PHOTO BY HESTER+HARDAWAY

contents

departments

march 2011

8 Editor’s Note 14 Calendar & After 18 Before Changes in the Wind After a tree fell on their home a family kitchen is reinvented

22 Project

Order Up! Organizing your existing kitchen and pantry

46 Pet of the Month: Molly

22

features in the Glass 28 Splendor An award-winning firm’s design

provides a family with a verdant urban oasis

On the Cover A nature-inspired home designed by San Antonio-based Lake | Flato Architects is a triumph amid the trees. The remarkable home is among six selected for the Rice Design Alliance 2011 Architecture Tour. See page p. 28.

Home Tours 36 Spring Home and garden tours that will

delight and inspire you

Clean Ups & Fix Ups 40 Spring Let the sunshine inspire you to

freshen up your home inside and out

40

7


editor’s note

W

ACCEPTANCE APPLIANCE CENTER, INC. Authorized As-Is Dealer 6757 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W. • Suite 200 Houston, TX 77064 • 281-955-0861 www.acceptanceappliance.com

elcome to the March 2011 issue of Houston House & Home and welcome to spring. With Houston’s abundant trees leafing out all around us, we hope this issue sends you strolling under the branches of your favorite trees and to take in the transition of our landscape from brown and grey to the vibrant spectrum of springtime. Our area’s home and garden tours offer excellent opportunities for some arbor admiration mixed in with architecture, design and historical appreciation. See our special feature on spring home tours starting on page 36 to find details on some of the standout tours happening over the next month. One of those tours is the Rice Design Alliance Architecture Tour. This year’s showcase of exceptional architectural achievements in Houston focuses on residential projects by architects from outside the area. We have featured one of the six fascinating homes on the tour, a project designed by renowned San Antonio firm Lake | Flato Architects. This remarkable home in the tall trees of Memorial is a departure from the familiar air-conditioned fortresses that isolate residents from their surroundings. Lake/Flato is known for designing structures that are built to both PUBLISHER......................Mike Harrison, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ....Susie Reisenbigler EDITOR ........................................Sandra Cook CONTRIBUTING WRITERS .............................. ..........................Anne Breux, Joetta Moulden ART DIRECTOR..........................Robert Coplin CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Tim Beeson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS ............

Over 20 Years of Experience on Residential & Commercial Properties. • Dramatic Uplighting • Delicate Moonlighting • Feature Lighting

• Tree Lighting • Low Voltage Lighting • Security Lighting

Hester+Hardaway, Janet Lenzen, Miro Dvorscak

• Accent Lighting • Mosquito Misting • Maintenance

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ................................ ............................Lisa Kindred, Carol Saunders INSIDE SALES ................................Pete Rocha PRINTING..........................DROR International

DESIGN & ESTIMATE

8

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

embrace and endure their environments. Read about the firm’s design strategies and see the stunning results starting on page 28. Public art aficionados may recognize the name Flato. Lake | Flato principal Ted Flato is the brother of Malou Flato, the Austin-based artist who created the colorful ceramic tile benches and fountains at downtown’s Market Square Park. If you haven’t already, go see Malou Flato’s work in the recently renovated park that is now home to dozens of trees. Continuing with the theme of trees, Joetta Moulden’s Before & After this month tells the story of a post-Ike kitchen remodel, brought on after the infamous storm plopped a pine tree through the couple’s home. Relish the spring weather as you join in outdoor adventures from home tours around town to home improvement projects. Happy spring! Sandra Cook Editor scook@houseandhomeonline.com HOUSTON

Blue Thumb Inc., dba Houston House & Home ("HH&H"), is a news magazine with emphasis on interior design and remodeling. HH&H does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does HH&H or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication. HH&H has not independently tested any services or products advertised herein and has not verified claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. HH&H makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding the suitability of an advertiser's products. No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the Publisher. Copyright 2011, all rights reserved. Subscriptions available for home delivery at a cost of $25 per year.

P.O. Box 701038 Houston, Texas 77270-1038 (713) 523-6523


2427 Westheimer, Houston • 713.840.0844 • www.frogathome.com 2701 Broadway, Galveston • 409.752.FROG (3764)

9


R E T R A C T A B L E

S C R E E N S

Our most satisfied customers hardly notice us

Phantom retractable screens pull out when you need them and roll back when you don’t.

713.623.0567 ian@theshadeshop.net www.phantomscreens.com

4122 Richmond Avenue • Houston, Texas 77027 Fax: 713.623.2283 • www.theshadeshop.net 1.888.PHANTOM (1.888.742-6866)

It’s more than a pool. It’s Artistry.

COME VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM 1022 Wirt Rd. Ste. 310 • Houston, TX 77055 • 713-827-0530 • Email: jacky@artcpl.com • Website: www.artcpl.com 10

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

Custom Pools and Landscapes


www.hartzland.com Solatube® Premier Dealer See Them in Our Showroom 4140 Directors Row, Suite F • Houston, 77092

11


Richard Kalmick, owner of USA Cabinet Company LLC, has over 35 years of experience with kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

www.usacabinetco.com

12

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

St. Patrick’s Day Special!


13


march calendar

Classes Gardeners looking for knowledge and ideas will always find an impressive variety of classes at The Arbor Gate. Busy gardeners will appreciate Ann Wheeler’s Weekend Herb Gardener class on March 5. Wheeler offers tips and advice on successful herb gardening for those who can only spend time gardening on the weekends. Learn about floral arranging with floral designer Loela Barry of JoLoe Art & Academy. For her Fun with Flowers classes, Barry teaches the basics of contemporary floral arrangements on March 15 and a second class on March 22. The classes are intended to help students develop a special style using plants from their own gardens. Classes are limited to 15 each, so register early. Information: 281.351.8851 or www.arborgate.com. Houston Arboretum features a Nature in Watercolor Workshop series, scheduled every Thursday afternoon in March. Award-winning watercolorist Joanie Hughes teaches fundamental techniques of painting with watercolors as well as the elements of a good painting. Cost is $150 for members; $200 for non-members. On March 6, Arboretum conservation director Joe Blanton teaches Landscaping with Texas Native Plants. Learn about some of the most common native perennials, grasses, forbs and aquatic plants. Cost is $35 for members; $45 non-members. Houston Arboretum hosts its Spring Native Plant Sale the week of March 12-20. Shop the more than 60 native species available for sale, including trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, groundcovers, grasses, wildflowers, bog and rain garden plants. Proceeds from the sale will support the Arboretum’s education and conservation programs. Information: 713.681.8433 or www.HoustonArboretum.org.

Herb class at Arbor Gate. Photo by Steve Lovegrove.

Art Happenings

Home Shows

The 40th Annual Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park transforms the park’s Picnic Loop into a one-ofa-kind outdoor gallery, March 25-27. The juried art event features 300 artists representing 18 media formats and benefits local arts organizations. Information: 713.521.0133 or www.bayoucityartfestival.com.

The 23rd Annual Galveston Home & Garden Show takes place March 19-20 at the Galveston Island Convention Center, 5600 Seawall Boulevard. The show offers quality merchandise and services for the home and garden with more than 100 exhibition booths along with exciting speakers and programs. Information: 409.762.3930 or www.galveston.com/homeandgardenshow. The Cy-Fair Home & Garden Show happens March 26-27 in northwest Houston at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress. The fourth annual event features an excellent lineup of speakers and more than 200 vendors, all showcasing new products and the latest ideas to spruce up your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces. Information: www.cyfairhomeandgarden.com.

Antiques Shows & Décor Events

My Texas Map, by Dolan Geiman at the Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park.

Springtime also brings on antiques fever. Fortunately, dozens of shows are within easy driving distance from the Houston area, such as Cole’s Antique Show, March 24-April 2 in Warrenton. The Cole’s event features 200 vendors in air-conditioned comfort (281.485.2277, www.colesantiqueshow.net). Also coming up is the Marburger Farm Antique Show, happening March 29-April 2. The vast outdoor show features more than 350 vendors (800.999.2148, www.roundtop-marburger.com) Dozens more events take place each spring, thanks to the influence of the original Round Top Spring Antiques Fair, scheduled March 30-April 2 this year (512.237.4747, www.roundtoptexasantiques.com). Ten Thousand Villages hosts its Annual Fair Trade Oriental Rug Event from March 24-28. The fair trade shop for artisan goods in the Rice Village, at 2424A Rice Blvd., is showcasing approximately 300 rugs, each handmade in Pakistani homes by fairly paid adult artisans. The rugs are available in a variety of unique designs and sizes ranging from 2’x 3’to 10’x 14’ and runners. An Introduction to Oriental Rugs Seminar will be held at the store on Thursday, March 24 at 6 p.m. The entire event benefits Bunyaad, a fair trade artisan group in Pakistan, seeking to rebuild the community after the devastating floods in Pakistan during the summer of 2010. Information: 713.533.1000 or houston@tenthousandvillages.com. 14

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston displays the newly opened exhibit Circa 1900: Decorative Arts at the Turn of the Century through July 31. The exhibit features European decorative and fine art pieces from about 1890 to 1910, including works by Emile Gallé, Edvard Munch and Frantiˇsek Kupka, and numerous examples of the Art Nouveau movement. Information: 713.639.7300 or www.mfah.org.

