1015 houhousehome vir

HOUSTON

OCTOBER 2015

THE COMPLETE RESOURCE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR HOME

Cason Graye Launches New Affordable Semi-Custom Homes

Fall Home Tour Guide William Wilson-Built Remodel on Heights Boulevard • The Latest in Ranges

I TA L I A N H O M E AT C A S T L E F U R N I T U R E D E S I G N C E N T E R

Fine accessories, arts and area rugs

W W W. C A S T L E F D C . C O M 3819 Fondren Rd. (Fondren & Westpark) • Houston, TX 77063 • (832) 201-1000 2

house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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OCTOBER 2015

CONTENTS

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8 14 20 22 26 32 70 72 76 78

Editor’s Note Calendar Editor’s Picks: Fun Finds Before & After: Bathroom Redo Product: Ranges Tastemaker: Sean Gilmore Izzie’s World: Doggie Goodies Designer Profile: Lynne T. Jones Gardening: Small Spaces Pet of the Month: Hercules

26 ON THE COVER: Local home builder, Cason Graye Homes, introduces new and affordable semi-custom homes that include a curated selection of materials often found in high-end custom houses.

See page 10. Photo by Jerry Smith.

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house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

38 50 56

Step Inside Two AIA Tour Houses Fall Home Tours Historic Heights Blvd. Remodel

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THE KITCHEN ISN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE NEITHER ARE WE.

EDITOR’S NOTE

A change of weather opens new doors — and I mean that quite literally.

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 6765 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W. • Suite 200 Houston, TX 77064 • 281-955-0861 www.acceptanceappliance.com

reimagining home

October is synonymous with home tours. And, as you will read on page 50, there are quite a few scheduled in and around Houston this month. It’s a great opportunity to participate in these tours, especially if you’re pondering a new construction or the possibility ... with childhood friend, Carolyn, in of remodeling a home. They all Galveston. offer ideas as well as possible resources.

About a year and a half ago, I renovated a little weekend getaway in Galveston. Anyway, something happened recently to make me think about my experiences with that project -- and what a good contractor can offer.

Renovating that little 19th century tenant house wasn’t my first undertaking, but it was my first time to serve as my own general contractor. It is a much more challenging, time consuming and exhausting job than I ever anticipated. I’m not sure — until you’ve been on the other side of the fence — if anyone can truly appreciate what a knowledgeable contractor can contribute.

The better contractor is able to work closely with the various trades to ensure each job is done — to exacting detail. I’ve seen trades who know how to do the job but yet they don’t. For instance, I was trusting one of my workers to know how to frame up the shower area in my house so that it wouldn’t be all cattywampus.

A contractor friend later visited the house, saying I should have guided my worker to do this and that. At the time, I didn’t know what solutions to offer, and I didn’t know how to guide the worker who knew how to do the work but didn’t. So, yep, now I’ve got a cattywampus shower. At least for a while. Luckily, it’s in a carefree beach retreat where such worries don’t really matter. It is roomy, and it does have hot water. Plus, the house is quaint and cute. So voila.

Be kind to your contractors. They do want to do a good job for you.

It’s a rather thankless job; one that is a lot harder than you think.

Have fun on the tours!

Susan Fox HOUSTON

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PUBLISHER ........................Mike Harrison, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ........Susie Reisenbigler EDITOR ..............................................Susan Fox CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ........Marsha Canright, ......................................................Barbara Canetti, ............................Angela Chandler, Joetta Moulden CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS.................... ................Grady Carter, Miro Dvorscak, Ben Hill, ......Janet Lenzen, Anthony Rathbun, Jerry Smith ART DIRECTOR ............................Robert Coplin SR. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ........Frances Dowling ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ......................David Tree PRINTING ........................................RR Donnelly

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 2015, 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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house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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ADVERTISEMENT

Winner of several awards on the Bellaire New Home Showcase, this transitional-style home captures interest and attention right at the front door step. Antique doors found at the Round Top Antiques Fair greet visitors withthe type of unexpected surprises that make this house so special.

“We’re committed to offering a quality product for current and future generations of Houstonians,” says Bryan Phillips, the company’s founder who grew up in Bellaire.

In his world, each client is different from the last, and each house is one-of-a-kind. He also appreciates marrying old with new. For instance, old repurposed siding was used for the outdoor patio ceiling.

“The interiors were done by our very own talented designer, Torrie Halbert,” says Holly Michna, the sales representative, who is also a Bellaire native.

“To create a memorable home, we’ve also used materials like old siding on a ceiling, and antique brick for a fireplace,” she adds. “Our objective when designing a floor plan is to ensure all spaces are very livable — and on a daily basis.”

Building With A Passion CASON GRAYE LAUNCHES NEW, AFFORDABLE SEMI-CUSTOM HOUSES B Y M A R S H A C A N R I G H T • P H O TO G R A P H Y B Y J E R RY S M I T H

Whether they’re building for a client with ultra-modern tastes or one who likes a more traditional style, what doesn’t waver is Cason Graye's commitment to craftsmanship.

“We take pride in the design and the appearance of the homes we build, but we are most proud of the details that go into our construction process,” Phillips says.

What started as a one-man operation in 2004, has grown into a team with 50 years of combined management and sales experience in all phases of the building process.

In addition, Phillips is a Graduate Master Builder, a distinction that only around 100 Houston-area professionals have earned.

“It’s this extensive experience that allows us to make each client’s vision a reality,” Phillips says.

Finessing every square foot of every room can be expensive and it takes time, but if you think a Cason Graye home is out of reach, think again.

This month, the group will launch its new semi-custom program, which aims to make high-end homeownership more accessible.

“What we’ve done is work with our vendors to curate a selection of materials that will offer our clients the best value for their dollar,” Phillips says.

“Some of the materials we’ve chosen have often been used in our high-end custom projects,” Phillips says.

10 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

It took the better part of a year to cherry pick the offerings for their new onsite design center.

“We’ve chosen products that we know people like,” Phillips says.

This translates to about 50 different options for countertops alone. Also, 13 different plumbing packages, 12 choices in hardwood floors, and a full line of energy-efficient and green products.

“Because the choices are made at design meetings upfront, semi-custom projects are much more efficient. They don’t just cost less, they take less time,” Michna says.

This means construction may only take about eight to nine months instead of a year or longer, which is common for their custom builds.

However, there’s no rushing the process. An integral part of Cason Graye’s philosophy is understanding each client individually, and this takes time.

“We want to understand what each homeowner likes,” Phillips adds.

“We want to know what excites you, what inspires you, and what makes you and your family feel comfortable and safe.”

For more information, visit Cason Graye Homes’ Web site at www.casongrayehomes.com or email info@casongrayehomes.com 11

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Give Your Entryway a Holiday Makeover with Decorative Glass Blocks

MASONRY & GLASS SYSTEMS INC. Glass Block Installation www.houstonglassblock.com 12 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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OCTOBER 2015

A R T S

•

E V E N T S

CALENDAR

View recent artworks displayed by 70 international art galleries at theTexas Contemporary art fair, Oct. 1-4, at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

•

M A R K E T S

•

W O R K S H O P S

Home Tours For a list of area home tours, please turn to page 50 for more information regarding a few under way this month.

The 2015 Korean Festival Houston takes place on Oct. 17, at Discovery Green in downtown Houston. It includes Korean food and entertainment.

Events Texas Contemporary, Houston’s leading contemporary and modern art fair that brings the country’s best galleries to the area’s discerning collector base, is at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Oct. 1-4. The four-day event offers exclusive access to the city’s top museums and private collections, and a weekend of performances, talks and tours. Approximately 70 worldwide exhibitors and galleries participating. Info: www.txcontemporary.com

The Texas Asia Society provides an opportunity on Oct. 10, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., to see Yoshio Taniguchi's first free-standing structure in the United States. Guided tour stops will include: The Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater, the Edward Rudge Allen III Education Center, the Elkins Foundation Water Garden, Fayez Sarofim Grand Hall, and The Water Garden Terrace. Info: www.asiasociety.org

The Second Annual Sporting Clays Tournament, Dinner & Auction on Oct. 5, benefits the Houston Food Bank’s Backpack Buddy Program. At the Greater Houston Gun Club, 6700 McHard Road, one of the oldest private shotgun clubs in the country. Many children rely on free or reduced price lunches. The Houston Food Bank’s Backpack Buddy Program works to fill in the gap. On Fridays, at participating schools and locations, children take home child friendly, easily consumed and vitamin-fortified food. The food is given to the children discreetly in backpacks to avoid embarrassment to them. Info: www.houstonfoodbank.org

An array of antiques, furniture and home accessories are for sale at Galveston Historical Foundation’s annual sale of donated items. Held at the Architectural Salvage Warehouse, 2228 Broadway, inside GHF’s 1940 Sears Building. The sale will emphasize high-quality antiques, furniture and art in good condition. Admission is free on Saturday, Oct. 17, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the sales of items benefit Galveston Historical Foundation. Info: www.galvestonhistory.org

Whiskey and Wishnow is a fundraiser for Eye Care for Kids Foundation, which takes place on Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m., at Saks Fifth Avenue Galleria. The event will feature fine whiskey and wine, light bites, hand-rolled cigars, a gift with purchase, special gift bags and drawings for featured Michael Kors items. The evening is sponsored and hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and Michael Kors. Ticket purchases and a percentage of the evening’s sales help to provide free vision care to low-income, uninsured children. Tickets are $50 per person. Info: www.eyecareforkids.org

ARToberfest — the 18th annual art festival — takes place in downtown Galveston Oct. 17 & 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., respectively. Presented by The Grand, 1894 Opera House, the festival features the work of 100 juried artists.

