Ole Decor - Spring 2011 by Ole Decor Magazine

Change is in the air. This Spring Issue is our first of two thousand eleven and it also marks our 6th birthday. In this new year, and with renewed confidence in these troubled times, we want to thank you, our loyal customers. If not for you, there would be no Ole Decor. And on that note we would like to present this new issue, in a new format, with a new cover look, and with a new philosophy;

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” John F. Kennedy

(1917-1963) Thirty-fifth President of the United States of America

spring 2011

Interiors by Cantoni

Our House: 27 Years of Great Design. This This magnificent magnificent residence residence embodies embodies everything everything we’ve we’ve learned learned about about architecture architecture and and interior interior design design in in the the 27 27 years years since since our our launch. launch. The The idea: idea: design, design, build build and and furnish furnish –– right right down down to to the the Bontempi Bontempi kitchen kitchen –– aa home home that that illustrates illustrates what what great great modern modern design design should should be. be. And And yes, yes, Axis Axis could could be be yours. yours. For For more more information information on on this this home, home, to to see see our our collections collections and and other other great great interiors interiors by by the the Cantoni Cantoni Design Design Studio Studio visit visit aa Cantoni Cantoni showroom showroom or or cantoni.com/house cantoni.com/house

Great Great Design Design Is Is aa Way Way of of Life Life Atlanta Atlanta 1011 1011 Monroe Monroe Drive, Drive, 404.881.8111 404.881.8111 Dallas Dallas 4800 4800 Alpha Alpha Road, Road, 972.934.9191 972.934.9191 Houston Houston 9889 9889 Westheimer Westheimer Road, Road, 713.787.9494 713.787.9494 Irvine Irvine 8650 8650 Research Research Drive, Drive, 949.585.9191 949.585.9191 Los Los Angeles Angeles 420 420 N. N. La La Brea Brea Avenue, Avenue, 323.634.0909 323.634.0909

cantoni.com cantoni.com 877.881.9191 877.881.9191

spring 2011

Letter From the Editors:

In The Next Issue:

Happy Spring Everybody! We made it through

For those of you who are loyal and enthusiastic Ole Décor readers, the home to remember, the grand pooh-bah of all homes, was the home whose theater room graced the cover of our magazine for fall of 2008. Well, we are thrilled to announce that we are bringing you a home to rival that one for our summer issue Luxury Living editorial. Located somewhere in the Rio Grande Valley, in a neighborhood bearing the name of an exotic vacation destination, is an incredible Mediterranean-style mansion, that can truly be classified a mansion. We are so excited to get lost among its dozens of rooms and see what great design inspirations it has to offer, we can hardly wait. This one is going to be a real treat!

another winter, and everyone here at Ole Décor is feeling pretty spunky about these beautiful days. Time to get out on the boat, turn the dirt in the garden, take the family to the beach, and buy the first bottle of sunscreen for the season. Eddie, your expert publisher, is a spring baby; so if you see him, wish him Happy Birthday! The magazine is taking us outside this spring. We are going to bring attention to all the non-living elements in your landscape known as Hardscapes. These can range from decks and patios, stone walkways and paths, pavers, decorative rocks,

On The Cover / Contact Info

fences, gates, arbors and gazebos fall under this category. As you can see, it really is almost any solid material put into a landscaping that anchors and keeps the greenery in place, framed and organized. So before you plan the perfect location for your new butterfly garden, learn about Hardscapes and really define it. Jeri Garrett, Interior Designer and owner of Cactus Flower on South Padre Island, rejoins us as a contributing writer this issue. It is our treat because not only is she an accomplished Interior Designer, but she is an outstanding writer as well. The Casa Remodel editorial is especially close to her heart, as it is the story of her mother’s home that was severely damaged by floods and completely gutted and rebuilt, with Jeri’s creative hand and help from many wonderful suppliers and vendors. Enjoy her heart-warming story and get some ideas for your own spring remodel project. Finally, Eddie and I lead very busy lives and so we often find ourselves eating out. A LOT! So trust us when we tell you about a great new restaurant with beautiful décor. Camperos in Brownsville is one such place; many of the design elements could make their way straight into your living room or den. Comfortable and elegant, with elements of brick, bronze, copper and granite, Camperos is an inviting place to hang out and visit. The food is good too, which is why all of us at Ole Décor need to take up running! Eddie and Sandy 4

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And of course it wouldn’t be the summer issue without our yearly POOLS article. Splash into summer with the best pool builders and coolest designs, just in time to create your backyard vacation get-a-way. See what new add-ons and improvements can be made to your existing pool. Personally, I would love a rock cave to duck into, complete with a cooling waterfall. There are also stone cliffs, amazing water features, spas, and luxurious poolside décor items that will make their way to your “must have” list. The pools we photograph for this special summer issue are so beautiful, we often wonder if our photographer “accidentally” falls in after the shoot is over. And from all the knowledge you gain from the Hardscapes article, you can begin planning your native landscape. The summer issue will teach you about the best plants to put into your native garden that will attract birds and butterflies, need little to no watering, and fill your backyard with color. Spring is about getting outside and summer is about staying outside. A beautiful native landscape can bring you hours of relaxing time, amid calming shade, as you record native visiting species in your guidebook. Or you can just chase all the kids outside! We head back to the beach for Casa Remodel and explore a beautiful condo on SPI. Will it be beachy? Will it be ultra-modern? Will it have one of Sandy’s breathtaking Trophy Fish Prints hanging on the wall? We will leave you pondering these queries when all will be revealed in our spectacular summer issue.