Home Tours Find more details on p. 36. River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail, March 4-6 Woodland Heights Home Tour, March 26-27 Houston Heights Home & Garden Tour, April 2-3 Josef Hoffmann’s Vitrine is part of MFAH’s Circa 1900.

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

Rice Design Alliance Architecture Tour, April 2-3


AL Y DE A D ’S eive ! RICK T Rec A TION o P A t . L d T L A S w this TA F INS Sho F O HALF

1/11 s 3/3 e r i p Ex

Home Show

Make a Bright Investment

SALE!

Whether you are remodeling or just updating a single room, let the ALA professionals at The Lighting Gallery help you create a look that compliments your style. The best pricing, selection, style and value since 1974. • Interior & Exterior Fixtures • Mirrors, Pictures & Accessories

• Lampshades • Crystal Chandeliers

• Lamps • Ceiling Fans

Visit our convenient location in the Champions area.

6265 FM 1960 West Houston, Texas 77069 281-444-9299 www.lightinghouston.com Lighting Your Way® Since 1974

GRANITE

1799sq. ft.

$ from

Installed

Granite and Cabinet www.jm-granite.com SPICE RACK

VANITY

FREE ESTIMATES 14726 Hempstead • Houston, TX 77040

FREE SINK PULL OUT TRAY

with $1,000 Cabinet Purchase

Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm 15


Get Your Home Ready For The Holidays Quality Products • On-Time Installation • Value Pricing • Free Estimates Bonded & Insured • 25 Years Experience

B L I N DS & F LO O R S

Sunland® Shutters

WOOD • TILE • CARPET • GRANITE • SHOWER SURROUNDS • SHUTTERS • BLINDS BERBER CARPET

WOOD FLOORS

Shaw

Starting at

1

$ 69 Sq. Ft. Installed Pad Included

$

599

Sq. Ft. Installed Handscraped

PORCELAIN TILE

$

3

49

BLINDS OR SHADES

20%

DISCOUNT

Installed

FREE INSTALLATION

200 Sq. Ft. Minimum

Some Restrictions Apply

SHUTTERS Starting at

14

$

99

Sq. Ft. Installed

LAMINATE FLOORING 20 Year Warranty

$

349

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

713.877.9500 www.a-1blindsandfloors.com Mon-Fri: 9-6 • Sat: 10-4 • Sun: by appointment

Sq. Ft. Installed 10mm

CUSTOM SHOWERS & BATHS • CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS • FREE CARPET INSTALLATION

16

4001 Richmond @ Weslayan 77027

12 MONTHS SAME AS CASH


WE ARE experts WHEN IT COMES TO

window treatments Now is the time to plan and build your outdoor kitchen. Texas Pit Crafters can design one just for you! And our grills and pits cook great too! • • • •

Custom Draperies & Bedspreads Wood/FauxWood Shutters & Blinds Duette® Shades • Silhouette® Shades Solar Shades

Shop at Home Service available. We’ll do the measuring and installation–just call or visit online at windowmagiconline.com

COME SEE OUR BOOTH AT THE RODEO Visit Our Showroom In Tomball

281-356-2168 • www.texaspitcrafters.com

Leather shoppes

Since 1988

leather furniture • custom home theater

Blind & Drapery

7 Day Deliver y on Mos t Blinds 17743 Tomball Pkwy • 281.955.5676 Southwest Area Mobile Showroom • 713.781.9009 Since 1981 Woodlands Area Mobile Showroom • 281.362.0640

Monday - Friday 10 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm. All major credit cards accepted.

R EBORN G RANITE W H O L E S A L E & R E TA I L

Don’t Compromise.....

Customise!

All Wood Cabinets In Stock 96” x 26” Granite At LeatherShoppes, being the oldest and most experienced leather speciality store in the Houston area, you will find more selection, more styles and 100’s of colors from some of the best brands like Bradington-Young, Flexsteel, Palliser, Hooker, Aspen, Berkline and others. All at discount prices. So if you’re tired of the choices you’re finding elsewhere, come see us. That’s why we say Don’t Compromise .... Customise!

www.leathershoppes.com Monday-Saturday

832.467.2000

9:00am-6:00pm

4321 West Sam Houston Pkwy North (Clay exit south of 290)

69 ea. & Up

$

00

Expires 3/31/11

Installed

18 sq. ft.

$

99

Cabinets

5000ea. & Up

$

Expires 3/31/11

713-690-4888

14730 Hempstead Road

I

Houston, TX 77040

www.reborngranite.com 17


before

& after

BY JOETTA MOULDEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET LENZEN

Changes in the Wind BEFORE: The house was beginning to be put back together after Hurricane Ike, but key decisions in the kitchen had not been made. One goal was to increase storage.

before 18

AFTER: In the old kitchen, there had been no room for cookbook storage and no bar counter. Painting the wall under the bar counter to match the buff walls in living room expands the sense of space, while the sturdy barstools won’t tip over when small kids climb them. In the laundry room by the back door, a clothes-folding counter and new drawers and cabinets were added to increase storage.

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

After a tree fell on their home, a family kitchen is reinvented When I first met Catherine and Alejandro Araiza, I was enthralled by the resilience of this young couple with two very young children. During Hurricane Ike, a neighbor’s very tall pine tree crashed diagonally through their small home all the way to the foundation, narrowly missing both sleeping children and parents. As the eye of the storm passed overhead, the couple woke the children, and like an Indiana Jones adventure, escaped by climbing over the tree inside their home in pouring rain, and took shelter at Catherine’s mom’s dry and safe home down the street! And the saga began. Living in an apartment while construction workers put their flattened home back together, Catherine called me (after a referral from a friend) to help her select finishes and colors and redesign her kitchen using their existing appliances. “I needed someone to quickly read my style and help make decisions, which were just overwhelming for me. You were very knowledgeable and methodical,” she said. “I was so relieved after our first visit because I knew you would make this process easier and that we would come out with a much nicer kitchen than we could have conceived on our own. Your experience and creativity gave us so


many more options to consider and you were willing to work with our small budget,” Catherine explained. TIP: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. A devastating storm like Hurricane Ike opens the door (and the roof!) for remodeling. Catherine loves cooking and entertaining, so she really wanted to take advantage of the small space they had. I suggested that in addition to raising the tile flooring to the level of the wood floor in the living room (which she had already decided to do), that she use a large budget-friendly 18” by 18” Brixton DalTile ceramic floor in “Mushroom” and install it diagonally to visually expand space. I also recommended she eliminate the small table that had been next to the window in the kitchen (too cramped) and instead build a bar counter and use the dining table instead. Eliminating the furdowns and the upper row of cabinets that had been over the sink opened the entire kitchen up to the living and dining spaces. I suggested she cover the exposed beam with sheetrock because it was visually lowering the ceiling. I also encouraged them to extend the sink countertop to add a cookbook shelf at the end of the peninsula and more room for barstools. TIP: Stretch your budget by selecting lighting and “Vinna” pulls from Ikea. Be consistent with your metal finishes. “Covering the beam with sheetrock was a stretch because I like the look of exposed wood,” Catherine explains. “The other thing that was tough for me to visualize was having our everyday dishes at waist level instead of overhead. But is has worked out great because the kids can now get their own dishes.” TIP: Just because a kitchen has always been one way does not mean it has to stay that way. “I didn’t know what to expect, having never worked with a decorator, but I trusted you completely and knew immediately the kitchen would turn out far better than if I’d been left to my own devices,” she laughed. Catherine liked the fact that I was sketching, measuring and taking notes during the meeting, which freed her up to think and ask questions. “You captured every last detail, and some of your recommendations I could defer to (like the tile backsplash), so it’s great to have your notes to go back to and to see what we discussed and the possibilities for the future,” she said. The powerful Broan vent was a splurge, but the couple enjoys both its power and its hidden lights. The microwave was moved to a raised cubby off the counter and the existing oven and fridge rearranged to create additional countertop and drawer storage. TIP: To make a kitchen look larger, paint cabinets to match appliances and use the same color on trim throughout the house. Walls were painted Sherwin Williams “Believable Buff” SW 6120 and ceilings “Antique White” SW 66119. Cabinets and trim are “Extra White” SW 7006. Everyone who has seen the house loves the kitchen, and according to the couple it is the star of the house. “Working with you was the best money we spent on the whole project,” Catherine said. “You helped us make economical, stylish decisions that have made all the difference. I never felt at home in my kitchen before now.” Previously, she had chosen paint colors by herself and had cried, both when she had seen the walls painted the wrong colors and when she had to pay the painters to redo the colors. “This time around, thanks to you, I did not make one bad decision,” Catherine beamed.

