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house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
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SEPTEMBER 2016
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Editor’s Note Calendar Modern Home Tour Deal Hunter: What to Buy This Month Kitchen & Bath: What’s Trending Editor’s Picks: Must-have Area Rugs Gardening: Perennial Pleasures Pet of the Month: Smoke
Landscape Guide
Fall Garden Events Grow Fall & Winter Vegetables Gardening Tips from Pros
ON THE COVER: STUNNING & SOPHISTICATED: EKLEKTIK INTERIORS DESIGNED THIS CLASSIC PINEY POINT VILLAGE KITCHEN TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND PRACTICAL. Photo cour tesy of Architectural Photography by Chuck Williams.
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30 54 66
Chicken Strut Tour Glenbrook Valley Mod Home Restoration Beautiful Bedrooms
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THE KITCHEN ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE NEITHER ARE WE.
EDITOR’S NOTE
May luck be with you ... Shamrock Roofing of Spring, Texas – located within our metropolitan area – announces its “No Roof Left Behind” program. The company plans to donate this fall a free roof to a deserving Harris Country family. Are you strapped and needing roofing assistance? Or do you know of a single parent, an elderly neighbor, or perhaps a veteran The lifestyles and preferences of today’s consumer have inspired us to reimagine the kitchen. With innovations like the first Hands-free Autofill water dispenser, the first dishwasher with 102 cleaning jets and a clean modern appearance, the GE kitchen is more intelligent, intuitive and beautiful than ever. l geappliances.com
ACCEPTANCE APPLIANCE CENTER, INC. Authorized As-Is Dealer
who needs a new roof, they won-
toric residences, commercial
der?
buildings, or institutions. For
If so, the company invites one and all to submit nominees
details, visit www.preservation houston.org
online. Just visit www.shamrock-
6765 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W. • Suite 200 Houston, TX 77064 • 281-955-0861 www.acceptanceappliance.com
reimagining home
roofingtx.com for details. They plan to accept nomina-
Two tours are coming up. The first is the modern home tour set for Sept. 24. See page 18 for
tions until Sept. 25. One lucky
details. On Oct. 8, Galveston
winner will be announced on Nov.
hosts its annual Chicken Strut.
25, and the installation will occur
For more about that one, go to
before the end of the year.
page 30.
The nomination deadline for
Of course, the huge Round Top
Houston Preservation’s Annual
Fair happens Sept. 16 to Oct.2;
Good Brick Award approaches.
that’s not to be missed! Visit
It’s Sept. 12. Winners will be
www.roundtoptexasantiques.com
announced early next year.
for details.
Nominate your own project or another’s. The group selects hon-
Cheers!
orees in several categories: his-
Susan (with Sam and Casey)
HOUSTON
PUBLISHER ........................Mike Harrison, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ........Susie Reisenbigler EDITOR ............................................Susan Fox CONTRIBUTING WRITERS....................................
Over 30 Years of Experience on Residential & Commercial Properties. • Dramatic Uplighting • Delicate Moonlighting • Feature Lighting
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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 2016, all rights reserved. HH&H is distributed at most Houston area Randalls and HEB stores.
P.O. Box 131845 • Houston, Texas 77219 (713) 523-6523 • info@houseandhomeonline.com
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Compiled by liNdSAy CANRiGHT
SEPTEMBER 2016
The Texas Contemporary Arts Fair takes place Sept. 29-Oct. 2, featuring artworks on display in some of the country’s best galleries. Above: “Lens and Pluralism” by David Graeve. Photo courtesy of Samara Gallery.
Interiors & Shows SEPT. 7-8, 9 a.m. To 8 p.m. DALTILE EXPO Known for their stunning selection of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal and natural stone tile products, Daltile provides a rich palette of quality products created to inspire residential and commercial designs. Six Greenway Plaza, Hilton Doubletree. http://asidtgcc.org/news-events/events/daltile-expo/ SEPT. 14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m 2016 TEXAS WOOD SOLUTIONS FAIR Calling all professional woodworkers, the day-long Wood Solutions Fair offers multi-faceted educational events on the use of wood in nonresidential and multifamily buildings. George R. Brown Convention Center. Free. http://www.woodworks.org/education-event/2016-texaswood-solutions-fair/ SEPT. 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “SEGRETO VIGNETTES” Book signing at Back Row Home, 8570 Katy Frwy. Author and faux finishing expert Leslie Sinclair launches her third book featuring area homes.... “Segreto Vignettes.” SEPT. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. AIA HOUSTON INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE TOUR The tour features places in downtown Houston. $10 www.aiahouston.org
SEPT. 24-25: TEXAS HOME & GARDEN SHOW The Texas Home & Garden Show series provides homeowners with the opportunity to comparison shop hundreds of goods and services all under one roof. The show’s fall edition is held at NRG Center in Houston, where homeowners will find expert advice, money saving tips, remodeling ideas, landscape features and more. www.texashomeandgarden.com SEPT. 24-25: GALVESTON HOME & GARDEN SHOW 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday For 32 years strong, the Galveston Home & Garden Show has earned a reputation for providing quality speakers, merchandise, services and home improvement ideas. Bringing the best of the best together for the region, the fall show will entertain, educate and inspire home and garden enthusiasts. www.galvestonhomeandgarden.com
Events SEPT. 9, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. LEATHER JEWELRY FOR GUYS AND GALS WORKSHOP Try your hand at creating custom jewelry that highlights the rustic elegance of leather. All the supplies are on hand--leather sheets, suede rope, and everything in between-- to make boho style cuffs, simple leather necklaces, and cool leather earrings. At 203 Roberts. $32 fee. https://popshopamerica.com/ event/leather-jewelry-guys-gals-workshop/
EDITOR’S NOTE: Please send all calendar items to info@houseandhomeonline.com by second Fridays for the following month’s issue. 14 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
SEPT. 10, 5-7 p.m. DESIGN FROM NATURE: BIOMIMICRY WORKSHOP It’s said that nature is the best instructor, and the field of Biomimicry seeks to learn from it to create more sustainable solutions to the challenges we face. In this relaxed and interactive workshop, the group will discuss examples of human design inspired by nature, from physical objects to processes. Participants hone their skills and look for solutions to complex design problems amongst the Arboretum’s flora and fauna. $30/members and $45/nonmember www.houstonarboretum.org SEPT. 17, 8 a.m. To Noon FARMER’S MARKET BIKE RIDE hosted by Bayou City Outdoors Explore the city’s bevy of weekly farmer’s markets, where vendors sell handcrafted cheeses, local produce, baked goods and locally sourced organic meats. This two-wheeled tour takes riders along 12-15 miles of side streets and trails as they visit markets in the heart of Houston. Meet at 3106 White Oak Dr. Free. www.bayoucityoutdoors.org SEPT. 29-OCT. 2: TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ARTS FAIR Houston’s leading contemporary and modern art fair, brings the country’s best galleries to the area’s discerning art scene. Come prepared for exciting on-site installations, a robust schedule of talks, tours, and events, and access to the best in modern and contemporary art from around the world presented by the country’s top dealers. George R. Brown Convention Center. www.txcontemporary.com
Vintage/Antiques SEPT. 8-11: HOUSTON ANTIQUES, ART, & DESIGN SHOW The Houston Antiques + Art + Design Show features 75 premier exhibitors from across the country and around the world offering fine antique furniture, decorative and fine arts representing design movements from the 17th century to the 20th century. At the Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards St. General Admission: $10 and Opening Night, $50. Times each day vary. www.fall.houstonantiquesartdesign.com