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs.” - Vance Havner

Visit: www.oledecor.com Read current & past issues link to advertisers

Call: sales: 956-266-8663 fax: 956-761-2388 Email: eddie@oledecor.com Olé Decor offices: 5800 Padre Blvd. Ste. 206 A&B South Padre Island, TX 78597 209 N. 17th St. Suite B McAllen, TX 78501 Mailing address: P.O. Box 40101 South Padre Island, TX 78597

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36 contents:

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Casa Remodel High Water

Fine Art Gallery Guide

Fab Spaces, Public Places Camperos Grill & Bar

Luxury Homes, νέα Mediterranean

Decorating With Hardscapes

Sorteo Tec Lucky Number 184

Eco Friends Hot Shower

Luxury Living Stairway to Heaven

In next issue: Pools Showcase Native Landscaping Fab Spaces, Public Places Condominium Remodel Gallery Guide Eco Friends Sorteo Tec #185

spring 2011

Maxal Maxal Construction Construction L.P. is aL.P. specialty is a specialty builderbuilder focusing focusing on coston cost effectiveness, effectiveness, high quality high quality and excellent and excellent customer customer service. service. Maxal Maxal have built have some built some of theofmost the impressive most impressive homeshomes in in the Rio theGrande Rio Grande Valley Valley whether whether it be itMediterranean be Mediterranean or or Contemporary Contemporary designs. designs. We are Wecurrently are currently building building in LasinVi単as, Las Vi単as, Tuscany Tuscany Estates, Estates, Bentsen Bentsen Lakes,Lakes, Antigua Antigua and Sanabria. and Sanabria. Sanabria Sanabria is a brand is a brand new gated new gated contemporary contemporary subdivision subdivision with only with18only exclusive 18 exclusive home home sites in sitesSouth in South Sharyland. Sharyland. Subdivision Subdivision amenities amenities includes includes common common area with area swimming with swimming pool, pool, BBQ area, BBQ area, playground playground and other and other facilities. facilities. Architectural Architectural controlcontrol and and HomeHome OwnerOwner Association. Association.

www.maxalconstruction.com www.maxalconstruction.com 956.227.8660 956.227.8660

OnlyOnly 9 lots 9 lots left left www.sanabria-sharyland.com www.sanabria-sharyland.com 956.227.8660 956.227.8660

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AABID BIDBetter Better

uro Pools uro Pools is South is South Texas’Texas’ leading leading pool pool builder builder and and is a is Certified a Certified Building Building Professional®, Professional®, the highest the highest certification certification by by the Association the Association of Pool of Pool and Spa andProfessionals. Spa Professionals. Euro Euro PoolsPools is theis Valley’s the Valley’s only only pool pool builder builder that that has had has pools had pools featured featured in international in international magazines magazines and books. and books. Euro Euro Pools’Pools’ achievements achievements include include International International Gold,Gold, SilverSilver and Bronze and Bronze and wins and wins in 2008, in 2008, 20092009 and 2010 and 2010 including including Masters Masters of Design of Design by Pool by Pool & & Spa News, Spa News, Global Global Aquatekture Aquatekture Visionary Visionary Awards Awards (GAVA) (GAVA) as well as well as several as several awards awards by APSP by APSP including including International International Awards Awards of Excellence. of Excellence. Euro Euro PoolsPools includes includes the Valley’s the Valley’s best best extended extended warranty warranty on allonpools all pools and isand member is member in good in good standing standing with with Better Better Business Business Bureau, Bureau, APSPAPSP and D&B. and D&B.

www.euro-pools.com www.euro-pools.com 956.668-POOL 956.668-POOL

spring 2011

Casa Remodel

HIGHWATER VALLEY DESIGNERS AID NASHVILLE FLOOD VICTIMS

MAY 1ST, 2010

Heavy rains started Saturday morning in Nashville and by the time the downpour let up on Sunday more than 13” of water had been dumped on the area. By May 3rd, the Cumberland River had crested at 12 feet above flood stage. Ten people had lost their lives and more than 1000 were homeless. It was the largest inland natural disaster in history for the U.S. and the worst flooding ever for middle Tennessee. AUNT SALLY Aunt Sally had moved from Chicago back to her roots in Nashville several years ago. She chose a town home in River Plantation and was living a comfortable life after retiring from an active professional career. She had guests for the weekend, Rita, a lifelong friend and her granddaughter. On Saturday night after noticing that the threatening flood waters were receding, they had all gone to bed on the second floor of her town home. Before dawn, Aunt Sally’s daughter, Cindy Nash, concerned about her mother, was up and following the news. In order to prevent structural compromise and overtopping water flow, the Tennessee Corps of Engineers had released water from several nearby dams on the Cumberland. The flood waters were no longer receding, they were rising and rapidly! As Cindy tried to reach her mother by car, she realized that she was completely surrounded by water and in considerable peril. She tried calling but no one was answering due to the 4AM hour. Finally Rita answered her cell 18

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phone, scolded Cindy for the early call and hung up. Calling back, Cindy begged her not to hang up and to “just look out the window!”

At last everyone was up and realized the danger just in time. The flood waters were already in the house on the first floor. Desperately, Aunt Sally and her guests tried to take family heirlooms to the second floor. Meanwhile, Cindy had contacted emergency rescue personnel. With the water now at their waist, all three were taken to safety via canoe. They were lucky. Several residents of River Plantation lost their lives. Aunt Sally had six feet of water in her first floor living area which included the kitchen, living and dining rooms, family room, bath and a bedroom. Everything was lost including her car and Rita’s car! The property is located in a 500 year flood plain and had not flooded in recorded history. Because of this, there was no flood insurance. The situation looked very bleak but after the initial stunned realization of the extent of her loss, she found the will and resolve to face the situation. She was not alone – countless other victims were facing the same challenges all across middle Tennessee. Her first decision was to tap into family professional resources to assist in handling the crisis. She named a response team. Cindy was asked to coordinate the rebuild for her mother and did a fantastic job for the next six months. She somehow juggled contractors and a fulltime job at Vanderbilt University. David Gibbs, a nephew and an attorney, was to handle legal matters particularly the sticky situation generated