Come see us at the 18th Annual New Home & Remodeling Show June 12 & 13, Booth 555

19


before

& after TRADE SECRETS • Think “green”— recycling your existing appliances instead of buying new ones keeps them out of the landfill and saves money, too. • Paint consistently gives the most “bang for your buck”. • Get creative. Sheetrocking and painting a visually heavy wood support beam can visually expand space. • Sometimes the most effective strategy is not to add square footage to your house, but to first rethink the space under roof that is already paid for.

LEFT: A new Broan vent was a splurge, but the couple loves the handy, hidden lighting. New ceiling-height cabinets utilize every square inch of storage. The new pantry, with deep drawers at kids’ level, makes the kitchen functional for everyone. BELOW: A new custom, job-built, angled upper cabinet holds liquor, while the new drawer and under-counter storage, plus a new angled cabinet over the refrigerator yields additional storage for this busy young couple.

Joetta Moulden offers home makeovers using your own home furnishings to create the home you’ve always dreamed of. Joetta believes your pieces collected through the years reflect your personality and can be artfully arranged. Her ability to focus on your personal style and not let her own preferences influence the design of your home makes her unique. See more makeovers on her Web site at www.shelterstyle.com, e-mail her at

20

joetta@shelterstyle.com or call 713.461.2063. If an initial appointment or referral is booked by March 31, a 15-percent first meeting discount will be given. Shelterstyle.com holds a "Pages of Happiness" rating and, for the fifth consecutive year, a “Super Service Award” presented to 5 percent of companies that achieve and maintain a superior rating on www.angieslist.com.

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


Will your remodeling company offer these services? Guaranteed Timely Project Completion • 3D Design/Build Budget Driven • Fully Insured • Award Winning Services Owned by Master Craftsman

Now accepting Credit Cards-

CUSTOM RUG SOURCE “More Than Just A Carpet Store” Come visit our showroom/workroom

713.973.7100 1717 Blalock Houston TX 77080 www.customrugsource.com

21


project

Order Up!

A shelf system can turn your kitchen into a well-ordered machine. Photo courtesy of Shelf Genie.

O R G A N I Z I N G Y O U R E X I S T I N G K I T C H E N A N D PA N T RY By ANNE BREUX

Good news: The kitchen is the easiest room to organize. Look around, what do you see? Stacks of mail, knickknacks, small appliances, cooking utensils, spices losing their taste. It’s easy to sort out what’s necessary and what’s not. Bad news: Because it is the busiest place in the house, batteries, pets stuff, papers and so on also tend to accumulate in the kitchen. CLEAN SWEEP

Drawer dividers keep staples in plain sight so inventory checks are swift and simple. Photo courtesy of Poggenpohl.

22

Food prep is the focus of the kitchen, so your goal is to clear out everything that is not essential to cooking or eating. Start by clearing enough space to make cleaning your food-prep surfaces easy. You don’t have to tackle it all at once, in fact, it’s best to go slowly and methodically, so you get it right the first time. Think carefully about what you truly need in the kitchen and what can go elsewhere. Next, free up a small space on the countertop or the breakfast table, open the pantry and empty it entirely. This step is easy and fun once you get started!

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


FULLY INSURED ALL WORK GUARANTEED 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE Frameless and Framed Shower Doors & Enclosures Many Glass and Hardware Options Available

houstonshowerdoors.com

281.220.6886

CONCRETE COATINGS Resurface Your Concrete

# # # # Invitation # # # #

Join us as we invite you into a world of new and impressive techniques as we transform plain concrete into an array of colorful, textured surfaces. By using creative energy we have mastered the art of resurfacing and decorative concrete including overlays and stains. By formulating color, texture, and character, we have come up with an elegant, affordable and durable product with the strength of concrete. HOUSTON DIVISION

# # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Spray Texture Stamped Overlay Concrete Stain Epoxy Flooring Mastic Joints Masonry Effects Custom Designs Pool Decks Patios Driveways Walkways Garages Entryways Old & New Concrete

15 Years Experience 832.607.2998 Phone 281.897.8576 Phone 281.955.1971 Fax Accepted

www.istexas.net 23


project Throw out or recycle: • expired food items • spices that have lost their zest • anything that you can't remember when you used it last • containers without lids • that heap of plastic bags (they won't be collector’s items) Weed out the cleaning products area by disposing of toxic products that are old or just too toxic. Consider the variety of more natural cleaners currently available. To make room in your cabinets, get rid of any cracked or broken china that you wouldn't dare to use with guests; same goes for damaged silverware. Pull out odd the wedding gifts, those fast food toys (they may have been loved once but, you don't have to live with them forever). Do you have a second tea set, fondue pot or food processor? Put those in a box marked "duplicates” to be given away later on. Keep only what you truly like and use. Next step is to clean cabinets inside and out, then store the kept items by function and shape. The placement of items has to make sense to you: for some of us, the mugs go with the glasses, for others, the mugs go with breakfast items. Invite a friend over and play your favorite tune, it will go faster! LOOK & FUNCTION Many modern kitchens feature drawers rather than cabinets for below-counter storage. Photo courtesy of Poggenpohl.

Now, you can think about the interior design of your countertops, pantry, cabinets and drawers. Remember that a sparse countertop is the easiest to clean, so leave out only the items you use daily and are dear to you (and not your mother or best friend). If the water kettle, coffee machine and toaster are your most-utilized items, keep those on the counter and relocate other items. Store all objects close to their related function—the less you use them, the farther away they can be placed. For example, store spices and condiments in drawers next to the cooktop, but Thanksgiving serving platters or the fondue set can be stored in the highest cabinet or the highest shelf. What you use on a daily basis should be stored in a place lower than the height of your shoulders. Heavy items, such as Dutch ovens, large pots and mixers, should be stored in a fully extendable drawer. Don't pile plates and bowls too high, instead, add an intermediate shelf to improve function. Inside cabinets, use interior pull-out drawers or baskets attached on simple tracks under the shelves. To organize the contents of your drawers and baskets, sort by use. For example, openers for cans, bottles, and nuts go in one compartment. Next, assemble the utensils by type, then by size. You may need to buy some fittings for your drawers. Plastic or wood containers are available not only at kitchen stores, but also at office supply stores or bath stores or the local retail outlets for familiar catalogs. Be sure to have the interior drawer dimensions handy (including the height) to find the best-fitting options. Lastly, it helps greatly to store small appliances that don't need to be kept out on the countertop. Leave them in a cabinet close enough to an electrical outlet. Try to group all their accessories together in a single, topless, box.

Conquering Cabinet Chaos A shelf system can make it easier to make the most of the space you already have. Strategic placement of special drawers allows for effortless access to kitchen essentials. Grouping pots and pans on two designated pull-out drawers can reduce the fatigue of cooking. Locating canned Pull-out drawers put bulky items within easy reach. Photo courtesy of Shelf Genie. 24

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


80 Dealers & Proprietors

FRAME GALLERY Custom Framing BARBARA’S ANITQUES European Fine Furnishings

I All Dove Tail

Construction I Great for

Pantries, Cabinets or Bathrooms

KINGS ANTIQUES English & French

I Patented All

L. W. FOUNTAIN ANTIQUES Antiques - Fine Art - Smalls

Steel Mounting with 100 lb. Capacity

HEAVY METALS JEWELRY Buy - Sell - Trade

I Custom Build

to Fit Cabinets I Center Post

Removal Service

FREE In Home Estimates Lifetime Warranty

(281) 313-3434

www.pulloutshelf.com

IN THE

OF TOWN AND COUNTRY FRI SAT SUN 10AM-6PM

10940 KATY FREEWAY HOUSTON, TEXAS 77043 marketplace-antiques.com

Home Furnishings

Accessories

PROFESSIONAL REUPHOLSTERY

Fabrics

Visit us at

Old Henry Farm Round Top Antique Fair March 21 - April 2

Trims

11330 Northwest Freeway Houston, TX 77092 (290 West b/t 34th & Antoine) 713.957.0003 Phone 713.957.1450 fax M-F 10-6:30 • Sat 10-6

w w w. m a x i m u m f u r n i t u r e . c o m 25


project

resources

goods and dry ingredients in the pantry on several pull-out shelves can simplify searches and improve storage capacity.