Info: www.artoberfest.com Cooler temps bring even cooler events to Discovery Green, downtown’s urban park at 1500 McKinney. Enjoy this month: free fitness classes, music and art. Green Flea night is Oct. 17, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — food trucks, vendors selling clothing, antiques, jewelry, art and more. Dynamic conversations with “change mak-

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please send all calendar items to sfox@houseandhomeonline.com by second Fridays for the following month’s issue.

14 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

ers” happens on Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The 2015 Korean Festival Houston is Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. — with food and entertainment.

Accomplished equestrian Susan LeFevre Pelletier brings her talent and vision to the 2nd annual Haras Cup, 26427 Peden Road, Magnolia, TX, producing the “Equestrian Dream Soirée Dinner.” The event features 65 horses, gifted riders and full orchestra telling a magical story written and produced by Pelletier.

Oct. 24, 4:30 p.m. Info: www.harascup.com

In the Garden The Garden Club of Houston hosts its 73rd Annual Bulb and Plant Mart, Oct. 1-3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Free admission. Mariahi/party on Thursday, Oct. 1, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- $20 per family. At St. John Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd.

Info: www.gchouston.org Galveston’s East End Historic District sponsors its annual Fall Garden Tour, Oct. 3 & 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets available now at Tom’s Thumb Nursery at 2014 45th St. for $12.

Tickets sold on day of tour at 1501 Postoffice. Info: www.eastendhistoricaldistrict.org The Arbor Gate in Tomball, located at 15635 FM 2920, hosts a number of seminars this month. They include: “Ornamedibles: The Edible Landscape” on Oct. 3, at 1 p.m.; “Herbs, the Basics and More,” Oct. 8, and again on Oct. 10, at 10 a.m.; “Gardening in the Hell Strip,” Oct. 17, at 10 a.m.; “Bee Forum,” Oct. 18, at 11 a.m.; “Herbs and Wines,” Oct. 24, at 10 a.m.; “Gunters Heirloom Vegetables,” Oct. 24, at 9 a.m.; and “How to Root a Rose,” Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. Info on more seminars and events: www.arborgate.com Cornelius Nursery at 2233 S. Voss announces three talks this month: “Pumpkin Decorating Workshop,” Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; “Long-lasting Fall and Winter Color,” Oct. 10, at 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and “Fall Planting for a Beautiful Spring Garden,” Oct. 17, from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Info on topic details and other events: www.corneliusnurseries.com

Design The Houston Community College (HCC) Interior Design Program salutes Houston Chronicle’s now retired long-time home design editor, Madeleine McDermott Hamm, who has donated more than 1,000 interior design books to the school. Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 8, in the Fine Arts Center, 3517 Austin at Holman Street. Info: 713-718-6226 or debra.mcgaughey@hccs.edu.

The Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy, hosts three special events and nights this month. They are: “Leading in Design Fall Market,” which is presented by Heritage Texas Property on Oct. 13 & 14, about the latest trends in products, design and fabrics; and a “Sip and Stroll” on Oct. 27, from 5:30p.m. to 7 p.m. Info: www.houstondesigncenter.com 15

16 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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EDITOR’S PICKS HELLO YELLOW! Add a splash of 1950s happiness with this ever-popular and eyecatching clean design

by Eames. The molded fiberglass dowel-leg side chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller.

Available in green, blue, black, brown and red-orange. 31.75 inches high, 18.75 inches wide and 21.75 inches in depth. $448.

Available at Design Within Reach, 4066 Westheimer or www.dwr.com EASY TO CLEAN RUGS Ruggables entails a cover and slip base that cling together using a backing similar to Velcro. When the rug cover needs to be washed, remove it from the base and throw it in the washing machine. Offered in a variety of sizes, comes in solid as well as such patterns as chevron, fretwork, floral and shag. So change out patterns easily to freshen up decor. Starts at $79.99. See www.ruggable.com for locations and sales info.

PEACHY CLEAN The only non-absorbent, silicone soft dish scrubber that has long-lasting antimicrobial resistance to odors caused by bacteria, mold and mildew. Stays clean longer, lasting three to four months. $6.99 Available at Wal-marts and Kroger grocery stores. Also on Amazon.

20 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

SIMPLY WONDERFUL This large pet food can has a robust lock-tight handle that keeps food in and pets out. A silicone gasket forms an airtight seal so food stays fresh. The can includes a convenient scoop that attaches magnetically under the lid. The storage container's large capacity (30-35 lb) is ideal for storing dog or pet food, or other bulk items like flour, rice, sugar or charcoal. $120 — available at Simple Human (www.simple human.com) MUMMY SERVERS Put the finishing touch on your spooky spread with World Market’s scary serving utensils.

Cast in a detailed mummy arms design, this pair is sure to set the tone for Halloween entertaining.

Handcrafted of metal with antique pewter finish. Set of 2; each 12.3-inches long. Hand wash. $19.99 Find local locations at www.worldmarket.com

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BEFORE & AFTER

1980s BATHROOM GETS UPDATES TO REFLECT SOOTHING SPA LOOK

22 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

BY JOETTA MOULDEN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET LENZEN

BEFORE

AFTER: Sue participated in a silent auction at the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce and successfully made a bid of $250 for white subway tile, gray and glass mosaic accent tiles and slate floor tiles. Fortunately a woman in Sue’s Sunday school class knew me and the rest is history.

BEFORE: This ’80s bath had ugly blue floral wallpaper (removed 5-6 years earlier) and an useless fur- down with florescent lighting over the sink.

Sue Rogers contacted me because she wanted her 1980s bath to feel more like an inviting spa rather than the “blah” yet functional space that had existed for so long.

The original shower featured opaque, textured sliding glass doors and underscored the dated look of the space.

“All of the fixtures were of poor quality. The worst part was the l980s fur-down over the sink with florescent lighting and a plate glass mirror. Also, due to some settling, the tile in the tub area had started to crack.

“The look I was after was a more updated one — with a soft, neutral color that you’d find in an upscale spa. While unable to completely turn the bath into an actual spa, I did want some of those upscale fixtures and finishes that would make it a relaxing and inviting place for guests,” says Sue. The couple felt like they were stuck with a bathroom they didn’t like. With no obvious room to expand and with low ceilings over the tub/shower and sink area, it seemed to them like there was nothing that could be done to make a noticeable change.

“After our very first meeting with Joetta, it became clear how we could use the tile I had purchased at the silent auction. There were some ideas presented that I had not even considered,” Sue explains.

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23

AFTER: (Above) Matching hardware in brushed nickel provides a cleaner and more consistent look.

AFTER: (Left) White subway tile lines the walls in the shower, and mosaic tiles frame the new niche for shampoo bottles and soap.

BEFORE: The tile in Sue’s old bath was dated and cracked and had no place to store shampoo bottles or soap. Mismatched hardware was distracting.

BEFORE

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 and incorporated. 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 <http://www.shelterstyle.com> , e-mail her at joetta@shelterstyle.com or call 713-461-2063. If an initial appointment or referral is booked by Oct. 31, a 10 percent first meeting discount will be given. Shelterstyle.com <http://Shelterstyle.com> holds a "Pages of Happiness" rating and, for the fifth consecutive year, a “Super Service Award” presented to 5 percent of companies that achieve and maintain a superior rating on Angie’s List.

24 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

“Although a small detail, I never noticed that the brass door hardware did not match the brushed nickel fixtures that were being used and that the door separating the vanity from the WC did not match either,” she adds.

“I was surprised that I had never noticed either of these details.”

The first visit supplied much more information than Sue expected. We covered specific paint colors and how to create tile borders in both spaces to create a consistent look.

The new tiles would become a needed focal point.

The hardest suggestion to visualize? Removing the furdown. It was necessary to remove this space hog over the tub/shower area in order to raise the ceiling. This suggestion was also utilized over the vanity.

As she was an interior design major in college, Sue did understand where I was going with my ideas.

“My issue from the get-go was how to make everything come together. I loved all your ideas and referred to your notes when I met with my contractor about paint colors.

