Houston House & Home April 2009 Issue

H O U S T O N

T TH HE E C CO OM MP PL LE ET TE E R RE ES SO OU UR RC CE E M MA AG GA AZ Z II N NE E F FO OR R Y YO OU UR R H HO OM ME E

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THE GREEN ISSUE

A P R I L

2 0 0 9

DAVID CROSSLEY on Getting to the Real Green

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contents

A p r i l 2 0 0 9 | Vol. 14 Issue 4

departments

8 12 18

Editor’s Note Around Town

36

DIY Decorating:

Tropical Suite

A formal bedroom relaxes

28

Handbook: Fencing Options

Good fences make good neighbors

58

36

66

Animal House & Home’s Pet of the Month: Willie Quick Pix: Destination Japan

Photo by Miro Dvorscak

16 36 46

46

Green: Getting to the Real Thing

David Crossley on sustainable living

Bold shapes ancient and modern

On the Cover A line from a Dylan Thomas poem inspires the cover of this month’s Green Issue: “The force through the green fuse drives the flower, drives my green age…”

Flowering narcissus bulbs are from Aubrey Sellers Florist.

features

Green Home in the Woods

A loft by architect Laverne Williams creates great living & work space, saves energy Environmentally Friendly Products

Go solar, buy carpet made of plastic bottles and install countertops made of recycled glass

54

Green Spring Cleaning

Natural ways to clean your home

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editor’s note Pulling together this month’s

issue was a pleasure because it put me in touch with two thoughtful men who have been in the public spotlight but deserve much larger audiences: David Crossley and LaVerne Williams.

Crossley is president of Houston Tomorrow, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the Houston area. I have been reading and admiring his essays on urban design, environmental issues and public policy for years in print and on the Web. We are delighted to have his thoughts on getting to the real green as our primary essay this month.

Crossley’s not afraid to tell it like it is, but he’s also hopeful about changing our wasteful way of living. We really can’t afford not to.

The photo of the Whole Earth Catalog that David sent along with his article gave me a pang of nostalgia.

This dates me as a Baby Boomer, but I remember when my friends and I first saw that photo of the earth from the moon. It was mystical seeing how very finite our little planet is; that one picture significantly jump-started the environmental movement in the 1970s. I, of course, had to buy the catalog with that picture on it because it was so cool. I never got around to raising chickens, but someday…it’s on my life list.

Houston architect LaVerne Williams was green before green was PUBLISHER ....................Mike Harrison, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ......Susie Reisenbigler EDITOR ........................................Linda Barth MANAGING EDITOR ..................Barbara Kuntz CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ................Anne Breux CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ..............................Debi Bryant, Sandra Cook, ........................David Crossley, Joetta Moulden ART DIRECTOR ..........................Robert Coplin ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR ...Melissa Maxwell CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR ..Tim Beeson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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cool. Back in the ’70s he advocated green architecture and more sustainable methods of building and living, including the use of solar photovoltaic panels. I had a friend in the ‘70s who sold solar photovoltaic systems for a while, and let me tell you, that was a thankless business to be in back then.

Solar was doable then, it is doable now. Photovoltaic systems need to be a little less expensive, but the price is coming down, especially with tax incentives. I’m thrilled the new stimulus bill Congress passed recently includes tax breaks for solar and wind energy. We need more incentives to use these renewable, truly sustainable forms of energy.

Williams is careful to distinguish between “green” and “sustainable.”

Here’s what he says: “We say ‘green’ instead of ‘sustainable’ architecture because creating truly sustainable buildings is impossible as long as fossil fuels are used in any way to mine, transport and process building materials, or to construct, operate or maintain a building over its lifetime.

Sustainable means only renewable energy can be used.” Green architecture is more than just using recycled products and energy-efficient appliances, he says. Much more. See one example of his work on Page 36.

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 2009, 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

INSIDE SALES ....................Kim Schwenk Tees

Houston, TX 77064 • 281-955-0861

OPERATIONS MANAGER ........Maurine Denson PRINTING ..........................DROR International

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around town April 2009

ABOVE: Stars and Circles, 1937, by Robert Preusser, one of several Texas artists featured in a lecture by Robert Summers at Lawndale Art Center on April 22.

BELOW: Several rare Warhol pieces owned by a Houston collector will be auctioned by Lewis & Maese Auction House on May 6.

groups of 20 or more, and for Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) members. Day of Tour tickets are $25. Addresses of the homes on tour are: 1428 Church, 1905 Avenue M 1/2, 1512 Rosenberg, 2701 Avenue O, 1605 Avenue K, 1528 Avenue K, 1821 and 1823 Winnie, 1805 Broadway and 1709 Ball.

events

ABOVE: Beoga, a 5-piece band from County Antrim, Ireland, takes Center Stage at Houston International Festival this year.

LEFT: Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave on view at The Menil Collection.

home shows and tours There’s never been a better time to go green. Come see the latest products and ser vices at the Gulf Coast Green 2009 Expo on April 18 and 19 at Reliant Park.

American Institute of Architects Houston and the City of Houston are principal sponsors of the Expo, which is free and open to the public. Information: 713.520.0155 or www.gulfcoastgreen.org 12

The Heights Showcase of Homes April 18-19 and 25-26 highlights six homes of top craftsmanship in this histor y-rich community in Houston.

Purchase $5 tickets at any of the homes. Addresses are: 616 W. 21st, 1322 Ashland, 754 E. 17th, 633 Arlington, 511 W. 23rd, and 647 Arlington. Information: www.heightsshowcase.com.

Tomorrow’s Woman Expo 2009 April 17-19, held in conjunction with the International Gem & Jewelr y Show at Reliant Park, is April 17-19. Get the latest information on fitness, organic products, makeovers, jewelr y and more.

Information: 301.294.1640 or www.tomorrowswomanexpo.com.

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Mark your calendar for the Houston Women’s Show May 7-9 at the Norris Center in west Houston, I-10 and the Beltway. The show presents the latest products and ser vices for women in fashion, beauty, health, financial planning, careers, home and more. Admission is $10, or $15 for mother-daughter duos.

Preview par ty on May 7 at 5 p.m. is $20. Information: www.houstonwomensshow.com The Galveston Historic Home Tour is May 2-3 and 9-10 features ten houses that have suf fered a calamity to some degree or another. Some are sur vivors of the Great Storm of 1900, others of the flood waters of Hurricane Ike. Still others have sur vived fire, collapsing foundations and tornados.

Reconstruction is complete on some and ongoing on others.

Advance tickets are $20 or $15 for

Ear th Day is Wednesday, April 22.

Two early celebrations invite family fun. On Saturday, April 11, Earth Day Houston presented by GHASP/Mothers for Clean Air will hold a green living festival from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Discover y Green park downtown. Festival activities will highlight land, air, water and renewable energy. Information: 713.528.3779 or www.ear thdayhouston.org . On Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive, of fers free Ear th Day activities with a trail puzzle hike, crafts made from recycled materials, kids’ zip line, face-painting and more.

Information: 713.681.8433 or www.houstonarboretum.org Lawndale Ar t Center’s 20th Century Modern Market April 2226 at 4912 Main St. exclusively features design of the twentieth centur y. At this year’s market, specialist dealers from around the countr y will of fer a variety of media including furniture, glass, ceramics and textiles. Lawndale will host a free public lecture on April 22 at 7 p.m. Rober t Summers will speak on Lone Star Modernism: Discovering the Origins of Modernism in Texas Ar t .

The Houston International Festival celebrates Ireland April 25-26 in downtown Houston with hundreds of internationally acclaimed ar tists in 12 per formance venues. Buy tickets at www.ifest.org or at H-E-B stores. Information: 713.654.8808.

On May 6 at 6:30 p.m., Lewis & Maese Auction Co., 2301 Sabine St., will auction several rare Warhol pieces owned by a Houston collector, along with works by other high-profile ar tists. Information: 713.880.0891 or www.lmauctionco.com

tor, April 16, 10 a.m.-noon; Pink Ladies and Crimson Gents—Molly and Don Glentzer tell stories of old roses, April 18, 10 a.m.; attracting butter flies to your garden, Eddi Holik, April 25, 10 a.m. Information: 281.351.8851 or www.arborgate.com

exhibits

Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway, is sponsoring a class and field trip to High Island with exper t birder Bill Eley to witness Spring Migration on the Upper Texas Coast. The class is April 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Field trip is April 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost is $30 for members, $40 for non-members.

Information: 713.681.8433 or www.HoustonArboretum.com.

Extraordinar y ar tifacts uncovered in modern-day Afghanistan, once the hear t of the Silk Road, were long thought stolen or destroyed during some 25 years of conflict. In 2003, however, a dramatic announcement was made of their existence. More than 200 of these objects are on view in Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, through May 17.

Information: 713.639.7500 or www.mfah.org

Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave at The Menil Collection, 1515 Sul Ross, is the first mid-career sur vey of the Amsterdam-based ar tist's work to be mounted in Nor th America. Measuring Your Own Grave focuses on Dumas’s continual experiments with notions of por traiture.

Information: 713.525.9400 or www.menil.org

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what’s new Mattress Mac meets Bill Stubbs. Jim and Linda McInvale have opened a second Gallery Furniture store at Post Oak and Westheimer in the Galleria area, and they’ve par tnered with Bill Stubbs, a Houston-based interior designer and host of the PBS series Moment of Luxur y, to design their spif fy Galleria area showroom. Furnishings at the new store include the Kreiss line and TempurPedic sleep systems.

correction classes The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 Road in Tomball, of fers these classes and events: 8th Annual Herb Luncheon with Molly Fowler and Ann Wheeler, April 4, 11 a.m., fee $40; Floral Design with Jim Johnson, director, Benz School of Floral Design, Texas A & M University, April 5, noon; Kof fee with Kathy, Houston Chronicle garden edi-

In our March stor y “The Power of Clean,” we quoted Richard Selvera of Pearland Pressure Washing, a true professional who takes special care when power-washing the wood exterior of a house. We mistakenly published the wrong telephone number for him. His correct number is 713.899.0789, good to keep on file as Selvera also does a great job cleaning windows and power-washing driveways.

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Green: Getting to the real thing

By David Crossley

D O W N TO W N H O U S TO N © VA N H A RT, F O TO L I A . C O M

My introduction to “green” came in

of its energy from the Sun.

1973, on an organic farm and craft

While the heavy thinkers were cogitating on those complexities,

school near Washington-on-the-

the dictum to “think global, act local” was keeping us focused pri-

Brazos. It was a collaborative that took

marily on recycling, water use, building efficiency. We worked to

intellectual sustenance from the Whole

learn about those things.