CLOSET FACTORY 1800 430 2999 closetfactor y.com

“When someone invites us into their home, they may have a big, fabulous kitchen, but all that space is just not working for them,” says Ric Trahan, of Shelf Genie. “We don’t go in with a standard

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS 4003 Waldo 713.785.0111 californiaclosets.com/houston

formula. We solve the headaches. Our design experts understand how to maximize the work triangle with efficient space utilization.” A shelf system provides a huge improvement without a major

PULL OUT SHELF COMPANY 281.313.3434

remodeling job. Trahan says a typical Shelf Genie kitchen project ranges between $2,000 and $3,000, while a pantry alone aver-

SHELF GENIE 866.944.1348 15825 Hwy 249 #8 shelfgenie.com

ages around $1,000. “I’m not a naturally organized person, but with a welldesigned shelf system there is a space for everything,” says Trahan. “My wife and I cook a lot. When you have two or more people working in the kitchen, the placement of items can get

LEFT: (Above) The Container Store’s Chrome Roll-Out Cabinet Drawers and elfa® Easy Gliders can maximize storage in tight spaces.

confused. Now I don’t get in trouble after I unload the dishwasher, because everything has a specific place.” Trahan’s Shelf Genie franchise is based in Austin, but he has been servicing the Houston area for just over a year. He and his

(Below) Group items in drawers by function and place them near where they will be used. Photo courtesy of Poggenpohl.

team are excited to be putting the finishing touches on a new showroom.

• SYNTHETIC LAWNS BY FOREVERLAWN •

Think Green...Think Forever...Think ForeverLawn Yes! For 15 to 20 Years. Lots of Warranty. With the sudden water shortage, ForeverLawn is a great alternative to natural grass.

K9Grass

is the artificial grass designed specifically for dogs. Its unique features help promote a cleaner, safer, better-smelling environment for pets. With its exclusive flow-through backing, short dense blade structure, and antimicrobial protection, K9Grass is the ideal surface for both residential and commercial pet areas.

Get an Additional 10% OFF with This Ad April 1st through 30th, 2011

Playground Grass is lush, beautiful green grass that is safe for kids to play on, soft to fall on, and cost effective. Low maintenance. Also works great for regular lawn areas.

713.398.1081 • www.foreverlawninc.com 26

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


Visit our Showroom: 15825 Highway 249, Suite 8 27


Splendor in the

This home, designed by Lake | Flato Architects of San Antonio, demonstrates the firm’s intention for the lot and home to function as one. Embracing the outdoors with a playful openness, the residents easily commune with the lush environment, rich with pine trees and a varied native understory. This home is among six locations on the 2011 Rice Design Alliance Architecture Tour. (See p. 36)

Guided by nature’s beauty and Houston’s notorious climate, an award-winning firm’s design provides a local family with a verdant urban oasis By SANDRA COOK

28

| Photos by HESTER+HARDAWAY

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


Glass

The front entrance is screened in a slatted hardwood, to provide a privacy layer for the mostly glass home. This yields a front door that is actually a gate leading to an outdoor Japanese garden room.

In contrast to its signature skyscrapers and freeways, the Houston area is blessed with a multitude of wooded neighborhoods. Our area’s ample annual rainfall and the resilience of our wonderful native trees provide natural solutions for the long hot summers. The heavily wooded Memorial area, set along Buffalo Bayou on Houston’s near west side, is known both for its near-continuous green canopy and its stunning homes on generous lots. Several years ago, a young family found their own slice of paradise in one of those lush Memorial neighborhoods.

“We absolutely fell in love we the lot, but not so much the previous house,” says the homeowner. So they turned to Ted Flato who happened to be a cousin and happened to be a principal at the nationally recongnized Lake | Flato Architects in San Antonio. The resulting home is a haven for the family of three and their trio of Labradors. “Ted was so brilliant about the placement on the lot,” says the homeowner. “The whole house stays shaded all day and never gets warm, even in Houston summers.” Though Flato studied in California and his firm is based in 29


Setting the house in the right spot to take advantage of the best features of the lot was essential to the success of the design. The architects used elements of the house, such as strategic placement of the solid walls, to minimize or even enhance the less-attractive features of the lot.

San Antonio, he was born and raised in Corpus Christi, a Gulf Coast city with a climate not that different from Houston’s. For every project, the firm collaborates with the landscape firm throughout design process, in this case, McDugald Steele. “We consider the environment as a key piece of the puzzle,” says Flato. “The outdoor space is as important as the indoor space, and most

30

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

importantly, we think about how rooms can engage the outdoors. We think about elements of the house and the site as one big canvas.” A NATURAL DRAW

“This lot had a beautiful deep draw – a little ravine,” says Flato.


Three keys to Lake | Flato’s approach 1. Address the landscape: consider how the building will relate to the environment. The wooded lot offered a small, private forest, punctuated by the gentle topography variation of the ravine. 2. Think about the climate and weather, letting the more significant conditions shape much of the design. The biggest factor was Houston’s intense sun, so exposures to the east and west were limited, while exposures to the north and south were maximized. This also takes advantage of the prevalent southern breeze, yet care was taken to block chilling north winds. 3. Consider the context. Lake | Flato sought to use materials that make sense for the location. “In Houston, we had to use materials that can weather the climate,” says Flato. “A metal exterior (copper in this case) is a better choice than wood in humid environment.” Stucco walls soften the look and introduce color, yet are solid. The steel skeleton of the structure is built to handle powerful winds. Each section of the house leans on each other, so support and stability are unending.

BELOW: Stucco in various earthy hues is used on several walls, both inside and out. It was stained with a concrete floor stain to bring out variation in texture. The mottled stucco texture softens the hard edges of the steel and glass structure and introduces color into the greenscape.

“Such topography is very special in Houston. The views into nature are dominated by lots of big, tall pine trees.” From inside, much of the house focuses on the shallow ravine that lies on the south side of the property. The forest-like landscape, animated by squirrels, birds and the family’s three dogs, provides a constant daytime show. The two-story volumes offer a variety of


The multitude of windows ensures that natural light and the lush landscape are welcomed into the interior spaces. Expanses of vertical grain fir, playful shapes and curious pathways combine with the front-to-back and side-to-side views to enhance the indoor/outdoor feel of the home.

32

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


boxy shapes and playful passages. “The lines of the home flow both horizontally and vertically to feel spacious as well as to showcase the tall pine trees,” says Flato. “The arms of the structure stretch out into the landscape. It is a playful house for a playful family.” NEVER A BAD DAY

“Houston has an environment that is very verdant, but it’s easy to forget that when you’re driving around on the expressways,” says Flato. “For this house, nature was the driver of the design.” With the natural setting as the home’s dominant feature, the result is very much like a large tree house that happens to be on the ground. “We wanted a friendly house, with space for kids to play,” says the homeowner. “We asked for something very open and the results are absolutely beyond our expectations. It’s amazingly quiet, even with all that openness. No matter what the weather, there’s never a bad day – aesthetically speaking. If it’s pouring down rain, the rain chains are so great. I just love it.”

RIGHT: From inside, the playful home resembles a large tree house with its delightful barn shutters, generous catwalk, and creative combination of wood, steel, stucco and glass.


The home’s exterior, comprised of copper, stucco, glass and steel, was built to be maintenance-free. A long stucco wall connects the house to the pool cabana, which serves as a game retreat for gatherings. The stucco wall creates a courtyard for the pool area, screening it from the driveway.

The home’s broad overhangs reach toward the wooded landscape, almost physically connecting to the branches of the trees. The overhangs also provide ample shelter from sun and rain. 34

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

A screened-in porch sits off the back of kitchen. This transition from inside to out was built like a cozy den, complete with fireplace, and is a favorite place for the family in the winter months.”


Architect Ted Flato says his firm sought to make a house for Houston that didn’t make you feel like you didn’t want to go outside, but rather encouraged its residents to enjoy the outdoors.

RESOURCES ARCHITECT: Lake | Flato Architects, San Antonio, 210.679.2396 LANDSCAPE: McDugald Steele, 713.868.8060 MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL: Gulf Coast Air Conditioning, 713.644.1861 STRUCTURAL: Consulting Engineers Corp., Washington, D.C., 703.481.2100 LIGHTING: Bill Jansing Lighting Design, Dallas, TX, 214.742.6040 PLUMBING: Elegant Editions, 713.522.0088 AUDIO/VISUAL: Media Design, Inc., 713.520.0025 GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Renaissance Builders, 713.869. 9977 INTERIOR DESIGN: Peggy McGaughy, 713.781.0631

35


home tours

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HESTER+HARDAWAY

606 West Friar Tuck Lane

6001 Charlotte Street

2003 – Lake | Flato Architects, San Antonio, TX

2005 – Price Harrison & Associates, Nashville, TN

RICE DESIGN ALLIANCE 2011 Architecture Tour For more than 35 years, the Rice Design Alliance has held yearly architecture tours to highlight outstanding examples of architecture, interior design, and landscape design APRIL 2-3 in the city. This year’s tour, Houses of Import, features homes designed by architects from outside the Houston region. The tour showcases the architects’ fresh insight and inspiration in the context of Houston’s architectural vitality.