Sherwin Williams’ “Repose Grey” — a soft, slightly warm gray — promotes great light and a beautiful background for art and accessories. The brushed nickel hardware was found at Restoration Hardware, and the artwork we already had — they’re pictures we took in Paris,” Sue says.

“We would like to move our next bath into the master bedroom, and we won’t move forward without consulting a professional. Your service, provided at an hourly cost, suited us perfectly — and we avoided the designer markup on the work and products we purchased. We also appreciated the names of contractors who could help us implement our plans.

“Everybody loves the new and updated look! We now have a space that is no longer an embarrassment and are happy for our guests to use the bathroom that they now rave about,” she explains.

Sue added that I did a great job and that they’re pleased with the outcome.

TRADE SECRETS • A DECORATOR CAN HELP YOU STRETCH YOUR BUDGET, no matter how small it is.

• HIRE A DECORATOR to look objectively at your spaces and make suggestions that will help you remodel or redecorate on your budget.

• SOMETIMES THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY is to first rethink what’s already paid for.

25

PRODUCT REVIEW

PICKING YOUR RANGE Best Bets to Suit Needs and Style

BY SUSAN FOX

GE’s new gas ranges have dual-purpose burners that give you the option to choose between an oval or round burner, while adjusting your range to your cookware. Available in gas, electric and induction (shown right) they feature edge-to-edge cooktops and include Bluetooth technology.

The good news when it comes to ranges is that there is a lot of product out there — with all kinds of bells and whistles.

But that’s where it gets tricky, figuring how and where to spend the money.

“It’s a great problem to have, to have so many options,” says one remodeler recently. But she also lamented that it is a time consuming process.

Understanding the value of time, kitchen gurus offer five ways to help determine the best integrated cooktop/oven appliance for your household. Here they are: 1. First, know what you need . . . For example: Do you bake? Can you barely boil water? Are you health conscious?

Do you cook for a crowd, or for one or two people? Do you enjoy cooking?

2. Do you have an all-electric home, or do you have a gas line, too? If both, what is your cooking preference: electric or gas?

26 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

3. What is your price range?

4. Do you want color options?

5. Do you want a vintage look, a commercial style or just a plain Jane one?

By answering those pivotal questions, the list of selections gets more manageable.

For those who bake, dual-oven ranges are great space savers in that the one oven cavity can divide into two spaces. Each divided area can cook/bake at temperatures that differ from one another. Convection ovens, albeit on the expensive side, are desired because of their ability to cook faster and more evenly — thanks to internal fans that circulate consistent heat all around the food. Conventional ovens distribute heat more randomly. Convection ovens, thanks to reduced cooking/baking time, are also more energy efficient.

If cooking primarily for one or two people, then a range with a 2- to 3-cubic-foot oven is perfect. For a family of

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AFTER

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BEFORE

Lewis Construction 713-944-5257

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27

ABOVE: Monogram 36-inch induction cooktop.

BELOW: A vintage-inspired range from Elmira Stoveworks.

four, it might be good to get an oven that is 3 to 4 cubic feet.

For regular parties of four and more, get a larger one — a range with a 4-cubic-foot oven. If there is that one time of the year when cooking outnumbers the usual twosome or more, consider going larger or getting a smaller portable oven that can help out when needed and then be stored away.

Most people have strong preferences when it comes to cooking on electric or gas stoves. Conventional thinking is that the electric stoves need a little extra time to heat up, and that they don’t cook as evenly. But that is not true with electric-based induction stoves. In fact, tests show induction stoves heat up water faster than either the conventional electric or gas cooktops. Cooking on top of a gas stove does offer more temperature control — an added attraction for chefs and other cooking enthusiasts. Plus the look of the grates offer certain aesthetic appeal to those wanting a more commercial looking kitchen.

Induction cooktops cost more than most electric and gas ranges. But they are trending because of safety reasons and energy efficiency touts.

According to the Consumer Energy Center, induction cooking elements offer the most energy efficient technology — with 90 percent of the used energy going to the cooking process.

Induction cooking does have a downside: they require special cookware made with magnetic-bases (test: if pots and pans attract a magnet, they will work.) The induction stovetop does not heat up in its entirety when cooking, as do the smooth cooktops. The heat is only directed to the bottom of the pan and its contents. Accidentally, turn on the knob? No heat ignites when there is no pot or pan in place. While on the more expensive side now, induction cooking is expected to become more affordable.

According to Consumer Reports, the following is a list of price ranges for the following five categories: Electric Smoothtop: $1,300 to $1,800. Top three manufacturers, based on reviews and tests: LG, GE and Samsung.

Electric Induction: $1,500 to $3,600. Top three: Kenmore, Samsung and GE.Electric Coil: $400 to $1,100. Top three: Kenmore, Frigidaire and Hot Point.

Gas and Dual-Fuel: $700 to $2,800. Top three: LG, KitchenAid and GE. Pro-Style Ranges: $4,000 to $8,000. Top three: KitchenAid Ranges, such as AGA, Wolf, Bluestar, Britannia, Rangemaster and others can cost $6,000-plus. This group of ranges also offers the widest selection of color. Most ranges found in the lower tiers are stainless, white and black. Elmira Stoveworks is one company that makes vintage style ranges; those also typically top $6,000.

28 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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The variances in price are associated, too, with the desired bells and whistles. If cooking at home is more of a chore and something done infrequently, your best choice may boil down to getting the basic range and saving money. Consider, though, what future buyers — especially in high-end areas — might want or expect. Installing a cool looking or efficient range may pay for itself in the long run.

Maybe you want all the features or a select few. Some options to consider for your wish list: warming drawers, steam ovens, dehydrators, delayed baking times, temperature probes, multiple cooking options (convection with a conventional choice), Sabbath mode settings, and/or infrared cooking.

Finally, when buying . . . know whether you need to buy a freestanding, a drop in or slide in. Drop ins require customized cabinetry and they have no cookware storage.

The slide in does what you would expect; it slides between existing cabinets and its cooktop slightly rests on the flanking countertops. Freestanding ranges are styled to fit where no lower cabinets exist.

KitchenAid’s 36-inch commercial style dual fuel range.

COOK AND CONSERVE The Consumer Energy Center provides a few tips that help people conserve energy when cooking — important since no range, stove or oven currently carry Energy Star ratings. Tips: 1. Install the range away from the fridge; otherwise, the heat from the range will force the refrigerator to work harder.

2. Avoid opening the door to check on cooking; the temperature can immediately drop by 25 degrees.

3. Avoid wasting energy by preheating the oven, as it does not offer any benefits except for baking.

Resources: Morrison Supply w w w.morrisonshowroom.com K&N w w w.knsales.com Acceptance Appliance w w w.acceptanceappliance.com The GE Cafe 30-inch built-in gas cooktop was a winner of the Reviewed.com 2014 Best of Year Award for Best Gas Cooktop.

30 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

31

TASTEMAKER

SEAN GILMORE

Sean Gilmore’s mother, Vanessa, describes her son as being a creative and ambitious young entrepreneur who enjoys lacrosse and hanging out with friends. He came up with the idea of the Sleepover Bed Tent that might fulfill another youngster’s holiday wish list.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRADY CARTER

Our Conversation with Vanessa Gilmore . . .

Where are you two from? If not from Houston, where and what brought you to the city?

I was born in New York but raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. I came to Houston in 1977, when I accepted a position as a fashion buyer for Foley’s Department Store. I decided to undertake a career in law after winning a minor lawsuit against my apartment complex. I had a great career as a trial lawyer and was very active in many community organizations, but I woke up one day and realized I had forgotten to have a baby. At 44, I adopted my son, Sean Harrison Gilmore, who was born in Galveston, Texas. He is named after his godfather, the late E. Lynn Harris, who was a fiction author.

The Sleepover Bed Tent fits on a bed — or air mattress when camping — and allows for communal or private sleeping.

Tell us about Sean. How old is he? Describe his personality.

Sean is 14, a ninth grader at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory. His friends would describe him as very kind and thoughtful. He is the peacemaker among his friends and the kid who is always worried about other people’s feelings. He graduated in 2015 from the River Oaks Baptist School, where he played both football and lacrosse. When he was 10, in the fifth grade at River Oaks Elementary school, his science teacher, Mr. Rainn, convinced him to enter the Inventor’s showcase at school. The kids were encouraged to come up with solutions for everyday problems. Sean thought about how much he liked having his friends over for sleepovers but since he only had one bed, he and his friends would often build forts on the bed. He thought about how much fun it would be to hang out when you wanted to enjoy your friend’s company, but also have your own private sleeping space when it was time to go to bed. He built a model of a bed tent and entered it into the Inventor's showcase. He won second place at his school and, as a result, he was invited to display his invention at the Children’s Museum of Houston. So many kids liked his idea, that he asked me if I would help him find a way to really make a bed tent. I found a manufacturer for him, and he worked on prototypes of his invention for two years before he came up with a final product that worked. He is a very persistent kid and once he sets his mind to something, he won’t stop until he gets it done.

