Ole Decor’s Destinctive Real Estate Falling Water’s Inspiring Architechture
in this issue Have you ever heard the expression “Your eyes are the window to your soul”? Well we have something to add to that. “What your eyes see through your windows can connect you to your soul.” This issue is filled with luxury homes all located on South Padre Island, all waterfront, and all filled with light and spectacular views of the sea.
The third destination on this luxury home tour of South Padre’s Island finest residences brings us back to the Gulf of Mexico, as we experience a taste of the colors and life of the Great Barrier Reef at the Bridgepoint Condominiums. As you look out the windows to the ocean, all of the elements of this sea-themed home bring joy to your heart.
At the Sapphire Condominiums soaring views of the ocean and sky fill the luxury home masterfully decorated with soft muted colors of greens and blues. If you so desire, you can watch the sunrise over the Gulf and watch the sunset over the Laguna Madre and never have to leave your home.
And as long as we are spending so much time looking out of windows, we thought you would enjoy learning about window films and tints. So much more than what goes on your car, this article presents some pretty powerful information that will have your rerouting solar energy and blocking UV radiation in no time. Plus the energy you can save is good for the environment, which is good for all of us.
The Boardwalk Condominium brings you back down to sea level, as the view stretches across the bay to the horizon, and the sun sinks into the water every evening. Toast each other as you relax after a thrilling day of offshore fishing, and renew your spirit as you sink into the perfect combination of a home dedicated to sea and sports.
Enjoy a great summertime read with this issue, relax as you turn the pages, and let your design and décor imagination soar through the windows to your soul!
Fall means ‘Back to School’ and we’ve
spectacular! A crystal chandelier hovers over
literally done just that! But this is no
the dining space so keenly that you can’t
ordinary school; it’s the first building in
help but think of visitors from beyond our
south Texas dedicated to the unbelievably
universe travelling in it. The kitchen reveals
high standards of the Leadership in Energy
itself as mission control with stainless
and Environmental Design ratings system.
steel everything; it feels almost as if NASA
What that means is that this school rocks
designed it. This home will remind you
on Green technology! The school is the
of mathematics in its precision and
University Center at TSTC in Harlingen.
absolute resolution.
technologies to incorporate into your own new construction or remodeling project. And if you really catch the bug that’s going around, TSTC now offers a complete green construction course.
advertising sales (956) 266 8663
email eddie@oledecor.com
address 5800 Padre Blvd. Suite 203 South Padre Island, TX 78597 209 N. 17th Street. Suite B. McAllen, TX 78501
mailing address P.O. Box 40101 South Padre Island, TX 78597
Printed in Mexico
next issue
Taking a field trip could lead you to amazing
website www.oledecor.com
Fall interiors come alive in our ‘Decorating With’ Metal feature article. The building and design trend is moving toward modern at warp speed and modern means metallic. Metal and metallic finishes are being seen in everything for the home,
As long as we’re back to school, a refresher
from tiles and paints to stainless steel
course in geometry may be in order as
furniture, appliances, lighting, even metallic
we tour the Luxury Living home built by
upholstery and wall papers. The most
Casso Construction. This modern home is
beautiful thing about metal is its resilience,
masterful in its use of geometric shapes
its durability and its uncanny ability to
and lines. Wait till you see the rectangular
always give a space a clean look. Embrace
pink bed floating on a white platform
modern and when Fall arrives put on a coat
of parabolic curves, no kidding, it is
of steel.
on the cover Love precious gems? Own a piece of the Sapphire, the Gulf of Mexico’s premier luxury resort condominiums. pg 15 Special thanks to Cactus Flower (Inside Front Cover) and Designer’s Showroom pg 20 for the spectacular staging and décor! View more photos at oledecor.com
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CONTENTS SUMMER ISSUE 2013
11 Real Estate As always, our distinctive real estate is in the groove. Take a look at some of the hot properties on the market. Modern architecture anyone?
24 24 New Products Guide Get Your Tint on Baby! Beat the heat this summer with fabulous window treatment products.
28 Luxury Condo Seaside Carte Blanche
11
Check out this ‘Great Barrier Reef’ color recipe for a gulf coast designer condo! Local designers showcase their professional talents in this amazing remodel at Bridgepoint.
