Homes for the HOLIDAYS December 2011
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Two exceptional offers. Tempting, isn’t it? Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
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*Offers valid through December 31, 2011. See store for complete details and qualified models. Only valid at participating Jenn-Air Brand retailers. Offers only valid in the U.S.A. Your Purchase Your Reward terms: Customer will receive an instant credit at the register for the retail price of the free appliance. All products must be purchased on a single order/ receipt. No substitutions allowed. Retailer alone determines actual resale price. Installation On Us terms: Customer will receive rebate for installation charges as indicated on sales or installation invoice up to $200 per appliance to a maximum of $1,000 per household. Ž Registered Trademark/ TM Trademark of Jenn-Air, U.S.A. Š2011. All Rights Reserved.
contents November/December 2011 FEATURES COVER STORY Shades of Spain 44
Couple brings colorful Spanish Mediterranean ambience to Houston. A Sense of Ease 52
Designer’s fine balance marks a fresh start for a favorite client — just in time for the holidays.
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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24
74
44 contents Book Notes: The Collected Tabletop 24
60
Inspirations for Creative Entertaining Designer Profile: Komal Sheth 28 A Passion for Christmas 42
Barbara Crozier transforms Laurel Ridge into a Christmas shop of magical proportions The Ultimate Holiday DĂŠcor Solution 60
Houston’s Creative Branch deck the halls Merry and Bright 66
Dallas-based Cocktails and Caviar brings Christmas cheer and style to Texas homes A la Carte: Polkadots Cupcake Factory 74
Creating delish holiday treats with artful appeal An Italianate Garden 77
Gold Award Winner of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association
in every issue
design resources
8 Welcome
33 Dallas Design District
12 Reader Services
69 Design Texas
14 Events
76 Kitchen + Bath
18 Design Notes Cover: interior design by Chandos Dodson; photography by Julie Soefer Clockwise from top left: photos by J. Weiland, Julie Soefer, Tre Dunham, and Q Weddings Photography.
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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Cool air whips through the landscape, between bare branches and over the ground now covered with rustling leaves. But in spite of the frigid weather, the warmth of the holiday tradition persists. Twinkling lights line the eaves of so many roofs, and families and friends gather inside happy homes, exchanging gifts, enjoying savory meals, and creating lasting memories. This holiday season, Texas Home and Living embraces readers with warm and inviting feature designs. The rich and intricate designs of Chandos Dodson, showcased in “Shades of Spain,” transport readers to the Old World. Expansive hand carved doors, iron chandeliers, and a touch of luxe combine to create a glowing elegance matching that of the autumnal days. Eclectic holiday décor in “A Sense of Ease” reminds readers that treasured holiday items – heirloom ornaments and funky, kid crafted holiday accessories – have a place among regal winter décor. And, Creative Branch, a holiday décor company that does it all, offers readers the ultimate holiday decorating solution. In addition, Texas Home and Living has included décor tips and tricks from Cocktails and Caviar (page 66), Holiday tabletop arrangement ideas (page 18), scrumptious treats and eats for you and yours, and even some gift buying inspirations (page 22). With each of these design stories, readers are given all the knowledge necessary to keep their interiors merry throughout the winter season. Keep cozy, and happy holidays!
