Just the right size Hydes’ southwest collection essential to home decision.
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- Photo by Ron Vavak
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Contents June 2019
Hydes talk downsizing 11
Howell Gallery offers design services, too.
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4 Hardscaping also adds curb appeal.
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Decorating with art Ketch Design Centre has every kind of window treatment imaginable.
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Maximizing natural lights is a smart and sometimes low cost renovation.
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Just the right size Hydes’ southwest collection essential to home decision.
Sue Ann and Dudley in their new home where they combined their heirloom furniture with their collection of southwester and Native American art.
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Combining family heirlooms with southwest art collection Downsizing requires eclectic creativity and making some difficult decisions
“D
o we really need all this space?” is a question Sue Ann and Dudley Hyde, opposite page, asked themselves. Their beautiful home on Hillcrest Avenue in Nichols Hills had been in his family since 1958 when his parents (Hyde’s Drug Stores) purchased it. Its huge backyard looked across the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club golf course. Making a hard choice “It was an ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ house,” Dudley said. Traditional, four-bedrooms upstairs, you could picture the television couple in their pajamas in twin beds.”
The Hydes remodeled the house twice over their years there and discussed adding a new master bedroom downstairs. Just one problem prevented them. They should be downsizing, not adding more space. The kids left home and established their own careers and homes out west. As empty nesters, the Hydes repurposed rooms and redecorated. Gradually they realized only a fraction of the house’s square footage was being used. For Dudley trudging through the house flushing all the unused toilets and running Continued on Page 6 Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine 5
Art and heirlooms Professionals help Hydes make a plan and create exactly what they wanted water into unused drains was a dreaded chore. Then fate stepped in. Driving home from work through Nichols Hills, he saw a for sale sign on a one-story home on Huntington Ave. He had already looked at it twice before he told Sue Ann he found a house he wanted her to see. She loved it. It belonged to their friend Linda Rosser McDaniel, who was moving to Tulsa. You need a plan “We needed a plan,” Sue Ann said. “We knew the kids would not move home to Oklahoma City and they did not want all of our stuff. But it was a real eye-opener. A lot of the things that I thought would be important to them were not.” The Hydes bought the new house and put the Hillcrest house on the market. “The one advice I give everyone is don’t wait until you are too old. Downsizing is a lot of physical work, and it is expensive,” Sue Ann said. “I wish we had done it five years ago. Get professional help Interior decorator Linda Howell answered Sue Ann’s call for help. First she measured every room in the new house. Then she worked with Sue Ann to decide what was going where in the new house. A professional organizer joined the team and the sorting began. Moving from 4400 sq. ft. to 2650 is not easy. “It’s important to have a vision for what you want your future to be,” according to Sue Ann. “A new house is a transition focus on how we have changed and matured. The Huntington house reflects our love of the American southwest and American history. Getting rid of stairs and large lots to mainContiued on Page 7 6 Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine
The dining room chandelier was purchased by Dudley’s mother in Czechoslovakia. She carried it home on her lap on the airplane.
Dream homes for Hydes, Wegeners tain is the emphasis for most couples who are downsizing to what Sue Ann calls the “fourth quarter of our lives.” The decisions were not easy, but with Howell’s help all the artwork, lamps, and furniture going to the new house was in one place and things to be sold or donated in another. Sue Ann is an art major and consulting with Howell, they figured out a perfect design to blend their heirlooms, Native American rugs, pottery baskets and paintings into the new house. When the interior was repainted and cabinets fitted, all the furniture was placed in one day. House on Hillcrest The Hydes’ house on Hillcrest was sold to Meredith and Bob Wegener. Meredith is a professor in the OCU Business School and Bob is in the energy business. They are building their dream home, which required tearing the Hyde home down and clear-
ing the lot. Meredith said her husband, son and daughter are all avid golfers and the view of the golf course is important. Also, they like the continuation of being part of a “great community” (Nichols Hills). “We call our family the ‘Core Four’ and our new home will be a place of love and light,” Meredith said. “It will be a smaller space but southern traditional design. We currently live in a Raymond Carter contemporary and are excited to entertain at events for everything from family to the soccer team in a space we designed.” Meanwhile Sue Ann and Dudley and their two dogs are living in their own dream home. Everything they love is there and with less unused space to maintain, “we have the time to volunteer and work on community projects like public schools and the nonprofits that are important to us.” “We are retired, not dead.”