14 Distinctive Real Estate
42 Luxury Town Home
The Sapphire… An Architectural Jewel With a view from the top, The Sapphire Towers on the gulf offer the best in island resort amenities. Come see what they’re all about! The day spa awaits your relaxation!
Bayside Brilliance!
14
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28
Design excellence award winner, Amanda Stephenson (Her work has been featured on HGTV’s Buying and Selling by the Property Brothers!), principal of DesignStudioTwentyTen in Austin, TX, pops over to the Island to create a sportsman’s island treasure…on the Boardwalk.
Mas t e r p i e c e s Ma d e He r e
Experience a gallery where you are the artist. Where you can see, touch, and feel your home the
way you want it, right now. All the latest appliances. Gorgeous sinks and faucets. Brilliant lighting. Plus, the product expertise that makes it easy to turn your vision into reality.
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See one. Drive one. Own one today.
10 olĂŠ decor SUMMER 2013
real estate
Only Ten Lots Left!!! Featuring Frank Lloyd Wright inspired contemporary architecture; FALLING WATER at Bentsen Lakes offers an oasis of privacy, tranquility, and security in South McAllen. The gated entrance features an imposing slate waterfall with glass mosaic tiles beside the manicured lawns and bamboo. Parkways encompass native landscaping to provide a natural habitat for birds and butterflies. FALLING WATER is open to builders and architects, is governed by CC&R’s and is a model for energy efficient building practices. Located at Yuma and South Bentsen, near premier Cimarron and Palm View Golf Courses, FALLING WATER is nestled in the heart of the Valley, close to great shopping, schools (IDEA Schools and Memorial High School) and fine neighborhoods providing easy living coupled with the comforts and energy savings of modern home design. There are only 10 lots left! Lot prices start at $45,000 and lots can be combined. A beautiful opportunity for sustainable, modern living awaits you! Our Model Home at 4212 Wichita is shown by appointment and available for sale for at $235,000. Come by for a tour of the stunning contemporary homes and available lots. Gates are open 12pm - 6pm M-F and 9am - 7pm Sat-Sun or call 956-789-7367 for a personal tour.
Starting At: $45,000 Inquiries: Gayle C. King, Broker/Owner Falling Water Realty, LLC 956-789-7367 Se Habla Espanol www.FallingWaterBL.com
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the best value on the Gulf coast is waiting for you
Luxury resort residences from onLy $475,000 SapphireSouthpadre.com
|
956.433.5358
sales Office Open Mon. - Fri. 10am to 5pm
|
|
Like us on Facebook
sat. 12pm to 5pm
|
sunday by appointment
Presented by IbC bank and strategyst This is not intended to be an offering or solicitation for sale in any jurisdiction where the project is not registered in accordance with applicable law or where such offering or solicitation would otherwise be prohibited by law. Inquire about Sapphire to see if the property is qualified for sale in your jurisdiction. Prices are subject to change at the sole discretion of the seller without notice.
real estate
Jewel Island
OF THE
An architectural icon and the tallest building in all of South Texas is the latest jewel in the crown of South Padre Island . WRITTEN BY: JERI GARRETT, ASID
T
he Sapphire towers over all other buildings on South Padre Island. In fact, it is the tallest building in all of South Texas. Easily seen from miles away, and well before crossing the Laguna Madre Bay, this masterpiece is a testimony to beachfront luxury Texas style – where everything is bigger and better. It is an architectural statement that has become an icon symbolizing grand design. At night, with the lights on, the twin towers have a mesmerizing glow that replicates the brilliant sapphire color of the gulf waters. Enter through the revolving lobby doors, and your experience will rival the best hotel in any city in the world. Spacious and well-appointed, the public area sets a tone that reflects the best in design while recognizing the casual beachfront location.
The contemporary style achieves simplicity and minimalism, but maintains visual excitement with rich textures such as natural stone materials, glass, mirrors, metals and exotic woods. Ethereal fabrics grace the windows and carefully designed custom furnishings and art pieces mimic the cool aqua hues of the gulf waters. The space accomplishes a rare combination of being both stunning and inviting. The Sapphire is a relatively new building. Construction began in 2006 and occupancy began in 2009. The residences are being offered for sale by IBC bank and Strategyst. IBC is one of the most reputable financial institutions in Texas, giving buyers an unmatched level of quality assurance and peace of mind. Strategyst is one of the leading sales organizations in the country.