Tell me about the sleepover tent...what do you officially call it?

After working on his prototypes for two years, Sean came up with his final product, which he calls the Sleepover Bed Tent. It is the unique solution for sleeping single in a double. The Sleepover Bed Tent fits on a full- or queen-sized bed, and has a drop down center panel that can be raised when you want to enjoy your friend’s company, and lowered for privacy when it is time to go to sleep. The tent comes in

32 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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The Sleepover Bed Tent fits full or queen size mattresses. There is a waterproof version designed to fit an air mattress for camping in the outdoors.

its own small carrying case, making it easy to carry with you for sleepovers, family vacations, school field trips or even when traveling for sports, band and cheerleading competitions. There are two models for the tent. Model A is made from canvas and is waterproof. It can be used indoors but also works outdoors when placed on a blow up mattress.

Some customers have suggested that they intend to use it on a blow up mattress in the back of a pick up truck when going on fishing trips. Model B is made from a nylon fabric and it is designed to be used indoors only. Sean launched his business in September of 2014, when he was in the eighth grade. He had his launch party at Lynn Goode Vintage and his product was enthusiastically received.

How do people buy them?

The tent is available for sale online (www.sleepoverbedtent.com).

Sean has also been a vendor at some conferences where he has had the opportunity to sell the Sleepover Bed Tent. Sean has been asked to speak to a number of youth groups and organizations for children and he is often provided an opportunity to sell his tents at those events. The tents have been given to students for graduation gifts and have even been purchased to give as donations to children at Christmas and for other occasions. Because Sean is asked to speak to young people who are interested in becoming kid entrepreneurs so often, he has become a very good speaker and enjoys encouraging other kids to pursue their own dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. This summer, Sean decided to write a book about his experiences and that book was published on August 25, 2015. It is called, “Making Money While You’re Sleeping - My Journey as a Kid Entrepreneur”. It is available on the following sites: www.xlibris.com and www.Amazon.com.

The book and tent are also available for sale on his Web site and are available for immediate shipping. Both items make great Christmas gifts for kids and will be available for Christmas delivery this year.

How are you involved with the tent idea?

Because I believed that Sean’s idea was very unique, I encouraged 34 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

From left: Sean's godfather, Jodie Jiles, Vanessa and Sean Gilmore, at the launch party for the Sleepover Bed Tent.

him to try to secure a patent for his idea. I helped him find a patent lawyer who explained to Sean that he could pursue both a design patent, which protects what a product looks like, and a utility patent that protects what a product does. As a result, he filed an application for both patents.

His design is now patented as the Slumber Separator.

Do you work — besides helping Sean with the tent? What do you think of your young entrepreneur?

Sean cannot be the president of his company because he is only 14. His business card lists him as “Inventor,” and I am very proud of everything he has done to bring an idea to market that he conceived when he was only 10 years old. This summer, Sean worked as a volunteer Discovery Guide at the Children’s Museum of Houston, where he helped young children and their families who were visiting the museum. He also volunteered with Living Water, a Houston organization, which provided him the opportunity to go to Guatemala this summer to dig a water well. Sean loves math and science, and his dream is to attend Stanford University and major in aerospace engineering.

When I am not engaged in my labor of love, serving as the president of Sean’s company, I work at my real job, where I serve as a United States District Judge in the Southern District of Texas. I have been a federal judge for 21 years. I was appointed

by President Clinton and was the first University of Houston graduate to be appointed to the federal bench. I am also the author of four books, including “A Boy Named Rocky” — a book for the children of incarcerated parents and “Saving the Dream” — a fiction novel about adoption that I wrote to encourage people to pursue their own dreams of having a family through adoption. My latest novel is a tribute to Sean’s late godfather, E. Lynn Harris. It is called, “Lynn’s Angels: The True Story of E. Lynn Harris and the Women Who Loved Him.” What does the family like to do in their “off” time?

Sean and I enjoy traveling, especially skiing in the winter and relaxing at the beach in Martha’s Vineyard during the summer.

35

36 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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The courtyard, with gurgling water feature, at a Murphy Mears Architect-designed home at 2235 Goldsmith, part of the 2015 AIA Home Tour.

Creative Solutions Architects Spotlight AwardWinning Works In Home Tour Scheduled For This Month

BY BARBARA CANETTI • PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN HILL 38 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

This year’s AIA Houston Home Tour covers a wide range of houses – both renovations and new construction.

But the underlying theme for the tour centers around the participating architects’ creativity, harnessed to showcase each home’s uniqueness – accomplished, more often than not, on a limited budget.

The living room and a peek-through room divider into the dining room and kitchen.

Architect Walter Murphy of Murphy Mears Architects

has created a new home for a couple in an established neighborhood, which is undergoing big changes in architecture. The design and materials used on the house at 2235 Goldsmith combines the brick, stucco and horizontal Hardie planks that are repeated in other nearby homes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be too bold or domineering in the neighborhood, so we made the skin of the building to complement the area,â&#x20AC;? says Murphy. The owners, who have lived on the property for a decade, tore down their old traditional cottage to rebuild because they love their neighborhood and wanted to stay there.

Murphy says the design of the house relied a lot on the sun: situating windows and doors to capture as much natural light as possible. To minimize the effects of the sun, however, steel trellises were cantilevered over the large glass areas, and vines encouraged to grow through them, cutting down on the harsh sun. Additionally, electronically controlled shades hidden in the ceiling provide more shielding from the heat and light.

The two-story, 3,300-square-foot house with four bedrooms, a family room, second level, and the combination living room/dining room/kitchen and a study downstairs, covers almost every inch of the inner city lot. A large parking 39

A splash of orange enlivens the living room. Art work and the colorful library adds personality to a neutral background.

area adjoins the front of the house adjacent to the garage.

And Murphy incorporated a large green space on the property — a courtyard with a 20-foot-long gurgling water reflection pond.

“The pond seems to fuse the living spaces with the garden, and the soft noise of the water is very soothing,” he says. Facing the courtyard is a summer kitchen and grilling space, along with an outdoor shower and covered lounge area.

The interior color is off-white in every room. Murphy explains the homeowner’s art and book collection adds the colorful punches to the rooms.

LEFT: The custom made room divider also serves as a buffet at dinner parties and additional storage.

40 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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The dining room and kitchen are bright and overlook the enclosed courtyard and outdoor kitchen.

The exterior is a mixture of stucco, brick and Hardie plank – a reflection of materials used in the neighborhood.

42 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

And, he says, he used a variety of teal blues to line the back of the large bookcases, which add a spot of personality to the rooms. The floors are all stained concrete in shades of blue and gray.

The room divider is a wood box with an open center. The massive object, which serves as a storage area as well as buffet in the dining room, is made of the same wood as the kitchen cabinets but with a black steel countertop in the center that is durable and adds texture to the room.

“This piece was a bit controversial because of its size, but once the owners saw a mock-up of it, they changed their mind.

It serves to separate the living room from the dining room, but still allows for a good flow from room to room,” he says.

Murphy noted “the design of the house is lean and crisp” and combines the owners desire for comfortable living and outdoor space in a limited space.

The little house at 2219 Kane Street in the Old Sixth Ward Historic District is also KinneyMorris Architecture's office.

Several miles away and also part of the home tour, Michael Morrow, partner in KinneyMorrow Architecture, not only renovated a 1880s bungalow, but he

also moved it from one location in the Old Sixth Ward Protected Historic District neighborhood to its present spot at 2219 Kane Street. The little white house, encompassing a mere 750 square feet not including the two porches, now serves as Morrow’s office. It easily could be transformed back to residential with the removal of the four desks.

“This location on Kane Street is actually the principal entrance to this neighborhood,” says Morrow, who has lived in the Sixth Ward for 10 years and rehabilitated several award-winning houses in the area. This home tour house received the 2015 Houston AIA Design Award for Renovation/Restoration and 2015 Houston AIA Design Award for Interior Architecture.

The house — consisting of two rooms, a “grand” foyer, a full bath and a small kitchenette with a Murphy bed – is decorated all in white and espresso/black. The walls are the original 9-inch shiplap wood, painted although nail heads A small side outside nook in this award-winning house.

44 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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Natural light floods the main room, coming in from the large original windows. Shiplap wood lines the walls, all painted white. Dark wood floor-to-ceiling bookcases are filled with books, which adds color to the room.

and other neat characteristics are still evident. The floors are original to the house â&#x20AC;&#x201D; red pine but stained a rich, dark color, keeping with the neutral two-tone decorations. Color inside the building comes from the floor-to-ceiling bookcases in the middle room, filled with interesting looking books and reading materials.

All the woodwork and the front door are original to the house, just cleaned up and reclaimed. The window panes and door frames are painted white, the same as the walls. The high ceiling makes for good acoustics, and a pleasant work environment.