Brona Stockton Associate Publisher
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Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
Kaci Neves Associate Editor
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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Le Villa
VOL. 5 NO. 6 Associate Publisher Brona Stockton Associate Editor Kaci Neves Contributing Writers Nancy Baldwin Barbara Crozier Suzanna Logan Nancy Myers Kaci Neves Photographers Ruda Anderson, Loretta Shirley RUDA Photography Kym Skiles, F8 Studios Allison Cartwright Julie Soefer Tre Dunham Larry Speed Andrew Pogue Kathleen Wilke Q Weddings Photography Art Director Lisa Gouveia Advertising Executives Dallas/Fort Worth Dallas/Fort Worth Sales Manager – Candis Low (817) 937-2738 • candisl@pcinews.com Gretchen Sanford (214) 697-2909 • gretchens@pcinews.com Austin • San Antonio • Hill Country Dennis Carter (512) 637-0371 • dennisc@pcinews.com Houston Frances Dowling (281) 222-3634 • francesd@pcinews.com Subscriptions and Accounting Manager Beth Chorba (512) 637-0344 Web and Network Manager Joel Nosal
Le Villa
EstatE Furnishings and antiquE ConsignmEnt gallEry
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Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
Publications & Communications, Inc. President Gary L. Pittman
888 Market Street Allen, Texas 75013 972.908.2228 LeVillaHome.com levillahome2@yahoo.com
Texas Home & Living (ISSN 1091-5001) is published bimonthly by Publications & Communications, Inc., Gary L. Pittman, President, 13581 Pond Springs Road, Suite 450, Austin, TX 78729, 512-250-9023. Subscriptions are available for $18 per year; single copy price is $5.00. Payment must accompany orders. Copyright ©2011 by Publications & Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without written consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Postmaster: Send change of address to TH&L Circulation Dept., 13581 Pond Springs Road, Suite 450, Austin, TX 78729
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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Reader Services SUBSCRIPTIONS
To subscribe or to purchase back issues of the magazine, please call (800) 678-9724 ext. 344 or e-mail subscriptions@pcinews.com. For more information, please visit texashomeandliving.com and click on the Subscribe link.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
If you are interested in advertising in Texas Home & Living magazine, please contact one of our account executives: Austin • San Antonio • Hill Country: Dennis Carter (512) 637-0371 dennisc@pcinews.com Dallas/Fort Worth: Dallas/Fort Worth Sales Manager Candis Low (817) 937-2738 candisl@pcinews.com Gretchen Sanford (214) 697-2909 gretchens@pcinews.com Houston: Frances Dowling (281) 222-3634 francesd@pcinews.com
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Designers, architects, developers, builders and homeowners are encouraged to submit photography of their completed projects for editorial consideration. If you have a project or story idea to submit, please e-mail ideas@texashomeandliving.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS Texas Home & Living would like to hear about your organization’s upcoming event. Events having to do with design, architecture, visual arts, performing arts, family activities and dining are the most likely to be included in our calendars. Please e-mail press releases or event listings at least two months in advance to ideas@texashomeandliving.com. 12
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
DESIG N | FURNITURE | ACCESSORIES
Austin - The Village at Westlake, 360 at Bee Cave Road, 512.330.9766 Houston - 2401 Bissonnet, Between Kirby & Greenbriar, 713.524.3171 Beaumont - Westmont Shopping Center, 6430 Phelan Rd., 409.866.3171 Bryan - Brazos Valley Decorative Center, 401 South Main St., 979.822.4071
www.alysonjon.com
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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events holiday season ©2011 Lapchi, LLC
November 3-6 – Houston – This year’s International Quilt Festival, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, features more than 1,000 vendor booths and an enormous display of fabric art and quilts. Buyers will find an expansive collection of both antique and contemporary quilts as well as patterns, fabric, and books for the quilting obsessed. November 5-13 – Austin – Visit the Daniel H. Caswell House to enjoy a “Hill Country Christmas.” This season, Austin’s best designers pool their talent in an effort to turn the charming, Victorian landmark into a Christmas wonderland. A number of events will be hosted at the 1404 West Avenue house, including candlelight dinners and tiara parties. For the house tour, admission is $5. Pricing for other events varies. Visit austinjuniorforum.org for additional information. November 3-6 – Waco – The Junior League of Waco is proud to present 2011’s premiere shopping event at the annual Deck the Halls Gift Market. The Waco Convention Center will welcome guests “Home for the Holidays.” Shoppers are invited to begin holiday buying early, and with merchants offering accessories, jewelry, clothing, gourmet food, and much more, you can’t resist. Lunch and live entertainment is hosted throughout each day at the Café Sweet. Visit Jlwaco.org or call (254) 753-5574 for more information.