by antiquated Homeowner’s Association laws and a board of directors that was ill-prepared to handle a disaster of this magnitude. In addition, David is founder and CEO of Alacrity Services which certifies remediation and re-construction companies nationwide. He had a team on site in hours clearing out all the mud, damaged furnishings, drywall, floor covering, etc. And finally Aunt Sally asked me to coordinate all design aspects of the rebuild. In addition to this team, other family members came to her aid offering donations, hard labor doing nasty clean out work, and an interim home. I was so glad to be able to offer my experience and resources. I had just been through severe losses due to hurricane Dolly and knew the emotional trauma Aunt Sally was coping with. And I knew that nothing would progress as fast as it seemed it should. Aunt Sally is the youngest of my father’s siblings and she was always the spunky one, the fun aunt. The spunk would serve her well but I urged her to dig deep for the patience she would need. I told her it would be difficult to see at the onset, but the rebuild would offer opportunities to improve her property. Somewhere over the horizon was a silver lining. REBUILDING Aunt Sally’s town home was very well laid out except for the kitchen. The first time I was there for a normal family gathering of about 20 people, I realized that the kitchen was entirely too small. It would only accommodate one cook comfortably so when 6-8 people congregated there, no one could move. In addition, the family room and

BEFORE

AFTER

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AFTER

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literally everything in their house and the house itself in ruins. There was flood insurance but they were completely blindsided, as most people are, to realize it didn’t cover contents. All their furnishings were a total loss. By the time I arrive a couple of weeks later, most of the huge job of clean out had been done. It was torturous work in very hot weather and yet dozens of volunteers showed up to help. Norma is a talented decorator but the enormous task before her was daunting. She needed a consultant to help her sort through some ideas and decisions. And she let me be that person. REBUILDING

AFTER BEFORE

My first task was to measure the house and draw a floor plan of the existing rooms. We then used the plan to evaluate possible changes and then document a new plan. The biggest change Norma wanted to make was to remove a large fireplace which divided her kitchen from living area. Don and Norma are both retired school principals and when they entertain, there tends to be a large crowd. The fireplace blocked the use of this large area as one space when entertaining. It also blocked the stunning river views from the living room. Once Don and builder, Mark Whitworth, verified that the fireplace could be removed structurally, Norma and I started work on her kitchen design. The kitchen is now a spacious heart of the home area. Norma can manage one of her large meals for thirty people or more quite easily. She chose cherry cabinets in a dark finish with granite counters. The kitchen is designed to be beautiful, to provide ample food preparation space and buffet service as well.

kitchen needed to be more connected as traffic flow between the rooms was restricted by a small doorway. This was my opportunity to correct the space by taking two feet out of the formal living / dining room and putting it into the kitchen. I also widened the doorway between kitchen and family room. This space alteration made a huge difference in the kitchen design. Now there is room for three to four people to easily work .... with space for onlookers as well. Since Aunt Sally intends to live in this home as she ages, we took the opportunity to redesign several aspects of the first floor. The bath is now accessible with walk-in shower including grab bars. Lighting was upgraded particularly in the kitchen and bath. The first floor bedroom originally was used as a study but by removing a second door off the entry to give more privacy and expanding the closet, Aunt Sally now has a spacious and comfortable first floor bedroom should she be unable to negotiate the stairs at some time in the future. All new furniture was ordered through Designer’s Showroom thanks to owner Julie Edelstein-Best who chose to donate all profits to the cause. Cactus Flower Interiors was able to donate cabinets. Aunt Sally also received donations from friends and family and from the We Are Nashville group. These funds along with an SBA loan and some FEMA monies allowed her to rebuild. And yes she now has flood insurance should this historic event ever repeat itself.

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My reward is the glow I see on her face now that she is finally back in her home. DON AND NORMA Down river about 20 miles another family drama was playing out. Cousins Don and Norma Beshears have lived right on the river for more than 16 years. The Cumberland has provided countless hours of recreation. Norma grew up skiing, boating, and fishing with her father, my Uncle Ed. She and Don also respected the power of the river as their home had been threatened several times by flood waters. The closest they had come was to get some water in the garage level. Over the years, they had also participated in several rescue operations for people caught off guard by the dangers of the river. Seeing the eminent danger, Don and Norma began on Saturday removing vehicles and their RV from the property. They put family heirlooms in the attic and prepared as well as possible for the flooding to come. Much to their trepidation, a large RV was caught up by the current on the road to their house, wedged in some trees and blocked their escape route both by car and boat. They had to call to be rescued themselves. Later, Norma stood in the driving rain on the Ashland City bridge and watched her house a quarter mile down river as the waters rose to about three feet in the main living area. It was a devastating sight. After the storm, they were overwhelmed to see

Another area in need of re-spacing was the family dining room which was located in a room that once was a porch. The room was long with an expanse of windows and breathtaking river views but it was too narrow. No one wanted to sit on the back side of the table because there was no space to walk behind the chairs. If you sat there you were stuck and couldn’t get out. To correct this, we borrowed 30” from the adjoining rooms. Unfortunately, the wall that needed to be moved was structural but the problem was solved by placing two support columns. Long a favorite gathering place for family, the room is now totally accessible and comfortable for all guests. Through the rebuild process, I loved getting occasional phone calls from Norma to consult on various design issues. Don and Norma are an awesome team working cohesively together to accomplish the rebuild. Norma has wonderful taste and decorating ideas and I was thrilled to participate in making their vision a reality. Contributing Writer: Jeri Garrett, ASID

After Photos, Andi Beshears Kitchen design and Wellborn cabinets, Cactus Flower - Opposite Page All furniture shown from Designer’s Showroom - p17

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Fine Art Trophy Fish Prints Dockside, South Padre Island 956.639.2785 Trophy Fish Prints, the alternative to taxidermy. Each piece is an original print of your trophy fish, based on the ancient Japanese art of Gyotaku (Gee-oh-tah-koo.) It developed originally as a way sport fishermen could record their prize catches, before photography was invented. Today, artist Sandy Reyes employs the same techniques, carefully and expertly creating a unique, original masterpiece from your prize trophy fish. Gift Certificates are available for those of you who have an avid fisherman in your family. Every piece is one of a kind, and a great way to display your trophy catch.