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real estate
World Class Amenities From the beginning, it was obvious to island residents that the Sapphire would be the best of the best. The amenities are not only the best in south Texas, but could compete with luxury properties anywhere. There is a full service day spa. O.k. ladies, we know this would be enough to make you happy, but there is more, of course. Residents can cool off in one of two enormous swimming pools, or relax on the pool deck in a cabana. The beautifully landscaped outdoor areas enhance the experience. There is also a state-ofthe-art-fitness-center. For entertaining, there is a private movie theater and private wine room. One of the ideas I liked best is the teen game room. Finally there is a place for the younger crowd to gather and “hang out.” The Pearl Hotel and Restaurant next door to Sapphire is perfect for family dining and an evening away from the kitchen or for drinks by the pool. The Pearl is also a convenient place to
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accommodate extra guests or even for such events as weddings and family reunions. Whether you care to spend the day at the spa, beach, or pool, fishing for reds and trout in the Laguna Madre or offshore for marlin and sails, or golfing at the South Padre Island Golf Course (only 20 minutes away), the Sapphire at South Padre offers the best in amenities and activities to support a lifestyle worthy of paradise. The Residencies Eleven floor plans give prospective buyers (from singles to families) a variety of options. Every plan is generously sized, with choices of two to four bedrooms. Ten-foot ceilings add to the sense of spaciousness. The plans feature amazing views of South Padre’s white sand beaches. Many plans also span the building with both eastern views of the Gulf of Mexico as well as western views across the Laguna Madre. From sunrise to sunset, there is always an incredible vista.
The interior finishing of these residences is excellent. There are four designer created interior finish combinations featuring such sought after materials as granite countertops and ceramic tile floors. Cabinet finishes include bird’s-eye maple, bamboo, and cherry. Appliances are stainless steel and plumbing fixtures are brushed nickel. For each residence, paint, tile and cabinetry finishes have been coordinated for an overall cohesiveness. All the wood trim and doors have been painted a neutral off-white color. Living areas are dominated by the Gulf of Mexico view and one cannot help but appreciate the magnificence of the natural surroundings. There is something both calming and inspiring about being seaside. Living and kitchen spaces are combined to maximize ease of entertaining. Kitchens are well designed with ample work surfaces and most have islands. And a summer kitchen overlooking the Laguna Madre is included in with residences.
Bedrooms are large with plenty of space for king size beds. Some second bedrooms easily accommodate two queen beds. The baths are all amply sized as well-- no low ceilings and cramped spaces here. Master baths have whirlpools, separate showers and double sink vanities. There is plenty of room for two people without bumping elbows. The bane of many condominiums, even luxury ones, is a lack of storage. At the Sapphire, large walk-in master closets rival those of many single-family homes. Additional bedrooms have large closets and there is a lot of storage in the laundry room and owner’s closet as well. The Model You have to see this place! With that in mind, Designer’s Showroom and Cactus Flower Interiors were invited to decorate a model residence. When Clay Anthony, with Strategyst, called to ask if we would be interested, Julie Edelstein-Best and I were only too happy to participate. The goal is to help potential buyers visualize the finished home. We
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real estate
The amenities are not only the best in South Texas, but could compete with luxury properties anywhere. also offer buyers a custom designed furnishings package, helping them to eliminate the sometimes daunting task of furnishing a home. As always, we started the design process with space planning. We designed a furniture layout we felt would best fit the needs of most residents, and then started selecting the furniture. The living room selections reflect the contemporary architecture of the building with sleek, but comfortable, seating. American Leather swivel chairs, in bronze, and a taupe sofa by Massoud are augmented by ottomans. The kitchen island will accommodate four counter stools. An interesting collection of textures in this space includes the upholstered sofa, leather chairs, lime trapunto quilted ottomans, silver leaf tables and a really fun shaggy area rug beneath the cocktail table. Hunter Douglas screen shades on the windows cut the glare in the early mornings while maintaining the view, and provide privacy in the evenings. The room comes alive with the addition of a large colorful abstract art piece. Add the beach view and this room is an exceedingly pleasant place to be. We chose a brand new king bedroom set from the Compositions collection by Schnadig for the master bedroom. It’s elegant, highly detailed and even practical. The glass tops on the nightstands are very useful and the large dresser adds storage beautifully.