Houses of Import

The six homes on the tour demonstrate how Houston’s climate, history, transportation, landscape, lack of zoning are interpreted from an outsider’s perspective. One goal of the tour is to understand how an emerging global design practice is beginning to have a significant impact on our local residential design market. For more information visit www.ricedesignalliance.org.

3506 Sunset Boulevard 2005 – David Heymann, Architect, Austin, TX

1916 Banks Street (Handmade House)

3122 Sunset Boulevard (Casita)

2010 – Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen, Seattle, WA

2010 – W. Jude LeBlanc, Atlanta, GA

36

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


GUARDIAN WINDOWS Since 1986

Let Me Show You The Difference...No Other Windows Come Close

Save Energy Cut Noise Add Security Block Out Heat, Cold & Dust

Usually 20% to 50% Off Major Competition. • Custom Made Replacement Windows, Storm Windows & Storm Shutters • Replace Old Windows

$CASH DISCOUNT • FREE ESTIMATES Deal Directly with Owner

Lifetime Warranty

281.955.8994 www.windowreplacementofhouston.com

A.G.WELDING Custom designed ornamental iron stair and balcony railings, staircases, gates, carports, awnings, and structural iron work.

Free estimates Residential & Commercial 8125 McGee Ln • Houston, TX 77071 713-988-4200 • www.agwelding.com TACLA015311E

37


home tours River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail, March 4-6 Admire the South’s signature symbol of springtime in varying shades of pink, purple, white, red, and yellow at seven Houston locations on this year’s Azalea Trail. Join in this 75-year tradition by touring the gardens and homes of four private River Oaks residences, plus the grounds of the River Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics, Bayou Bend and Rienzi. For information and tickets, visit www.riveroaksgardenclub.org or call 713.523.2483.

Woodland Heights Home Tour, March 26-27 Tour six historic homes in the historic Woodland Heights neighborhood. The six unique homes, built between the early1900s and the 1930s, represent a range of sizes and architectural styles, from a traditional restoration to a modern loft conversion of a 1925 church. For information and tickets go to www.woodland-heights.org/hometour.htm.

Springtime in Bloom Home & Garden Tours that will delight and inspire you

Heights Home & Garden Tour, April 2-3 Explore of six homes and gardens (four historic and two recent construction) each reflecting the unique character and architecture of one of the Houston Heights. Also on the tour this year will be an opportunity to see the “before” version of Immanuel Lutheran Church—a historic structure which will soon be transformed into a community center for art exhibits, receptions, and community and youth programs. For information and tickets visit www.houstonheights.org.

38

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


CenturyGlass &Interiors INTERIOR HOME DECORATING

FINE FURNITURE ART • GIFTS ACCESSORIES

PAVING With

Elegance

Pavers Retaining Walls Concrete Works Driveways Walkways Arbors Hardscaping

Visit our showroom Mon.-Sat. 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.

2007 SOUTH MAIN MISSOURI CITY 281.499.9570 WWW.CENTURYGLASSANDINTERIORS.COM

Free Quotes • 713-829-3140 Escobar Company

www.escobarcompany.com

COLE’S ANTIQUES SHOW& SALE THURSDAY, MARCH 24 SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2011 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY

JOIN US! Browse and shop our new air conditioned building and outside tents full of antiques and collectibles! Expert glass repair on site. FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING FREE WINE TASTING • TUES., MAR. 29, 2011 5-8 pm CORNER OF HWY 237 & FM 954 • WARRENTON, TX FOR BOOTHS CALL DIANE COLE • 281-961-5092

Fine Furniture Manufacturing Since 1994

Sofas, Chairs, Tables, Bar Stools, Bedrooms, Refinishing, Reupholstering & Distributing Glass Table Tops Free In-House Design Service Available 713.667.6800 • 713.667.3355 7023 Rampart • Houston, TX

fax

www.laziodesign.com • info@laziodesign.com

CALL FOR THE BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL

Lazio Design

COUNTERTOPS Granite*........... $29.95 ........ Silestone$35.95 ZODIAQ ......... DuPont Starting from

sq. ft. & up

Starting from

sq. ft. & up

Starting from

* while supplies last

$35.95

sq. ft. & up

713-463-5800

3602 W. 12TH ST.

409-744-5800

2717 61ST STREET GALVESTON • RANDALL’S CENTER Email: sales@traditionaldesignsltd.com • www.traditionaldesignsltd.com

39


Spring Clean Ups & Fix Ups

Weather changes cause our soil to shift, so check fence posts for stability.

LET THE SUNSHINE INSPIRE YOU TO FRESHEN UP YOUR HOME INSIDE AND OUT Let the spring cleaning begin. As winter’s grey days give way to spring’s sunny splendor, dingy windows and weather-worn boards beckon us to tackle household tasks that we’ve been putting off all winter. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Spruce up your front door to give a warm welcome to neighbors and guests. Photo courtesy of Rick’s Front Door Refinishing 40

The appearance of your front door makes a huge statement. If your door is saying, “I’m weary and need some love,” then it may be time to refresh or refinish the paint or stain. A simple touch-up can take just a few hours, while a full refinishing job can take a day or two depending on the size of the door. Minor touch ups are easy for most homeowners, but stripping off an old finish or layers of paint gets more involved and is best left to the professionals. “There are usually no surprises once we get to your house,” says Rick Davis of Rick’s Front Door Refinishing. “We can do everything on site. On a single door we can do both sides in just a few hours. We can also replace all the hardware, thresholds and kickplates.” Davis has owned his company for five years, but grew up working on pianos with his father and grandfather, so he has learned many tricks to make old wood look like new. His company also refinishes fiberglass doors. “If the job looks too big, call us,” says Davis.

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


R U B I N ’ S

TEXAS SHUTTERS CORPORATION

specializes in CUSTOM PLANTATION SHUTTERS made from solid basswood. Right now, take advantage of HUGE SAVINGS available by purchasing your custom shutters directly from the factory. We CUSTOM PAINT your shutters and MATCH YOUR STAIN SAMPLES. Ready to install in approximately 3 TO 4 WEEKS.

Custom Rugs and Fine Carpet

Wall-to-Wall Carpet

832-598-0549

1800

$

Custom Rug Work Room Binding Service

3130 Rogerdale Rd., Suite 150 • www.rubinscustomrugs.com

CALL TO SCHEDULE A FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE.

sq. ft.

Other window coverings are also available. Visit our website @ www.beautifulshutters.com

SPECIAL

7 1 3 .7 8 4 .1 1 8 0

StillGoode Consignments Quality Furniture ◆ Antiques ◆ Home Décor ◆ Estate Sales

5200 Louetta Road, Suite 138 Spring, Texas 77379 (just 4 miles west of I-45)

WWW.STILLGOODE.COM (281) 370-4447

10% off core aeration with this ad

Open Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm ◆ Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm ◆ Sunday 1pm-5pm Shipping & Delivery Available ◆ All Major Credit Cards Accepted Consignments by Appointment

:

N IO RS NT NE tract, w E n W o T AT MEOg any cow you hs and • • HOe signinany shhoundresdands p u u or Bef ur com ve yo es tho Contractors & Architects Welcome • 20 Years Experience s o a s let can s me ca dollar Replacement Windows • New Construction Triple Pane we in so of Glass Bay & Bow Windows • KeepSafe® Glass

ALL MAJOR BRANDS FOR LESS

Absolute Designs C&T Inc.

Vinyl Wood Metal

S OW

DOORS

For Noise

S

ING ID

WIN D

TM

Magic Windows • Hurricane Glass Storm Windows • French Doors Patio Doors • Storm Doors

GRANITE • MARBLE • QUARTZ

Granite Countertops Installed from:

FREE ESTIMATES Phone Quotes

713-777-1615

Showroom: 5633 S.W. Freeway At Chimney

FLOOR DECOR

19

$

832.878.0339 • www.adesignsgranite.com Visit

shademypatio.com Houston’s premier builder of no-maintenance patio covers offers the best price and service in your area. View our gallery to see over 200 pictures of actual projects we have installed for the discriminating homeowners and builders throughout Southeast Texas. Call today! Free estimates and design.

ALL MAJOR BRANDS RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

National Wood Flooring Association

713-977-6382 3416 Fondren Rd • Se Habla Español

Sq. Ft.

Free sink or 10% Discount up to $150 with this ad.