Gallery 218 Harlingen | 956.457.9401 Jessica Salazar McBride finds inspiration in everyday life and feels her work represents her personal experiences. She feels a connection to spiritual and mystical themes that are a part of local culture. McBride received a degree in Commercial Art & Advertising from Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX. Graphic design has been her primary field of endeavor, and she worked in the field for fifteen years. Also interested in papier-mâché, and assemblage techniques, McBride finds the possibility of turning discarded items into “art” keeps her on a perpetual treasure hunt! Since 2004, she has been exhibiting her artwork throughout southern Texas.

Linda Lewis www.lindalewis.net Linda Lewis received a Master of Fine Arts in 1997 from Arizona State University. She is the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and a Nathan Cummings Foundation Fellowship. She has an extensive exhibition record that includes national and international exhibitions. Solo exhibitions include the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas, Texas, the University of Arizona, Blue Star Contemporary in San Antonio, k space contemporary in Corpus Christi, and UTPA. Internationally, her work has been shown at the Power-house Museum in Sydney, Australia, Japan, Italy, France, Denmark, Holland, and Romania. Currently, she writes, edits and designs Art E Magazine for the McAllen Arts Council.

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Artline America Inc. McAllen | 956.630.0076 Jackie’s gallery is called Artline America, and a typical gallery it is not! Step into an eclectic array of paintings, tapestries, and framed shadow boxes filled with various objects d’arte. Bring in your own treasure, and choose from over 1,000 custom framing possibilities. If you can’t make up your mind right away, think about your choices over a delicious home cooked lunch at the Masterpiece Café. Artwork surrounds you as quiet jazz music plays in the background. Jackie’s laughter will be heard as she spends time table side talking with any one of her loyal customers, enjoying the afternoon at her restaurant and gallery. One visit to this special place and you’ll go out of your way to come back.

House of Frames Harlingen | 956.423.8282 House of Frames is a unique custom frame shop and art gallery specializing in one of a kind mirrors and “out of the box” frame designs. We use the latest conservation and museum materials in all our framed items. Peggy and her team can be found any day of the week framing needlework, diplomas or photography as well as large canvases and art prints. No project or budget is too big or too small for us and same day service is often available when you need a quick turnaround! Come in and let us help you design your framing projects with a flair that will also stand the test of time. Visit our web site at www.hofrgv.com.

Schaub Art Gallery Harlingen | 956.742.9292 Tony Schaub is a pop-style artist who has become famous for his large canvases, bright color palette, creative imagination and sense of humor. At the age of twelve, he was selected to attend the Carnegie Institute Summer Art Program. The next year, Tony won the Pensylvania Scholastic Art Gold Key for his tempera/goache painting, World Series Celebration. He is also an artist you can meet and greet, just pay a visit to his studio and most likely you will find him with a brush in his hand. The gallery has incredible works you can purchase and walk out with, or you can commission Tony to create a custom piece. Either way, owning an original Schaub brings joy into your life.

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Fabulous Spaces Public Places

Camperos Grill & Bar Brownsville, Texas

It seems that there should be the sound of camera shutters clicking while passing under the lighted awning in front of the Brownsville restaurant that anchors the mall. The doors openâ&#x20AC;Ś and an updated story of Brownsville begins to unfold as you enter Camperos Grill and Bar. A photograph of the humble beginnings of the first Los Camperos is hung with pride. A version of a historical map hangs in the entrance as well. It implies that this is not a chain restaurant. The dark colors of the stained-concrete floor, painted walls and rich woodwork call the patron in and provide a welcome relief from the intense sun of the Rio Grande Valley. From the second space one can choose to start with the dining experience or go straight to the watering hole. The dining room is full of life. Families and couples fill the room. There they celebrate a special occasion or just celebrate life. An engagement took place within the first days of the establishmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening. The room itself has inviting warm finishes and stained wood mouldings. There are feature walls covered in stacked stone with arches and niches. Ceiling tiles and embellishments frame the dramatic iron chandeliers and sconces. In the corner of the dining room is the bandstand for the live music that is so much part of Camperos weekend entertainment. The wait staff makes the guests feel pampered without being pretentious. Art photography by local photographer Greg Phelps graces the walls and depicts several historical landmarks in Brownsville. After enjoying an appetizer of cactus and cheese with avocado, the signature chicken al carbon and flan for desert it is easy to make the transition to the full-service bar. The bar is a bit of a departure from the restaurant it is with its fused industrial elementsâ&#x20AC;Ś yet still refined. The first vista of the bar provides a

Special thanks to Tina Garbo Bailey who decorated and designed this beautiful restaurant. See yet another one of her breathtaking projects on pg28 The rich photographs adorning the walls of opposite bottom photo and the pictures we used for this article were both works of renowned photographer Greg Phelps - pg32 All of the beautiful chandeliers, accent lighting, and functional lighting were provided by The Lighthouse Lighting Center. - pg09 30