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In the window, an opaque Duette shade, in soft gold fleck material, provides both privacy and lightdimming for those “sleep in” mornings. In the second bedroom, we put two queen beds. Many of our clients want this option for sleeping flexibility and the oversize bedroom has plenty of space for the two beds. The upholstered platform beds were designed and custom made by Cactus Flower. They are covered in what appears to be a linen fabric but is actually a high quality vinyl that is comfortable and ever so practical! Art and accessories are the most fun part of design. Pieces were selected from both company’s stores and placed by the design team. Most notable though are three pieces provided by local artists. Dinah Bowman loaned us one of her ever popular “stringers” with handmade paper background. Sandy Margret let us hang a fabulous dolphin print. Yes, she inks and prints the actual mahi mahi. We also placed one of her taxidermy pieces (a flounder on a very unusual plaque background). Sandy’s studio and gallery is at Sea Ranch and definitely worth stopping by to see her unique creations. Make It Yours The only thing that could be more thrilling than designing the model for the Sapphire would be to own one of these properties. As I researched for this article, I was struck by how affordable luxury
can be. With most square foot prices in the low to mid $300, the Sapphire offers an unparalleled value well below the cost of considerably less desirable properties in other areas. Helping make ownership possible, IBC bank is strongly committed to the Sapphire and to the valley. With the IBC name behind this project, buyers are provided with an additional level of confidence. Strategyst associates Clay Anthony and Brenda Moreno, and an unrivaled team of real estate sales professionals, are eager to share the Sapphire opportunity. The Sapphire is ideal, the offering is unmatched and the luxury of a resort lifestyle on the Island’s most private and protected beaches are all reasons to own a home here. Make it your own!
Starting At: $475,000 Inquiries: Clay Anthony, Strategyst LLC 500 Seawall Blv. #601, Galverston, TX 77501 817-296-7154 / 956-433-5358 clay@sapphiresouthpadre.com
My Kaywa QR-Code
http://oledecor.com/2013/05/31/jewel-of-the-island
More Photos: Scan to view more photos of the Sapphire http://kaywa.me/WWuX1
Web:
Download the Kaywa QR Code Reader (App Store &Android Market) and scan your code!
sapphiresouthpadre.com
SUMMER 2013
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Windstorm Certified Auto-lock security roll shutters
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new products
FilmReview
Sunset Glass Tinting is your local company for decorative window film and tinting. See opposite page.
Film might be dead for cameras, but not for your windows. We review the many benefits of adding a layer. Most of us might think of window tint or ‘film’ as the deep smoky window coverings on a limousine. When actually, there is a distinction between window tint and window film. For example, a car or limo would have window ‘tint’. House windows, on the other hand, would have window ‘film’. Industry professionals have known for years about the advantages of rerouting solar energy in the direction most useful to the homeowner. If you could have windows that deflect the heat in summer, radiate the heat in winter, and didn’t make your house all dark and ruin your view, wouldn’t that be amazing? Well, thanks to innovations in window film products (mainly from well known U.S manufacturer 3M Corporation), many options are available to keep you cool here in the south. Window films also usher in privacy, make your house look great, protect your decorative furnishings, and cost less than installing or replacing expensive windows. Throw in energy consumption advantages
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and AC equipment savings, and whoa, you’ve got some house building or new improvement possibilities to consider. How Does the Energy Advantage Work? Window films efficiently convert incoming solar radiation to infrared which is then rejected back through the glass to the exterior keeping you cool on the inside. If you want to keep the heat inside, for cold climates the low emissivity coating may be applied to the inside panel of glazed windows. It’s Deco-Time According to our friends at Sunset Glass Tinting, basic options for design ideas at 3M come in a myriad 65,000 colors! Variations consist of: frosted for a sandblasted or etched glass look, dye applied to the adhesive for chroma, hybrids of dye and metallic for a crisp appearance, metalized which is shiny, and ceramic to absorb twice as much heat as a dye or hybrid and is technologically advanced to be highly durable with excellent clarity.