Earth Catalog, which not only provided

The next year, the Club of Rome published “The Limits to

tools for thinking

Growth” by four scientists who said that their

about chicken coops, but opened windows

MIT whole system computer model showed

into large-scale discussions about the Earth.

that the world’s population and economy

So my first serious “environmental”

were still comfortably within the planet’s car-

thinking came at two scales: the millions of

rying capacity. There was still room to grow

things growing on the farm and the whole

safely while we could examine longer-term

system. Everybody who has seen this pic-

options. But there was a possibility of total

ture grapples with the thought that the

collapse in the period around 2030-2050.

David Crossley

biosphere or “environment” in which we

Total collapse is a gnarly prognosis.

live is finite. There’s just so much stuff that

Most Americans and many politicians and

it’s made of, and it has just X capacity to

pundits pooh-poohed the suggestion and

absorb wastes and pollution. And it gets all

decided instead to spend the next couple of

David Crossley is president of Houston Tomorrow, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the Houston region. Houston Tomorrow maintains a Web newsmagazine on growth and development at houstontomorrow.org. Crossley will be a featured speaker at the Gulf Coast Green 2009 Professional Symposium held April 16-17 at Reliant Park.

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Green: Getting to the real thing decades producing facilities to make stuff for everyone to consume

There we go with that unsustainable trajectory stuff again. Now

and keep in their bigger and bigger houses until they started to fill

World Watch magazine’s March/April issue quotes the systems scien-

up and they had to rent storage spaces they would drive to in 3-ton

tist C. S. Holling saying, “This is a moment of great volatility and

trucks called Sports Utility Vehicles that got around 10 miles to the

instability in the world system. We need urgently to do what we can

gallon and emitted ferocious amounts of carbon.

to avoid deep collapse.”

Twenty years later, three of the MIT scientists wrote a follow-

ArabianBusiness.com has the headline “The end of the world is

up book called Beyond the Limits. I happened to see their press conference on C-SPAN and heard them say that the world has overshot some of its limits, and without changes we face the virtually certain prospect of a global economic collapse. I found that to be a little bit disconcerting, so within a couple of hours, I had decided to close my photography studio and save the world for my two teen-age sons.

That day in 1992 I really started to come to grips with, um, the end

A

t the heart of the green movement is the need to reduce

greenhouse gases, particularly carbon emissions, that cause climate change.

of human civilization1.

And to wrap up the story of the MIT folks, in 2004 they pub-

nigh” on a story about Geoffrey West, a highly respected scientist at

lished “Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update” and said, among

Santa Fe Institute, and the first paragraph says new biological

other things, that humanity squandered the opportunity to correct

research points to mankind’s imminent destruction. Presumably,

our current course over the previous 30 years, and that much must

women are involved, too. West himself says, “Humanity's way of life

change if the world is to avoid the serious consequences of overshoot

is ultimately unsustainable.”

in the 21st century. Overshoot, which is used frequently in the MIT

So, if sustainable means, basically, keep going, then unsustain-

discussion, means a sort of global whoops similar to that mythic

able must mean not keep going. But wait, it sounds like West offers

image of cars flying off of drawbridges as they go up.

an opportunity in his doomsaying. If humanity’s way of life is the

That same year, an Australian researcher published a compar-

problem, presumably humanity could consider a different way of

ison of the 30-year-old Limits to Growth projections with the

life, one that is sustainable. And that’s the quest of all the surging

actual historical data since that time. He concluded, “The data

green creativity and accomplishment.

comparison…lends support to the conclusion that the global sys-

At the heart of the green movement is the need to reduce green-

tem is on an unsustainable trajectory unless there is substantial

house gases, particularly carbon emissions that cause climate change.

and rapid reduction in consumptive behavior, in combination

Of the four sectors producing carbon dioxide emissions – residential,

with technological progress.”

commercial, industrial, and transportation – transportation is the

1

Actually, my first understanding of the end of the world came earlier, when I was hired to write a script for the Houston Planetarium, and was told that my topic would be about when the Sun swallows the Earth, as it is going to do. I hadn’t been aware of that scenario previously.

18

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Green: Getting to the real thing largest, and the one that threatens to keep growing, while the others

use of a car. Humans have built thousands of towns and cities over

have leveled off and may even be decreasing. Those three are perhaps

the centuries that did that job and still do.

coming under control because green building and industrial

This form of convenient walkable development also uses less

improvements have been huge issues for a while now, to the extent

land area, and allows for preservation of natural and agricultural

that it is hard to find new building projects that aren’t seeking LEED

land. Having agricultural land can be a wonderful thing if we find

certification, the energy efficiency equivalent of the Good

we can’t fly lettuce in from Australia any more because of jet fuel

Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

costs and carbon emissions. Or that long-distance diesel trucking

A study called Growing Cooler last year said that, even with

becomes ugly for the same reason. Local food production for local consumption is an enormously powerful long-term supergreen strat-

L

ocal food production for local con-

egy that will not be easy but must be pursued.

Which implies that the construction of the Grand Parkway

sumption is an enormously power-

through the heart of the sensitive farms and natural areas of the Katy

ful long-term supergreen strategy that

Prairie in order to “open up” the area for development, as TxDOT

will not be easy but must be pursued.

says, may not be the most sustainable approach to the future. This vote for the past would come just as Americans have apparently changed their driving behavior for the first time in history and actu-

fabulous new fuels and more efficient vehicles, transportation emis-

ally begun driving less, a trend that has lasted more than a year.

sions will grow because we are expected to drive more every year. A

Americans say they want to live closer to jobs and services.

So we are changing our behavior. Now we have to build fabu-

measure called Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) has emerged as a key indicator of carbon emission growth or reduction.

20

lous cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods and farms to accommo-

Reducing the distance that Americans drive every year is a big

date our desires for a sustainable way of life. Certainly, every little

problem, but the evidence for solving that problem is glaringly obvi-

thing helps, every plastic cup recycled, every bag not used, every

ous when measuring household VMT in a city’s old streetcar neigh-

local tomato eaten. But if we want to come to grips with the enor-

borhoods against those of more recent suburbs built in a very differ-

mity of the problem, we have to talk about large-scale change.

ent form, and designed for maximum car utility. What you see, and

The large-scale problem that most people are thinking about

you see it very clearly in Houston, is that the people in those old

right now is the economic meltdown. It was a worldwide focus on

transit-oriented neighborhoods drive a lot less than the others, even

consumption growth that led to the financial chaos. Going back to

though the transit is long gone.

exactly the same dynamic is not going to help in the long run and is

We know, then, how to design neighborhoods and cities to

going to rekindle the fires of growth that are fueling the oncoming

maximize access to people, goods, and services without requiring the

climate change, whose early effects can already be seen everywhere.

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diy decorating

S t o r y b y J O E T TA M O U L D E N

| Photography by JANET LENZEN

AFTER A B O V E : ( After) New bedding, art, rug, a wallhung bedside table, lamps and a casual desk chair with cushion added layers of personality the room needed.

R I G H T : (Before) The armoire was awkwardly placed against the wall bump out, which created an unbalanced feeling in the room.

B E L O W : ( After) The floral wing chair was moved to a guest room, and a leftover leather AFTER recliner was moved in from the study. Centering the armoire, adding a rug from Tuesday Morning, a red pillow from The Great Indoors, Target bronze floor lamp, red garden stool from Cost Plus World Market and artwork warmed up the room.

BEFORE

AFTER

R I G H T : ( Before) The bedroom lacked the tropical style and personality the owners wanted, and an acre of blank carpet made the room feel empty.

BEFORE

tropical

SUITE

FORMAL BEDROOM FURNITURE LOOKS MORE RELAXED WITH COLORFUL FABRICS AND ACCESSORIES

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Marian Arens first contacted me when she lived in

another home and was trying to decide whether to remodel or sell to achieve the more casual, tropical look she and husband Dick wanted. After our meeting, the couple decided to buy a newer, one-story home to which they added a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees.

The couple wanted to start fresh in their new home and establish an overall design plan before buying any new furniture. “I know you try to reuse existing furniture and accessories in new ways, and that’s exactly what we needed,” Marian explains. (See their dining room and entry in “Tropical Punch,” DIY Decorating, June 2007 and their study in “Tropical Study,” DIY Decorating, April, 2008 issues of Houston House & Home).

“Our master bedroom and sitting room has an awkward shape and does not have enough space for two night stands on each side of the bed,” Marian explains. She had already tried all of her existing leftover furniture in the sitting room between the bedroom and bath without success when she called me back to help her solve these problems.

Marian thought the bedroom furniture they owned was way too formal for the relaxed, British Colonial tropical style of the rest of the house.

Since they were happy with the wall color (Lowe’s Laura Ashley 609 Taupe 3), the task was to find bedding and artwork to establish the color scheme for the room. Marian, a fantastic shopper, gathered several bedding choices for me to come back and see, including a tropical pattern from The Great Indoors that included a little touch of navy blue to tie the recliner into the space.

She also gathered a variety of fabric samples and artwork, including some tropical bird prints from SteinMart and some palm prints from Ballard Designs.com. I wrote down measurements and where to hang them since she wanted to do that herself and use my time for the big picture.

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FILLING IN THE BLANKS

Once the colors were established, it was easy to fill in the blanks. Since the bedroom is so spacious, the desk was pulled out from the bay window into the room, which makes operating the existing blinds a lot easier.

“You helped me to visualize the master bedroom with a more relaxed, tropical style using the formal furniture we already had,” Marian says.

We determined she could use the navy leather recliner from the study, and since she did not want a dust skirt, we chose not to use one. I gave her a specific shopping list and drawings of additional items. Using my suggestions, Marian shopped for fabrics, finding them at Calico Corners. I gave her the number of my workroom, which made a striped pillow for the bed and fabricated a chair cushion for the new desk chair.

THE RIGHT DETAILS

Marian admits the hardest suggestion to visualize was the informal bamboo chair from Crate & Barrel with her very formal desk, and the wallhung table beside the bed. “When I found the wall mounted table, it was quite orange, and your upholsterer darkened it with stain, which is my favorite custom touch in the room,” she says. My sewing workroom made the pillow and chair cushion, too.

The chairs in the sitting area have become a favorite sunny space to sit.

We e-mailed photos of the correct sized chairs back and forth until she settled on a pair from Pier One Imports. The couple use the chairs daily, and they are so much more user-friendly than the chaise, which got moved from room to room until Marian eventually sold it.