CARPET • HARD WOOD • LAMINATE • STONE/TILE • COUNTERTOPS

Member

99

Made in the Shade, llc.

281-330-8399 41


Cool spring days are ideal for airing out your home, so open up those windows! MENDING FENCES

Wood fences in our area take a beating from our high heat, heavy downpours and humidity. Be sure to inspect hinges and latches on gates to make sure your kids, pets and property stay as safe as possible. Check your entire fence for weak spots and wobbly areas. Replace weak or broken boards with new ones. If any posts are unstable, consider removing them and replacing in a new concrete foundation. This is a strenuous job that often requires a good bit of muscle and know-how. Unless you have experience with this type of work, it’s best to call a professional. And while you’re outside, look at your home’s exterior. Hose off or spray wash grimy areas, then look for spots that may need paint touch ups. Examine your gutters, too. If they are full of leaves and debris from the winter, then they are not ready to handle Houston's spring and summer rains that make so many headlines.

The transition from winter to spring is an ideal time to reorganize closets. Winter clothing and accessories can be stored under the bed or rotated to the back of the closet. While you’re at it, weed out unwanted items that no longer fit your lifestyle, or simply no longer fit. Pile those items into boxes or shop-

SPRING CLEANING CLASSICS

Window washing is practically synonymous with spring cleaning. Grab a buddy and tackle both sides of widows at the same time to speed up the process and avoid streaky leftovers. The resulting crystal clear widows will brighten up your whole house and improve views to the outdoors.

42

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

getting it done Want to put some fresh energy into the annual housecleaning? • Make it a family affair. Involve everyone in a planning session and assign tasks to each family member. Let each person mark their chore off the list when completed to give them a sense of accomplishment. • Wear old and comfortable clothes. This way, you can dig in and work without worrying about stains and spills. • Open all the windows. Even a 10-15 minute airing-out will do wonders for the atmosphere in your home. • Go green. Now is a good time to try out some of the new, environmentally sensitive cleaners, if you haven’t already. You can also use the old-fashioned “green” products: vinegar, baking soda and elbow grease.


713-686-6176 Fax 713-686-3217

4910 W 34th St. PERSONAL SERVICE PROMPT DELIVERY

Specializing In Hardwood Lumber, Plywood and Moulding.

2” WOOD BLIND SALE 713.660.9191

Antique Pine, Aromatic Cedar, Ash, B. E. Maple, Basswood, Birch, Bloodwood, Bocote, Bubinga, Cherry, Cocobola, Curly Maple, Cypress, Lacewood, Mahogany, Maple, Mesquite, Mexican Rosewood, Oak, Padouk, Pecan, Purpleheart, Poplar, Spanish Cedar, Sycamore, Teak, Walnut, Wenge, Zebrawood and More Quality Domestic & Imported Plywood (Interior & Marine) Edgebanding & Veneer Sheets • Butcher Block Tops Flooring • Moulding • MDF & Melamine

“a family tradition since 1939”

On-Site Custom Moulding & Planing Open 7:30-5:00 M-F; 8:30-12:00 Sat. www.houstonhardwoods.com

5 to 7 day delivery on most products Call for free measure and quote houstonblind@aol.com

IN THE GARDEN Home of Unique Garden Décor

Vintage Furniture • Fountains • Statuary • Ornamental Iron • Benches 1405 Cedar Post Ln., Houston TX 77055 713-932-7652 Open Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 9-1 www.inthegardenhouston.com

Sun • Fun

Screen-enclosed patios, porches & pools are well-ventilated areas that resist pests and are easier to maintain.

Enclosures KEEP THE MOSQUITOES

OUT!

Invest In Timeless Treasures

Unique Religious Art Spanish & French Antiques Accessories & Primitives

JOHN HOLT ANTIQUES 2416 Woodhead • 713-528-5065

Since 1982

Sun • Fun

Enclosures www.sun-fun.com

281-499-8823

texas decks, etc.

Since 1979

Specializing in custom outdoor living spaces. Call today for a free in-home consultation. • Ultrawood Decks • Shade Arbors & Gazebos

• Composite Lumber Decks • Portable & In-Ground Spas

713•697•3446 • www.texasdecksetc.com

OPEN MON- FRI, 10AM - 5PM CLOSED SAT & SUN

Texas Stone Construction • Flagstone Patios • Stained Concrete • Stamped Concrete • Wood Arbors

• Firepits • Stone Columns • Pavers • Waterfalls • Tile & Coping • Stone Benches • Fireplaces FREE ESTIMATES

281.734.5368 txstone@comcast.net 43


resources CITY OF HOUSTON SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste or call 311 RICK’S FRONT DOOR REFINISHING 713.427.2487 DESIGNMASTER FENCING SYSTEM 1.800.332.2376 designmaster fence.com Convert the garage from a catch-all to tidy place for cars, tools and supplies. Photo courtesy of California Closets.

ping bags and donate to a local charity. Most charities will give you a receipt for tax deduction purposes. The spring weather also allows us to spend a few hours taming the chaos in the garage. To start, back out any vehicles that enjoy the luxury of parking in the garage. Tackle one wall at a time, removing items that you don’t need. If you have a truck handy, load up the unnecessary items to be recycled, given away or donated. Check your trash collection schedule for heavy trash pick up, or find the City of Houston Solid Waste Department’s Neighborhood Depository near you (six locations across Houston). Sweep the entire garage, including shelves and workbenches. Then reorganize the keeper items, grouping them by function and frequency of use. At this point you may want to wash and clean out those cars before moving them back into the garage! Avoid waste when cleaning windows by using a microfiber cloth instead of paper towels.

44

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


Beautifying your neighborhood one door at a time!

R ICK’S FFRONT RONT D OOR RICK’S DOOR R EFINISHING REFINISHING Why are we THE BEST on-site door refinishing company in Houston?

713-427-2487

• Mobile refinishing shops • Professionally trained refinishers • On-site Door refinishing • 1-day Service • Because we try harder!

Visit www.aprettydoor.com to see current Special Offers!

Place your order now and have it ready for Spring guests! • Stair Railings • Balconies • Gates • Doors • Fire Screens • Fences • Decoration • Baby Gates • Security Doors • Chandeliers • Much More

Take an ordinary journey to an extraordinary place

832-620-7690 www.irontopdesigns.com juan@irontopdesigns.com

wrought iron • stainless steel • aluminum

The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 • Tomball, Texas 77377

www.arborgate.com • 281-351-8851

AMS REMODELING Custom Homes Room Additions Garages • Kitchen Bathrooms Hardie Siding Remodeling FREE ESTIMATES

713-680-2019

www.amsremodeling.com

Top Quality • Relibility • Experience

U-Plumb-It Tankless Gas Water Heaters

PARTS • FIXTURES • FAUCETS INSTRUCTION

Endless hot water for your entire home heated only when you need it

FEATURING TOTO BATHROOM FIXTURES

1424 Montrose Houston, TX 77019

Transforming Your Dreams...Into Reality!

ALWAYS HOT

River Oaks Quality at National Street Prices • Specializing in gas grills, fireplaces & accessories • Service & Installation Available

713.942.2277

Cabinets in Stock

Cabinet Sales, Inc.

281-446-4444

1200 National Street Near Downtown

Across from Academy in Humble

Se Habla Español

www.thefireboxinc.com 9946 FM 1960 Bypass

T-F; 8:30-4:00 Sat; 8:30-12:00

713-869-3457

ALISON GLASS RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

• Shower Doors • Mirrors • Window Glass • Solar Screens • Storefront All Types of Ornamental Iron Staircases • Balconies • Iron Doors Interior/Exterior Railings Showroom by appointment only

832.474.7765 • 832.248.2267 www.kingdomirondesigns.com

14027 Memorial Dr. #190 Houston, TX 77079

832.878.9660

www.alisonglassinc.com 45


• Stage Your Home for Sale • Redesign for a Fresh New Look • Serving NW Houston

713.817.9840

(a $200 Value)

Beautifully Affordable

FREE CONSULTATION

Chisholm Interior Design

pet of the month HI! I’m Molly. I am unfortunately a “recession puppy.” After two-and-a-half years with my family, it’s time for them to move on without me. That may sound sad, but I am a “glass half-full” kind of gal. I learned a valuable lesson about optimism while watching a television news show covering landslides and forest fires out West. A homeowner, upon watching her house slide off a mountainside, looked at the camera and said, “we have our lives and our love. Losing all of your material posessions teaches you the lesson of release.” I may have lost my old family, but I know I will find a new one. Maybe even a family with kids and a yard, because I love playing around. And I’m still young, so it’won’t be too hard for this chihuahua mix to start over. All I need is you (and some belly rubs and brushing). I’ll bring the good attitude!