Out of Town SEPT. 17, 4 p.m. HISTORY ON TAP AT THE 1838 MENARD HOUSE AND TREMONT WHISKEY PUNCH, Galveston, TX Enjoy a late afternoon of music and spirits at Galveston's oldest residence, the 1838 Menard House. Cool off with samplings from the tasting menu, including Tremont Whiskey Punch, made from their well-loved original recipe. www.galvestonhistory.org
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17
MODERN HOME TOUR
ABOVE: Memorial area home by Merge Architects. BELOW (top): Museum Park area home by Intexture Architects. (bottom): A Bellaire home by StudioMet Architects
Annual Tour of Modern Homes Returns to Houston This Month Modern Home Tours returns as the new Modern Architecture + Design Society (MA+DS) -- for a sixth, self-guided tour of area homes on Sept. 24. Participants have the opportunity to explore eight modern homes in the Houston vicinity that exemplify modern architecture and living. Tourgoers also get the inside scoop from homeowners on what it is like to live in more spare environs, and talk to the architects about their sources of inspiration. This is every Houston resident’s chance to see the inside of “that unique, cool house” you always drive by…. Continuing the annual tradition, Lawndale Art Center is the Houston MA+DS Home Tour’s local non-profit beneficiary. As always, Lawndale volunteers will help staff the event, in return
18 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
for a small donation, and the opportunity to use the tour as a fundraising vehicle to help further their mission of presenting to the masses contemporary art from regional artists. The featured homes, architects, designers and neighborhoods: (1) A modern home tucked into the villages along the Memorial Drive corridor, designed by Merge Architects. This residence is designed as an energy efficient sustainable home that features 100 percent LED lighting, and utilizes a remote-accessed lighting thermostat control systems. (2) A modern home designed by MaRS Culture in the northern Montrose area. (3) The Tripartite House, designed by Intexure Architects, sits in the heart of Houston's
Museum Park neighborhood. Check out the three stacked layers that divide the public and private realms into a strata of functional zones. By stacking these layers, the home allows greater openness and visual connection on the first floor while maintaining privacy on the levels above. (4) A unit in the Welch Town Homes, also situated in the northern Montrose area, features interior designs by Allegro Modern and architectural design by MaRS Culture. The townhomes embody the mantra of clean, modern design, and each reaches four stories in height – offering a rather unique view of downtown Houston, and featuring customized iron staircases, and a rooftop terrace. (5) An indoor-outdoor style of living is central to a home in Bellaire, designed by studioMET. This house's first floor plan includes an open kitchen-dining-living space accented by an outdoor patio via a sliding wall of glass. Mixing the building materials and architectural fixtures with the owners' vintage furniture collection melds into a palette of some things old and some things new -- with curated touches of copper, wood and blue. (6) A Memorial Park-area home designed by Scott Ballard is a beautiful amalgamation of modern design and Mexican culture. The strong Mexican influence in its architecture is seen in the colors, plan layout, materials, extended rain scuppers, etc. These features are in homage to the great Mexican architects Ricardo Legerreta and Luis Barrigan. (7) A home in Houston's Museum Park was designed and built by Dreamscape Modern. It is among the first modern residential homes in the U.S. to utilize a stainless steel and aluminum LED light screen illuminating the entire 2,400 squarefeet of facades of three combined houses. (8) Another home in Bellaire is designed by Gerardo Pena. One of the tallest two-story residences found in the area, this is a home to remember. It underscores a harmonic balance between indoor and outdoor spaces, clean lines and textures throughout. Another feature of the house: a geometrical wraparound staircase that seems to grow from the walls with a glass handrail and much, much more. Tour hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday, Sept. 24. Tickets for the home tour are $35 in advance online; $40 on the day of the tour. Kids under 12 are free when accompanying their parents. For more details, to see a current roster of homes with details and photos, and to buy tickets for the Houston MA+DS Home Tour, visit http://mads.media/madshouston2016 About the Modern Architecture + Design Society: Based in Austin, Texas, the Modern Architecture + Design Society was founded by James Leasure in 2010 as Modern Home Tours in an effort to introduce modern architecture and living to people across the nation.
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19
DEAL HUNTER
BUZZ ON THE CITY’S BEST BUYS Compiled by lindsay Canright
From killer deals on grills to hardwood deck chairs at half the price, there are oodles of outdoor bargains for the taking -- in stores across Houston this September. Here’s an inside look at some of the Bayou City’s best deals on outdoor decor, just in time for cooler fall temperatures:
C&D Hardware & Gifts has a special on America’s best selling grill— a Traeger Grill, priced at $669 for the month of September. 314 E 11th St, 713861-3551, www.canddhw.com Prices plunge by up to half on garden goodies at Restoration Hardware. Snap up a bang-up deal on the Montecito Sofa, marked down from $2,795 to $1,400. 4030 Westheimer, 713-328-3100, www. restorationhardware.com West Elm has all kinds of close-outs on statement pieces for your porch or patio -- like the Modern Peacock Sofa, which was $1,299 and is now $599.99. 3910 Westheimer, 713-623-2422, www.westelm.com
Haggards Poly Outdoor Furniture Adirondack chair in Seafoam. $367
Suit up your outdoor seating for a fall rainstorm—Design Within Reach has cut their prices on outdoor furniture covers. Grab up one of the Manta shade structures by Tuuci, marked down from $1,980 to $1,386. 4066 Westheimer, 713-877-1555, www.dwr.com Design Within Reach Manta shade structure by Tucci. $1980-$1386
Haggards Rustic Goods is handing out an unheard of 10 percent discount on their stock of Breezesta, a weatherproofed furniture line crafted in classic silhouettes. 17527 TX105, Plantersville, TX, 936-894-2810, www.haggardsrusticgoods.com 20 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
The bargain buyer’s favorite, Target, offers deeper discounts—to the tune of 40 percent— on their already reasonably priced outdoor sets. This means you’ll save more than $100 on the three-piece Seward Wicker Patio Chat Set by Threshold (shown on right), which comes in whitewashed or taupe wicker.
Round Top Vintage Market
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A quality venue featuring Antiques ~ Vintage ~ Collectibles ~ Art Indoor Dealers Spaces ~ Climate Controlled ~ Over 12,000 Sq Ft
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Traeger grills from C&D Hardware. $669
You’ll save a little less on this hot design, but the Carag Sling Rope Chat Set (above) is poised to stay on-trend for seasons to come (on sale for $212.49 from $249.99). Multiple locations throughout Houston, www.target.com The luckiest few will snap up a super sale on chic lounge seating, while the Citrus Grove Hammock (left) is still on the shelves at Anthropologie. On sale for $99, regularly $148. 4045 Westheimer, 713-840-9428,www.anthropologie.com 22 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
COOLER DAYS ARE COMING. GET YOUR HOME READY FOR FALL Quality Products • On-Time Installation • Value Pricing • Free Estimates • Bonded & Insured • 25 Years Experience • In-house Designers WOOD • TILE • CARPET • GRANITE • SHOWER SURROUNDS • SHUTTERS • BLINDS • CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS • FREE CARPET INSTALLATION Basswood Shutters $
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23
KITCHENS & BATHS
Condo kitchen with Brookhaven cabinetry and wall-size portrait painting by Houston artist, Ray Phillilps.
KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN Celebrate Your Family Area and Private Retreat With Power and Punch! By Peggy Mcgowen, ASID, cMKBD, cAPS • PhotogrAPhy By AIDAn SInclAIr
In our business, we celebrate kitchens and baths all year long. Next month, however, is officially “National Kitchen & Bath Month.” From now through October, you’ll be seeing a synergistic effort by manufacturers and showrooms for appliances, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, and etc., to update, educate and excite consumers about the latest product developments and style trends for kitchens and bathrooms.
24 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
Watch for special promotions and events to help with that kitchen remodel you’re planning. POWERFUL appliances make you feel like a professional chef, with high-BTU flames and steam ovens that produce perfectly cooked, visually appealing, healthier meals in no time. Move over microwaves – cooking with steam is moving in. Most major brands now offer combi-ovens that combine steam with convection cooking. They’re all so strong, so smart…and
•Cost effective •Deploys quickly with a screwdriver •Folds up easily and stores neatly •NO MORE plywood or dangerous power tools •A Burst Strength of well over 1500 PSI 25
SieMatic cabinetry in two finishes, with Caesarstone countertop and splash. Featured appliances: gas cooktop, hood and built-in coffee center by Wolf. Painting by French artist, Gerard Stricher, titled “Printemps.”
ed directions. Of course, all that power comes at a pretty price too. Consulting a kitchen specialist can help keep you on track and in budget. PUNCH it with personality – yours! Kitchens aren’t just cus-
Cabinets in three finishes – white paint and dark cherry, with polished stainless steel wall unit and glossy white Neolith countertop, punched up with painting by French artist, Gerard Stricher, titled “Le Pianiste.”
good looking too. (We’re talking about appliances here.) Refrigerators come in all sizes – short, tall, wide and thin. (Again, appliances.) Sometimes they even hide in plain sight. Customize your kitchen with refrigeration units designed for specific purposes. Wine anyone? Look for these features in Gaggenau, Thermador, and SubZero/Wolf appliances. So many choices though can be intimidating. Often, appliance preferences will drive the kitchen design in unintend-
tomized for function now, they’re personalized to the individual’s personal style and taste, with bold art, bright color, curated collections and more – all treasures, unique to the individual who lives there. A bold painting in the kitchen can make a statement about the cook’s taste beyond the kitchen, and inspires conversation among guests who also hang there. Most people today want to see and share the things they love in the space where they spend the most time with friends and family – the kitchen and adjacent living area. Art displayed in a bathroom might be selected for a serene, calming effect, or sometimes for fun – a bit of humor to kick-start the day in a private space. Color is coming! Trend sighting indicates that color is coming on strong, even in kitchen cabinetry and countertops. Two of our own recent projects included bright island cabinetry – one orange, and another deep purple. Consider bold wall colors or coverings to liven a neutral palette in cabinetry and countertops -- dramatic jewel tones of jade, amethyst or amber, or faceted layers of color with matte metallic on a backsplash. Paint is the least expensive way to add a pop of personality to a kitchen or bathroom wall without a major investment. If you change your mind, it’s an easy fix. With October around the corner, and a new kitchen or bath in your future, be sure to visit a kitchen and bath showroom to give yourself the best shot at celebrating a successful project.
Peggy McGowen, CMKBD,RID,CAPS, is founder of Kitchen & Bath Concepts. Next month the company celebrates 30 years in business. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer. Her company website is www.kitchen-concepts.com 26 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
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29
CHICKEN STRUT TOUR
Cluck-N-Bok is the coop of environmentalists Chris and Karla Klay. Chris built the coop himself from salvaged materials; artist Cara Moore painted it.
By Marsha Canright
The Alicia and Chris Cahill Coop is embellished with a silvery chicken platter found by found by his brother, Craig Cahill.
Coop Tour October 8: Clucking About Backyard Chickens Backyard chickens are pets with benefits – fresh eggs, organic fertilizer, pest control and comic relief. “People who think that all eggs are created equal, just don’t know what they are missing,” says Alicia Cahill, owner of The Kitchen Chick, who keeps four hens in her backyard coop in Galveston. Even in the sultry summer months when the heat keeps some hens from laying, Cahill is collecting three or four fresh eggs each morning from her handsome backyard coop. “I could never go back to eating commercial eggs – not only because the chickens that produce them have a horrible existence – but because I love the rich, creamy taste of our coop eggs," she says. Homegrown eggs do taste better, but they are also a more nutritious package. Multiple studies show that eggs from “pastured” or backyard chickens have more vitamin A, D, and E, more omega-3 fatty acids and beta carotene, and less cholesterol and saturated fat. “The yolks are bright orange, and the flavor is so much better, possibly because they aren't fed chemicals," explains Chris Arneson, who with wife Veronica keeps four chickens: Kayla, Fantasia and Camilla (KFC), and a younger hen, Iris. The chickens have a coop handily constructed under the Arneson’s deck but in the day, they range free in the yard and have never been bothered by the dog or the rabbit or any wild 30 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
predators. Because the family has different breeds, the hens lay colored eggs, pale blue, dark brown and tan. Like all pets, chickens have their own personalities, Some are bossy, others demure, some crave the attention of their humans, a few are aloof. “On the day Iris laid her first egg, she climbed all the stairs to our back door and pecked on it to get our attention. It was weird; she had never done that before. Maybe she was just confused by the egg – or maybe she wanted me to see what she had done,” he says. Diane Olsen started keeping chickens a few years ago, finding satisfaction in providing food that is truly natural. “We had a large raised garden area that we made into a coop and run. The coop is made of old pallets. It’s very simple with a feeder and a large pot for water. What’s essential is that the structure has good air flow, enough room for the chickens to be comfortable and a space that’s easy for you to clean and manage,” she says. Chicken coops are as individual as their owners, according to Alicia Cahill, who has seen dozens of varieties. For people who want to design and build their own, coop plans and kits are available online and at bookstores. Large chain pet stores like Petsmart and local feed stores carry kits, which include everything you need to build a kit. Readymade kits are also available.
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Kelli and Jimmy McClure, owners of Jimmy's on the Pier, have a larger chicken coop. They keep goats too.
The tractor coop belongs to Kara Mullins and John Paul Listowski, a partner in Homelife Builders.