Professional installation by a reputable company (like Sunset!) is the way to go for optimal benefits and the best application for your home’s needs. Installers have the precision experience needed to ensure the appearance of your new films reflect the quality and fit essential for your home. Care is taken to avoid breakage and maximize security against damage. So, just in case you want lower energy costs (ha-ha who doesn’t?) or the paparazzi is lurking, or one of the kids hits a baseball at a window; not to mention making your already fabulous house look even more fabulous while keeping the interiors from getting sun damage, window film products are the way to go! Overall, your home value goes up that’s a plus. You are safer that’s a good thing. You save loads on energy bills that’s a bonus. Your place looks great that makes you happy. Window films are a major win win! Visit oledecor.com for an extended version of this article
luxury homes
BRIDGE POINT ARTICLE
ABOVE: Fast forward to comfort in the kitchen! Kapal has served up a tall order (in style!) with design, manufacturing and installation of this awesome kitchen! Stevenson’s Appliances are on display, showcasing a ‘full height’ wine cooler and electric cooktop. They can be viewed online at www.stevensonsappliances.com. pg 41
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A Bridgepoint Condominium gets a makeover with one request, use “LOTS OF COLOR”
IN
LIVING COLOR Written By: Ann Hunsaker
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ABOVE: Bay Side Glass provided these beautiful frosted glass custom “barn style doors” that so effortlessly conceal the state of the art laundry machines and work station in the hallway. Keeps things focused on the glam decor whether they are open or closed! pg 35
T
he opportunity for a carte blanche remodel of a residence is a rare occurrence. The owner of a residence at the Bridgepoint Condominium gave us such an opportunity. His only request was to give him “LOTS OF COLOR.” He then left the building and did not return until the remodel was completed. When he saw it, he simply said, “it’s perfect.” The splashes of vibrant color in the furnishings and painted feature walls, coupled with the fabulous ocean view, might make you think you are swimming in the Great Barrier Reef. The furniture and decorations are like colorful tropical fish. All of this fabulous color resides on a primarily neutral background. To achieve this, we had to start from scratch. We opened the front door and began to demolish everything: ceilings, walls, and flooring (including the kitchen and all bathrooms). The most “spectacular” thing we did was to remove a wall in
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the entryway that separated the kitchen, hallway, and living room. After the demolition, we began to rebuild. Removing the entry wall created an open floor plan that allowed the introduction of a kitchen peninsula and a second entrance to the kitchen. Now the chef can entertain his guests without leaving the kitchen. The new kitchen features custom cabinets with soft-closing doors and drawers, full extension drawer glides, and heavy-duty euro hinges. The custom designed pantry includes a floor to ceiling Lazy Susan and tons of accessible shelves. Stainless steel toe kicks on the cabinets protect them from damage. Beautiful state-of-the-art appliances include: Thermador towers (refrigerator, freezer and wine cooler), built-in 5 burner “down-draft” cooktop, and built-in oven/micro combo, an ice-maker by Sub-Zero, and a Bosch dishwasher. All appliances
Once the foundation was laid, we began adding the color and design features that make this residence extraordinary.
are built-in with wood panel fronts. LED lighting was installed in custom light valances throughout the kitchen and living room areas. As you look through the photo gallery, notice the bead board ceilings and walls throughout the entry, kitchen, living room and hallway. The back wall of the master bedroom also features bead board. We painted all the wood in soft white, with a hint of butter. Light colored natural stone flooring completes the neutral background in all areas but the bedrooms. They have engineered wood flooring. In the living area, the walls are window glass. Convenient motorized window shades allow easy control of sunlight in the dining/living room. Valances keep the shades out of sight until needed. When they are down, they are an opaque white. New “state-of-the-art” air-conditioning was installed. The new system is so quiet! We updated all the electrical wiring and installed a new breaker box. The condo was wired for audio/ video/Wi-Fi, and all this equipment is housed in a central location. All bathrooms have walk-in showers with brushed nickel fixtures and niches to accommodate toiletries. Bathrooms are tiled with stone mosaics from floor to ceiling. Inset mirrors complete the design.