The Lapchi André Arbus Design Collection Interpretations Series Medallions in Zircon, 100 knot wool, 45% silk
exclusively at
postmodern TRADITIONS
Market has contributed over $24 million to the Houston Ballet Foundation to support its scholarship program. This Nutcracker Market is a fabulous way to support the arts and also a great holiday shopping venue! Visit houstonballet.org for more information. November 17-20 – Austin – The Junior League of Austin offers an FAO Shwartz style shopping experience with this year’s A Christmas Affair, “The Magic of Christmas.” At $12 per guest (Children five years and under are admitted free of charge), the annual celebration features 200 merchants from across the nation, providing a fabulous shopping experience. The affair also includes a silent auction just for the girls, morning events for the kiddos, a tween and teen fashion show, and a family night bingo. Proceeds benefit the community. Festivities take place at the Palmer Events Center. Visit jlaustin.org for more information. November 19-20 – Austin – Central Texas holiday shoppers can get into the holiday spirit with a full day of festivities at The Domain for The Domain Lighting of the Great Tree and the Holiday Fine Arts Festival. Shoppers will enjoy live music, children’s activities, special in-store events and more. The day culminates with the lighting of the Great Tree and holiday fire works at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday.
November 8 – Houston – At 6:30 p.m., Celerie Kimble shares her design wisdom at the Houston Design Center. The frequently published American designer will also sign copies of her recently published book, Black and White (And a Bit in Between). It is rare that Celerie K. make public appearances, and seating is limited, so make reservations immediately! For reservation information visit thehoustondesigncenter.com.
Custom & Contemporary Rug Gallery Showroom in the Houston Design Center 7026 Old Katy Road, Suite 169 Houston, TX • 77024 • 713-750-9891
www.postmoderntraditions.com
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November 9-13 – Houston – At the Houston Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Market, more than 315 vendors offer a unique selection of gifts – from home décor, clothing, toys, candles, sporting items, novelties, and more. Since its inception in 1981, the Nutcracker
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
Celerie Kimble
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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events holiday season November 19-20 – Gruene – With the holiday season quickly approaching, the Gruene Historic district is announcing Holidays in Gruene, where nearly 100 venders offer fabulously crafted items as well as Texas foods. Cowboy Kringle will attend and admission is free. Market hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information visit holidaysingruene.com.
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November 24 – Houston – On Thanksgiving evening in the Post Oak area, enjoy a fun-filled, family event with a half-million twinkling lights – The Uptown Holiday Lighting. Guests will also enjoy festive music, fireworks, and 80 brilliantly lit holiday trees lining the Boulevard. The event is free and begins at 4 p.m., fireworks display at 7 p.m. November 25, December 2 – San Antonio – Ballet San Antonio and The San Antonio Symphony present The Nutcracker. Tickets are currently on sale through The Symphony Box Office, any TicketMaster outlet or ticketmaster.com. Event takes place at the Majestic Theatre. For more information visit balletsanantionio.org. or, call (210) 404-2711. November 25-December 4, December 924 – Dallas – Bring in the holiday season with Ben Stevenson and the Texas Ballet Theater’s critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. Stunning costumes, dazzling sets, and remarkable dancing to holiday music by Tchaikovsky make The Nutcracker a favorite family tradition. The November 25-December 4 performances will be held at Winspear Opera House, while the performances from December 9-24 will take place at Bass Performance Hall. Visit texasballettheater.org for more information. November 25 – Fredericksburg – Enjoy a dazzling light display at the Holiday Lighting Ceremony at the Marketplatz at 7 p.m. The event will include delightful holiday music in both English and German, a luminous, 30-foot Christmas tree, and a 26-foot pivoting Christmas pyramid. The event celebrates German culture and all its charm. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the history of the Hill Country! For more information visit visitfredricksburg.com.