While they may look different, all coops have common elements necessary for a happy flock. “When you’re building, be sure the coop is roomy enough for the residents, about 1.5 square feet of space per hen,” Cahill says. There should be adequate ventilation, insulation in climates with hot summers like ours, and the materials should be rot resistant to keep the structure sound. Coops should have nesting boxes for eggs and roosts for sleeping. Ideally there should be more than one food and water source so that all the chickens have easy access to what they need. People do get attached to their "girls" and find it is fun to spoil their chickens. Some coops are equipped with mirrors, where hens love to reflect. Others have soothing music via bluetooth, and some are equipped with electric ceiling fans to combat summer heat. A common concern about keeping chickens is that they lure predators to their location. The truth is that most chickens that are lost fall prey to a family pet, not a wild animal in search of some fast food. Once a chicken coop is installed, you may see a curious raccoon or an opossum sniffing around but if the coop is secured for the evening, they don’t pose a threat. Hawks do have a radar-like ability to detect chickens in a yard but they are reluc32 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
A child on the Chicken Strut examines the feathered inhabitant of a coop built by local realtor Shane McDermott and his wife, attorney Laura McDermott.
tant to be too near human habitats. Coyotes are becoming more common in the urban environment, but a fenced yard and a secure coop will keep them searching elsewhere. “When I get out the scoop to give my hens scratch (a mixture of seeds), one of them just can’t wait. She rushes up and pecks the scoop,” Cahill says. Treats like grapes, watermelon, berries and dried mealworms also elicit an enthusiastic response from the feathered set. Do the neighbors ever complain about the clucking? “Never. They love the eggs we share with them," says Arneson. If you’re curious about how to combine a chicken coop with a backyard garden, you might want to check out the Galveston Chicken Strut between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8. This is the fourth year for the one-day, self-guided tour featuring all kinds of chicken coops, hen houses and crazy chicken shacks. Coop owners are on hand to answer questions about coops, feed, breeds, costs, and their experiences raising health chickens in an urban environment. Tickets are $8 per adult; $4 for children; and free for children 5 and younger. They can be purchased beginning the last week of September at The Kitchen Chick, 528 23rd St. in Galveston. The proceeds will benefit the Seawall Interpretive Trail, a beautification program by Artist Boat, a local Galveston non-profit.
Municipal Rules For Legal Backyard Chickens If you don’t want to harbor an illegal avian, it’s up to you to check your locality’s guidelines on keeping chickens. Even when municipal rules allow, be aware that some homeowner organizations have deed restrictions that exclude keeping chickens. Houston Homeowners may keep up to 30 roosters or hens on a lot 65 X 125 or smaller as long as the 30 to 8,125 square feet ratio is preserved. The chicken pen must be 100 feet from a private residence not owned by the glock keeper. There is no clause for neighbors to waive these restrictions. The exception to the rule is that people with a health permit and a doctor’s note for a medical condition, which requires unfertilized eggs, may keep up to seven hens. -- From Animals, Article 2, Section 6.31-6.39 of the Houston Municipal Code. Galveston In Galveston, the rules are simple. Residents can have up to six hens, no roosters, east of 103rd St. The property must be maintained in a sanitary condition. Chickens must be kept in a coop or enclosure at all times. Coops enclosed with wire aviary netting or solid roofing to keep out predators. Feed must be stored in a pest-proof container.
Barred Rock hen, front, and a Marans. 33
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HOUSE & HOME PRESENTS
Landscape Planning Guide AREA GARDENING EVENTS FALL & WINTER VEGETABLES TIPS FROM PROS
ON THE COVER: GAIL HARTZ & ASSOCIATES CREATED THIS STUNNING LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN RIVER OAKS www.hartzland.com 35
Area Gardening Events Compiled by barbara Canetti
League City Garden Club Sept 24 – Through the Garden Gate tours 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $15 501 E. Main St., Founder’s Square, League City, TX www.leaguecitygardenclub.org Harris County Master Gardeners Sept 24 – Fall Plant Sale 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. 3033 Bear Creek Dr. 281-855-5600 www.hcmga.tamu.edu
Houston Arboretum Sept. 3 – Edible Wild Plants Sept. 18 – Native Plant Propagation Fees vary Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Dr., 713-681-8433 www.houstonarboretum.org Native Plant Society of Texas Sept. 10 – Wildscape Workshop 8 a.m. to –3:30 p.m. $50 Houston Community College West Loop Center, 5601 West Loop South www.npsop.org Galveston County Master Gardeners Sept 10 – Kitchen Gardening 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Sept 17 – A Passion for Plumeria 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519) inside Carbide Park in La Marque, TX Annual Plant & Tree Sale Oct. 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Galveston County Fairgrounds, 10 Jack Brooks Road at Hwy 6, Hitchcock, TX
281-534-3413 www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/ Montgomery County Agrilife Sept. 10 – Raising & Caring for Bees $5 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Oct. 1 – Fall Plant Sale, 8 a.m. – noon 9020 Airport Road, Conroe, TX 936-539-7824 www.mcmga.com Mercer Botanic Gardens Sept 14 – Build a habitat and They Will Come noon – 2 p.m. Sept 24 – Autumn Plant Market 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble,TX 713-274-4160 www. Hcp4.net The Arbor Gate Sept 14 – Easy Edibles, noon, free, with Judi Barrett Sept. 28 – Wintery Brews with Cynthia Graham, RN, BSN, noon, free 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, TX 281351-8851 www.arborgate.com
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Urban Harvest Sept. 25 – Sustainable Living Through Permaculture 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. And Oct 2, 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. 610S & Stella Link (address will be provided once fee paid, $40 each 713-880-5540 www.urbanharvest.org Buchanan’s Native Plants Oct. 1 – 30th Annual Fall Festival, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 611 East 11th St. 713-861-5702 www.buchanansplants.com Garden Club of Houston Oct. 14 – Bulb & Plant Mart 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 15 – Bulb & Plant Mart 9 a.m. – 2 p.m St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. www.gchouston.org Houston Rose Society Oct. 21 – 23 – South Central District Fall Rose Show & Convention Pasadena Convention Center www.houstonrose.org
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TESTIMONIALS: Client: Kathleen Kirby-Turner (See photos at right)
Turner
BEFORE
We recently relocated to Houston after many years away. We bought a cute house in a wonderful neighborhood - the only downside was the landscaping a super boring St. Augustine lawn, which was not only uninteresting to look at, but of course required weekly cutting and daily soaking. Jeff designed and built us a backyard oasis that is delightful, quirky, beautiful to look at and be in, and yet still practical. The same crew did all the work digging, building, painting, electric and plumbing. So there wasn't a stream of strangers flowing through my garden. The took so much care with details - I am still finding fun little bits and pieces that I didn't realize were there. We not only ended up with a gorgeous garden full of fruit trees, we have a quirky pergola that has a shed on the back. There is a fun little pier, or as I call it, my bridge to nowhere, that has two benches which open up for storage. My backyard is not huge, 30' by 36'. My new garden actually makes it seem larger, with all the secret little paths Jeff laid out for us. As far as basic logistics go, the work took only slightly longer than expected - but rain is an issue with this kind of project. The crew was on site by 9am every morning and done by 4:30pm. They worked 6 days a week and were not in any way obtrusive or irritating to have around. Not only do I highly recommend Kabloom, I'm going to hire them again myself to do some work in the front yard!