The laundry room now accommodates a front loading washer/dryer. Its new, easy to open, custom glass “barn style door” adds tons of glamour to the hallway. The guest bedroom has custom built-in storage cabinets. There is a cabinet with double rods for hanging clothes, a cabinet with shelves for linens, and a chest of drawers in-between. The television sits on top of the chest. Traditional custom plantation shutters in all the bedrooms (ceiling to floor) give a very coastal/cottage design. Once the foundation was laid, we began adding the color and design features that make this residence extraordinary. We started by painting feature walls in each room to complement our color palette. Our color palette includes turquoise, yellow, orange, lime green, hot pink and coral. In the living area, the sofas and leather chairs were custom upholstered in textiles that create a bright, coastal atmosphere. Decorative accents and artwork selections coordinate with each room’s color palette. It was a delightful experience to create this stunning residence for our client, and especially gratifying that it fit the bill “perfectly.”
OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The Elegant Lavatory faucet, Shower faucet and hand held are Moen Weymouth collection in brushed Nickel providing a warm metallic look, adding a refined touch to your space. The one–handle lever make it easy to adjust the water, while the single hole mount creates a cleaner look against custom countertops and wall tiles. Provided by Morrison pg 26
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luxury homes
ON the
BOARD WALK Forget Park Place; you want to land on Board Walk. Tour this beautiful bayside condominium located in the prestigious Board Walk community on South Padre Island.
W
hat would you call a wall of big screen televisions, a Texas Longhorn orange sofa, and a trio of trophy elk mounts? Home. Well, at least it is for the owner of our featured bayside condominium located in the prestigious Boardwalk community of South Padre Island, Texas. The designer of this newly reconfigured space set out to create a luxurious captain’s pad that truly reflects the lifestyle of its sportsman owner by taking a dated, boxy condo, and transforming it into a showcase trophy: a bayside haven of elegance. When this sportsman/fisherman homeowner called upon his designer to “trick out” his place, the response was a vivid articulation of the lifestyle of the owner and the introspection that re-emerges as expression by a skilled designer. Every detail has been attended to with intricate planning and the old layout has been reinvented to create a masterfully designed home with seaside ease of living and the comfort of luxury.
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Travelers and home dwellers alike will appreciate this stunning redesign and décor transformation by Amanda Stephenson and her team (which includes husband Brett Stephenson’s notable innovative renovation) at Design Studio 2010 in Austin, Texas. Stephenson always starts with the client’s wishes in mind. According to her, “The design is about the client and always should be.”, Stephenson set out
to bring the sea and sports to the comforts of home. With just three directives from her client mount three massive trophy elk mounts, incorporate large screen TVs in several key rooms, and match the great room’s sofa color to the University of Texas Longhorn orange. She set out to bring the sea and sports to her design plan.
ABOVE: The fabrication of these exquisitely endowed “crisp white tone” Calcutta marble countertops was done by Premier Granite & Marble, Brownsville, TX. The specialized edge style is known as ‘Ogee’. pg 48 Stevenson’s Appliances is our go-to appliance supplier in this breathtaking kitchen. Viking appliances were used exclusively for their top of the line reputation. pg 41
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Architecturally, there were challenges. To begin with, there were small spaces to reconstruct, concrete walls to deal with, and the owner was partial to a large wall of decorative wood. “Because of the location being contingent to hurricanes, all walls and ceiling are concrete. So this created challenges from rewiring electrical fixtures to hanging artwork and the elk mounts. We also were limited moving plumbing and electrical wires because of the concrete structure, so we had to embrace the concrete structure!” said Stephenson. Outdated fixtures and configurations were removed. Open slab staircases were inlaid and industrial glass half-walls were installed to create a Euro-open feel and introduce a natural flow to the entire interior that formerly resembled a condo and now feels like a ground-floor penthouse. It’s that stunning! The design elements support the modern/traditional mix that gives the home its character. Marble, travertine, and touches of polished nickel are lovingly combined with glass, wood, and silky lush fabrics accentuating the relationship between the client’s personality and the signature tools of the designer. Precision selected and brilliantly coordinated textures reveal themselves at every turn and introduce interest points virtually throughout the home. Custom soft good detailing with fine finishes and luxurious fabric is an area of expertise for Design Studio 2010. Silks and linens adorn windows, pillows, headboards and bedding. Touches of