But the windows are single-paned and not energy efficient; the wavy glass is reminiscent of the houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. To increase the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efficiency, however, the exterior walls were removed to install insulation and a vapor barrier.

46 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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Resources FOR 2235 GOLDSMITH

Architect Walter D. Murphy Murphy Mears Architects w w w.murphymears.com

FOR 2219 KANE ST.

Interior Design Tokerud & Co. w w w.tokerud-co.com

Vintage Window Restoration The Sash Guy w w w.sashguy.com

General Contractor Keeland Associates, Inc. 713-666-0934

Paint Sherwin Williams w w w.sherwin-williams.com

Structrual Engineer Insight Structures, LLC w w w.insightstructures.com

Conference Table Blu Dot, www.bludot.com

Landscape Design Alisa Dawson w w w.alisadawson.com Landscape Contractor Moss Landscaping w w w.mosslandscaping.com Brick ACME, Upchurch Kimbrough Company www.upchurchkimbrough.com Windows Milgard, The Detering Co. w w w.detering.com A skylight adds light to the center of the house.

Sliding Glass Doors Fleetwood, RAM Industries w w w.ramind.com In the center of the house — the darkest area — Morrow carved out a huge skylight, giving the building a glow of natural light. In fact, because of all the windows and the skylight, he rarely turns on the seven gigantic IKEA light fixtures hanging over the desks.

The exterior of the house, sporting a decent front porch and a side nook, is all white, except for the front door (natural wood). The front garden is low maintenance with high purple fountain grasses and purple hearts, along with an olive tree and some sycamores planted on the busy Sawyer Street. The roof is new — a five V crimp metal roof that helps keep the house energy efficient.

Reflecting Pond and Fountain Houston Pool Service www.houstonpoolservice.com

The Home Tour runs from October 24-25, from noon to 6 pm.

It includes nine houses scattered across the city.

Carpet Creative Flooring 713-522-1181

48 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Plumbing Fixtures and Hardware Elegant Additions w w w.elegantadditions.net

Stained Concrete Floors Dungan Miller Design, Ltd. w w w.dunganmiller.com Custom Metal Work Merge Studios w w w.mergestudios.com Kitchen Cabinets Brookhaven, K&N Sales w w w.knsales.com

Pendant Lamps & Kitchen Faucet IKEA, www.ikea.com Skylight Velux, www.veluxusa.com Thermostat and Smoke Detector Nest, www.nest.com Floor Stain Glitsa Gold Seal w w w.glitsa.com Wall Bed Murphy Wall-Beds w w w.murphybeds.com Kitchen Sink Home Depot w w w.homedepot.com Cooktop Summit Appliance w w w.summitappliance.com Bathroom Pendant and Back Porch Light Schoolhouse Electric w w w.schoolhouse electric.com HVAC Registers Shoemaker w w w.shoemakermfg.com Architect Michael Morrow kinneymorrow LLC, w w w.kinneymorrow.com

October is Home

Tour Month COMPILED BY SUSAN FOX

Eastwood Historic Home Tour

4809 Walker St., part of the Eastwood Historic Home Tour.

AIA, Eastwood and Small Towns Open The Doors to Amazing Houses Whether your home penchant is for modern, traditional, historic or new — whether in Houston or tucked away in a quaint Texas town — there are home tours happening this month as well as next that you don’t want to miss.

First up is Eastwood, a neighborhood developed in 1913. The Eastwood Civic Association presents its 20th Annual Historic Home Tour, Oct. 17 & 18, featuring a selection of homes built between 1910 and 1930. Each have been lovingly restored with the intent to preserve their historical charm and include modern amenity updates.

Craftsman, Arts & Crafts, Foursquare, and Mission represent the prominent architectural styles found in the neighborhood.

In fact, Eastwood has one of Houston’s largest intact collections of these types of homes.

The tour also includes two newly constructed homes built to be compatible and respectful of the history of the surrounding community. The tour is open from noon to 5 p.m. on both days. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online (www.eastwoodcivicassociation.com). Both pre-purchased and day-of event tickets may be picked up during tour hours at Bohemeo’s Café at 708 Telephone Road.

AIA Houston Home Tour The AIA-Houston Home Tour, set for Oct. 24 & 25, showcases the finest residential architecture in the metro area. All were designed by licensed architects, who will be on hand at each site to talk to interested parties.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) selects each year a variety of design styles that demonstrate excellence and creativity -- and not defined by or limited to certain budgets.

The tour, which is a fundraiser for AIA, is scheduled from noon until 6 p.m. each day. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for bike riders, and $10 for a single house.

Tickets can be purchased online (www.aiahouston.org) or any of the tour houses.

Featured houses and architects: (all square footages are approximate): 11333 Iris Lee Ln. (77024), Iris Lee House — 8,708 sf, studioMET 4111 Drummond St. (77025) — 2,100 sf, Curr y Boudreaux 2235 Goldsmith (77030) — 3,328 sf, Murphy Mears Architects 5906 Grace Ln. (77021) — 990 sf, M+A Architecture Studio 1577 Palm St. (77004), Terraces at Palm — 2,700 sf, Collaborative Designworks 1504 Kipling St. (77006) — 4,644 sf, CONTENT Architecture 2219 Kane St. (77007) — 751 sf, Kinneymorrow Architecture 1134 Aurora St. (77009), Aurora Duo House — 2,545 sf, studioMET 312 E. 27th St. (77008), Heights Integral Urban Homestead — 3,570 sf, Environment Associates Architects & Consultants

See page 38 for a glimpse inside 2219 Kane and 2235 Goldsmith.

4111 Drummond St., part of the AIA Houston Home Tour.

50 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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Bellaire Fall New Home Showcase The 2015 Bellaire Fall New Home Showcase spotlights the latest architectural trends and technology advancements available in today’s home buying market.

Area interior design professionals also inspire, as the homes are fully decorated. All located in Bellaire, TX — a city within Houston — proceeds from the tour benefit Evelyn’s Park Conservancy. Tickets are $15 — sold online at www.bellaireshowcase.com. Oct. 17 & 18, and Oct. 24 & 25 — from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all days.

Featured homes and builders on tour: Blum Custom Builders, 5219 Pine St. Cason Graye, 5120 Grande Frankel Building Group, 4514 Braeburn Lovett Homes, 5401 Alder Circle RG Homes, 101 Calvi Court Tommy Cashiola Construction, 420 Mulberr y Ln.

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Just “up the street” from Houston is the inviting community of Brenham — home to Blue Bell ice-cream and a colorful heritage.

A number of historical sites will open to the public on Oct. 3.

The self-guided “Step Into the Past Historical Tour will include places that have never been open to the public before: • Glissman Drug Store Museum looks exactly as it did in 1924, complete with medicines and equipment. A short film introduces visitors to Carl Glissman’s process for mixing medicines by hand.

• The Brenham Fire Museum houses three antique fire trucks and an introduction to the Manifest celebration.

• New displays and collections at the Brenham Heritage Museum.

• The Giddings Stone Mansion was built in 1870; this grand house hosted many lavish events for nearly 150 years.

• The Giddings Wilkin House Museum is the oldest standing home in Brenham. Built in 1843, visitors can experience how aristocrats lived in an era before electricity, plumbing or bathrooms. A cistern can be viewed in the yard and was a source of water for the home until the late 1880s.

• The Barnhill Center at the Simon Theatre is currently under renovation. It originally opened in 1925. A brief film will be shown at the Simon.

• Toubin Park showcases its original cistern built around 1878.

Toubin Park displays give details about Brenham’s intriguing past and its Texas Archeological Landmark – a system of historic cisterns.

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Old Gonzales College – 820 Saint Louis St.

In December ...

The Gonzales Annual Historic Homes Association Tour will be Dec. 5 & 6. It is held in conjunction with the annual Winterfest Celebration. The weekend includes a lighted Christmas Parade, shopping at Santa’s Market, Stars in the Village held at Pioneer Village Living History Center and the historic home tour. The home tour features beautiful historic homes decorated in their holiday finest.

In 2012, This Old House named Gonzales, TX, as having one of the Best Old House Neighborhoods, noting its well-preserved downtown, its large stock of affordable and fixer-upper fine houses in Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, Italianate, and Greek Revival styles, as well as the town's low cost of living and proximity to the big cities of Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.

Gonzales holds a unique place in Texas history as the site of the firing of the first shot for Texas independence on Oct. 2, 1835.

The oldest dwellings in Gonzales date to the mid-19th century, but most of the architecturally notable houses were constructed beginning in the late Victorian period, from about 1880 to about 1915. Queen Anne style houses are the most common, with Colonial Revival and Classical Revival houses as well.

The town also offers information on self-guided tours (www.tourgonzales.com), which can be taken any time of the year.