Turner
Client: Butler (See photos at www.kabloomlandscaping.net) Many of the photos on Jeff's website are from my backyard. I had a tiny backyard in the Heights that was dismal. I started off wanting to remove a hot tub and build a deck but Jeff's creativity soon converted my tiny space into an outdoor kitchen, pergola with a swing, a deck around the hot tub, partially enclosed potting "shed" and outdoor shower with a dog wash area !! He used every available inch of space in such a creative way it was amazing !! His conversion of my space was so special that it earned us a spot on the Debra Duncan's Great Day Houston show ! I highly recommend Jeff and Fortino if you are looking to create a unique outdoor space that you will enjoy for years. www.kabloomlandscaping.net www.houzz.com/pro/jeff-law/kabloom-landscaping
Turner 39
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Reap What You Sow by barbara Canetti
WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH TO GROW FALL & WINTER VEGGIES With the heat of summer behind us, now is the time to think ahead for what’s needed to establish fall plantings and gardens that yield fresh vegetables though the winter months. Before you get started with the actual planting, do some planning, says Kathy Huber, one of Houston’s most respected gardening authorities and a member of the board at Peckerwood Garden near Hempstead, TX. Find a site that has sufficient sun exposure (6 to 8 hours a day) and offers welldraining soil that is fertile yet free of roots and rocks. Be sure to have a nearby water supply and make sure the area is
protected against wind. “Fall is the time to plant some of the warm-season plants that produce before the first freeze, as well as cool-weather plants that get established before it gets cold,” says Huber. Determine the size of your garden and how many people you plan to feed from it. Be sure you have the proper tools to handle the garden and sufficient time to manage it. Research the types of plants and vegetables that do well in your area and select seeds or transplants that are good for that region and season. And select vegetables that you like and want to eat. “Start with lettuce. It is easy and there are so many kinds,” Huber says. “Put them in pots outside your kitchen and
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snip off what you need each day. They grow back quickly.” If you plan to use raised beds, make sure they are between 12 to 18-inches deep, lined with plastic, and then filled with fresh soil. Frame the bed with either cinderblocks or wood to keep the soil and moisture confined. If you are working in a very small space, consider growing plants that vine: vertical plants can take up less room as they climb fences, trellises, wire cages, poles, strings or netting. Be sure the soil is fresh, free of nematodes (harmful parasites that live in the soil) and composed of organic matter for nutrients for the new plant. Add composted leaves, straw, draw manure or grass clippings to further
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enrich the soil. As air and water flow through the soil, it supports and anchors roots. The organic matter helps to loosen clay soil and helps sand hold water better. “Your plants will not be very productive if you don’t prepare the soil properly,” Huber adds. “And you can place your vegetables in your flower bed, too – anywhere where you have welldrained soil.” Prepare the beds by tilling the top 8-to-10-inches of dry soil. Remember, the roots to the new plants grow downward: beans, lettuce and onions develop their roots at least a foot deep; broccoli, carrots, celery and spinach go twice as deep. And cucumbers could have roots that go 5-feet below the ground. Therefore, when watering your crops, make sure to put the hose close to the ground and water the soil and root zone – not the leaves. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are the best. For fall planting after September, it is best to use transplants rather than seeds. When putting the plant in the ground, pick it up by the leaves and be careful not to crush the stems. Tender plants are frequently susceptible to cutworms – a moth caterpillar that lives in the upper layers of the soil and eats through the stems of young plants at ground level – so protect the little plants by placing a collar around the stem on the ground. An easy solution is to use the cardboard core from paper towels or toilet paper and cut them into 1-inch rounds. Place this biodegradable collar around the stem to protect it.
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The cutworm cannot crawl over the cardboard, thus your plant will be safe. Be sure to mulch your garden to help maintain moisture and eliminate weeds, which steal water and nutrients from your plants. Also weeds provide hiding places for unwanted garden critters. And now the fun part: what to plant. The fall vegetable list is rather extensive because the greater Houston area has a 12month growing season and infrequent freezes. Check the local Master Gardener website (www.hcmga.tamu.edu) for lists of recommended plants and varieties. Here is a list of suggested good plants for the region: • • • • • • • • • • • •
beets broccoli brussel sprouts bush squash cabbage cauliflower carrots collards eggplant English peas garlic green beans
• • • • • • • • •
kale kohlrabi lettuce mustard onions peppers radishes sugar snap peas tomatoes
Barbara Canetti is a 2016 Galveston County Master Gardener
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Tips From the Pros Compiled by barbara Canetti
From Ravenscourt Landscape and Design: Finding the right scale is the key to creating aesthetically pleasing and functional gardens in small spaces. Use pergolas to create shade and privacy. Consider built-ins and small movable furniture. Choose containers for color, flowers and herbs. Install fountains to soothe and mask noises. Use lighting for evenings and viewing from inside. Paint walls green to hide fences, hang mirrors to create a sense of space and select dwarf plants for low maintenance.
As home gardeners start preparing their fall and winter gardens, local nurseries and landscapers offer sound advice for successful gardening. Most professionals say creating that colorful or edible garden is easier than you think, but there are certain guidelines and tips that they offer. First is the selection of plants and vegetables – those that do well in the fall. From the Enchanted Garden: Some of our favorite vegetable plants to put in the ground or containers in the coming months include: artichokes, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard, onions, potatoes, peas, radishes, spinach, swiss chard. Try these herbs: arugula, chives, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme From LDG Landscape Designs: Top plants for fall and winter edible gardens can be contained in a single large landscape pot. Using the thriller, filler and
spiller method, try planting a Meyer lemon tree as a central focal point, a ring of bright green butter lettuce surrounding it, and add trailing rosemary spaced evenly at the edge of the pot with purple pansies placed in between. Yes, even the pansies are edible, and the contrasting colors are exceptional.
From HDG Landscape Design: Many Houston-area homes with small yards lack usable backyard space and sunlight, which makes it challenging to create your ideal outdoor room. Combat these obstacles by selecting plants that grow vertically in part shade conditions – such as Sky Pencil Holly, or a climbing fig vine that can grow on a trellis or fence. Also consider a pre-fabricated or custombuilt vertical garden panel to grow your own herb garden to add value and aroma. But no matter the size of the garden, remember to think beyond the next season.
From Arbor Gate: Design your gardens with ornamendibles – also known as edible ornamentals. You can remove and replace your existing landscape a little at a time or you can establish new beds. New beds can be designed with only ornamedibles if you wish, but add diversity into the bed from the beginning. Consider anchoring the bed with a specimen fruit tree, fruit bearing shrubs, or shrubby herbs. Borders can be planted with perennial herbs, annual edibles, or even edible flowers. This approach will establish the bed as an ornamental but edible part of your landscape, rather than becoming a traditional veggie plot.
From Joshua’s Native Plants: “Don't forget other plant species that offer fall color or berries (for birds). Every so often plant evergreens throughout the landscape, so it's not barren after a freeze. The best year-round plant is Golden Jasmine Bush (Cestrum aurantiacum). It can get 6-feet tall and just as wide (if untrimmed). It remains evergreen to 28 degrees -- with its clusters of nectar-rich golden bloom clusters most of the year. The best native plant is hummingbird bush (Hamelia patens), which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with clusters of nectar-rich orange blooms most of the summer and fall. It is the perfect choice for zero-care and reliable beauty.