She also liked the idea of updating the lighting and ceiling fans.

“I have learned that small changes can make a huge difference,” Marian says. “You were able to achieve the look we wanted without purchasing any major pieces of furniture,” she says.

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diy decorating |

TROPICAL SUITE

AFTER trade secrets • Think outside the box. The perfect wall shelf can become a bedside table. If it is the right size but the wrong color, it can be stained or painted.

• Think “green.” Instead of buying new pieces, refresh your already- paid-for bedroom furniture with new accessories and fabrics-- which keeps it out of the landfill and saves money, too.

• Sometimes the most effective strategy is not to buy more furniture and accessories for your home, but to first rethink the pieces that are already paid for.

ABOVE: After: A Mirage palm tree, new sitting room chairs from Pier One, tropical rug from Bed Bath & Beyond, repurposed accessories from other rooms, lamp from Marshall’s and a new Crate & Barrel desk chair transformed the once blank space.

RIGHT: Before: The wall beside the bed is angled, making a standard bedside table impossible. The silk ficus tree, desk stool and sitting room chaise did not work.

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BEFORE 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 joetta@shelterstyle.com or call 713.461.2063. If an initial appointment or referral is booked by April 30, a 15 percent first meeting discount will be given.

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handbook

B y D E B I B R YA N T

THE GOOD FENCE

GOOD FENCES NOT ONLY MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS— THEY MAKE AN AESTHETIC STATEMENT By definition, a fence is any structure that encloses a landscape providing security against intruders, marking a boundary or acting as confining barrier. In other words—fences are functional.

However, based on your design choices and material selections, they can also serve as a beautiful accompaniment to a home.

DESIGN TALK

For Mark McKinnon, founder of McKinnon Associates, a well-designed fence is an acknowledgement by the homeowners that their home is not limited to the primary structure. “When you want a fence that is more than pure function, you are applying comprehensive design theory and attention all the way to your property line,” he says. “You’re saying that your living environment extends beyond your air-conditioned space, through the windows and out into the gardens.” As an example, he has built a fence for a client out of a specialty metal with a highly reflective A B O V E : A beautiful fence complements your home, extending its reach to the garden and out to the property line.

L E F T : Houston landscape architect Mark McKinnon explores innovative materials for use in fences.

Here, an opaque sheet of acrylic is backlit for dramatic effect.

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handbook |

THE GOOD FENCE

CertainTeed fences are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a material that is 99 percent recyclable and requires no wood treatments or chemical preservatives for maintenance.

living fences Fences don’t have to be made of hard materials—living plants work, too. These softscapes have several advantages: • Add form, texture and interest to your yard.

• Provide seasonal color—spring blooms, autumn berries.

• Attract wildlife such as butterflies and birds.

On one property, Mark McKinnon imaginatively trained a line of magnolia trees as an 18-foot hedge. For a client whose house sits on a busy street with lots of pedestrian traffic, he built a chain-link fence and then planted the drought-resistant lantana along it. The tall lantana provides privacy, absorbs some of the street noise and looks pretty when in bloom.

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quality that picks up on the many stainless steel objects in the home’s interior.

“We match the materials of the house, inside and out,” he says.

He lists three broad categories of fences. One—the basic perimeter fence that is the most cost-efficient. Two—the finely crafted fence that is constructed for durability and longevity. Three—screens that create a backdrop for garden vistas and vignettes by shaping and framing the gardens; they provide security but also detail and interest.

PICK A PICKET

Because they’re outdoor structures, fences must be made of hardy materials.

For wood fences, Wes Hackney, owner of Native Texas Landscape, lists cedar as his first choice. He suggests building cedar fences with three rails to make them last longer. “Putting a rot board, a plank of pressure-treated pine, length-wise along the bottom will also increase the life span,” he says.

Metal that has been galvanized and powder coated is the number one pick for Emilio Lozano, president of Custom Security Fence & Iron Works. “The initial expense will be more than with plain metal, but, in the long run, it may turn out to be cheaper because it lasts longer and is easier to maintain,” he says.

Ornamental aluminum fencing is low-maintenance and durable. Ronny Richker, owner of Great Fence Distributors, says, “Our product carries a lifetime warranty for material and structure. It is excellent in the salty airs of the Gulf Coast region.” Designed for the DIY market, its residential product comes in five grades.

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handbook |

THE GOOD FENCE

resources AG WELDING, 713.988.4200, www.agwelding.com AMERICAN FENCE & SUPPLY, 281.332.0511, League City; 6612 Harborside Drive, Galveston, www.afence.com ART FENCES, 281.610.6194 CUSTOM SECURITY FENCE & IRON WORKS, 281.219.1400, www.customsecurityfence.com GREAT FENCE DISTRIBUTORS, 866.869.8940, www.greatfence.com MADDOX CUSTOM POOLS (Jerith fences), 281.498.7929, Staf ford NATIVE TEXAS LANDSCAPE, 281.687.7512, www.nativetexaslandscape.com

Iron Fence by Custom Security Fence & Iron Works.

MCKINNON ASSOCIATES, 713.869.2797, www.mckinnonassociates.com WESTWOOD FENCE, 6101 E Houston Road, 713.674.3277

Texas Fence company combined masontry columns and cedar for this custom fence.

McKinnon has also used acrylics and polycarbonates to create artistic fences. These materials let light pass through, but are opaque and therefore provide privacy.

“They can be backlit to bring out night time qualities,” he adds.

Polycarbonate vinyl fencing requires little or no maintenance and resists termites, fungus and dry rot.

Newer versions of vinyl fences are fade resistant and are difficult to tell apart from wood.

Other materials include wrought iron, especially nice for gates and accents, and stucco, which, in fencing, is cinder blocks faced with stucco. As for combination fences—“the sky is the limit,” says Hackney. He has built wood fences with brick columns, wrought iron with stone columns and cedar fences with stucco columns, just to name a few mixed uses.

SELECTIONS AND ELECTIONS

Once you select your main material, you have an array of options that can dress up your fence. A sampling of ideas includes a tall privacy fence with a grilled window such as McKinnon designed for a client. The high fence blocks an unsightly utility easement outside the property, the window lets the breeze through and the grill provides security. Lozano suggests customizing a wroughtiron gate or driveway arch. The Great Fence residential product comes in five different colors. Even a simple cedar fence can be punched up with a cap along the top, says Hackney.

A painted aluminum fence with decorative gate that frames a view of the garden is by Great Fence Distributors.

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ABOVE: The Wareloft of Rick Wilson and Therese Coucher.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The north gallery upstairs serves as office space for the couple. A bookcase divides their offices. Hanging lights are from Ikea.

A Loft in the Woods

GREEN-BUILT HOME MAKES THE MOST OF NATURAL ASSETS Story by Linda Barth • Photography by Miro Dvorscak

The soaring loft tucked in the middle of a two-acre patch of woods can barely be seen from the road. An oasis amid the commercial and industrial warehouses in the vicinity, the place fairly glows in an Oz-green light.

The loft, painted emerald to blend with the trees, is green both literally and figuratively. In its construction, every effort was made to minimize waste during the building of the home. All materials used were carefully considered for their impact on the environment.

The owners Rick Wilson and Therese Coucher originally wanted to buy and restore a loft or warehouse in downtown Houston but couldn’t find one to suit them. So, they began thinking Outside the Loop.

The wooded lot they found just South of Loop 610 seemed perfect. A former cow pasture left dormant for 25 years, the acreage is thick with nonnative Chinese tallow trees. “But there’s a nice understory of native oaks and mulberries,” says Therese, a master gardener who plans to 36

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restore the land as a natural garden full of native plants.

The location, a straight shot down Main St. from central Houston, is convenient to Rice University where Rick is chair of the political science department. Long committed to saving energy and natural resources, he has been commuting to work on a bicycle since 1974. When he and his wife Therese decided to build on the lot, they began searching for an architect who could design a reasonably affordable energy-efficient, earthfriendly home for them.

“It would be criminal to build a house that wasn’t energy efficient, given that energy costs will skyrocket in our lifetimes,” Rick says.

“I have never liked waste,” adds Therese. “I am a thrifty person.”

They interviewed four architects and chose Houston architect LaVerne Williams, AIA, a pioneer of green-building who has been building environmentally friendly “green” houses for more than three decades. Williams moved to Houston in 1963 to work construction for a homebuilder, earned a degree in architecture from the University of Houston in 1967, then quit his job in 1975 to start his own architectural firm. “I was fed up with the way houses were being built,” he says. His firm, Environmental Associates, is the oldest architectural practice in Texas dedicated exclusively to projects that strive for sustainability, and he has won numerous green-building awards locally and nationally. He is a co-founder of the American Institute of Architects Houston Committee on the Environment, and co-founder of the Gulf Coast Green and Houston Green Expo being held this year April 18-19 at Reliant Park.

“LaVerne is so enthusiastic,” says Therese.

She and Rick took Williams a model of what they wanted. He came back with a model close to what they wanted but with improvements. Then he explained that to make the design for the house do what they wanted, it could cost more than they bargained for.

To make the loft financially feasible, Rick and Therese, at Williams’ suggestion, decided to hire a builder to construct the basic structure of the loft and wire and plumb it, but TOP: A water cistern near the garage collects rainwater from the roof, which is unfinished Galvalume. “It’s unfinished so the water is not contaminated,” says Williams. The water will be used for plants in the garden.

LEFT: View from master bedroom to office area. Ceiling beams are engineered joists.

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they would do the finishing details themselves, such as building cabinets, applying finish to the floors and painting walls.

“My father was an engineer,” says Therese.

“We always did stuff ourselves.”

Williams advised hiring a contractor with green experience to the team, Chris Fry of Dovetail Builders Inc. “[Fry] knew price was an issue,” Rick says. “He was very careful.”

“Green on a budget” is how Fry describes the loft. He has been a builder since 1988. He built his first green home in 1997, and has become known for attention to detail in building energy efficient, green custom homes.

There’s more to green-building than energy efficiency, Fry says. “It’s not just about energy efficiency and insulation. It’s also about quality construction so a home doesn’t deteriorate over time. Homes built today should last for several generations. That’s something the Houston market needs a lot more of.”

Williams calls homes not built for the long term “throwaway homes.”

“This country wouldn’t be in the fix it’s in,” Williams says, “if we just did things right to begin with instead of passing it off to the next [home]owner.”

Williams, Fry and Wilson all date their interest in the environment and green-building to their childhoods and their love of the outdoors while playing outdoor sports and exploring nature.