Amish Cabinets of Texas Furniture Grade Custom Cabinetry Complete Remodeling Prices That Will Pleasantly Shock You!

281-587-2663

www.amishcustomcabinetry.com

281-802-2622

www.createrenovations.com

’s AT

ID# A12437650

ANTONIO’S TREES WHOLESALE

High quality custom made silk trees, plants & greenery

HOUSTON SPCA 900 Portway Drive, Houston 77024, 713.869.SPCA (7722) Noon to 8 p.m. daily, www.houstonspca.org

8600 WESTPARK DR, STE. 112 HOUSTON, TX 77063 713.278.1145

antoniossilktrees.com

APEX REMODELING & CONSTRUCTION Room Additions Kitchen Remodeling Bathroom Remodeling Patio Covers Complete Home Remodeling

Opening the doorway to your new home The Metropolitan Keller Williams

Fully Licensed • Fully Insured • Texas State Registered Builder

apexrc@comcast.net

713-498-3445 www.houstonapexremodeling.com

Jonathan B Westerman Realtor

832.488.4535

AVALON POOLS

offers you unique conceptual designs, handcrafted pools and spas, detailed makeovers and additions along with smart solutions to all pool and landscape problems.

HUGE SAVINGS ON WINDOW COVERINGS

BLINDS, SHUTTERS & DRAPERIES

jonathanbwesterman@yahoo.com

Alabama Furniture “There’s No Sale Like Resale” OVER 30,000 SQ. FT. OF NAME BRAND QUALITY PRE-OWNED HOME FURNISHINGS MON-SAT 10-6 SUN 12-5

Consignments • Estate Purchases • Salvage Freight

5143 FM 1960 W. Houston, TX 77069

“factory direct” 281.580.2299 46

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

2200 Yale • Houston, TX 77008 • In The Heights • 713-862-3035 www.alabamafurniture.com • info@alabamafurniture.com


Does your home need a “face lift”?

We agreed on the most important thing.

Does your new home need window treatments and bedding? We have your solution. Free in-home consultation. Call or come by.

HENNEY'S DRAPERIES, INC. 6450 Louetta Road, #240B • 281.376.2441

We called NARI.

BEAUTIFUL POOLS at affordable prices REFLECTION

POOLS & SPAS Office . . . . . . 713.559.1100 Houston • Dallas • Beaumont

Call a NARI Professional

Everyday, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) helps consumers who are looking for qualified contractors and suppliers for their job.

www.reflectionpoolsandspas.com

We Do Windows ..and

713-621-NARI www.NARIhouston.com

Hiring a member of NARI will allow you to pick the right contractor or supplier for your job. From an updated kitchen to a home theater, from a fully functional garage to an outdoor patio, there is no job NARI professionals can’t do.

D

oors

Personalized Service at Affordable Prices Call Nelson Fisher for estimates, brochures or more details. Prices gladly quoted by phone.

Replacement Window Specialist • Since 1985

Texas Windows & Doors Inc. 908 Town & Country Blvd. #120

713-984-7543 www.texaswindowsanddoors.net

Never be ordinary

•Landscape Design & Installation •Pavers, Patios & Walkways •Cedar & Aluminum Pergolas •Outdoor Kitchens •Landscape Lighting •Drainage Solutions • Tree Trimming

Unique, hand-crafted furniture from reclaimed wood, metal and stone for more than 15 years. Together, we’ll make your home

1213 West 20th Street 713.501.5964 luckydoghouston.com

Simply Divine 22758 Westheimer Parkway Ste 240 Katy, TX 77450 Villagio Town Center @ Cinco Ranch 832.437.3288 • www.simplydivineinteriors.com 47


For more than 16 years, readers have known what they want. That’s why they read Houston House & Home. We’re still the only magazine in Houston with editorial completely dedicated to the home and all aspects of home improvement. Our readers never have to wade through society gossip or before and after photos of cosmetic procedures. They enjoy page after page of quality editorial, beautiful photography and the inspiration and resources to turn their houses into their dream homes. Be here when homeowners come looking for you. Call 713.523.6523 to advertise • www.houseandhomeonline.com

PEGGY’S SERVICES HAZEL’S CUSTOM DRAPES

GET IN PRINT

Over 45 years experience

AD RATES IN THIS SECTION START AT

Trish Miller Peggy Robinson Designer

Designer

20-80% OFF

JUST $90 PER MONTH CALL 713.523.6523

Any Custom Order

281.345.0077 • www.peggyservices.com Drapes • Blinds • Shutters • Window Film

JUST RIGHT FENCE

Professional Installation of

CUSTOM MADE • Driveway Gates • Rod Iron & Wood Fences • Security Doors & Windows • Fire Exits • Patio Enclosures • FREE ESTIMATES

912 Yale Street

832.673.5328

713-861-7750

North of I-10 in “The Heights”

CREATIVE CONTOURS L . ANDSCAPE CO

• Underground Drainage Systems • Brick, Brick Paver, & Stone Patios • Landscape

713-723-9318

www.creativecontourslandscapingLLC.com

Russell Budnick Grad. Texas A&M

$50 OFF With This Ad

Gallaway Porcelain Works Reconditioning

Repair

Refinishing Porcelain Acrylics I Simulated Marble I Fiberglass I Tub Chips I Antique Clawfoot Tubs Refinisher for the Emporium I I

281-304-9300

TexasTubs.com

MAR. 30 - APR. 2, 2011

Mar. 12-13, 2011

sergiolozano1202@hotmail.com

• Landscape Lighting • Sprinkler Systems • Soil pH Testing • Design • Installation

ALL TYPES OF

# # # # # VISIT US AT THE # # # # # THE BIG RED BARN RURAL TEXAS ANTIQUES IN ROUND TOP, TX SHOW IN CAT SPRING, TX

Pool Remodeling Specialists HOUSTON’S PREMIER POOL REMODELER SINCE 1982 Total Renovations: Decking • Tile • Resurface • Waterfalls Call now for a free estimate

281-955-8114 www.competitionpools.com house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 |

We Do ESTATE SALES Call Us! www.randfantiques.com

Wed - Sat: 10:00 - 5:30 # Sun - Tues: By Chance or Appt.

BRIGHT METALS HEIGHTS OF THE

GOLD - SILVER - BRASS - NICKEL - CHROME ANTIQUES - REPAIRING - POLISHING Gus Olivares 713-861-0729

WOOD& LAMINATES

A

Your materials or ours at wholesale prices

INSTALLATION

281.851.7476

PROFESSIONAL

STONE MASTER quality. experienced. dependable. we welcome all types of stone & brick projects stone patios walkways • waterfalls new stone & pool restoration

Leo Mendez

626 E. 11th St. • Houston, TX 77008

281-443-9053 832-216-9517

BRAZOS BEND TREE FARM

BESTCARE HOME SERVICES • Bathrooms • Tile-Wood • Painting • Gutters • Drywall • Carpentry • Cabinets • Roofing

• Shutters • Siding • Kitchens • Counter Tops

• Granite-Marble • Carpets • Cleaning • Restretch

281-821-2900

• Brick-Concrete • Pools & Decking • Decking • Sprinklers • Landscaping

Quality Container Grown Trees

BUY FARM DIRECT AND SAVE

23111 FM 1462 Damon, TX • 979-553-3441 • 979-553-3756 fax

- INSURED -

w w w. b r a z o s b e n d t re e f a r m . c o m

C REATIVE I MPROVEMENTS, LLC.

20% Off

Residential & Commercial

713-440-7990

FREE ESTIMATES

281-804-3108

Open To The Public

Phone

REFERRALS AVAILALBE www.creativeimprovementsllc.com Room Additions • Roofing • Painting • Carpentry • Electrical • Plumbing Doors • Siding • Decks • Interior & Exterior Repairs. Remodel Kitchens and Bathrooms. Granite Countertops.

PAINTING HANDYMAN SHEETROCK REPAIR Bonded • Insured Free Estimates • References

Any Service!

• Landscape Lighting • Contractor • Carpentry • Remodeling & Repairs

Room Additions • Moving Jobs

• Pressure Washing


the gallery

Call 713.523.6523 to advertise.