Mark your calendars again … and head to Bastrop, TX, on Dec.12, (www.bastropcountyhistoricalsociety.com), where enthusiasts can enjoy the Bastrop County Historical Society’s Annual Holiday Homes Tour from noon to 5 pm. Step across the threshold into Bastrop’s remarkable past and into some of its most remarkable structures during the Holiday Homes Tour, a central event of Bastrop’s four-day “Lost Pines Christmas” weekend (www.lostpineschristmasbastroptx.com) For more than 40 years, the tour has showcased Bastrop's storied past. There are almost 100 houses, and buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Town of Bastrop (Villa de Bastrop) was formally established on June 8, 1832, as the principal settlement in the Stephen F. Austin Little Colony of 1827.

54 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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REVIVAL ON THE BOULEVARD A LOOK AT THE DETERMINATION TO RESTORE ONE OF THE HOUSTON HEIGHTS’ ORIGINALS

By Susan Fox • After photography by Anthony Rathbun & Miro Dvorscak • Before photography by George Szontagh Editor’s Note: At press time, we were alerted this house is on the market — represented by Blvd. Realty. The owner says he is ready to pursue new projects.

We know he will continue to do what he has done here: lovingly save a piece of Houston’s history. And, we wish him much success.

I

f you’ve ever driven up and down Heights Boulevard, perhaps you’ve seen this house — with its rather unique dual cantilevered upstairs windows, gracious front porch, and a long seasonal front garden flowering against a stately wroughtiron fence.

If you possess a really long memory, then you might remember its past as a thoroughly disgusting flophouse that attracted vagrants, drug users and vermin. Sadly, the house — built in 1906 by a Heights developer, William A. Wilson, who was known for building well and with fine architectural detailing — had spiraled into decay over the years as previous owners became less than responsible stewards. (Wilson also later 56 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

platted The Woodland Heights and designed Hermann Park.)

It so happens Tim Fabio has a fascination with dilapidated houses with good bones and great potential. Back in 2003, the house caught Fabio’s eye as he drove nonchalantly by it on his way to work. He noticed the “For Sale” sign repeatedly thereafter. He saw the sign removed and then re-planted back into the ground, and then it was removed again and reinstated as well.

Little did he know at that time of the journey he and this house would take together. In the end, not only did Fabio successfully restore the home — thanks to sweat equity, loans and friends — but he was awarded the 2009 Good Brick

Before

BEFORE

Over the course of many years, the house was cut into smaller and smaller sections until virtually every room in the original floor plan had become a separate apartment.

On the right is a view of the living room as it existed when Fabio purchased the home. All access to the adjoining dining room and foyer had been sealed.

Half-walls were erected to create a kitchen where a wide doorway into the dining room had once been.

Out of camera view to the right, a full bath had been added next to the new kitchen.

Much of the original woodwork was still in place around windows and doors here and throughout the house. Unfortunately during the renovation, the house was vandalized and most of the molding and rosettes were stolen.

After This photo shows that the half-walls and kitchen have been removed and the living room and dining room (which had also been a separate apar tment) are once again a unified space. New wood floors were added throughout the first floor and new moldings were milled to match the stolen woodwork.

57

After The new kitchen had to be created from the space at the back of the house; before renovation, the house had nine tiny kitchens tucked into various makeshift apartments. This kitchen’s sink was found an upstairs apartment, and was salvaged and restored.

BEFORE

58 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Award, the Stewart Title Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation from the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.

Fabio also went on to receive from Preservation Texas an Award for Excellence in Preservation, in addition to a Community Improvement Award by the Houston Heights Association.

Everyone who knows him agrees: Fabio was drawn to the house like a magnet to steel. His colleagues called it his “house crush.” Whatever it was, he was hooked at the get-go.

He began drawing sketches and visualizing how it once looked -- and what could be done to restore its glory and historic significance.

That fateful day, 12 years ago, he came into his office and announced to all that he had made an offer to buy the crazy horrible Heights Blvd. house. This occurred after more than a year of watching the For Sale sign go up and down without ever closing. Everyone thought he was crazy, thinking it was too far gone to be saved.

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59

BEFORE

Before

After

All upstairs bedrooms had been converted to studio apartments, each with its own kitchenette. The cantilevered window seats were sagging severely and had made it impossible to close the windows completely. Many panes in the upper sashes were broken and had been filled with plastic grocery bags by people living in the building illegally after the previous owners had stopped accepting tenants and made plans to demolish the house. The original pine flooring was hidden by multiple layers of paint, as were the pine window seats, which were restored.

Window seats were leveled and reinforced. The original pine floors were stripped and refinished and the window seats were finished to match.

Broken glass in the decorative upper sashes was replaced with pieces of rolled glass cut down from larger broken panes in other parts of the house. They are once again a great place to sip coffee and read.

60 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

“Against all advice from friends, I pursued financing,” says Fabio. “Lenders were very enthusiastic until they actually saw the house. One look at it and their interest in the project vanished. Comercia Bank finally agreed to fund the purchase, but only if it funded the restoration as well. So rough plans were drawn up and a hasty made construction estimate prepared.

Suddenly, the house was mine.”

“I knew the budget was tight, so after my contractor pulled permits, I went to work removing add-ons, opening old doorways, and giving away appliances from nine tiny kitchens,” he

61

MIRO DVORSCAK

BEFORE

says. Previous owners had turned the historic old home into an apartment building and had even tacked on a poorly thoughtout duplex to house more tenants.

Fabio’s work was cut out for him. “A friend and I removed, repaired and reinstalled each window in its original opening — all with new ropes and the original weights that were recovered from inside walls where they had fallen.”

Before This is a view from the original foyer into the portion of the front porch, which had been enclosed to create a kitchen for this unit. The windows that you see in the background were originally mounted in the foreground wall and looked from the foyer onto the front porch.

Note the height of the drop ceiling in this space. It was barely 7 feet high and it was on top of this ceiling that Fabio found the original transom window from above the front door. It was in perfect condition.

After The old windows were saved and reinstalled in their original location, once again providing a view onto a shady front porch. The drop ceiling was removed and the airy feel of the foyer restored.

Other work in this space, which is out of camera view, includes the original 1906 front door with its glass and transom reinstalled and the lower half of the staircase reconstructed in its original footprint.

62 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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63

MIRO DVORSCAK

BEFORE

“As crumbling wallboard was removed, the house gave up more clues to its original floor plan. Some areas had gone through so many states of evolution that I couldn’t be absolutely certain of the original design. But studying plans of similar William Wilson houses helped fill in the gaps,” explains Fabio.

“Two years, two contractors, one loan increase and countless anxiety attacks later, I moved in. I love coming home to this house, and I think it really contributes something to the boulevard again,” says Fabio.

Before This is the original bathroom in the house. It still had a cast iron corner sink and footed tub, which Fabio believes were the originals. This bathroom was shared by three of the four upstairs apartments.

The wall along the right side of the before photo was not original as he had discovered when removing the Masonite wainscoting.

At some point, a 4-foot section of this room was walled off to create closet space. Later the door was covered and the space was completely sealed up.

After When the wall came down, the bathroom was completely reoriented. It also revealed that the room had once had a beadboard wainscotting around the entire room. The beadboard was replaced. The corner sink was refinished and reinstalled in the same location. The footed tub was also refinished and reinstalled but moved into the reopened area on the right.

There was no original flooring left in this room.

The floor tile was chosen after researching early 20th century bathrooms.

64 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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The house was built 107 years ago for George T. and Rosetta C. Jones.

George Jones evidently was at one time a Realtor, a grocer and then a chicken breeder. After he died in 1926, it appears, thanks to a review of city records, that Rosetta Jones began taking in boarders. Fabio thinks that was likely the beginnings of the carving up of the house. That trend continued through the 1930s. A cast iron kitchen sink in one of the converted upstairs bedrooms was dated 1940.

Among the residents who lived at the house in the 1950s, according to city directories, was Lottie C. Jones, who was believed to have been George and Rosettaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter.

Before When Fabio noticed this house, he thought a front porch had been removed. Closer inspection and a review of the Sanborne Maps revealed that actually a recessed porch had been enclosed. A small section of the porch that was left open became a forbidding hallway.

Surprisingly, the original front door was still in place, though its large window had been filled with plywood and the transom had fallen off its hinges.

BEFORE

After The photo above shows the porch reopened and the windows reinstalled in their original location.

Fabioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans had been for a Craftsman-style mix of masonry and tapered, square columns. But Randy Pace, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preservation officer, provided photographs of similar homes built by William Wilson during the same period and all of them used simple round columns. So the plans were modified for the sake of authenticity.

The cantilevered windows upstairs were leveled and reinforced, and all the original brackets are still in place. The sashes were restored. Antique glass was salvaged from larger broken panes in other parts of the house to fill missing triangular pieces in the upper sashes. The new siding is HardiePlank.