LOFT CONCEPT Rick and Therese knew they wanted a loft-like structure. “We wanted open space,” says Rick.

“We wanted a place to display Therese’s art and other people’s art, and we wanted a place to entertain.”

Therese, an accomplished weaver who shows her work at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, needed a large studio for her four looms and spools of yarns she handdyes herself. Rick wanted a corner of the studio to dabble in painting with acrylics and oils.

And each needed a quiet place to write with computer and desk.

Williams’ final design resulted in a lofty two-story structure with a large, open central space that houses the living room, kitchen, a small sitting area/guest bedroom and bath. On the second floor, a gallery on RIGHT: Floors are black-stained concrete. In the wooden plank above the French doors are large bolts that secure the steel trellis outside to this east-facing wall. Daffodils are by Aubrey Sellers Florist.

39

three sides overlooks the main living area downstairs. One side of the gallery is the master bedroom, the other side is library/office space for Rick and Therese.

Opposite the stairwell upstairs is Therese’s large weaving studio.

The highest point of the loft ceiling is 32.5 feet, the lowest 21.5 feet. The height of the roof and placement of windows makes the 3,148 square foot loft feel enormously spacious.

The eastern wall, almost three stories tall, needed lateral bracing for wind load. It also needed a shade structure for the tall recycled French glass doors facing east. Williams designed a galvanized steel trellis that acts both as a shade structure and as a horizontal beam to brace the east wall. “This is where you lower cost,” Williams says.

“You get integrative design—the shade structure also acts as structural element for the house, plus it will last for generations rather than rot in a few years if made of wood.”

Williams sloped the roof down to the south. “We did it at a certain angle,” he says, “to optimize the amount of solar gain for solar photovoltaic panels in case the owners want to add them later.” (Rick says the house is already so energy efficient, with energy bills averaging about $80 a month, the estimated $15,000 cost of solar panels to provide a quarter of the loft’s energy needs wouldn’t pay out enough to justify the cost in his lifetime.)

Another reason Williams sloped the roof in a certain direction is ventilation. “I wanted to get some high ventilation on the north side of the house,” he says, “so when breezes go over the roof, they create a low pressure zone. Uisng what’s called the Venturi effect along with heat stack effect, the low pressure actually sucks breezes through the house. This is a passive sustainability design methodology I’ve been perfecting for decades to enhance natural cooling for the homes.

It works extremely well when you get LEFT: Above this small sitting area in the living room is a window that allows natural light into the upper part of the shower. Just beyond the living room is a glimpse of the bath’s claw-foot tub.

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your outlets, in this case the louvered windows, up high.”

The screened, louvered openings high up in the studio and main living areas are easily opened and closed with a system of ropes and pulleys. Some of Williams’ clients opt to use electric power to operate the louvered windows for ventilation.

Rick and Therese wanted the handoperated ropes. “They wanted to have this active involvement in the house,” Williams says.

Rick says most evenings, even in summer, they turn off the air conditioning about 8:30 p.m. and open the air vents to bring in the cooler night air.

GREEN DETAILS Clearing the thickly wooded land for the loft’s site involved cutting some trees and shrubs. Dovetail Builders carefully cleared the area where the house was to stand and the driveway, then mulched all the trees and shrubs and broadcast chippings out onto the two-acre site. With dirt excavated from the site, they built an earthen berm at the front of the property to control road noise and act as a barrier to floodwater from the street. “We didn’t have to haul waste back to the landfill,” Fry says. “We weren’t burning fossil fuels to take it off site.”

Any shipping materials for products, such as cardboard boxes and other packing, were recycled.

For the driveway material, crushed concrete that had been demolished at another job site of Fry’s was used.

Rick and Therese purchased two large cisterns to collect rainwater and water from the roof to irrigate their garden. The metal roof is unfinished Galvalume. “It’s unfinished so the water is not contaminated,” says Williams.

The loft’s exterior walls are clad in HardiePanel siding. All windows are locally made by Ram Industries in nearby Stafford, Tex., saving fossil fuel that might otherwise be used to ship the windows.

All appliances are energy efficient, as are the tankless hot water heaters.

Icynene spray foam insulation was used throughout the house. The insulaRIGHT: This corner of the loft serves as a cozy TV room and guest bedroom.

Flowers are from Cuts of Color at Bayou City Farmers Market.

41

ABOVE: Rick’s office. “The thing that’s most striking is how peaceful it is. I’m finding it’s a great place were I can work and write.”

LEFT: The galvanized steel trellis acts as a horizontal beam to brace the tall east wall. Vines on it will someday provide shade for the patio below and east windows. Therese plans to plant either coral honeysuckle or American wisteria vines to climb the trellis.

tion contains no ozone-depleting substances and is water blown so it does not emit harmful gases once cured. The foam insulation creates a strong air barrier and minimizes air leakage and moisture, which is conducive to mold.

THE PROOF IS IN THE LIVING Rick and Therese moved in a year ago. They call the place “The Wareloft” and have etched the name in the cornerstone of the front porch.

“It’s still a work in progress,” Rick says. The kitchen still needs countertops and a few details.

“Peaceful” is the word both he and Therese use to describe the experience of living there.

“I’m finding it’s a great place where I can work and write,” says Rick.

“It’s really quiet and conducive to getting things done.”

Therese is also pleased at how strong and sound the house is. “During Hurricane Ike, the house didn’t even creak. The trees shielded us from flying debris, and we were amazingly untouched.” While their electricity was out for a week, they stayed comfortable in their naturally ventilated house.

Rick hopes the house will serve as an example of a well-designed, well-built green house. “If you believe in doing things that are environmentally sound,” 42

ABOVE: The main bathroom downstairs enjoys a private view of the woods. The homeowners made the stained concrete sink themselves. Flowesr are from Rita Anders’ Cuts of Color booth at Bayou City Farmers Market.

RIGHT: In the weaving studio, louvred vents above the window draw fresh air through the room which then exits through clerestory windows on an opposite wall. The vents are opened and closed by ropes. Therese’s fabrics woven on her looms are shown at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

he says, “you’ve got to believe the proof is in the pudding. Do it. Demonstrate it. I like to think of [the loft] as perhaps a model for others in the community.

You can have an environmentally sound house that doesn’t have to be ugly. It’s stylish. It’s not a costly place either.”

Williams estimates the cost of the house to be about $110 a square foot, though that certainly does not take into account the labor Rick and Therese have done on the house. It is in the process of becoming LEED certified.

They recently threw a dinner part to celebrate their one-year anniversary of living in the house. “We invited our architect and builder. How often does that happen? ” Rick asks with a laugh. “We all get along. All of us ended up being happy at the end.”

RESOURCES LAVERNE WILLIAMS, AIA LEED AP Environment Associates 5828 Langfield Road 713.528.0000

CHRIS FRY Dovetail Builders Inc. 11302 Craighead Drive 713.665.0200

43

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SOLAR ELECTRIC AND WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS The solar panels on the roof of this home at Evia, a new environmentally friendly development built behind the Seawall in Galveston, are from Standard Renewable Energy in Houston. Six photovoltaic panels from SRE cost about $12,000, but with the stimulus funds’ tax write-off, the cost is $8,400, and that, of course, does not include the long-term energy savings that come from the use of these panels. The panels placed at the back of the house are not noticeable from the street, yet provide energy that helps run the house. The family sheltering here after Hurricane Ike lived comfortably with plenty of power, including air conditioning; the Evia development did not flood during Ike because of its elevation and protected location behind the Seawall.

The wind turbine, shown here, from Standard Renewable Energy, catches sea breezes and provides additional energy. SRE no longer sells this turbine, but does carry a Skystream 3.7, which is 12 feet in diameter and requires an acre of land around it.

The Green Revolution Begins at Home THESE HELPFUL PRODUCTS SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT—AND YOUR MONEY, TOO compiled by Houston House & Home staff

Now’s the time to invest in green products that save energy, reuse resources or produce new energy.

The newly passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides billions of dollars in economic stimulus funds for renewable energy and energysaving products. Through 2012, you can receive a one-time federal income tax credit of 30 percent off the purchase price of solar electric systems, solar water heaters and wind generators. And you can get up to $1,000 in federal income tax credits for qualified home energy improvements such as insulation and high-efficiency air conditioning systems and high-efficiency heat pumps.

Whether you’re buying solar photovoltaic panels for your roof or simply a new pail for composting, it pays to go green at home. Here are some products we believe to be worth considering.

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MOHAWK EVERSTRAND CARPET AND MOHAWK RECLAIMED HARDWOOD FLOORING Mohawk EverStrand carpeting contains 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, primarily plastic bottles. One in every four plastic bottles recycled in North America becomes soft Mohawk carpet. On average, 30 plastic bottles are recycled to make one square yard of EverStrand.

Over the past 10 years the company has recycled more than 22 billion plastic bottles, keeping more than 1 billion pounds of plastic out of landfills. Even the caps and labels of plastic bottles are used to make carpet cores around which the carpet is wrapped, and the cores are re-used again and again.

[Mohawk flooring] Mohawk Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring is made from reclaimed woods rescued from old buildings. Every day, buildings and structures are dismantled across the country, resulting in waste dumped into landfills. Fortunately, the deconstruction industry continues to salvage an increasing percentage of materials from old buildings. Many of Mohawk’s salvaged and reclaimed wood products use antique elm and heart pine flooring recovered from these buildings. By reusing the wood, Mohawk keeps this would-be waste from piling up in landfills. Many of the reclaimed hardwood planks show some of the original antiquing and distressing, revealing the wood’s past. Mohawk EverStrand Carpet and Mohawk Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring are available through Roberts Carpet.

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DURABLE SURFACE MADE OF RECYCLED GLASS & CONCRETE

DURABLE SURFACE MADE OF RECYCLED GLASS & CONCRETE

Bolfing Brothers Marble, Inc. 18407 Telge Road Cypress, TX 77429 281.351.7195 www.bolfingbrothers.com

Canyon Marble & Granite 11142 Shillington Katy, TX 77450 832.578.3113 canyon.marble.llc @sbcglobal.net

Craftmasters 1707 Hartwick Houston, TX 77093 713.779.8677 sales@craftmasters.us.com

JC Stone Experts 5202 Dow Road Houston, TX 77040 713.690.8555 www.jcstoneexperts.net

ICM Marble & Granite by appointment Sugar Land, TX 77478 281.242.9009 www.icmmarble.com

Tailor Made Tile & Marble 5803 Sprite Houston, TX 77040 713.460.2144 www.talormadetm.com

Venetian Blind and Floor Covering 2504 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005 713.528.2404 www.vbaf.com

47

the green revolution

ICESTONE COUNTERTOPS IceStone durable surface countertops are made from 100 percent recycled glass and concrete.