48 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
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Colors in the artwork inspired the color palette for the entire first floor. The L’Instant Tattinger poster (featuring Grace Kelly’s image behind the champagne flute) is original, stone lithograph, first issued in the 1980s by Tattinger.
A TALE OF TWO STORIES FORMER BUNGALOW OWNERS EMBRACE A RESCUED MID-CENTURY GEM IN GLENBROOK VALLEY By Sandra Cook Photography by Jack Thompson
54 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
This is the tale of a house built in the Space Age hamlet of Glenbrook Valley, a remarkably intact mid-century modern neighborhood just southeast of downtown Houston, which was designated as a historic district back in 2010. For this home, built in 1963, some 50-plus years of wear and an extended period of neglect left the house in such a state that the City of Houston deemed it a public hazard. A dedicated buyer – who purchased the derelict home in 2011, and with help from many Glenbrook Valley residents – saved the home from the wrecking ball and proceeded to invest a great deal of time, energy and funds to revive the house that had been dubbed a lost cause by the city. After a full-scale rehab, the massively renovated two-story home was sold to the current owners, Matt Fugate and Rob Browning in 2015. Fugate and Browning’s previous home was a charming 2,200square-foot 1920s bungalow in the Lawndale/Eastwood area, which they had lovingly restored and decorated over 15 years. As soon as they purchased the spacious 1960s home in Glenbrook Valley, they realized their stellar collection of bungalowscaled/period furnishings might not easily translate to their new 5,800-square-foot mid-century two-story, so they reached out to professionals Ben Johnston and Kathy Berardo of Avondale Design Studio.
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This Glenbrook Valley abode is an unusual find among Houston’s dominant one-story ranch style mid-century homes. The house sits atop a large lot, sloping down toward Sims Bayou.
Modernizing Mid Century “They fell in love with the house, and the house kind of seduced them into a new sense of style that wasn’t necessarily what they’d been collecting,” says Johnston. “We looked for wonderful opportunities to incorporate some of their existing pieces and then add to their collection, mixing it up with more mid-century-inspired pieces.” Johnston explains that while the design goal was to evoke midcentury style, the designers and the homeowners deliberately chose to not go for a hard-lined look, but to create a livable, modern-day interpretation of the era – even incorporating some of the owners’ antiques for a classical aesthetic touch. “We told Ben and Kathy that we do like nice things,” says Fugate. “We also emphasized that we live here with our dog and cat, and we like to have friends and family over, so it was important that our home be truly livable.” For the walls of the downstairs living areas, the design team chose a silver/gray grass cloth by Kravet, which offers great texture and suits the long-past era, as well as provides an elegant backdrop 56 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
for the couple’s collection of early 20th century stone lithographs. The walls of the two-story entry space had been covered in modern 3-D wall panels, which had been painted a rich blue by the previous owners, but the Avondale Design team opted to simplify the elegant wave pattern by painting it a pure white. The color choice showcases the original iron staircase, now solid black with wooden treads coated in ebony stain, rather than the wildly colored carpeted versions of the past. Designers Johnston and Berardo took inspiration for the decor from the rich saturation of color in the lithographs to work out the color palette for the entire first floor. Arrays of soft grays and blues lend a serene setting for the lowerlevel living space, with geometric patterns harmonizing in those same color tones – offering a nod to mod. The beauty of the mid-century modern aesthetic is the proliferation of clean lines and simple shapes, which inspired the architecture, furniture, fabrics, lighting and appliances of the era. Such explains why MCM furniture and accessories are so popular today, and more importantly why still so many original pieces are in existence. The same goes for why so many pieces are being repro-
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duced in a wide variety of price points. Those clean lines work so beautifully together, because they don’t compete and over-clutter, but share space in complementary fashion. “When your architecture is this powerful, you tend to want to honor it,” says Johnston. “These guys had fallen in love with the neighborhood and wanted to develop their decor to be faithful and natural to the house,” he adds.
Designers Kathy Berardo and Ben Johnston painted the formerly vibrant blue wave-patterned wall tiles a bright white. The stairwell was painted black and the wooden steps were stained a dark ebony.
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Formal, yet fun, the oval dining table by Julian Chichester features a hammered metal base, rosewood-stained wooden top, and is paired with handsome chairs from High Fashion Home.
The design team worked to utilize as much of the couple’s previous items; however, many of the major furniture pieces in the front living and dining rooms were purchased for this home, while others came with the house. Overlooking the backyard and Sims Bayou, the cocktail lounge is anchored by an L-shaped sofa – one of the pieces included in the sale of the house. It had been in the front living room, but the design team quickly sized it up and realized it would fit perfectly in the nook designated for the cocktail lounge. Fugate and Browning had owned the square cocktail ottoman, a
60 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
surviving piece from their former bungalow, which the Avondale team had reupholstered with a texturized slate blue vinyl for an MCM touch. Nearby, a wall unit flanks both the lounge area and the family room. This slim-line modular piece had belonged to previous owner since his teen years. It is a true MCM gem that the sellers offered up with the house. The Avondale team had it refinished in a darker tone, and it now functions beautifully as a bar cabinet. All of the home’s bedrooms are on the second floor, except the master suite. A guest room, a bedroom reserved for the owners’ 8-
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year-old niece, movie theater, home gym and living room are upstairs. Toward the back of the home, a billiard room connects to a small wet bar, media/home theater room, and workout space. Taking advantage of the window overlooking the backyard and bayou, a large table – the previous owner’s dining table – serves as a home office space for both Fugate and Browning. “We call this room our tree house,” says Fugate, who is a professor of psychology at a local university; Browning is an attorney with a downtown law firm. Reflecting on the design journey, Browning recalls the challenges of transitioning from their bungalow to the new space. He says the Avondale team helped greatly with finding the new pieces we needed to pull together the new look. “We had to find a way to mix in the stuff that really meant a lot to us,” Browning says. “It was really important to find a nice synergy between all of that, because I had a hard time letting go.” “The designer’s job is to help clients buy wisely with the big picture in mind,” says Johnston. “It can often take homeowners years and years, maybe 15 years, to finish their own home, but a designer can facilitate completing that picture sooner.” “Instead of having rooms that you don’t use for years, you get to start using your house the way you want to use it sooner,” adds Berardo.
The kitchen, family room and cocktail lounge are located at the back of the house. The designers, Johnston and Berardo, selected new paint colors and accessories for the kitchen and moved the L-shaped sofa to the cocktail nook. The family room features the original fireplace, used year-round by the homeowners.