16 Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
December 3-23 – Austin – A holiday tradition returns as Texas’ long-running production of The Nutcracker takes the stage for its 49th year. Featuring choreography by Stephen Mills, and of course, the unforgettable music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This event will take place at The Long Center. Visit balletaustin.org or call (512) 476-2163 for more information. December 3 – Austin – At the Christmas Market, handmade and imported, wooden German ornaments, nutcrackers, smokers, and other holiday gifts will be up for sale. Live musical performances take place throughout the day and, of course, St. Nikolaus will make an appearance. So, come sip some Glühwein at the German Free School and enjoy the holiday festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit germantexans.org. December 3-4 – Gonzales – Five of Gonzales’ finest historic homes, dating from 1857 to 1910, will be decked in their holiday finery and open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, Dec 4. For information, visit www.gonzalestexas.com or call (888) 672-1095. December 3-4 – Galveston – Dickens on the Strand, Galveston’s annual Victorian Holiday Festival, takes place this year on the weekend of December 3 and 4. This year’s festival will include a Saturday night circus, a Victorian facial hair contest, an enhanced Steampunk Square, and a Queen Victoria race. The festival has been named one of the top 10 events in the state of Texas by Texas Highways Magazine and one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association. dickensonthestrand.org
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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design notes
THE 4th Annual
Deck the Tables
Houston Design Center Hosts Holiday Tabletop Tour and Open House on December 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. and December 8-10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Text by Kaci Neves At the Houston Table Top Tour and Open House, fine dinnerware designs are showcased across a multitude of glittering tabletops. Baccarat, Daum, Christolfe, Haviland Limoges and Lalique culminate to create a collection of truly luxe table settings. Deck the tables is a free event open to the public. With holiday treats, choir performances, and a tabletop lecture, given by Ken Kehoe & Co, the entire family is inspired and entertained.
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Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
This tabletop event is held at the Houston Design center, a venue dedicated to providing only top tier residential and commercial products. The HDC boasts more than 40 showrooms and design offices, which house goods from more than 10,000 of the worlds best manufacturers. TH&L For more information, visit thehoustondesigncenter.com.
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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design notes Something for
Everyone Family-owned Hermann Furniture Company offers much more than their name suggests. Text by Suzanna Logan
Chic
RUSTIC
Staying True to Southwestern Heritage Rios Interiors, a local store in The Fort Worth Stockyards, is providing an eclectic selection of furnishings and staying true to their Southwestern heritage. “I consider my store a blend of rustic, the Southwest, hacienda, and one of a kind furniture & accessories,” says Natividad Rios, owner of Rios Interiors. A native of Mexico, Rios values Western culture’s synthesis of both Anglo and Hispanic traditions. “You can’t really have one without the other,” he explains. According to Rios, the beef trails, which inspired a zigzag of trade throughout the American West, were key to the mixing of Mexican and Western American design styles. During this time period, methods of fashioning and tooling leather were shared, helping begin the rustic aesthetic Rios and his team work to preserve. Reclaimed and exotic woods from Southern Mexico and Guatemala, ancient mesquite, leather, and blown glass are all utilized in Rios’s merchandise, 60 percent of which is designed by Rios himself. “I have customers who say you can just smell the rich leather and wood when you walk in the store.” Rios’s gallery has an air of authenticity and craftsmanship absent from other southwest furniture dealers and provides customers with a true taste of the old Southwest. TH&L Rios helps remind us that both cowboys and vaqueros built the legacy of the American West. To help preserve that legacy, visit Rios at 2465 N. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76164. (817) 626-8600. 20
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
Brenham is best known as the birthplace of Blue Bell ice cream. But, the idyllic small town, situated between Austin and Houston, has another claim to fame: It is also home to Texas’ oldest family-owned furniture store, Hermann Furniture Company. Founded 135 years ago, by German immigrant Gottlieb Hermann, the shop has grown from humble beginnings into a 30,000-square-foot shopper’s paradise. Upon entering the sprawling showroom, visitors are invited to view a large selection of furniture, in what fifth-generation owner Jennifer Hermann calls an “upscale ranch look.” After heading deeper into the shop, guests find an old-fashioned general store and an antiques and crafter’s mall filled with a delightful mash-up of luxury gifts, gourmet canned goods, and children’s clothing. And, thanks to Jennifer’s creative efforts, the store feels one part boutique and one part gracious, Southern home. Visitors often wander the aisles with a fresh-baked cookie or glass of complimentary wine in hand, getting inspiration from impressive floral arrangements and seasonal displays. “Many customers come in just to get ideas,” says Jennifer. And, “they leave saying, ‘Hey, I can do that on a smaller scale at my house.’” While Hermann’s has tons to see and do, there is a single goal behind it all: “We are here to help people make their homes somewhere they love to be,” says Jennifer. “People come here to have an experience, not just make a purchase.” TH&L
To experience Hermann’s for the first or fiftieth time, join their 135th Anniversary Celebration beginning November 15th at 4 p.m. Festivities will kick off with appetizers, a live band, and store giveaways and will continue until November 19th.