The product currently comes in 27 colors, but the color palette is infinite. IceStone durable surfaces are strong like granite, not as porous as marble and heat-resistant like stone. The chemical composition is VOCfree and 99.5 percent inorganic, making IceStone a nontoxic, fire-resistant material.

IceStone durable surfaces are ideal for projects seeking LEED certification. Available through Southwest Building Products.

PELLA DESIGNER SERIES WOOD PATIO DOORS Pella® Designer Series® window and patio doors work well for the active family moving inside and out multiple times a day. With no strings or cords to get in the way, Designer Series French Hinged patio doors remain classic, sleek and functional. Pella’s products reduce household energy consumption in the home while practicing environmentally responsible procurement from managed forests and low polluting manufacturing processes.

48

SUNRISE SOLAR-POWERED ATTIC FAN The SunRise Solar-Powered Attic Fan pays for itself by pulling heat out of your attic; less heat is driven back into your living space, so air conditioning bills are reduced by up to 30 percent. The attic fan burns no fossil fuels, creates no pollution and runs on a renewable energy source—the sun. Even when you don’t need air conditioning, the fan circulates fresh air through your attic to create a more comfortable environment. It helps prevent mold and mildew growth. Available through Innovative Skylights.

MOTION-DETECTING SENSOR PLUG Plug a SensorPlug into a wall socket, then plug a lamp into it, and you’ll have a light that turns on only when it senses motion in the room, then turns off later when no motion is detected.

The SensorPlug saves energy and money. Available at www.sensorplug.com

EUREKA ENVIROVAC The Eureka Envirovac’s energysaving 8-amp motor uses 33 percent less energy than the usual 12-amp motor. The average American household vacuums about one hour per week using a 12-amp motor. Envirovac uses 960 watts of energy an hour vs. 1440 watts of energy used per hour by the standard upright vacuum. If one-fourth of U. S. households used Envirovac over one year, 6,250,000 kilowatt hours would be saved. The vacuum also features a reusable, washable HEPA filter to reduce waste caused by disposable filters and is packaged in 100 percent recycled, unbleached cardboard. Available at Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, Vacuums of America, M&M Vacuum Co. and University Vacuum.

house& home | A p r i l 2 0 0 9 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

Bright Landscape Designs Inc. Bright Ideas for Landscaping 281.496.3576 www.brightlandscapedesigns.com

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49

the green revolution

ECOROWE FURNITURE The wood frames of all EcoRowe Furniture are made of wood harvested from domestic forests which are replenished.

The company takes its ecofriendly mission much further: furniture arm cardboard is 100 percent recycled paperboard; filler for down cushions is made from recycled plastic bottles and the ticking material is no longer bleached; springs are made from recycled iron ore; water-based lubricant is used on nails; for the foam used in making furniture, more than 20 percent of the Polyol chemicals come from plant-based renewable raw materials and the foam making process is free of ABAs, CFCs and auxiliary CO2; the cotton is made of 97 percent recycled materials. Find EcoRowe Furniture at Star Furniture.

ECO BY COSENTINO COUNTERTOP AND SURFACING MATERIAL The newest countertop material on the market is ECO by Cosentino, a durable surface of 75 percent recycled content made of post-industrial or post-consumer materials. The materials are bound by an environmentally friendly resin that comes in part from corn oil. Most of the materials ECO reuses have reached the end of their life cycle. They include: porcelain, mirror, glass, cornbased resin, crystallized ash and stone scraps. During ECO’s manufacturing process 94 percent of water used is recycled. All minerals used in production come from quarries fully restored under strict stewardship programs. With ECO surfacing, builders can gain points toward LEED Certification. Available through Bolfing Brothers Marble, Countertops Plus and Traditional Designs.

KITCHEN COMPOST KEEPER The KC2000 is a handy, portable compost carrier and perfect for short term storage of kitchen compost. The carbon filter on this container helps eliminate odors. Keep your pail or bucket clean with 100 percent Biodegradable Compost Pail Kitchen Liners from Biobags. Compost keeper and Biobags available at Olive Barn.

KIREI BAMBOO Kirei Bamboo is an eco-friendly panel material with a variety of looks usable in modern interior design. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable, sustainable resource and Kirei uses low-or-no-added urea formaldehyde adhesives for the production of the panels. Bamboo helps homes meet LEED specifications. Available through New Living and Green Builders Source.

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Design Concepts for Life

CHANDRA STONE, INTERIOR DESIGN

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Experience 30 years of design excellence Personal Attention Design concepts tailored for each client Beauty and Function Aesthetics balanced with practicality Custom Design Interior detailing and design of custom millwork Custom furnishings and window treatments Registered by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

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51

the green revolution ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES Save money and the environment by replacing standard model appliances with Energy Star refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dehumidifiers and A/Cs. Energy Star qualified appliances use between 10 and 50 percent less energy and water than standard models. Here, the new LG SteamWasherTM with Allergiene comes equipped with a 4.5 cu. ft. Ultra Capacity SteamWasher that allows for washing larger loads and saves both time and energy. It cleans some clothes that would otherwise be dry-cleaned and retails for about $1,699. Available at Sears, Home Depot, Conn’s Appliance.

RESOURCES BOLFING BROTHERS MARBLE (ECO by Cosentino) 18407 Telge Road, Cypress 281.351.7195 COUNTERTOPS PLUS (ECO by Cosentino) 1434 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. Suite 180 713.395.6337 20730 Gulf Freeway, Webster 281.557.4053 GREEN BUILDERS SOURCE 25700 IH-45 North, Suite 101, Spring 281.298.0400 INNOVATIVE SKYLIGHTS 5829 W. Sam Houston Parkway 713.466.1551 LIGHTING UNLIMITED 4211 Richmond Ave. 713.626.4025 M&M VACUUM CO. 6607 Kirby Drive 713.666.1773

DIMMER People who dim their lights by 25 percent can save an average of 15 percent on energy costs and can extend the life of incandescent bulbs by four times. Replacing switches with dimmers like the Skylark Eco-Dimmer also conserves energy and adds fewer light bulbs to landfills. The dimmer costs about $18. Also, using a motion-sensor light can save energy since it activates only when motion is detected and cuts off during the daytime. Lutron’s 180 Degree Motion Sensor Security Light covers a large area, providing 180degree multi-zone protection with up to a 70-foot range. The motion sensor costs about $20. Lutron products available at Lighting Unlimited.

NEW LIVING 6111 Kirby Drive 713.521.1921

ROBERTS CARPET & FINE FLOORS 8 locations, 713.926.7200 www.robertscarpet.com SOUTHWEST BUILDING PRODUCTS (IceStone) 1800 Sherwood Forest # D-4 713.932.6407 STANDARD RENEWABLE ENERGY 1401 McKinney St., Suite 900 877.923.7733 www.sre3.com STAR FURNITURE Multiple locations www.starfurniture.com TRADITIONAL DESIGNS (ECO by Cosentino) 3602 W. 12th St. 713.463.5800 2717 61st St., Galveston 409.744.4800 UNIVERSITY VACUUM 4028 Bellaire Blvd.

713.349.9811 VACUUMS OF AMERICA 5050 W. FM 1960 281.444.1313

OLIVE BARN 12674 Goar Rd 281.589.1921 PELLA WINDOWS AND DOORS 8700 Fallbrook Drive 713.896.6444

SHOWERHEAD THAT WAITS FOR WATER TO WARM Do you turn on the shower, then sneak away to do something else while the water warms up? You’re wasting water and energy. For a family of 3, saving as little as one minute of hot water per shower can save up to $75 in energy bills and 2,700 gallons of water per year. The Evolve Chrome Water Lily Showerhead changes everything. When you turn on your shower, no water comes out. Brush your teeth or shave. Once the shower water gets warm, the Evolve showerhead begins to trickle. That’s your signal to pull the pull-cord for a full shower. The head, which works with a standard shower arm, saves water and energy. Available for about $70 at Target.

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Green Spring Cleaning

By Ann McCormick

NATURAL WAYS TO CLEAN AND DEODORIZE YOUR HOME

During your spring cleaning regimen, consider using environmentally friendly solutions to reduce potentially harmful chemicals in your home.

There’s nothing like the arrival of spring to lift our spirits. Fresh breezes and budding branches tell us it’s time to sweep away winter. It’s also time for that household rite known as spring cleaning.

As you begin your cleaning, consider making the switch to environmentally friendly solutions. Using natural solutions for home cleaning will reduce potentially harmful chemicals in your home and help you create a “green,” environmentally safe home.

KITCHEN & BATH Start by eliminating the need for specialty cleaning solutions with this multi-purpose kitchen and bath cleaner. Combine two cups of hot water with 1 teaspoon borax powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons white vinegar and one good squirt of liquid dish detergent. Mix thoroughly and store in a spray bottle. Use for cleaning stovetops, sink areas, bathroom fixtures and other nonporous surfaces.

54

Don’t forget the microwave when you clean. The inside often gets splattered with food and can develop mysterious odors. Cleaning a microwave is almost as easy as cooking that bag of microwave popcorn someone burnt into an unrecognizable shape over the holidays.

Combine a cup of water and 1/3 cup white vinegar in a glass bowl.

Heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until the liquid comes to a boil. Leave the liquid in the microwave with the door closed for about 15 minutes. Then, remove the glass bowl and wipe down the inside of the microwave. Remove and clean any racks or trays with warm soapy water.

Another appliance in need of spring cleaning is the refrigerator.

Start this task by combining four cups very hot water with 1/2 cup each baking soda and salt. Stir to dissolve and allow it to cool. In the meantime, remove all food items from the refrigerator. If you have a picnic cooler, use it to keep milk and other temperature sensitive items chilled. Pull out the refrigerator drawers and shelves. Dip a sponge or washcloth in the warm solution and wipe down the inside of your refrigerator. Use the same solution to clean the drawers and shelves. Finally, clean the rubber door seal. An old toothbrush works well to get in the folds. Wipe down and return the drawers and shelves. Replace food items, checking for drips and leaks as you go.

Cutting boards and butcher block surfaces are prime real estate for the microbes that thrive on food remains. Even when you wash them off after every use it’s wise to include them in your cleaning.