62 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
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Heritage Village Museum 28th Annual Harvest Festival October 14, 15 & 16 l 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. PIONEER CRAFTS DEMONSTRATIONS
Artists l Pottery l Spinning l Weaving l Blacksmithing l Quilting Wood Carving l Soap Making l Basket Weaving l Honey Bee Demo Bluegrass l Gospel l Square Dancing l Buggy & Wagon Exhibit l More Friday, Oct.14 is School Kids Day from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Adults $6 - Children 5 to 12 $3 - Under 5 Free
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GLENBROOK VALLEY HOME TOUR Oct. 1-2, noon to 4 p.m. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the last Parade of Homes, staged by the Houston Builders Association in the 1950s. In commemoration, Glenbrook Valley is hosting its first official neighborhood home tour next month. Two of the six homes featured in this year’s home tour were on the 1956 Parade of Homes (the two homes on Cayton Street). Information and pre-sale tickets available from a link on the neighborhood homepage, www.glenbrookvalley.org Tickets will also be sold at select homes on the days of the tour. Tickets are $30/person and include six homes, plus admission to the Airport Museum at Hobby Airport. Proceeds will help fund new signage/markers for the historic neighborhood.
The master bedroom features exquisite geometric patterns selected for bed linens, pillows, drapes and wallpaper. Photo by Ben Johnston.
Resources: Kravet - Fabrics and Wallcoverings www.kravet.com Julian Chichester - Dining Table www.julianchichester.com Alexandra's Custom Draperies - Draperies 281-599-9909, www.alexandrasdraperies.com Joseph & Co. - Daybed and Sheepskin Bench 713-862-7490, www.josephcompany.com Custom Creations Furniture - Master Bed 800.268.6758, www.customcreationsfurniture.com Elizabeth Cole - Furniture and Accessories www.elizabethcoledesign.com
64 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
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Houston’s renowned faux finishing expert Leslie Sinclair releases this month her third book, “Segreto Vignettes.” This is one featured.
CALM COMFORT KEY TO DREAMY BEDROOMS By Marsha Canright • Photography by Wade Blissard
Nothing invites slumber like a serene bedroom, and these dreamy suites in the heart of West University are designed for dozing. “Bedrooms are a truly personal space, a calm retreat in an often stressful world,” says designer Cindy Witmer, who created both interiors. “The rooms are airy and elegant but true comfort was always the priority.” Witmer Designs has been a standard in Houston interiors for more than two decades. She has designed hundreds of luxurious bedrooms in Houston and many locations, but for her the elements that create comfort remain consistent: a superb bed with beautiful linens, soothing colors, good light for bedside reading, and storage for books and personal items – to keep the space uncluttered. 66 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
For these bedrooms, she repurposed some of homeowner Tracy Cirioli’s furnishings, adding a few contemporary pieces to update their classic style. The master suite is large and long with ceilings that rise to 13 feet with a wall of windows that overlook the tops of trees. The walls are a silvery blue, chosen and created by Leslie Sinclair of Segreto Finishes, to provide a simple, soothing backdrop for the silk draperies patterned with tiny flowers and birds. The room’s centerpiece is a traditional French-style bed with a plump upholstered headboard and layers of soft, handmade linens. Thirteen feet above the bed hangs a 19th century chandelier, painted to blend with the room’s soft interior. It was a find from a Round Top antiques shop. Underfoot, a soft silk and wool rug covers the dark hardwood
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A club chair and ottoman, slipcovered in aqua linen, create a perfect reading or lounging spot by a romatically carved fireplace.
floors with patterns of blue and silver that accentuate the room’s pale blue/gray palette. Slipcovered in pale aqua linen, the chair and ottoman create a cozy niche before the white granite, wood-burning fireplace. The French chair was reupholstered to match at Hien Lam Upholstery in Houston. To add a contemporary spark to traditional furnishings, the designer added a long, acrylic and tufted ottoman at the bed’s end. Across the house, a creamy beige guest suite also designed by Witmer, emphasizes comfort and convenience, offering any traveler the perfect locale for refreshing sleep. “This was an interesting design project because the room has asymmetrical windows and no perfect place to put the bed,” she explains.
68 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
The artistic solution was to install cream-colored opaque curtains that matched the neutral color of the walls. Antique shutters, also purchased at Round Top, were used to create a unique headboard. To accompany the whimsical portraits already owned by the family, Witmer chose a large contemporary painting called “Serenity” by artist Leslie Sinclair. It is in keeping with the room’s tranquil air and country French style. Thick sisal rugs in the bedroom and an adjoining sitting room offer texture and draw the two together in a cohesive design. Large windows in the sitting room bring natural light into both spaces. The area is equipped with comfortable slipcovered chairs, a television in the armoire, and an easy-to-use coffee bar. There is a ceiling fan for additional cooling.
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Thick sisal and soft linen layer this bedroom with texture. The antique shutters-turned headboard were found at Round Top. 70 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
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Resources: Segreto Finishes & Home Décor Store 1414 Antoine Drive 713-461-5210 www.segretofinishes.com
Both bedrooms are featured in Sinclair’s new design tool book, “Segroto Vignettes.” Through hundreds of photographs, the book shows how homeowners and renovators can create ambiance and avoid mistakes by using finishes. Floors, beams doors, cabinetry and furniture are all covered. “Vignettes” is available to order online at www.segrotofinishes.com or on Amazon and other book vendors for September delivery. The book features photos and explanations of hundreds of wall finishes. There are also chapters written by experts on hiring contractors and other topics.
72 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
Joyce Horn Antiques (French antique furniture and accessories, plus reproductions) 7065 Old Katy Rd. 713-688-0507 www.joycehornantiques.com Hien Lam Upholstery (Reproduction antique furniture designer; upholstery shop offering tailor-made homewares) 819 W Drew St., 713-523-3416
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EDITOR’S PICKS
Area Rugs Put a Room’s Design on Solid Ground 1. DESIGN POETRY Whimsical and modern, Kate Spade’s Find The Hidden Meaning area rug is pure design poetry. Hand-tufted from a blend of wool and art silk, this charcoal and cream stunner is also a surefire conversation piece.
Available at Dazzling Décor Rugs & Accessories, 3003 Fondren Rd., 832377-4665, www.dazzlingdecorhouston.com
1.
2. MODERN CLASSIC Though it's been around for centuries, Ikat has seen a resurgence in recent years, with designers releasing updated interpretations of the ancient pattern. Made of bamboo silk, this hand-knotted floor covering comes from the Jaipur region of India, where it took upwards of six months to weave. Its soothing color palette consists of mossy green, soft gray and toasted almond.
MainStreet Furniture & Accessories, 18750 Interstate 45, Spring, TX, 281-825-4491, www.mainstreetamerica.com 3. SIMPLY STUNNING Shopping for a carpet at Houston-based Madison Lily is like going to Whole Foods when you’re hungry: everything looks delicious. Amidst a plethora of statement pieces, the “Sari Silk” stands out because of its simplicity. 1727 Post Oak Blvd., 713-338-2803, www.madisonlily.com
2.
3. 74 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
4. PRETTY PATTERN Thought you were tired of seeing shelves upon shelves of chevron print? Think again. The subtle and sophisticated Deco Chevron rug from designer and native Houstonian Larry Hokanson takes the 2012 trend and makes it timeless.
5120 Woodway, Suite 190, 713-621-6609
4.
Compiled by liNdSAy CANright
5.