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Sue Ann and Dudley Hyde downsized from 4400 square feet to 2650. Their advice: Don’t wait until you are too old to make the move.
The upsides of downsizing Moving can free up time for things seniors would rather be doing Aging men and women often take inventory of their lives in an effort to focus on activities or lifestyle changes that can ensure happy retirements. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows there are some 76 million baby boomers — those people born between 1946 to 1964 — across the country. With the youngest of the boomers in their mid50s and the majority having already reached retirement age, many boomers are trying to decide if it's time to move out of their family homes and into smaller, more manageable abodes. Many older adults find they do not need the same amount of space as they did when they had children living at home. Retirees and those on the cusp of retirement may find that downsizing is a smart financial move that frees up more time for recreation. 8 Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine
However, it can be challenging to cut down on living space and then deal with figuring out how to make furniture, belongings and stored items fit in more condensed areas. Moving can be stressful even without having to cut down on prized items. Taking an inventory of belongings can help the process go smoothly. Before moving, men and women can go room by room, making piles of items that will be kept, donated, sold, or discarded. This can be a tedious task, but it is necessary to avoid clutter in a new home. People downsizing can attempt to sell items they do not need via newspaper classified sections or online classified sites. Appliances and furniture in excellent shape may fetch good prices. Any extra cash can be put toward buying new items that are size-appropriate for the smaller home. Another way to clear out clutter is to sort duplicates from the stock of items. A person may no longer need multiple sets of dishes or silverware. If the move involves switching from a king-sized to a queen-sized bed, donate or trash bed linens that will no longer fit. Pay close attention to kitchen and bathroom items, which tend to accumulate over time but might not be discarded when clearing a home of clutter. People moving from a detached home to a condominium or a townhouse may learn that homeowner's association fees cover everything from snow removal to lawn maintenance to pool upkeep. If so, it's unnecessary to bring lawn and garden supplies. Homeowners are advised to look at the floor plan of their new dwellings and pay attention to storage space. This can make it easier to plan ahead for what may fit, what will need to be purchased new and which storage solutions may be needed. Having a plan in place can make unpacking and settling in go smoothly. The organizing company Organize Me says that homeowners should consider how cabinets and closets will be used before moving in. Downsizing can free up time and money. When done right, downsizing can make retirement easier and create more leisure time for retirees.
- Photos by Ron Vavak
Reduced yard maintenance was another benefit of downsizing for Sue Ann and Dudley Hyde.
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There is an art to buying art Designing a home's interior can be fun. Whether furnishing a first apartment or a newly purchased family home, many people feel that the art they put on the walls of their homes is an expression of their individuality, and that a home isn't truly a home until its interior reflects their personalities.
dren might want to purchase dark-colored furnishings that can hide stains. But no such rules should govern your choices of artwork. Art reflects the person who made it, but it also reflects the person who buys it, so buyers should embrace their personal taste when furnishing their homes with art.
• Furnishing a home with art can be intimidating, especially for people doing so for the first time. But a few tricks of the trade can help men and women turn the interiors of their homes into spaces that reflect who they are.
• Shop around. Comparison shopping can be fun and help novices discover their personal tastes. It also can be a great way to support local artists. That can give people a greater sense of pride in their home's decor.