For non-wooden cutting surfaces, soak them in solution of warm water and bleach (two tablespoons bleach for every cup of water) for about 15 minutes. Rinse and scrub thoroughly. For wooden surfaces use a fine grade sandpaper to smooth the surface and eliminate cut marks. Wipe down with warm water and dry. If a funny odor persists, pour a tablespoon or two of vinegar on the surface and allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing. To prevent cracking of more expensive cutting boards or butcher blocks, swab lightly with mineral oil (available in most drug stores). Do not use olive or vegetable oil as they will turn rancid.

WINDOWS Sparkling clean windows bring in the spring sunshine and make any home brighter. For streak-free glass combine a cup of water with a quarter cup white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on windows and use a crumpled newspaper (black and white print, not color) to wipe clean. Use this same technique on skylights, mirrors and glass cabinets.

CARPETS Carpets and area rugs are magnets for stains and odors. To remove simple stains start with a washcloth soaked in warm water. Cover the stain and press down to dampen the carpet fiber. Leave the cloth in place for about 5 minutes then rub vigorously to clean the stain.

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To eliminate carpet odors (especially those from family pets) sprinkle baking soda liberally over the carpet. For an extra deodorizing boost, combine about 1/4 cup lavender buds with every 2 cups baking soda before sprinkling. Allow to sit for several hours and then vacuum thoroughly. When you’re done either discard and replace the vacuum cleaner bag or clean out the collected debris.

These are just a few ways you can clean your home while being environmentally responsible. With a little patience and practice you can do your spring cleaning the natural way. Here’s to clean and green living.

GROWING CLEANER AIR For clean indoor air grow plants indoors. While exploring ways to improve air quality, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America joined forces to study the air cleaning capabilities of common houseplants. Here’s a list of plants you can grow to refresh the air indoors.

• Bamboo plant • Corn plant • Chinese evergreen • Mother-in-law tongue • English ivy • Peace lily • Heartleaf philodendron • Dracaena • Spider plant • Chrysanthemum Besides converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, these plants absorbed trichloroethelene, benzene and formaldehyde, three common indoor pollutants.

RESOURCES LOCAL ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING SERVICES:

ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING SUPPLIES:

HOUSTON GREEN MAIDS 15710 Pebble Bend 713.992.2622

ECOVER 800.449.4925 www.ecover.com

NATURALCARE CLEANING SERVICES 14027 Memorial Drive #270 832.476.3870

SEVENTH GENERATION 800.456.1191 www.seventhgeneration.com

HEALTHY CONCEPT HOME 713.204.6880 ORGANIC HOME CLEANING SERVICE 1760 Barker Cypress Road 832.893.4892

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SIMPLE GREEN 800.228.0709 www.simplegreen.com SHAKLEE 800.742.5533 www.shaklee.com

house& home | A p r i l 2 0 0 9 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

ABOVE LEFT: For a healthy, streak-free window cleaner combine a cup of water with a quarter cup white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on windows and use a crumpled newspaper to wipe clean. © TMAX #469711 Fotolia RIGHT: Sansevieria, a plant also known as Mother-in-law Tongue, helps refresh indoor air.

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FINANCING AVAILABLE

ROOM ADDITION A To Z

REMODELING

IN THE GARDEN

Kitchen & Bathroom Specialist

ECO CONSTRUCTION

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

ES FRE TIM E ATE S PATIO COVERS Aluminum & Composition

METAL

Call George @ 281-685-8657 BUILDINGS www.1ecoconstruction.com

Hablamos Español

Invest In Timeless Treasures

Unique Religious Art Spanish & French Antiques Accessories & Primitives

JOHN HOLT ANTIQUES 2416 Woodhead • 713-528-5065 MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:30AM-5:00PM

FINAL CLOSEOUT SALE

• Christmas Ornaments • Decorations • Italian Ceramics & Glass • Candle Lites • Artful Jewelry & Other Small Treasures

713-528-4542

Tues-Fri: 9-Noon,

1612 W. Alabama 1:30-5 Houston , TX 77006 Sat: 9-Noon www.veniceholidaygiftgallery.com

57

pet of the month Hi, I’m Willie, a 2-year-old Lhasa

Residential & Commercial Keep your yard green with the most affordable eco-friendly way to dispose of pet waste. We offer convenient weekly service.

Never worry about the mess of owning a pet again!

Awarded “Best Attention to Detail” by HoustonPress.

APEX REMODELING & CONSTRUCTION Room Additions Kitchen Remodeling Bathroom Remodeling Patio Covers Complete Home Remodeling Fully Licensed • Fully Insured • Texas State Registered Builder

apexrc@comcast.net

713-498-3445 www.houstonapexremodeling.com

THE LIMON GROUP Full Service Painting & Remodeling Contractors

Licensed & Insured FREE Estimates

Commercial & Residential

Apso/Terrier mix who survived Hurricane Ike. I was recently transferred to Houston SPCA from my coastal location, and, frankly, I’m so over that storm. I just want someone to adopt me so I can be a red-blooded Houstonian. I wanna go to the Art Car Parade with you, root for the Rockets, listen to Lyle Lovett, watch Wes Anderson DVDs, bark while you show off at Jamail Skatepark and wait for you to finish your beer at the ice house. You have the book Houston. It’s Worth It by Thompson and Twaddle on your coffee table, and you’ll be buying IKE: The Book by those same guys for me in September, the one-year anniversary of the storm. I get along great with kids and pets. I’m likable and friendly—like pretty much every Houstonian I’ve ever met. Adopt me and give me official Houston citizenship. Wear your Rockets t-shirt and ask for my ID# A07342918 at HOUSTON SPCA 900 Portway Drive, Houston 77024, 713.869.SPCA (7722) 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, www.houstonspca.org

11013 11013 Fuqua Fuqua •• Suite Suite 122 122 •• Houston, Houston, TX TX 77089 77089

281-202-2668 832-880-3485 E-mail:TheLimonGroup@ymail.com www.TheLimonGroup.net

SKYLIGHTS AND SUNTUNNELS

Visit InteriorReflections.com today!

Enjoy fabulous before & after pics • Get great design ideas!

After

Before

Beth La Penna, A.S.I.D

NEW & REPLACEMENT

Licensed Interior Designer

Upgrade to VELUX® and $ave Energy Certified Installation

281.580.7775

99 sq. ft.

www.graniteforme.com

In the Heights since 1977

Be one of the first 20 kitchen customers and receive special discount! Call for details!

2103 Karbach • Houston, TX 77092 Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm • Sat & Sun: By Appt.

Beltway 8 a m co Da 290

Hem pstead Hwy.

59

713-466-1551 I-45

Karbach

281-802-5099 masterstone@sbcglobal.net

58

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!

Select From The Latest Colors from 2009 Brazil Stone Show

Mangum

27

$

Call for Free Estimates

Professional Insect and Rodent Control

N 610

house& home | A p r i l 2 0 0 9 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

5829 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. North Suite 408

innovativeskylights.com

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

GO GREEN HOUSTON ALL PRODUCTS 100% ALL NATURAL (Chemical Free)

FIGHTING NATURES WORST WITH NATURES BEST • Affordable Mosquito Systems (Sprinkler and Misting) • Portable Yard, Campsite and RV Systems • Pest Control (Indoor and Outdoor) • One Time-Lifetime Fence, Deck & Dock Treatment • Fence and Deck Renovation and Pressure Washing • Kills or Repels All Non-Beneficial Insects Including Fleas & Fire Ants • Pet & Livestock Products

ENJOY YOUR BACKYARD WITH YOUR FAMILY AGAIN. David (281) 743-3258 dbfenceco.com

Tommy (713) 419-1192 cedararmor.com

FREE ESTIMATES

SOMETHING SPECIAL

CASH & CARRY STOCK KITCHENS

I N T E R I O R S

Elegant Custom Trees & Floral Designs

• Kitchens

Daily Discounts

• Bathrooms

Decorative Accessories, Faux Tin Art, and Containers of all Varieties, In-Store for that Special Need.

• Home Offices • Entertainment Centers

12703-A Cutten So., Houston, TX 77066

STOREWIDE SALE 50% OFF

*

• And Much More!

(S. of 1960 at Willowbrook Mall or 249)

832-249-8607

thru 5/17/09

www.somethingspecialinteriors.com 9-6 Mon-Fri • 10-5 Sat

*Excludes trees and shrubs

Cabinetry That Integrates Seamlessly

arrowwoodcab.com 8758 Clay Road, Suite 430 • Houston, Texas 77080 • 713.690.2292

FLOOR DECOR

Full Service Contracting • Painting Maintenance • Carpentry • Bathroom Remodels Kitchen Remodels • Custom Cabinets

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

ALL MAJOR BRANDS RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

- 25 Years Experience - Insured - 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Member

National Wood Flooring Association

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

CORVERA

Inspiration, Design, Custom Fitted.

713-975-8866 www.draperymontage.com

CUSTOM MADE

READY-MADE

20% OFF $ LABOR & HARDWARE

99

00

SILK PANELS

SHOWROOM AND WORKROOM

3301-G Fondren Houston, TX 77063 Corner of Fondren and Richmond

Ground Maintenance & Design

• Hardscape • Pavers • Patios • Flagstone • Waterfalls • Ponds • Sprinklers • Drainage • Pergolas • Arbors • Outdoor Kitchens • Landscape Design • Landscape Lighting • Residential & Commercial 5% OFF Hardscape Over $4,000 Expires April 30, 2009

713.692.4350 • www.icorvera.com 59

:

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

RESIDENTIAL

CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING

•Custom Homes •Remodeling •Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets •Additions •Framing •Green Building

281.802.2488

COMMERCIAL

DESIGN BUILD INC.

Vinyl Wood Metal

TM

•Commercial Build Outs •Remodeling •Concrete •Small or Large Projects

S OW

•

DOORS

•

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

For Noise

S

ING ID

FREE ESTIMATES • LET US SAVE YOU MONEY!

WIN D

CUSTOMIZING SPECIALISTS DESIGN MASTER CARPENTER FOR 35 YEARS SERVICES AND CABINET MAKERS Texas Licensed Contractor

www.suncraftdesign.com

ALL MAJOR BRANDS FOR LESS

FREE ESTIMATES Phone Quotes

713-777-1615

HEALTHY GREEN PRODUCTS

Showroom: 5633 S.W. Freeway At Chimney

® R8 Cotton Insulated

INSULATION • ACOUSTICAL • REMOVAL COTTON - INSULATION/DUCTS/WRAP

1331 Seamist Dr. • Houston, TX 77008 • 713.868.1021 • www.PaylessInsulation.com

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

Magnetic Interior Insulating Windows

• Deadens Outside Noise • Greatly Reduces Heat Through Windows • Lowers Energy Costs • Stops/Prevents Ultraviolet Fading of Drapes/Furnishings • Quick Payback on Investment

Transforming Your Dreams...Into Reality!