66 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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67

Resources FENCING AGWelding, 713-988-4200 FOUNDATION REPAIRS John S. Pfister Pier & Beam Leveling, 281-480-6684 INSULATION Payless Insulation, Inc., 713-868-1021 LANDSCAPING & PLANTS Creative Contours, 713-723-9318 Head to Head Irrigation Services, 713-502-4725 Houston Bamboo Nursery, 832-713-4319 Joshua’s Native Plants, 713-862-7444 NEWEL POST, INTERIOR DOORS Adkins Architectural Antiques, 713-522-6547

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68 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

PAINT Sherwin-Williams, www.sherwin-williams.com Armando's Painting, 281-660-3517 SS Professional Painters, 713-294-5706 REFURBISHED HARDWARE Avant Renovations, 832-303-8964 SIDING James Hardie, jameshardie.com TILE, BATHROOM & KITCHEN Daltile, 713-533-9305 TUB AND SINK REFINISHING Gallaway Porcelain, 281-304-9300 WINDOWS AND INTERIOR DOORS Discovery Architectural Antiques, 830-672-2428

69

IZZIE’S WORLD

A

lady doesn’t always reveal her age, so let’s just say Izzie is a mature canine dame. She is a born entertainer and an absolute devotee of mistress Helen Stroud. Stroud owns the shop Olivine (2405 Rice Blvd,

www.olivineliving.com), where this unbashful Shetland Sheepdog sometimes spends her days . . . as helper and greeter. In addition to sharing her pet favorites with us, she and Helen maintain a popular Facebook page that is simply called “Izzie.” Izzie loves to pose and model. Her motto: “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

WAGGING GOOD RECIPE Every now and then, I have to make my own dinner.

Since I have a few pounds to lose, it's usually chicken breasts, kale, and today I am throwing in a few frozen beets! All courtesy of Mom’s local grocery store.... Chow!

I mean, WOOF! BUDDY BISCUITS Woof! These are some of my favorite treats, and I don't know who “Buddy” is, but he is a heck of a dog-gone baker! And Mom gets ours at Randall’s. These doggie biscuits come in either chicken or peanut butter, so what’s not to like?

FROSTY PAWS Maybe you can't buy happiness, but you can buy – or even make – me Frosty Paws. It's the same thing in my book. Available at HEB. Here's a recipe my mom dug up from The Daily Puppy.

Step 1 Place a banana in a blender or food processor. Add 32 ounces plain yogurt. Scoop 2 tsp. of peanut butter and 2 tsp. of honey into the mix.

Alternatively, try goat's milk yogurt for a treat containing much less lactose.

Step 2 Mix ingredients until well blended.

Step 3 Round up paper cups, small plastic containers, ice cube trays or muffin tins to use as molds for the mixture. Pour small amounts into the cups, muffin tins or plastic containers. Aim for a hockey puck shape and

70 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

thickness to resemble the original Frosty Paws size.

Step 4 Fill an ice cube tray with the concoction to create handy bitesize pieces you can give to your dog when a regular-size frozen treat is too much.

Step 5 Freeze the treats, then put them in a freezer bag for easy storage.

ALTERNATIVE LOW CALORIE RECIPE • Prepare the basic recipe as above, using 32 ounces of yogurt and banana and omit the honey and peanut butter.

• Add 1/4 cup strawberries, cranberries or blueberries for an antioxidant boost for your pup.

• Alternatively, add one can of pumpkin to the basic recipe and add 1/8 tsp. of carob powder.

• Mix and pour the mixture in the same manner as the basic recipe, and freeze.

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DESIGNER PROFILE

Lynne T. Jones Owner, Lynne T Jones Interior Design WWW.LYNNETJONES.COM

This elegant master bath was a total remodel for clients that requested white marble and an elegant look that reflected Old Hollywood glamour.

This Austin-area kitchen was designed for serious cooks, in a style identified as “Hill Country Contemporary.”

This rustic elegant, recently remodeled, Montana home is designed for entertaining as well as capitalizing on the majestic mountain views.

The daughter of a West Texas cattleman, Lynne T. Jones, feels right at home – in the city or back on the range. She adores color but more importantly likes helping people create a most personalized and comfortable home.

the sleeping porch. I was fascinated with his work and ended up assisting him for three years, before starting my own design practice.

Where are you from?

I grew up in a small town in the Texas Panhandle and received my interior design degree from Texas Tech University and moved to Houston right out of college for job opportunities.

Did you take any apprenticeships during your early years?

When attending Texas Tech, I was also active in the TTU Student ASID Chapter. I moved here in 1980, and that year the ASID Designer Show house was located in the old Fondren Mansion on Montrose Blvd. This was right before Steve Zimmerman repurposed the building to become the restaurant and boutique hotel, La Colombe d’Or. I toured the showhouse and then interviewed with the designer who had done my favorite room in the house. His name was David Harrison Wright, ASID, and I loved the Roseate Spoonbills he had painted along the ceiling line of 72 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Do you have a specialty?

I don’t know that I have an actual “design specialty,” because I try very hard to allow my clients’ personalities to shine through, rather than putting my own stamp on projects. However, I do have a love for color, as well as mixing patterns and textures. So I try to encourage my clients to use a bit more color.

What was your last most memorable project?

It was an entire home renovation in Kalispell, Montana. This was for a Houston couple with whom I had worked with -- off and on for more than a decade. They purchased the house as a vacation home and asked me to assist with the total update. I worked with their Montana contractor, and we completely re-did the entire home. I assisted them with everything from finishes to plumbing, and hardware selections, as well as their lighting, and all furnishings, rugs and accessories. The challenge for me was probably the distance. But thanks to having very decisive clients, working with an excellent contractor and making a few trips to Montana, it all worked out quite well. The success for me, was when the clients said to me, “I cannot believe that this is my house.” I enjoyed every minute of that renovation process. The setting was beauti-

73

This family room remodel now boasts freshly painted deep steel gray walls, reupholstered existing furniture in colorful new fabrics, and a brightly colored rug.

This powder room renovation features newly plastered walls, a custom vanity and marble countertop, stone tile flooring, a camel-back mirror, and new sconces.

The recently remodeled Montana home, designed for entertaining.

ful and at the end of the project, the couple treated me to a tour of Glacier National Park. It doesn’t get much better than that.

addition to understanding what their priorities are, as far as their home or office is concerned. Then I take it from there.

Tell us about your “dream” project.

I’m currently still working on my dream project, which is a ranch and home complex located in the Texas Hill Country. The project consists of a large main house and two smaller casitas, designed for three generations of a Houston family. It’s very rewarding to know that the selections I’m helping them make will be enjoyed for many years to come. The design style for this project is what I refer to as “Rustic Elegant.” Growing up as a cattleman’s daughter in West Texas, I am always comfortable working in that genre.

What inspires you?

I’m always inspired by the beauty that I see in nature. It also helps me re-charge my batteries, when life gets too hectic.

Traveling to other cities & countries is also inspiring, because I always learn something from other people and cultures.

What decorating tips can you share for upcoming holidays?

As far as “sprucing up” for the holidays, I would recommend decluttering and storing away many of your everyday accessories.

Then simply add a few large-scale holiday items. I also suggest bringing in some fresh boughs of pine, spruce or fur greenery, unless there is a problem with allergies. There are also some wonderful candles and room sprays available in a fresh pine scent.

That always puts me into the holiday spirit.

What is the process you initiate when working with clients?

I enjoy meeting with my clients and getting to know their personalities. This usually helps me identify their preferences, in 74 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

How would you describe your own style?

I personally favor mixing classic furnishings with more modern art. I love adding layers of color and texture to the mix as well.

And in my opinion, no home is complete without a collection of beautiful books.

What can you not live without?

I wouldn’t want to live without my family. Besides them, probably my I-Phone or my new Sonos Music system that was recently installed at my house.

What do you like doing during your time away from work?

On my days off, I love to spend time in my own backyard. I’m either puttering in the flowerbeds, or laying out by the pool, with music, family and friends included. I also play on a HLTA ladies tennis league on Monday mornings. Whacking that little yellow ball around is a great stress release.

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117 E 11th Street Houston,Tx 77008 l 713-864-3393 Retrospective & Jewelry Sale Jewelry by Beatrice Mladenka Fowler – October 24, 2015

75

GARDENING

Fall veggie time. October is the time for beets, squash, potatoes, beans and others.

Great soil is the key ingredient to a healthy and prolific garden.

Gardening in Small Spaces

BY ANGELA CHANDLER, FOR THE ARBOR GATE

My first experience with gardening in a small space was the postage-stamp sized courtyard at my first tiny apartment. The owner of the private, two-unit complex gave me permission to maintain the little pond in the center, a tiny flower bed, and to use the area around it for container plants. The space eventually held containers of tomatoes, a few bonsai, an assortment of flowers and a small compost bin.

I have had the luxury of gardening in larger spaces for a long time now, but that first little garden taught me that anyone can garden in any space. Success comes from paying attention to a few important details.