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glimpse of what’s to come. Vintage license plates and dramatic art photography make a bold statement. The featured photograph is, appropriately, an agave plant… without being literal it says… this is a bar. There are three flat-screen TVs in the bar that can be seen but do not dominate the space. Industrial lighting, fans and a column of woven pendants light the way in. The VIP alcove is a comfortable niche with garden seating and banquettes studded with hand-made coffee pillows. The custom coffee table/ottoman is also covered in burlap coffee bags from around the world. This arrangement provides a comfortable setting for a group of contemporaries. The Moorish lantern diffuses light in a magical way and washes the large photograph of another Brownsville landmark, the historic Capitol Theatre. Celebrity photographs from former Camperos locations hang on the wall. A light box with diffused light and river rocks illuminate the bamboo and birch poles that hang from the ceiling and signals the transition to the rest of the bar. Like soldiers, wine bottles secured in iron racks in the bar niches complete the brick façade on the bar wall. Old Chicago brick completes the face of bar with hooks for purses and jackets. The tables are punctuated with a little more local color with the miniature Topo Chico bottles with pebbles and fresh flowers. What you will not find in the bar is neon libation signage. The ceiling tiles hearken back to another era and make the restaurant feel like it has been there forever. However, the waterfall fountains, glass features, and woven pendant lighting bring the space into the twenty-first century and indicates that Latin Cuisine is fresh and bold and here to stay. For those who want to see and be seen, Camperos Grill and Bar in Brownsville is the spot. Contributing Writer Tina Garbo Bailey Designer

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Luxury Homes

νέα Mediterranean Mission, Texas

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The moment you step inside this gracious home, you are greeted with an expansive picture window view of a waterfall cascading into a beautiful pool. The skyline is dotted with palm trees and the expansive yard opens out to the edge of a community pond. From the serenity of the landscape, to the magnificently designed interior spaces, this home is truly a dream come true for its owners. The exterior couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t distract me for long, however, because the interior is too stunningly dramatic to be ignored for more than a moment. The picture window is flanked by floor to ceiling drapery panels, in shimmering bronze colored silk, that are hung from a series of four stationary rosettes. The bronze color contrasts sharply with the creamy wall color, emphasizing the twenty-five foot ceilings. A unique combination of triangular and square shapes comprise the decorative coffered ceiling. The square coffer, along with the rectangle and octagon, is a traditional shape. The earliest examples of its use were stone coffers created by ancient Romans and Greeks. The triangular shape is a modern development that can be found in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco. It is perhaps this reference to cathedral architecture that simultaneously creates the feeling of grandness and sanctuary. An intricately designed wrought iron bannister graces the second floor balcony. It has an elaborate vertical scroll design with a surface of antique bronze. The bannister curves around the edge of the balcony to the staircase where it makes a graceful curving descent to the first floor. The bannister handrail and the stair steps have been painted to match the rich mahogany of the wood flooring on the first floor. The same bannister style is used for the second floor veranda that is accessed from the balcony. Looking up to the balcony from the bottom of the stairs, one of the unique architectural features, is the ceiling dome. Set into the dome is an elegant wrought iron chandelier with scrollwork that matches the bannister. The rim and interior of the dome have been painted with a textured faux finish. The collar of the dome repeats the antique bronze finish of the railings and has inset lighting. The interior of the dome has a mottled texture in a lighter tone of the same color. Glancing back into the living area from the bottom of the staircase, the monumental cast stone fireplace emerges. I say it emerges, because the designers have chosen a wall color that is similar to the color of the stone. This was a smart choice, because the bold design on the legs of the fireplace, the detail in the header and mantel shelf, and the over mantel with a crown molding header reveal their glorious details in

Entire project built and engineered by Nueva Vista Construction - pg35 Chandeliers, pendant lighting, and functional lighting from Illuminations - pg64 Sinks, tubs, kitchen and bathroom fixtures were all selected from Morrison Supply Company pg57 Magnificent in ground pool and waterfall were built by EuroPools - pg14 spring 2011

an understated manner. The inset in the over mantel has the shape of a Roman arch and repeats the same mottled texture of the balcony dome’s interior. All of the aforementioned architectural elements establish the style of the home as Mediterranean/ Tuscan. They provide the old-world charm that is so characteristic of this style. The textures applied to the metal surfaces and the walls, the natural wood and stone flooring, and an earthy warm palette create a sense of warmth and casual luxury. All of these elements are repeated throughout the house, giving it a sense of balance, continuity and cohesion. The rotunda style elements on the exterior of the home are repeated in the interior in the form of curved walls, curved arches and round domes. Ceiling insets are translated to niches in the walls. Indirect lighting in the domes create a warm ambiance. Combinations of travertine and marble tile are used throughout the home. It must also be noted that the homeowners designed many of the tile applications. Beyond the staircase is an area that could be described as a small lobby. There is a beverage bar with a wine refrigerator and sink. The deep tones of the cabinetry reflect the formality of the formal living area, and is conveniently located between the formal living and dining room and the family room/kitchen. It’s the perfect spot to serve guests a cocktail before dinner. The entrance to the media room is next to the bar. Just like at the movies, guests can congregate to chat and have drinks before the show. The slight descent through the barrel vaulted entrance hallway provokes a real sense of theater as you enter. Movie posters adorn the wall niches. Large, comfortable leather recliners provide seating for eight. The viewing screen is 142” wide. The surround sound audio system extends throughout the entire home. After the movie, guests can head out to the party room via a conveniently located exterior door just off 38