DEMOLITION We Demolish All Things Concrete • Swimming Pools • House Slabs • Parking Lots • Tennis Courts • Debris Removal Services We build crushed concrete driveways. SLS DEMO 281.748.5959

281-935-7276 www.peakstairs.com • fax 936 653-2700

FREE ESTIMATES

Brick, Stone, Glass Blocks, Brick Staining Paver Designs, Brick Fences & Columns

We Restore Bricks to Original Beauty Since 1993

PEAK STAIRS

REMODEL • NEW CONSTRUCTION

C R E AT I V E L A N D S C A P E S

Expert Remodeling and Restoration

All Work Guaranteed Fully Insured Call (281) 558-1828 for a Free Estimate

L

andmark andscapes

www.brick-restoration.com

Leather Restoration

Designia Studio

Color Glo can extend the useful life of your:

before

after

Leather & Vinyl We clean, condition, repair, and restore leather: Furniture • Vehicles Boats • Aircraft & Rv's We repair Damage & Soil

Design, Construction and Carpet Cleaning

YOU HAVE A DREAM... WE MAKE IT TRUE. Pools • Decks • Landscaping • Outdoor Kitchens Improvements • Driveways • More. BUT IF YOU NEED SERVICE WE ALSO DO IT. Power Wash • Seal Concrete • Carpet Cleaning Pool Cleaning • Painting, etc.

Avoid costly replacement!

Free Estimates!

Color Glo of Houston • Servicing Houston Area 281-413-5475 • greg@colorglohouston.com www.houstonleathercare.com

Designia Studio • 936.718.4346 • designiastudio.com

Upgrade Your Life & Your Style

Money Makers

• Design Makeovers • New Construction & Remodeling • Window Treatments, Furniture, Art, Accessories • Feng Shui & Color Consultations

Flags, Banners, Poles

As seen on Great Day Houston and Fox!

Windsocks and Pennants

Pamela rien O’B

www.moneymakersflags.com 1517 Blalock Houston, TX 77080

713.523.5667

713-461-1153 800-838-1153

281.794.483O

www.roomredo.com

Find your inspiration Pick up House & Home at: Randalls, Kroger & select HEB stores. Home delivery is also available. Call 713.523.6523 for more information.

Bright Landscape Designs Inc. Bright Ideas for Landscaping 281.496.3576 www.brightlandscapedesigns.com Custom Landscaping • Stonework Lighting • Maintenance Water Features • Irrigation Design & Installation • Consultation Serving greater Houston and surrounding areas since 1982!

STONE RESTORATION We restore & polish: Marble • Travertine • Limestone • Granite Remove: Scratches • Stains We restore counters, vanities & table tops We clean and seal exterior patios

“Simply the best in brick repair” Serving Texas and the U.S.

Color Hardeners • Releases • Acid Stains • Premium Sealers Polyurethanes • Counter Top Mix • Self Leveling Overlays • Stamps Tools • Training & Support • Seminars • Furniture Molds • Integral Colors

Specialists in pointing and filling brick and mortar cracks along with Patio & Outdoor Firepits

8310 Castleford St. #250 • Houston, TX 77040 713-462-8884 • www.decorativecs.com

713.856.8329 • www.mrbrickofhouston.com

• Kitchen Remodeling • Bathroom Remodeling • Cabinets–Granite Countertops • Cultured Marble Vanities • Tile–Ceramic–Stone–Slate • Carpets–Hardwood–Laminates Water Damage • Painting–Sheetrock–Texturing Extraction & Restoration • Hardie Siding–Custom Carpentry • Windows–Doors–Crown Molding • Roofing–Gutters–Pressure Washing • Brick–Patio Rooms–Deckings • Insured • • House Leveling - Fences

Sophies’ Upholstery & Draperies

AZTEC HOME REMODELING

• Custom Drapes • Mini Blinds • Slip Covers • Custom Furniture • Cornices • Shades • Bedding • Pillows Fine Quality • Great Prices • Work Done on Premises

281.821.0809

Open to the Public • Trade Welcome Serving Southwest Houston & Fort Bend County

11925 Southwest Fwy. #2 • 281.879.6300

Porcelain Repair By George Szontagh TREC License #2212 Prepurchase/Slab/Pier & Beam Since 1990

Wes Bowden 713•858•7736

Bathroom Detailing Bathtubs • Sinks • Tile • Repaired • Removed • Installed • Cleaned & Polished

FREE ESTIMATES

713-498-8532

OWNER CRAFTSMAN-WESLEY MCDOUGLE

www.houstonstonedoctor.com

4 Sisters Cleaning • Home Office or

• • • •

Family Owned & Operated Since 1990

Spring Cleaning Weekly or Bi-Weekly Move-Ins or Move-Outs Carpet Cleaning

Reference Avail. Call for Estimates

832.498.7709

THREE-TIME 2010 AWARD WINNER

Katy

COMPLETE KITCHEN REMODELS

• CABINETS • FIXTURES • COUNTERTOPS

Kitchen Bath

281.391.6279 www.KatyKitchen.com

Reflection Pools & Spas

713-559-1100

Beautiful Pools at Affordable Prices

www.reflection poolsandspas.com

Sales •Service •Installation www.GasProductservices.com

281-798-8006

PAVERS DRIVEWAYS•PATIOS•POOL DECKS

713-82 7-0530 artcpl.com 49


The Future Looks Brighter With Fresh Paint. Interior & Exterior Residential & Commercial

Seeking Seasoned Advertising Sales Professionals Immediate openings available

• Pressure Wash • Mildew Removal • Carpenty • Wood Replacement • Siding (Hardi or Wood) • Roofing • Cabinets • Sheetrock Repair

REQUIREMENTS

• Aggressive prospecting techniques

High commission Heights area

ARIOS Painting 281.415.6886 or 281.415.6885

ariospainting@yahoo.com

• Proven track record in Adverising Sales • Stable employment history • Self-motivation with a positive attitude

• Basic computer skills Qualified applicants should send resumes to info@houseandhomeonline.com or fax to 713.880.5811 H O U S T O N

&

THE COMPLETE RESOURCE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR HOME

Professional Insect and Rodent Control 1. No cabinet emptying 2. Treatment options tailored to meet your particular pest situation! 3. Quarterly, 6 month or one time service available 4. Graduate entomologist/state certified applicator on staff 5. Fast, friendly professional service!

In the Heights since 1977

226 West 18th St. • Houston, Texas 77008 Ph. 713.868.5219 • 713.862.8112 50

house& home | M a r c h 2 0 1 1 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com


Great Escapes A Weekend Away is closer than you might think. Start Your Adventure at Grape Creek Ranch. The Grape Creek Ranch is located on the beautiful banks of Grape Creek, just nine miles from historic Fredericksburg. This serene bed and breakfast features six luxury family cabins perfect for a peaceful getaway for family, friends or even corporate retreats. Each morning a fresh breakfast is delivered to your door. Just steps from your cabin enjoy the Grape Creek Trail, tour the historic Lower South Grape School, pick your own peaches in the orchard (seasonal) and enjoy a bonfire under the Hill Country stars.

Enjoy a full breakfast, especially praised by all who visit Grape Creek Ranch.

GRAPE CREEK RANCH

BED BREAKFAST CABINS FEATURE:

• Separate bedroom with queen bed • A sleeping loft with 2 twin mattresses • Completely furnished kitchen with a stovetop, coffeemaker and large refrigerator • Full bath with tub/shower • Central air/heat • 2 TVs • Covered porch with table and chairs • Beautiful landscaping

Nitzan and Etty Mendelbaum 10279 East Hwy 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 1-830-997-7478 • 713-443-2534

www.grapecreekranch.com etty@grapecreekranch.com

NEAR BY ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE

The Vineyards on 290, Wildseed Farm, LBJ State Park and The Living Farm, The Trade Days Market and Luckenbach. Ideally located for visits to Fredericksburg Main Street, the National Museum of Pacific War, Enchanted Rock, Old Tunnel Wildlife, Pedernales Falls, Hamilton Pool, Ink Lake, Longhorn Cavern.

The 290 Road House Bar is close by with live music every weekend


EXOTIC HARDWOOD

Sale

Premium 1/2” thick locking hardwoods Brazilian Cherry, Santos Mahogany, Brazilian Walnut, and Sucupira REGULAR PRICE

$

949

Sq. Ft. Installed

$

649

Sq. Ft. Materials only

SALE PRICE

6

$

99

4

$

Sq. Ft. Installed

29 Sq. Ft. Materials only

“Your Perfect Rug Source”

www.robertscarpet.com Tues, Wed, Fri & Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

* CLEAR LAKE 20810 I-45 SOUTH ________________________281-332-4477 * SOUTHWEST 3003 FONDREN ____________________________713-785-1900 * WOODLANDS 19053 I-45 ________________________________936-271-0000 CENTRAL 3404 KIRBY ______________________________________713-523-0666 NORTHWEST 6920 FM 1960 W. _________________________281-580-9495 SUGAR LAND 12614 S.W. FREEWAY _____________________281-240-8200 GULF FREEWAY 4750 GULF FREEWAY ________________713-926-5100 WEST 11177 KATY FREEWAY ________________________________713-468-1300 HUMBLE 20465 HWY. 59 N ________________________________832-445-0800 * Rug Gallery store locations

Mon & Thurs 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sun 12 noon – 5 p.m.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.