PERFECT SOIL Gardeners who nurture great soil will always grow great plants. Soil must have adequate organic matter to support soil biology -- the living organisms that deliver nutrients to the plants. It must include a wide range of minerals. Minerals are required for plant health, but they also increase the nutritional value of vegetables and fruits. The soil must be able to retain moisture, but it must drain well and be well aerated; roots need oxygen.

You can add compost, rock dusts, and expanded shale to your existing soil, or you can take the guess work out by using a compost-based, blended product, such as Arbor Gate Organic Soil Complete. Organic Soil Complete contains all of the components required to achieve perfect soil. It can be blended into to existing beds or can be used to build new beds and fill containers.

SMART FERTILIZERS Slow release organic fertilizers (SROF), such as Arbor Gate Organic Blend are like “smart technology” for gardens. The ingredients work with nature -- supporting soil biology and providing nutrients as they are needed by the plants. The nutrients remain in the soil during rainfall and irrigation and do not migrate out quickly like synthetic fertilizers. Blend SROF into the soil before you plant and apply regularly throughout the season.

PLANT CLOSELY Instead of following the spacing recommendations on the tag or seed packet, look at the mature width of the plant and subtract a couple of inches. This intensive spacing will allow the mature plants to overlap slightly giving a full, lush look. As long as you have prepared perfect soil and used a quality SROF your plants will not suffer from the competition. If you are growing edibles, you will be harvesting and replacing them at this point anyway. Intense planting also helps suppress weeds.

BLEND CREATIVELY You don’t have to choose between ornamentals and edibles; plant ornamedibles. There are many edible plants that are visually delicious, too. Don’t be afraid to blend vegetables, herbs, shrub fruits, and flowers in the space. Play with color, texture, and height.

Create layers by using colorful containers of varying height within the garden or by adding a trellis to take your garden upward.

Include a piece of unique sculpture or garden art as a focal. A small garden can be an intimate and rewarding gardening experience!

The Arbor Gate is more than a garden center. It is an inspired collection that includes unusual plants, artisan-created decorative pieces, and ever-changing items for the home and garden. Located at 15635 FM 2920 in Tomball.

76 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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Take an ordinary journey to an extraordinary place

PET OF THE MONTH

The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 • Tomball, Texas 77377

www.arborgate.com • 281-351-8851

DRAMATIKA Houston’s premiere destination for quality custom framing, unique greeting cards and one-of-a-kind gifts for over 30 years.

713-868-5050 331 W. 19th St. Daughters of the British Empireee

THE 42ND ANNUAL BRITISH FESTIVAL

MY NAME IS HERCULES! I was very loved by my first family, and the foster family I just spent time with absolutely adored me too. I bet you’ll feel the same once you get to know me! Despite being 7-years-old, I am young and adventurous at heart. I enjoy attention, playing around, laying in the sun, taking walks, and cuddling with the ones I love. I give great hugs and kisses and am very much a lap dog! Although boisterous and outgoing, I need a warm embrace when bad weather or fireworks arrive. I really like bones! I love sleeping in the bed next to you. I don’t care for being crated as it makes me pretty anxious, despite being a confident dog otherwise.

I’m house-trained and prefer to walk on a harness. I even went jogging with my foster dad regularly! If you're looking for a super affectionate sweetie who is simply happy to be with you — whether that means doing something active or just snuggling on the couch — then you've found your match in me.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, 10 to 4 • 1 Fluor Daniel Dr., Sugar Land, TX 77478 FEATURING

ENTERTAINMENTEE

•Home-Made Cakes & Jellies, • Houston Highlanders Pipe Band Pies, Sausages and Sweets • Royal Scottish Country Dancers •Traditional English • Award-Winning St. Thomas Cream Tea and a Pub Lunch •Christmas Hampers, Crackers, www.dbetexas.org Episcopal School Highland Dancers 713-729-4049 Admission $5, Children under 12 Free Stocking Fillers and Gifts

78 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

7 Years Old Male Chihuahua/ Dachshund mix ID: 290858

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!

DAVIS HARDWARE AND PICTURE FRAMING Family owned and operated, custom picture framing since 1956. With a huge selection of custom mouldings, ready-made frames, and paintings, we can satisfy all of your picture framing needs.

1028 Studewood • (713) 864-4574

designed for your lifestyle REFLECTION

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

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

www.reflectionpoolsandspas.com

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HardiePlank Siding Insulated Replacement Windows

Call my granddad– he’s the

BEST!

• HardiePlank • Double Pane Windows • Patio Covers • Sunrooms • Pergolas • Roofing • Stonework • Room Enclosures

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR SPECIALS

Ask about our 0% financing for 12months

NARI CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

281.852.1866 Authorized Dealer

BBB PINNACLE WINNER! 80 house& home | October 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

888.335.2036 12314 FM 1960, Houston, Texas 77336

Porcelain Repair

Pool Remodeling Specialists

Bathroom Detailing

HOUSTON’S PREMIER POOL REMODELER SINCE 1982

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

Total Renovations: Decking • Tile • Resurface • Waterfalls

FREE ESTIMATES

713-498-8532

Call now for a free estimate

281-955-8114

OWNER CRAFTSMAN-WESLEY MCDOUGLE

www.competitionpools.com

Money Makers Flags, Banners, Poles Windsocks and Pennants www.moneymakersflags.com 1517 Blalock Houston, TX 77080

713-461-1153 800-838-1153

C REATIVE I MPROVEMENTS, LLC. Residential & Commercial

M and J Zarate Construction EXPERTS IN:

• Brick Work • Outdoor Kitchen • Pavers • Mailboxes • Flagstone • Patio Decks • Blocks • with Flagstone • Fireplace • or Brick manuelzarate34@yahoo.com 832.466.5585

Repair

with this ad

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

Remodel Kitchens and Bathrooms. Granite Countertops.

Reflection Pools & Spas

713-559-1100

Beautiful Pools at Affordable Prices

281-304-9300

TUBS & TOPS 713.932.6090

www.tubsandtops.com

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

Robin McFarland Keller Williams The Woodlands www.peggyservices.com • 281.345.0077 peggyservices@yahoo.com

WAYNE’S

Quality Container Grown Trees

BUY FARM DIRECT AND SAVE

Open To The Public

Russell Budnick Grad. Texas A&M

$50 OFF

With This Ad

• Custom Cabinets • Siding • Remodeling • Framing • Painting • Trim • Decks • Granite & Tile • Fencework • Pressure Washing • Sheetrock • Tape & Float • Wood & Laminate Floors FREE Estimates • Small Jobs Welcome

www.residentialrenovationshouston.com • 832.651.7061

Bob’s Renovations “Quality You Can Trust - One Call Does It All” Family Owned & Operated 22 Years Exp. Complete Home Repairs

I I I I

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

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

HARDWOOD • CARPET • TILE

Iron • Wood • Chain Link • Automatic Gate Openers

(1-10 @Kirkwood)

Beating the competition for years!

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

281-596-8187

832-722-0130

20% OFF

AMAZING FENCES & BURGLAR BARS

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

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

www.creativecontourslandscapingLLC.com

Drapes • Blinds • Shutters

Big Changes on Small Budgets!

BRAZOS BEND TREE FARM

281.528.8300

ANDSCAPE CO

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

PEGGY’S SERVICES

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

AZTEC HOME REMODELING

CREATIVE CONTOURS L .

DECORATING & REMODELING KEEP IT OR SELL IT!

45+ Yrs Experience

www.reflection poolsandspas.com

TexasTubs.com

TUBS • TILE • GROUT Crack & Chip Repair Counters & Cabinets Rust Holes & Spots Fiberglass

18 YEARS EXP. • FREE ESTIMATES WE DO REMODELING!

I

Phone

25 OFF

ANY JOB

I

FREE ESTIMATES

281-804-3108

$

Gallaway Porcelain Works Reconditioning

WHY REPLACE WHEN YOU CAN RESTORE?

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

Painting Interior & Exterior Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Cultured Marble Tops & Kitchen Countertops Whirlpool Tub Repair

I I I I

Sheetrock Repairs Carpentry Repairs Siding Rental Property Make Readys

713-557-3310

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

10 Windows Installed JUST $3750 Up to 96UI Not valid with any other offer.

Must present coupon at time of estimate. Expires 12/15/15

$200 GIFT CARD from Best Buy with product purchase.

FREE R-30 Attic Insulation with purchase of complete siding & windows

Minimum $5,000. Expires 12/15/15

Not valid with other offers

FREE FREE In-Home Design Architectural Consultation Drawing & Expires 12/15/15 Engineering Seal with Room Senior Discounts Addition & Cash Discounts Expires 12/15/15

COLONY BUILDERS, INC. Celebrating 23 Years of Excellence • 20-Plus Years Serving Houston and Surrounding Areas

713.272.6224 • www.colonybuildersinc.com

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