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the wine lobby. The entrance is a few steps down the loggia style patio. Upon entering, they can cozy up to the custom wood bar, order a drink and watch the game on the flat screen t.v. mounted on the bar. Wall mounted half-round bar height tables add to the bar ambiance. There’s also plenty of room to dance the night away. This is a great home for entertaining guests, but the heart of the home, for the family, is the large open concept kitchen and family room. Light streams into the kitchen area through a bay window and double doors. The breakfast table sits beneath a domed ceiling inset with indirect lighting. The kitchen is the show piece in this setting, however. Completely embodying the essence of Tuscany, the kitchen island is a combination of rich dark wood, ornamental corbels, open display shelves and wine cubbies. A cream colored granite with an overall pattern of brown flecks tops the island. One of the most desirable aspects of granite is that each piece is a unique original design. The island’s color scheme is set against a backdrop of cream colored wall cabinets with black granite counter tops. The builder has cleverly created a unique surround for the stove top that is reminiscent of a hearth. Decorative corbels, crown molding, and narrow cabinets as the“legs”of the hearth create an imposing secondary focal point in the room. Travertine tiles are set diagonally in the backsplash. Contemporary conveniences include an invisible black glass stove top and a pot filler faucet, along with the de rigueur upscale stainless steel appliances. If there is one single visual element that speaks Italian to me, it is marble floors. As you enter the master bedroom suite, casual Tuscan charm yields completely to polished Mediterranean elegance. Glass double doors open into a foyer of heavily veined black marble floor and wall tiles with a decorative inlay. This suite of rooms contains a spacious bedroom, an exercise room, and an enormous walk-in closet.

The piatto forte (highlight) is the bathroom. The bathtub surround is graced with a groin vault dome with a hanging chandelier and four hand carved spiral columns. Currently, the trend is to utilize free-standing furniture pieces in bathrooms, and the builder follows this trend by creating built-in cabinets that have the look of furniture. Fluted fillers and feet and a vanity surround have been added to the wall cabinets to create the look. The medium maple tones of the stained hardwoods give the bathroom a light and airy feel. Counter tops are the same cream granite found in the kitchen. Noteworthy features in other bathrooms include the main floor guest bathroom. A wall-hung under lighted Italian onyx counter top emits a warm glow and highlights the glass vessel sink. An apron surround below the counter is a stunning wovenlook multi-toned glass tile. The same glass tiles frame the mirror above the sink. In an en-suite bedroom bathroom, a standard tub/shower combination is enhanced by an overhead Roman arch tiled in sea blue. A band of the tile intersects the natural sand colored travertine tub surround, and it is inset into a niche on the side wall. If luxury is found in the details, then detail is the very definition of luxury in this custom built home by Nueva Vista Construction. Contributing Writer: Linda Lewis

All of the beautiful flooring, glass tile and natural stone were supplied by Verona Tile & Stone - pg1 Top of the line stainless steel kitchen appliances were purchased from Stevenson’s Appliances pg40

Lima Bean

BUILDERS

Clubhouses are made from redwood, cedar, and Douglas fir. The logs are fallen trees that we hollow out using a chainsaw! To get into the clubhouse, simply enter the door in the hollow log, climb up the ladder in the center of the log and pull yourself through the trap door in the floor of the Clubhouse.

956.433.3497

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Decorating With

Hardscapes Hardscaping is a term for everything in the garden that is not living and growing. The most common hardscaping feature is paving -- either patios or walkways. However, hardscaping can also include walls, birdbaths, benches, large pottery and sculptures.

Hardscaping has aesthetic and practical value. It also can be used to delineate between garden areas, and to create balance and focus. Here is a guide to three basic hardscape elements. Â Sculptures and Planters A guiding principle of photography and graphic design is having a single main element to draw your eye. Landscape design is similar. A lush expanse of blooms and foliage might be carefully planned with complementary colors and sizes, but the yard can end up looking like a rainforest if there is no particular element to draw your eye. A large planter in the middle of the garden can become such an element. It also may add contrasts in color and texture. Sculptures add even more texture and style. On the other extreme, a large rock can also do the trick of serving as a focal element. Â Retaining Walls Walls add dimension to a garden. Try replacing the back end of the garden with two short walls, adding plants at each level. This lets you maintain a theme and put the same types of plant in various locations without creating a dull, uniform garden. Curved walls add a sense of motion, either by creating a terrace or adding a curving wall rising above garden areas on grade. Â 44

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Walls also have practical purposes. They can hide an ugly foundation wall or a bare gray porch. They can protect delicate flowers from children running through the yard. Finally, they raise the soil surface. If planted correctly, walled garden areas will help slope the ground away from the house so water is not drawn into the foundation. At the same time, they retain water that would run off down a slope and be wasted. The standard garden wall types are stacked concrete blocks on a gravel base, and stone walls with a gravel base or with the bottom level set below grade. Paving Paving can help divide garden areas, provide walkways that protect plants from trampling and protect shoes from mud. Of course, paving also creates patios and other outdoor living areas. Again, curved walkways create a sense of motion. Paving can be as simple as cement paving bricks or as artistic as detailed patterns between flower beds using various colors and sizes of slate or exotic stone. Keep in mind that paving can create weeding and mowing headaches. One option is to set pavers below grade and leave enough space between for mowing. Otherwise, dig out the entire patio or walkway space, lay a weed

barrier and add mortar, gravel or landscaping sand between pavers. Paved paths and patios, garden walls and decorative stones and sculptures can all add character, beauty and practicality to your garden.

Opposite top, These playsets not only provide healthy enjoyment for children, but will also act as a whimsical centerpiece for any backyard - pg39 Opposite bottom, Fountains such as this one can be made into any design, shape, or size, out of Cantera or Limestone. Cantera Rancho Alegre - pg64 Top, Grilling season has arrived and Con Arte Outdoor Kitchen can build to suit any taste - pg42 Bottom photos, Boulders from Southern Stone can be used both for erosion control, and as decorative accents - pg34

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FAGSA 48

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Sorteo Tec

lucky number 184 El proyecto Arquitectónico de esta Residencia esta desarrollado en dos niveles, teniendo en la planta baja las áreas sociales un área familiar, la cocina y las áreas de servicio así como el estacionamiento de los autos. En la planta alta se encuentran las recamaras y una estancia familiar adicional. Hay una recamara principal, una para señoritas y una mas para jóvenes, cada una con un baño vestidor integrados.