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 60

Mayeco Here’s What the Magnetic® Window System Does For YOUR Home...

713-680-2019 www.amsremodeling.com

ARE YOUR WINDOWS THE BIGGEST SINGLE ENERGY WASTER IN YOUR HOME?

house& home | A p r i l 2 0 0 9 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

1-800-627-8061

HOUSTON HOME IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION

TEXAS UNLIMITED CLEANING • Carpet Cleaning • Tile & Grout Cleaning • General Maintenance

PATIO COVERS

713-827-7020 • www.txunlimitedcleaning.com

TACLA-011844E

Matching Existing Construction Fully Insured • In Business 29 Years

www.hhipatiocovers.com

281-686-9059 Are you redecorating or just have too much stuff?

L

et us sell it for you!

281.277.7557 • Call For Appointment

The beginning of your home is at the end of your driveway!

281-807-DOOR www.lonestardoor.com

P.O. Box 690672 Houston, TX 77269

BOUTROS CONSTRUCTION ALL

PHASES OF

HOME REMODELING

OVER 11 YEARS EXPERIENCE • 713-587-0000 •

WWW.BOUTROSCONSTRUCTION.COM

Save 40-70% on quality

Removal • Trimming/Topping Stump Grinding • Land Clearing Brush Removal/Chipping Firewood • Tree Planting And Much More!

used furniture and accessories at our 6500 sq. ft. showroom.

2nd Debut Furniture Resale Houston’s Finest Consignment Resale Store Since 1978

10968 Westheimer @ Wilcrest • 713-782-0300 • www.2nddebutfurniture.com

Be Green, Plant Trees!

Commercial & Residential Free Estimates 24 Hour Service Insured/Bonded

281-353-5775 • 1-800-ARBOR-CARE www.setexastrees.com 61

CR Collectibles Featuring a wide selection of antique furnishings, accents and accessories

15% OFF w/this ad 218 Main St. Old Town Spring 281.528.6445 www.crcollectibles.com

TLR Services, Inc.

Landscape Design Landscape Lighting • Waterfalls Patios • Sod Installation Irrigation • Drainage

713. 880. 1919 FLOWERS AND ACCESSORIES

Owner, Travis Richbourg

FOR WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

20 Years Experience

6721 Spring Cypress • Spring, TX 77379 • www.TLR-Services.com 281-370-8307 Office • 281-734-3838 Cell • 281-370-8241 Fax

Country French & European Primitives Visit us during the 10th Annual Antiques Show & Sale • May 2nd & 3rd Historic Downtown Montgomery

208 McCown, Montgomery, TX 936-444-3248 Wed. - Sat. 10:00 - 5:00 Sun. 12:00 - 5:00

WINE CELLARS DESIGN BUILD INC. CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING

281.802.2488 CUSTOMIZING SPECIALISTS DESIGN MASTER CARPENTER FOR 35 YEARS SERVICES AND CABINET MAKERS Texas Licensed Contractor

www.suncraftdesign.com

CUSTOM BUILT

• In Your Home • In Your Business

European Elegance Paving Design 713-850-6375 832-607-2266 www.pavedesign.com 62

house& home | A p r i l 2 0 0 9 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

Savvy Antiques & Décor AUTOMATIC GATE OPERATOR

• Key Pads • Intercoms Jose L. Office

832-877-7456 713-649-9711

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

• Iron Fencing • Gates • Stairs • Handrails • Security Windows & Doors

www.rodriguezornamental.com 4000 Telephone Rd., #D-6, Houston, TX 77087

QUA L I T Y C USTO M S H U T T E R S

Are You Planning to Build a Home?

Don’t Overlook the Possibility of Having Design Flaws on Your New Home Plan That Will Compromise Your Home’s Value See How We Can Help, Before It’s Too Late!

Beauty • Elegance • Style 29 Years of Excellence Plantation • Traditional • Exterior • Wood Blinds Shutters Reapainted & Repaired

American Shutter Company

281-441-7998

Free Quotes

Buy Where The Contractors Buy

4”x4” Wall Tile.......7¢ 6”x6” Wall Tile.....14¢

QUALITY TILE, MARBLE & GRANITE

Wholesale & Retail • Ceramic • Porcelain

713-995-8453 59 South @ Bissonnet

Visit www.enhanceyourplan.com

15120 Lee Road, Suite #614 • fax 281-441-7020 www.americanshutters.net

By Phone or In Home

45 South @ Airport

I Home Theaters I Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets I Refinishing & Refacing I Custom Built-Ins I Unique Furniture Designs When quality craftsmanship is your first concern

• Marble • Travertine • Granite Countertops

Now Open For Katy & Memorial Residents

281-405-8383

2000 Sam Houston Pkwy. @ I-10 • 713-465-8453

9825 Airline

Monday-Saturday 8:00am to 7:00pm

•

Miele

•

Riccar

•

Pro-Line •

Sebo

• Dyson

“The Best Vacuums In America” Authorized Dealers:

IQ AIR PURIFIERS • CENTRAL VACUUM INSTALLATIONS CARPET CLEANING FREE @ Home Demonstrations FREE Vacuum Loaners FREE Estimates MONTHLY SALES TRADE-INS WELCOME

In The Woodlands

On 1960 West

In Sugar Land

281-419-9945

281-444-1313

281-980-8763

To advertise in this section, call 713-523-6523.

Bob’s Renovations “Quality You Can Trust - One Call Does It All”

Quality • Service • Sales • Supplies • Cleaning Essentials...On All Major Brands Serving the Houston Community Since 1990 • Family Owned & Operated

832-375-1050

www.griffithwoodwerks.com

Se Habla Español

THE GALLERY VACUUMS of AMERICA, INC.

I I I I

Since 1987

2519 Bammel Timbers • Houston

Ceramic

Starts At 69¢

832-250-7328 Cell

713-943-7171

Email: Qtiles@sbcglobal.net •

• Granite • Slate

GRIFFITH WOODWERKS

Slate

Starts At 99¢

Family Owned & Operated 22 Years Exp. Complete Home Repairs I Sheetrock Repairs Painting Interior & Exterior Kitchen & Bath Remodeling I Carpentry Repairs I Siding Cultured Marble Tops & I Rental Property Kitchen Countertops Make Readys Whirlpool Tub Repair

713-557-3310

“Made in the Shade” Pergolas & Sunrooms Adding Value to Your Home...Comfortably Patio Rooms • Screen Rooms Pergolas • Windows

& & construction construction

281.498.1140 www.advancetexas.com

Upgrade Your Style Today!

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

-Exterior Cleaning -Concrete Surfaces -Roof Cleaning

Vern Wallace 832-645-6685 Office • 832-689-8751 Cell vern@pwetc.com • www.pwetc.com

Serving Texas and the U.S.

As seen on Great Day Houston and Fox!

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

281.794.4830 Pamela O’Brien

www.roomredo.com

Skylights•Sun Tunnels•Solar Roof Vents

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

Pools & Spas

REMODELING

20% Off Any Service

713-440-7990 homeofficehouston.com

713-466-1551 5829 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. • Suite 408 InnovativeSkylights.com • SolarRoofVent.com

Sophies’ Upholstery & Draperies

• Custom Drapes • Mini Blinds • Slip Covers • Custom Furniture • Cornices • Shades • Bedding • Pillows Fine Quality • Great Prices • Work Done on Premises Open to the Public • Trade Welcome Serving Southwest Houston & Fort Bend County

11925 Southwest Fwy. #2 • 281.879.6300

Bonded & Insured References • Free Estimates Professional Services

HANDYMAN-CONTRACTOR MOVING SERVICES Carpentry - Ceramic Tile

PAINTING & SHEETROCK

Roofing

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

CREATIVE CONTOURS L .

ANDSCAPE CO

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

• 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

Remodeling Decks 23803 Ayscough Lane Katy, TX 77493 877-713-POOL Ph. 713-775-7144 Bus. 281-347-5203 Fax. www.realitypoolshouston.com

Patios Landscaping Fences Pavilions

FALCO CONSTRUCTION, INC. Since 1976

• Remodeling Specialist Interior & Exterior • Kitchen • Bath • Patio Rooms • Painting • Granite & Tile • Hardie Siding & Windows

• Old Light Fixtures and Door Knobs Available •

281-797-1430 Mobile 281-999-0163 Office

Pool Remodeling Specialists

Authorized BioGuard Dealer Pest Control Products Lawn Fertilizer Goggles and Floats

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

Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. (9-6) Sat. (9-4) • Sun. (12-4) • Wed. (Closed)

Professional pest control products available to the public Steve Lacy

281-955-8114

22129 Katy Freeway Katy, Texas 77450

www.competitionpools.com

We Restore Bricks to Original Beauty Since 1993

Brick, Stone, Glass Blocks, Brick Staining Paver Designs, Brick Fences & Columns All Work Guaranteed Fully Insured Call (281) 558-1828 for a Free Estimate www.brick-restoration.com

EVERIC POOL PLASTERING COMPLETE POOL REMODELING Insured For Your Convenience

713-728-9941

www.evericpoolplastering.com

Room Additions No Project Too Small or Too Large

Residential & Commercial FREE ESTIMATES Phone Fax

www.creativeimprovementsllc.com Room Additions • Roofing • Painting • Carpentry • Electrical • Plumbing Doors • Siding • Decks • Interior & Exterior Repairs.

Remodel Kitchens and Bathrooms. Granite Countertops.

Office Cell

• Shutters • Siding • Kitchens • Counter Tops

• Granite-Marble • Carpets • Cleaning • Restretch

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

BEST QUALITY • BEST PRICES

281-821-2900

- INSURED -

AZTEC HOME REMODELING • • • • • •

Kitchen Remodeling Bathroom Remodeling Cabinets–Granite Countertops Cultured Marble Vanities Tile–Ceramic–Stone–Slate Carpets–Hardwood–Laminates

• • • • • •

Painting–Sheetrock–Texturing Hardie Siding–Custom Carpentry Windows–Doors–Crown Molding Roofing–Gutters–Pressure Washing Brick–Patio Rooms–Deckings House Leveling - Fences

“Water Damage–Extraction and Restoration”

www.evensinterest.com

TATCO CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING Servicing River Oaks and Surrounding Areas For Over 30 Years Construction / Cabinetry / Painting Full Service Contracting Rick Tatum

C REATIVE I MPROVEMENTS, LLC. 281-804-3108 281-379-2346

Lowest Prices on Remodeling!