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softness abound as the waves of the sea would grace the sides of a ship. Subtle nautical themes come together as unbelievable balance is achieved through integral planning of furniture placement, wall coverings and ceiling fixtures, all done with an intricate execution that inversely yields a livable, user friendly space espoused with ease and comfort. Complimentary to the soft good detailing is the dazzling use of luxury tile. Formal design elements are found in nearly every room and produce stunning features specific to the bayside theme. Ingratiated with the luxury and the clean-lined livability of travertine, the floors of main rooms and traffic ways are very welcoming. For the travertine placement the designer “changed up tile sizing to create more interest and continuity”. Additionally, tile wraps the walls in a continuous stream to carry the eye around the space, subliminally welcoming you and extending the vision. Tile is also used ‘en masse’ to create the illusion that small spaces are larger and grander. Touches of mosaic add dimension. Up the final staircase, at the very top, is the master floor. The plushness of wool carpet invites you into the master suite. Figuratively, it is like a lighthouse castle with grand scale furnishings and endowments. Its castle-esque magnitude and stateliness complete the home with triumphant elegance. The bed is a grand point of focus with a mass-sized custom headboard made of elephant hide from the client’s travels and adorned with French sconce lamps that in Stephenson’s words resemble “antlers with a silver-leaf finish”.
at its finest.
The design elements support the modern traditional mix that gives the home its character.
Damask silk in stripe and tone on tone was chosen for the bedding fabric in greens, browns, and hints of Texas Longhorn orange. The Spanish Gothic night stands light from underneath for unique floor mood lighting in the night hours. The nightstands are set beneath antique window panes and entertain iron sculptured man and woman silhouette lamps. Overhead is a Bentwood chandelier that carries stately mood and ambiance to enhance the grandeur of the room. A long rustic sofa table holds the large flatscreen TV in this room, again effortlessly cast as a part of the decor. The details of the main furniture pieces are so integral and functional that minimal dÊcor is needed to fulfill the scheme, allowing a place for everything and everything in its place a new dimension; where everything is functional, everything is beautiful. To complete the Captain’s tour, we enter the master bath. This is more like encountering another room of the castle where a huge antique rustic finished period art carved wood door slides on a large
46 olĂŠ decor SUMMER 2013
iron slider. This period-art carved door creates dramatic effect and is a work of art in and of itself. A splurge, but a major point of interest, it delights the eye and exemplifies the magnificent theme of the room. Travertine vessel sinks adorn a glass top and silver-leaf finished vanity. To touch the heart of the home owner, this custom vanity table has secret drawers, that when opened, allow the placement of collectibles from travels to rest atop a polished rock collection under glass. Pieces of history engrace this specialized vanity table: polished rocks, fishing lures, and shells remind of the hope of life ahead and to honor memories of amazing adventures past. Completing the tour so transported, so fulfilled, I left feeling tremendously uplifted and happily satiated by all the detail and subtle, indelible quality that was imparted. One forgets that this place was once a 1984 condo for it is now reinvented, re-vamped, re-encapsulated for a new creation feel. There is juxtaposition and creative
balance, warmth, linear infusion, detail and textural interest at every turn. It’s contextual. It’s incorporated; it’s defragmented, unfussed with. Simple elegance defined, re-defined, finite and infinite, all at the same time. As I departed this bayside condo on South Padre Island and headed back over the causeway on a sunny afternoon, the seascape came alive in my eyes. With the sunlight sparkling and shining on the water creating diamonds of the sea, I was impressed by how well the shades and tints of the sea were captured in the décor of the home I had just seen. The mosaic of colors was just the right mix, just as one would witness outside the door to the condo. The sparkling diamonds and white capped waves of the sea were captured in the thassos and glass tile, white accent pieces and even a faux fur pillow set against a back drop of deep sea blues and greens. The hues match the chroma of the water quite truly, and in a way, this would be true color. In essence, the décor lent itself to the beauty of bayside nature
SUMMER 2013
olé decor 47
48 olé decor SUMMER 2013