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El terreno es irregular con una distancia en el fondo que nos permitió tener un jardín amplio en la parte posterior y contar con una alberca con dimensiones que permiten nadar y ejercitarse , se le agrego una fuente de chorros para tener el elemento del agua produciendo cierto atractivo con el sonido que produce. Al frente tenemos otro jardín que da mayor atractivo a la Residencia.

Desde el punto de vista Formal, la Arquitectura de esta casa es contemporánea con la característica de la sencillez deliberada, con formas rectangulares, espacios interiores abiertos con alturas generosas sin exceder la escala humana, con la presencia de la luz natural dosificada para evitar el asolamiento excesivo de los espacios. Los acabados interiores son también muy sencillos en sus tonalidades, tenemos los pisos con mármol gris oscuro contrastando con los muros que tienen un color casi blanco para dejar el protagonismo a los elementos decorativos y de mobiliario y desde luego a sus futuros habitantes, para que estos vivan en la casa y no que tengan que adaptar su vida a las condiciones arquitectónicas de la misma. En el exterior, utilizamos también el color blanco preponderantemente combinado con el mismo material de los pisos interiores, pero en otro formato y colocación, En la parte frontal hay una plazoleta cubierta con adoquín de piedra natural con una colocación diseñada para darle mayor atractivo. Arq. Fernando Garza Treviño

EXPRESIÓN decorativo El diseño de interiores fue concebido de acuerdo con la funcionalidad de la arquitectura. El estilo de los elementos que componen los interiores es contemporáneo con una propuesta de colores neutros sobre bases metálicas, como el caso de las mesas de apoyo de la sala y del comedor para darle ese carácter actual, se utilizaron colores vivos en los accesorios así como la acentuación con algunas piezas del spring 2011

m i s m o m o b i l i a r i o. El color de los muros y cielos interiores de casi la totalidad d e l a r e s i d e n c i a s e p r o p u s o e n u n t o n o c a s i b l a n c o, acorde con la sencilles de la arquitectura y para que los espacios pudieran ser vir como verdaderos contenedores d e l m o b i l i a r i o. Los muebles empotrados se basan en tendencias europeas contemporáneas, donde se destacan sus líneas limpias y sencillas con la utilización en algunos casos, como por ejemplo el librero de la estancia familiar de la planta baja. En el caso de los materiales propuestos para los pisos interiores se propuso utilizar básicamente dos tipos q u e s o n e l m á r m o l S a n t o To m á s e n p i e z a s g r a n d e s d e acabado brillante en todas las áreas de circulación y de u s o i n t e n s i v o c o m o l a c o c i n a , e l v e s t í b u l o, e t c , y d u e l a d e madera en un color gris para dar nuevamente ese carácter contemporáneo al tiempo de combinar con el mármol, y se propuso en las áreas de estar tales como la sala, el comedor y el cine en la planta baja y en las recámaras. Decidimos utilizar el mismo mármol para los muros de las áreas húmedas de los baños de las recamaras. Los elementos de madera tales como la puer ta de acceso principal, puer tas interiores, vestidores, se propusieron en un color neutro en la misma gama de la duela de los pisos. La iluminación esta propuesta a base de luminarias empotradas en la mayoría de las áreas tanto como sociales como intimas a excepción de los candiles que son metálicos y los dos plafones luminosos de la sala. A r q . J u a n i t a To r r e s S i e r r a

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Green Is The New Gold

HOT SHOWER G

etting ready for work in the morning can be a trial, especially if you have to wait around for the hot water to get through the pipes to your shower. Perhaps you don’t have even a second to wait and are forced to experience the shock of ice cold water on your skin. Either way, it doesn’t start your day in a positive manner. Everyone wants to start their day off right, and your morning shower should be an empowering experience. A nice steamy hot shower provides a wealth of health benefits. First of all, it increases your metabolism, giving you that kick start you need for a successful day. If you have the time on the weekend, sitting in a hot steamy bath for 1520 minutes will increase your blood circulation. Good blood circulation aids just about every process in your body. Increased circulation alleviates aches and pains from arthritis, bursitis, sports injuries, and even migraine headaches. Hot steamy water hydrates your skin. Hydrating your skin on a daily basis will keep you looking younger longer. Heat from the steam and water causes the heart to beat faster and harder in an attempt to cool the body, causing blood to flow to even the smallest capillaries. Increased blood flow to these tiny capillaries (just under the skin’s surface) causes the skin to glow and look healthy. You will actually be healthier too, because blood cells carry minerals, vitamins and oxygen that are vital for a healthy body. Our respiratory system works better and recovers faster from illness when it is well hydrated. Steam inhalation is an effective treatment in respiratory conditions and is highly recommended for treatment of the common cold, pneumonia, flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, allergies and asthma. Today, it is possible to achieve all of these benefits with a Takagi tankless water heater. A Takagi will supply a steady flow of hot water at the designated temperature for as long as it’s needed, wherever it’s needed. You will be able to luxuriate in your morning shower or bath and get yourself off to the right start every day. Not only does Takagi provide you with continuous endless hot water…it does it in the most energy-efficient way possible. Traditional tank-type water heaters constantly burn gas in order to maintain the set water temperature in the tank, even when water is not being used. With a Takagi tankless water heater, it only heats water when you need it. So when you’re at work or on vacation and no one is at home, it’s not wasting gas. Takagi tankless heaters can pay for themselves in energy savings alone. As of January 1st, 2006, homeowners are also eligible for a $300 federal income tax credit if they install one of Takagi’s highly energy-efficient water-heating units. This benefits our own pocketbooks, but it also benefits the environment. One of the most important factors in human life, as well as life around the planet on a 56