• Embrace your personal taste. Don't hesitate to decorate your walls with art you like. When buying furniture for a home, it can make sense to follow certain rules. For example, parents of young chil-
· Seek inspiration. If you're unfamiliar with art, don't hesitate to seek inspiration. Art is everywhere, from the hotels you stay in while traveling to the billboards you pass while driving to work to the local art muse-
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um near your home. If you're uncertain of what you like, make a concerted effort to recognize the art you see but may not stop to notice each day. As you expose yourself to more and more art, you will gain a greater knowledge of what you like and dislike. Use that knowledge to inform your decisions when buying art for your home. · Switch things up. Your entire home does not need to follow a theme. If your taste in art is eclectic, embrace that and have different rooms throughout your home reflect your different tastes. This can give each room its own unique feel and make for a colorful home. The art people hang in their homes is a personal choice, and the process of finding that art can be fun and eye-opening.
Gallery offers interior design, too
O The staff at Linda C. Howell & Associates and The Howell Galler y is available to assist both the individual and the corporate client in interior design, as well as the acquisition, p l a c e m e n t , l i g h t i n g a n d c a re o f f i n e a r t .
Oklahoma City interior designer, Linda Howell, established her business in 1972 after buying it from her mentor, wellknown designer Kenneth Fruit. Over the last 47 years, Linda has worked with both residential and corporate clients on projects throughout Oklahoma as well as in Palm Springs, Hilton Head Island and Amelia Island. As early as the 1970s, Linda and her husband Ken, an architect, saw an increasing amount of artistic talent here in Oklahoma that they felt needed to be showcased. Beginning in the late 1970s, Ken and Linda co-hosted annual art shows benefitting the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma in cooperation with The Wally Findlay Gallery out of Chicago. This early exposure to the art
business planted the seed and The Howell Gallery was officially opened in 1991. Being in the design fields themselves gave Linda and Ken a golden opportunity to introduce their clients to the amazing talent of both locally and nationally known artists. Over the years, the gallery has grown to currently represent over 50 artists in a variety of mediums and styles. The staff at Linda C. Howell & Associates and The Howell Gallery is available to assist both the individual and the corporate client in interior design, as well as the acquisition, placement, lighting and care of fine art. The gallery and interior design studio is located at 6432 North Western Avenue. More information about the gallery and the artists they represent is available at howellgallery. com.
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Although plants, grass and other items can improve curb appeal, homeowners should not overlook hardscaping.
Hardscaping also adds curb appeal
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Curb appeal is beneficial in various ways. Curb appeal can make a home more attractive to prospective buyers and give existing homeowners a place they want to come home to. In its study of the worth of outdoor remodeling projects, the National Association of Realtors found standard lawn care and overall landscape upgrades were most appealing to buyers, as well as the most likely to add value to a home. Although plants, grass and other items can improve curb appeal, homeowners should not overlook hardscaping. Hardscaping is an industry term that refers to the non-living features of a landscape. These features can include everything from decks to walkways to ornamental boulders. Introducing paths or paver walls to a property helps develop that home's hardscape. Hardscape and soft elements often work in concert to create inspiring landscape designs. DIY landscape designers can heed certain tips to make the most of hardscape features on their properties.
Choose materials. As with many landscaping projects, homeowners must first determine what types of additions they would like on their properties. Common hardscape features include patios, decks, walkways of pavers or bricks, and retaining walls. Hardscape elements can be functional or simply decorative features that add whimsy to the yard. Choose a theme. The right style allows hardscaping and softscaping materials to work together. For example, homeowners may want to give their yards an eastern feel, complete with a koi pond and decorative bridge or trellis. A formal English garden, however, may include manicured paths with stepping stones and ornate topiaries. Mixing too many styles together can take away from the overall appeal. The pros suggest looking at the overall plan of the design, even if all of the work can't be completed at once. This way the eventual finished project wil be cohesive.