WHEN THE HEAT IS ON but the AC isn't! 5. GO WILD If you’ve ever had an ethical conundrum stop you from buying a funky and fabulous zebra rug, then check out Martin Patrick Evan’s Zoo Collection. It is a PETA-approved alternative. Rug designer and company owner John Patrick Dolan, found a real zebra hide at an antique store and took it to his atelier in West Hollywood to design the rug. Dolan chose 16 colors, hand-tufted in combinations of twists and solids, to create the subtly gradating patterns. The result was such a success that Dolan repeated the process with tiger and leopard hides.
Decorative Center of Houston, 5120 Woodway Dr., Ste. 4010, 713-5225500, www.martinpatrickevan.com 6. CUSTOM CARPETS If you’re looking for a custom carpet, there’s no better resource than Rubin’s Custom Rugs and Fine Carpet, where they specialize in styles, sizes and colors not found in ready-made rugs. Prices on labor run from $3.95 per square foot to $29.00 per square foot, and the carpet ranges from $5.56 per square foot to $13.33 per square foot. In other words, pricing is determined by the amount of labor and carpet used.
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6. 75
GARDENING
PRETTY PLANTS FOR PERENNIAL PLEASURE by liNdA gAy
The Gulf Coast weather experiences “Indian Fall,” which is the opposite of “Indian Summer” (transplants understand. It is described as a cloudy day or a break in the heat – and a drought that lets us know fall COULD BE just around the corner. Our gardens -- and bodies -- have been in survival mode for the last three months, so when a break from the heat occurs, we go out to garden to see “who” is thriving and “who” has passed. This lesson teaches us about our plant choices and whether to use them again next summer. There is no gardening journal for the Gulf Coast, as our weather is unpredictable. We need to track our actions and choices in our custom composition book, using our camera phones to capture plant images. The fall equinox in midSeptember gives us four wonderful months to work in our garden – pruning, planting, feeding and nurturing. Our long blooming perennials still have flowers, but they have gotten leggy, so now is the time to prune them back to a nice shape, so they will come out and bloom until the cold days of winter arrive, if indeed they do! What plants in my garden get this special treatment? My perennial favorites are: Angelonia, Cuphea ‘David Verity’, Salvias, Thryallis Golden Showers, Pentas, Phlox paniculata, Lantana and Verbena. Do not be pruning such fall blooming perennials as Philippine Violet (Barleria) Salvia leucantha (Mexican Sage), Salvia elegans (Pineapple Sage), Mexican Mint Marigold, or Copper Canyon Daisy – as they may not bloom at all if the weather turns to winter. These late bloomers should have been trimmed and shaped from spring through summer, always providing food and soil after each trim.
Now if you have plants that have become pest infested (anytime of the year), the best way to control the little critters without spraying, is to prune most of the plant down – removing all the infested leaves, adding organic fertilizer (a four-inch pot of food) around the root system of each plant and top-dressing with one to two inches of compost. Hand water with Love, using your water hose. Pruning and shaping your perennial plants is like getting your hair trimmed. You don’t want to cut off too much but you want a new look. For upright growers, my green thumb removes all lateral (horizontal) branches and twiglets that never develop flowers but suck valuable energy from the plant. My final pruning and shaping entails removing the top one-third (or more depending on species) of the plant -- done with finesse. The vascular system (xylem and phloem) is suddenly a smaller race track with lots of energy feeding the entire plant, sprouting where you never thought it would. With all this new found energy, don’t stop there, you want to feed the root system and top dress with one to two inches of compost. Now the plant has a complete makeover from top to bottom. As I prune, I aim to encourage a nice shape, depending on the growth habit of the plant. For low growing and spreading plants (Verbena and Lantana), I do a “bowl cut,” using my hand to gather up all the spreading stems or SECTIONS of stems, removing half of the foliage in my hand. When I release and finish pruning the plant, I go back and do some even-ing up to create the nice dome or conical shape for which I am striving.
Linda Gay is a horticulturist and gardener at The Arbor Gate Nursery, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, TX, 281-351-8851, www.arborgate.com 76 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
Prune Angelonia now (late summer) as the skinny bloom stalks have a few flowers and, of course, we want to encourage more of. I prune the skinny stalks down to the main plant (see photo), which redirects the energy back to the base of the plant so it can grow more leaves and stems and a new round of blooms. This practice strengthens the plant and increases the vascular circulation just like the heart on you and me. TIP: Remove the sparsely blooming tips and stems, leaving a nice full base to regenerate about 4 to 6 inches tall. After pruning, you will add a four-inch pot (measurer) of organic fertilizer around each plant and top-dress with compost to enhance the “sweet spot” (zone of active root growth) of each plant. The “sweet spot” for ALL plants is the top four to six inches of soil (not including mulch). This soil space grows new roots, which increase the strength and health of the upper plant. This supercharged plant can now fight off any pest or disease that might pass by.
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NOTE: Plant roots do NOT grow in mulch as you may have observed
designed for your lifestyle REFLECTION
when moving mulch around the garden. TIP WITH PERENNIALS: To improve the “sweet spot” of plants, remove mulch to reveal soil area and root zone, add organic fertilizer (using a four-inch pot) followed by compost (one to two inches) on top of the organic fertilizer to “marry” the food and compost – to start the microbial party. Angelonia, Summer Snapdragon offer a wonderful garden perennial so when you originally plant them in the garden, space them at least 12 inches on-center (O.C. – means from the center of one plant to the center of the other plant) and always use triangular spacing if doing a second or third row. This creates a new planting space to add winter color and interest. (Winter prune Angelonia stems to one inch above the ground). The cool/cold air and soil temperatures keep the plants dormant. Treat your Pentas, lantana, and verbena the same way, as they are perennials too! My Green Thumb Rule of Pruning: when I remove leaves and stems, I always reward the plant with food and soil. It is my way of healing and nurturing the plant’s recovery for the abrupt removal of limbs and leaves. The flowers, stems and leaves are gathered, put into water, and enjoyed until gone.
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PET OF THE MONTH HI, I’M SMOKE! Mysterious, I know. I’m a 6 1/2 year old Beagle mix who has been with the Houston SPCA since February. I had a leg fracture that didn’t heal properly, so Ihad his leg amputated and I’m told I’ve done quite well on three legs. Yes, I’m tri-pawed. But I’m cool with it. I can still get around just like my four-legged compadres. I’m a very social, interactive dog with a lot of energy. I seek out human affection and love attention from anyone and everyone. The hound in me makes me love to sniff out anything and everything. I love long, leisurely walks where I can put my sniffer to good use. I’ve been with the shelter for a long time and am really ready to find nyself a family. I am heartworm positive, but thanks to HSPCA’s partnership with VCA animal hospitals, they cover the cost of treatment. Won’t you help a fella out? You’ll be grateful if you give me a good home. I put the best in man’s best friend!
Male 6 1/2 Years Old Beagle mix ID: 304511
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GEN’S ANTIQUES is a group of diverse dealers whose selection of furniture, art and collectibles will satisfy any taste and budget. Find anything from Seeburg jukeboxes and mid-century modern pieces to classic European antiques. Proud host of First Saturday Arts Market.
540 W. 19th St. • 713.868.2368 • www.gensantiques.com 78 house& home | September 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net
The Houston SPCA, 900 Portway Drive, is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., to make choosing the adoption option as easy as possible!
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281-392-9111 Frederick Cilurso
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