713-699-3004 832-526-2611

• Drywall • Carpentry • Cabinets • Roofing

Phone (281) 392-3030

EVANS CONSTRUCTION Complete Home ROOFING Remodeling

Expert Remodeling and Restoration

BESTCARE HOME SERVICES • Bathrooms • Tile-Wood • Painting • Gutters

713.695.4084

tatcoconstruction@aol.com

27 Years Experience

281.821.0809

ENERGY Lifetime SAVINGWarranty SOLAR SCREENS • FREE Estimates Vinyl Replacement Windows Custom Made • Maintenance Free LowE Energy Saving Insulated Glass • Solar Screens Security Storm Windows 6005 Milwee St. Suite 715 Houston, Texas 77064

Deal with Jim

713.666.3633 281.686.1940

Office Cell

Call Now! 713.290.0247 • Interior/Exterior Painting • Drywall install.

• Texture • Sidings/Carpentry • Concrete Painting

REMODELING • ROOFING Jim Norman We Appreciate Your Business

- INSURED -

Serving Greater Houston Since 1996

37 YEARS AS A HOUSTON CONTRACTOR

Fully Insured

www.rtcontracting.com

281-578-5162 rtcontracting@sbcglobal.net

AFFORDABLE CUSTOM IRON WORK Custom Iron Work Stairs • Doors • Gates • Fences

SPECIALIZING IN AMERICAN ANTIQUES

www.nandvpatioco.com

Spindle Back Chairs Round Pedestal Tables China Cabinets Hall Trees Kitchen Cabinets Beds Dressers Wicker Glassware Light Fixtures Trunks

912 Yale Street North of I-10 in “The Heights”

Call 713-957-1820 • www.rabata.com

713-861-7750

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

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

Magic Cleaning Services

R-64

www.guttermaxx.com/index17.htm

Let Magic Do The Hardwork!

Gallaway Porcelain Works Reconditioning

Repair

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

281-304-9300

TexasTubs.com

713.728.0998

Wrought Iron Gates & Fences

Refinishing

Maid Service Interior Exterior Windows Brick Walls Driveways & Decks Power Washed

(#1 For Shedding Pine Needles)

Wood & Wrought Iron Fences & Gates Operators Brick Columns Flagstone Patios Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks

Call for a FREE Estimate Antonio Soto

phone

Patio Covers • Porches • Carports Deck Covers • Solar Screens • Arbors Vinyl Windows • Maintenance/Repair

713~728~0013 • 832~837~8880 cell

We Specialize In Bringing You Custom Made Rooms for All Seasons.

Free On-site Estimates

281.397.8703

Quickwood Design & Construction Remodel • Renovate Restore • Repair

Will: 713-291-1455 Keith: 713-898-5356

Additions • New Construction Electrical • Carpentry • Painting • Granite

O.B.R. REMODELING SERVICES Octavio Ramirez,

Contractor

OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE • LICENSED & INSURED

713.828.0725 . .

WWW OBREMODELING COM

Peggy’s Services &

Money Makers

Hazel’s Custom Drapes, LLC Over 45 Years Experience

www.moneymakersflags.com 1517 Blalock Houston, TX 77080

Residential & Commercial Maid Services Office, Make-Ready, New Construction & House Cleaning

Professional Painting & Remodeling

Garden Coaching Help from a PhD Botanist - Horticulturist 713-665-6137 - herbansolutions.com • Maintenance & Replacement Recommendations • Shade, Sun, & Container Garden Design • Specialty Pruning & Landscape Services

Porcelain Repair

• Carpet • Laminate • Countertops • Hardwood • Ceramic Tile • Showers 3206 Fondren Rd. @ Richmond Ave.

ATLAS FLOORING 713-266-7788

STONE RESTORATION We restore & polish:

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

Weswww.houstonstonedoctor.com Bowden 713•858•7736

FREE ESTIMATES

(1-10 @Kirkwood)

281-596-8187

M-F 10-5 • Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-5 or Appoint.

Katy

COMPLETE KITCHEN REMODELS

• CABINETS • FIXTURES • COUNTERTOPS

Kitchen Bath

281.391.6279 www.KatyKitchen.com

by

andmark andscapes

ADVANCE INSTALLATION, INC. Don Ruggers • Charles Masini

Established

1989

www.atlasflooringhouston.com M-F 9-6 • Sat 10-5

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

713-498-8532 OWNER CRAFTSMAN-WESLEY MCDOUGLE

L

713-461-1153 800-838-1153

CONCRETE WORK & REPAIRS

BUY TODAY WE INSTALL TOMORROW

WAYNE’S HARDWOOD • CARPET • TILE

Bathroom Detailing

713.728.9030

Over 25 Years Experience

281.498.1632 713.302.7381

H&L FLOORS

• Custom Cabinets • Remodeling • Siding • Framing

Floors Installed Res. & Comm.

35 Years

RDZ HOME SERVICES

Locally Owned

Any Size Job! Emergency Service Windstorm Certificate Available 713-240-7721 • JK’S ROOFING

MEMORIAL!

Beautiful Pools at Affordable Prices

www.reflection poolsandspas.com

Sales •Service •Installation

25 Yrs. Exp.

281-787-8380

•Swimming Pools •House Slabs •Parking Lots •Tree & Storm Debris Services

www.GasProductservices.com

Hardwood • Laminate Tile • Carpet • Vinyl

Jose L. Rosas•832.651.7061 Cell

Beating the competition for years!

MEMBER BBB Free Estimates 281-467-1898 • 281-397-8354 fax

713-559-1100

Trec#2997 713-961-1531 MAC#1001

All Kinds of Woodwork • All Custom Built

Quality Tile, Marble & Granite

281.733.8836

Residential • Commercial • Multi-Units • structural/mechanical/termites • pools/spas/sprinkler systems • mold testing & consultation • independent foundation evaluations Licensed Mold Assessment Consultant

Home Cell

DEMOLITION We Demolish All Things Concrete SLS DEMO

Real Estate Inspections Houston Since 1991

by SafeHouse Serving

CABINETS

by John Corenchuk

Experience

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

• DRIVEWAYS • SIDEWALKS • PATIOS • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

AMAZING FENCES & BURGLAR BARS

Reflection Pools & Spas

713.523.5667

Windsocks and Pennants

“Combining The Best...Continuing The Tradition”

713-294-5706 Cell ProfessionalPaintingAndRemodeling.com

FREE ESTIMATES

Flags, Banners, Poles

Peggy Robinson Interior Decorator 281.345.0077 • www.peggyservices.com Specialized Services: • Custom Drapes • Blinds • Shutters • Window Film • and Much more!

Since 1980 Commercial & Residential

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

NOW OPEN IN KATY &

2000 Sam Houston Parkway N.

713-465-8453 9700 SW Freeway @ Bissonnet 9900 Gulf Freewy @ Hobby Airport 9825 Airline Qtiles@sbcglobal.net • 832.250.7328

General Contracting License # G2008-260 Sergio Rodriguez

713-855-6416 The Best Hardwoods Sanding • Refinishing Repairs • Insured

- Free Quotes TB Hardwoods -

713-876-7401

ARTISAN BUILDERS

MASTER CRAFTSMAN • Additions & Remodeling •

281-798-8006 832.754.4397 TRCCC#44255

UGLYCONCRETE? We have the solutions!

Plumbing Solutions Wade Edwards

281-537-8687

24 Years Experience

Licensed Plumber

281-974-9449

De La Cruz

Rock-Crete Foam Insulators DROP YOUR ATTIC TEMP 50°+ or -

New and Existing Homes

1-888 FOAM HOME

Painting & Remodeling

Interior

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713-301-7157

quickpix The flat surface of this 1860s bronze Ikebana container represents the beauty of a still pool from which flowers rise. Gilded highlights reference the chrysanthemum, a flower favored by Japanese emperors and likely intended for this vessel. $1,138 at Carl Moore Antiques

Destination Japan ANCIENT AND MODERN THINGS FROM JAPAN BRING BOLD SHAPES, WARMTH INTO YOUR HOME

resources CARL MOORE ANTIQUES 1610 Bissonet 713.524.2502 TANSU 321 West 19th Street 713.880.5100 A TOUCH OF JAPAN 9895 D. Bellaire 713.270.9605 A pair of circa 1920 Meiji period lacquer cachepots with original brass liners, perfect for displaying prized orchids without a water leak. $1,388 the pair at Carl Moore Antiques

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART STORE www.momastore.org

Sori Yanagi, the designer of this sculptural stool prefers gentle, rounded forms because they “radiate human warmth.” Each half of this stool mirrors the woodgrain of the other half. $605 in maple, $795 in rosewood through momastore.org

The Step Kaidan Tansu. Get storage in style, with this classic Japanese step-chest. $1,950 at Tansu

A marvel of subtlety, this porcelain wall clock by Kanae Tsukamoto radiates a pristine, clean aesthetic. $140 through momastore.org 66

A classic Shoji screen, the Tsuitate, allows you to define a little private space for yourself. $185.00 at A Touch of Japan

house& home | A p r i l 2 0 0 9 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com

Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, captures graceful simplicity. Tansu’s Ikebana tray lets just one or two lovely blossoms beautifully dress up any table or entryway. $39.95 at Tansu

Eiji Hiramatsu designed these earthy stoneware bowls in a traditional shape used for Japanese tea ceremonies, but they’re great for soups and snacks.

Set of four, $40 through momastore.org

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Stainmaster Active Life Carpet 10 Year, Stain, Texture, Soil Warranty

Stainmaster Carpet 7 Year Stain and Soil Warranty

239

199

$

$

Sq. Ft. Installed

Mannington Hand-Scraped Laminate

549

$

Sq. Ft. Installed

549

299

$

Sq. Ft. Installed

Wilsonart Styles

Wilsonart Classic 5" or 8"

$

Sq. Ft. Installed

Stainmaster Ultralife Carpet 15 Year, Stain, Texture, Soil Warranty

Sq. Ft. Installed

649

$

Sq. Ft. Installed

At Roberts Carpet & Fine Floors, we sell premium brand names for less –GUARANTEED–or we’ll take double the difference off our price. Our prices are lower because we buy full truckloads direct, even when no one else can.* *See store for details. Prices good while supplies last.

“Your Perfect Rug Source” www.robertscarpet.com

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