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Think about the purpose. Hardscaping can look good but also serve key purposes. Pebbles or gravel can mitigate trouble areas that don't grow grass or plant life well. Retaining walls hold back soil in yards with sharply inclined hills. Mulch can set perimeters around trees and shrubs, as well as planting beds. Fencing, another form of hardscaping, is essential for establishing property boundaries and adding privacy. Consult a professional. While many hardscaping additions can be handled by novices, large-scale projects, such as patios and decking, can change the grading of the yard. Professionals can map out how to handle drainage issues and meet building codes. In addition, professional installation can ensure hardscaping features last for years to come. Hardscaping should blend with the nature around it and take its cues from the surrounding environment. This can help softscaping and hardscaping work as one.
Ketch Design can help “Whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, it can be an overwhelming time. We are here to help make a stress-free impact on the finishing touches. Window treatments truly help your new space feel like home.” — Claire Miller, lead designer at Ketch Design Centre
Our goal is to provide full service to meet a client’s needs. Home owners, business owners and design professionals use our resources and full service team approach to tackling a wide variety of needs. We’re proud to offer every kind of window treatment imaginable. Automated shades for indoor and outdoor use are here to stay and we’re here to help. Shutters and custom draperies are a beautiful and timeless enhancement to any home. We have a workroom on site; not to mention professional measuring and installation. Of course you’ll want to make an impact with some amazing wallpaper and fabric, add beautiful custom pillows or re-upholster your favorite pieces, we’ve got you covered! Come see us or call and book an appointment in your home. — Ketch Design Centre Team
Ketch Design Centre offers every kind of window treatment imaginable.
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Let the sun shine in! Maximizing natural light in a home is a smart and sometimes low-cost renovation. Homes that are dark and drab can drain energy levels and reduce productivity. In addition, dark rooms may not be inviting places to gather as a family or when entertaining. Certain factors contribute to a dark home. Houses that face north or east may not get the same level of sunlight as those that primarily face south and west. Geographic location also plays a role in the amount of natural sunlight. Mountains, buildings and even latitude can affect the amount of natural light that enters a home. The style of a home and its attributes also may create dark conditions. Deep house eaves as well as small windows or too few windows also can contribute to a deficit of light indoors. A major remodel certainly can remedy the situation. However, there also are other less-extensive strategies to improve natural light. · Assess the situation before renovating. Walk around the house and determine which rooms get the most light and which conditions may be contributing to the problem in other areas. Dark floors and walls may be absorbing natural light and compounding the situation. You may find that only one or two rooms need attention, saving you the cost and effort associated with a major home overhaul. · Lighten up window treatments. Heavy drapes or thick blinds can be replaced with translucent alternatives. Translucent shades will allow light into the room without compromising privacy, say the experts at HGTV. · Use mirrors strategically. A mirror placed opposite a window will reflect light all around the room. This can make a small room seem larger and a dark space instantly brighter. · Install new windows and doors. If the budget allows, installing larger windows in a home will allow more natural light in. French doors or sliding doors also may make a home's Natural light is an important commodity interior more bright. Think about adding winin a home. Sunlight can improve mood dows to a side of the house that has none, or and go a long way toward keeping home increase the size of the windows on the side of occupants healthy and happy. the house that gets the most light. · Maximize sunlight from above. Skylights will bring light into a home as the sun passes overhead. Tubular skylights can bring natural sunlight into spaces where you may not expect skylights to be practical. According to Houzz, a design and architectural resource, tubular daylighting devices, or TDDs, can make a big difference. TDDs are reflective pipes installed between the roof and ceiling, with a clear plastic dome. · Use reflective decor. Reflective surfaces, including glass and metal, can brighten up a room and diffuse light around a room. Glossy backsplashes, pendant lighting and shiny metal that reflect light can increase the natural light, balancing out dark spaces. · Prune trees regularly. Cut back branches and keep trees tidy to maximize sunlight. Avoid planting tall shrubbery in front of windows. · Routinely clean windows and glass doors. Dirt and other grime can prevent light from getting through. Regularly give windows a thorough washing. Natural light is an important commodity in a home. Sunlight can improve mood and go a long way toward keeping home occupants healthy and happy. 14 Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine
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