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whole, is energy. While energy itself is obtainable from a number of sources, both renewable and non-renewable, it is important to understand that nothing on the planet is cheap enough to waste. Energy is vital to sustaining our quality of life so it is essential that we protect our resources. There are a lot of ways to conserve energy. Energy conservationists recommend that we use the most energy efficient appliances we can. This is especially true for appliances that are involved in heating or cooling, like a water heater. With climate change concerns, pervasive droughts, and high energy prices across the country, nearly everyone is looking for ways to conserve resources and cut costs. The good news is that by using a little “water sense” we can all use less water, energy, and money. Many Americans know about the importance of saving energy, and many know about the importance of saving water. But few know about the direct connection between saving both. We turn on the bathroom lights and the shower without realizing how closely related water and electricity are to each other. On average, the annual energy used to deliver,

heat, and treat water for only 10 households could power a refrigerator for a year. In some areas of the country, that estimate is very low. For example, in parts of Southern California it takes as much as six times more electricity just to supply water to the same number of homes—that’s nearly enough electricity to power a whole house for a year. Heating water for bathing, shaving, cooking, and cleaning also requires a considerable amount of energy. Homes with electric water heaters, for example, spend one-quarter of their electric bill just to heat water. Given how closely related saving water is to saving energy, one of the best ways to save energy across the country and in our own home is to use water more efficiently. There is one more advantage to homeowners who purchase a Takagi tankless water heater. You get up to 90% Space Savings vs. traditional water heaters. With no tank to steal valuable floor space, Takagi’s wallmounting design frees up your basement, garage or utility room for additional storage and versatility. Morrison is a proud distributor of Takagi space saving tankless water heaters. See ad opposite page.

spring 2011

Luxury Living

Stairway to Heaven

Interior designing is probably the most significant phase of house construction. This stage of planning includes positioning of furniture and appliances, materials which would be used to build the house’s components, and the designs for the structure’s elements. One constituent of interior designing which really contributes to its overall beauty is the stairs. There are many different types of stairs available on the market, and each has its own special feature. Depending on the homeowner’s preferences and the house’s theme, a stairway can be straight, L type, Double L type, U-shaped, Winder, or Spiral. All these kinds of stairs can be made of different kinds of material as well. Some stairs are made of wood, some are made of metal, and some are made of glass. The choice of stairs actually gives a specific impression to anyone who enters the house. Most staircase designs fit into the following three types: straight, spiral, and platform. Designs have evolved from the standard and traditional to more creative designs such as open riser, hanging staircase, horizontally retractable, storage stairs and staircases using reclaimed materials. Designers and architects find success by creating an artistic shape with the stair. One of the most popular stair styles of the open riser design is the floating stair. People usually describe this stair design type as the most stunning or intriguing because the stairs look as though they do not have any risers to hold any weight. The risers vertically support the treads, which are the horizontal planks you walk on. Even though 62

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it does not appear to have the ability to support much weight, the floating design can hold up to 440 pounds. To achieve this, the engineers carefully design steel reinforcements to harness the inertia that using the stairs can generate. The designer hides these reinforcements from view. A Hanging Staircase hangs with walls surrounding it as though it extends down as part of the ceiling. The bottom of the first step does not touch the floor, providing a unique and ultra modern look. The designer leaves the stairs exposed underneath, so you can see the stepping effect in the space, visually explaining to the user that the structure is indeed a staircase. One of the most space-saving stair designs is the storage stair. Some designers use the cavity under the stair as an open shelving system. One popular design integrates a library into it using an open riser technique with the books accessible between the treads. The design adds an intriguing look to the space as the shelves extend beyond the books and become the treads. The modern rendition of the retractable attic stair is horizontally retractable to use as a space-saving, innovative loft stair. It saves space by sliding into the supporting wall, while the treads flip (short side up) to align with the wall. This is best suited for a new construction project as you have to have a supporting wall with a width of your stairs, minimally 24 to 26 inches. Last but not least, safe stairs. Safety should never be overlooked in drafting the stairs. This is probably why stair builders go through all that effort of strictly following the building codes of stairs. It

may be one tedious job but the thought of having safe stairs for everyone to use will be worth all the effort. When it comes to interior stairs, nothing should wobble and should be 100% stable. All the stair parts have their own functions, one of which is to support each other which helps in making it strong. The treads are used to step on, the hand railings are used for human support, and the balustrade holds the railings up and connects the railings to the treads. Any part that becomes weak should be fixed right away or replaced. Quiet stairs are safe stairs meaning that no squeaks and creaks are heard whenever you use them. This is, in fact a good indication that no part has come loose. When squeaks and creaks are heard, usually this is caused by stair parts, such as a stair tread, that have come loose. Here, minor remedies are in order, like tightening of screws or nails, or using wedges to fill a gap between movable stair parts. Do a thorough regular check up for your stair “silence”, and meticulously check the sound that your stairs make for every step on every tread that you take. Comfort when climbing up or going down the stairs is a sure sign the height of the step is perfect for both old and young to use. This is more important especially for those with weak ankles and joints. So there you have it. Stairs are a great way to add that final personal touch to whatever style and layout you want your home communicate.

Opposite page left to right Crystal clear glass risers and second story frosted glass landing available at Glassica - pg46 Custom wrought iron scrolled stair fencing by Forja Designs - pg61 Intricitly wood carved posts, balusters and hand rails are available at South Texas Moulding - pg59

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