Inspirational ideas. Unsurpassed service.
The friendly professionals at Parrish Companies and Parrish at Cardell on Main have served homeowners in Central and South Texas since 1972. As a dependable source for beautiful home enhancements, our three locations offer stylish, innovative Electrolux appliances, exquisite Cardell Cabinetry, indoor and outdoor Heat & Glo fireplaces, as well as BBQ grills, garage doors, windows and countertops.
Whether starting from scratch with a new home or remodeling an older one, Parrish Companies and Parrish at Cardell on Main are here to help. Our experts are happy to provide personal tours of showrooms and can offer advice in the selection of products that best suit your needs and lifestyle. Plus, you’ll receive product training, professional installation and follow-up service from people who care that customers have a positive experience.
830-980-9595 26995 HWY 281 N. San Antonio, TX 78260
210-255-1125 2500 North Main San Antonio, Texas
512-835-0937 parrishonmain.com
3600 E. Old Settlers Round Rock, TX 78665
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living parrishandcompany.com
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design notes
Gold
DESIGN
Dallas Based Interior Designer Stephanie Anne Launches Jewelry Collection with Nieman Marcus Text by Kaci Neves Photography by Kathleen Wilke Dallas based designer Stephanie Anne is truly a venture queen – a dame with boundless creative energy, prepared to traverse all spheres of design. After receiving her degree, she began working at prestigious design firms and creating interiors for a high profile clientele. Then, she moved on to creating specialty furniture – including a line of oh-so-cute cribs. After the cribs, came the Stephanie Anne Loungewear line – a collection of swank cashmere and silk lounge apparel. Recently, Stephanie Anne had another design epiphany. “Oh my gosh,” she thought, “If I could design accessories that adorn us, that are beautiful, and make you feel special and sultry …” And thus, her collection of specialty jewelry was born. According to Stephanie, the jewelry obsession started as a hobby, but when a number of strangers began complimenting her handmade works, it became clear that this hobby was destined to become a business opportunity. “I would make a piece of jewelry, and I would enjoy wearing it myself. I would go into the elevator, and I would come out, and someone would want to buy it. So I would sell it … I started selling things off my body,” say Stephanie Anne with an energetic laugh. 22
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
When asked how jewelry design relates to interior design, Stephanie Anne says, “The one thing that’s similar is, I start to visualize how I want something to look. When I walk into a room, I instantly assess the current status of the space. When I’m doing something for jewelry, I asses. I start thinking about, what’s the feeling … What feeling do I want for this ring? … What feeling do I want for this room?” Now, how to describe the feeling of Stephanie Anne’s jewelry line … If Coco Chanel and Queen Elizabeth I were caught in a whirlwind of fabulosity, and their design styles were somehow fused, products similar to the Stephanie Anne Jewelry Collection might be created. It’s a line that bridges the gap between fine jewelry and fashion jewelry, with “chunky chains and a modern edge,” but with a “kickback to the Byzantine.” Stephanie Anne’s adventurous spirit resonates in her handcrafted work. “I really like to fire up the torch. I love to watch the crackle, the shape forming, the alloys melting.” With a warm patina, the twinkle of semi-precious gemstones, and winding, hand-hammered scrolls, each piece maintains a royal, fine art look. However, the jewelry is practical, both in price and wearability. “I want classic, I want
SUSIE JOHNSON INTERIOR DESIGN
512-328-9642 | www.susiejohnson.com
elegant, fashion forward … but it has to be wearable,” says Stephanie Anne. This designer’s perfect storm of creativity won’t subside anytime soon. In addition to her burgeoning jewelry collection, Stephanie Anne is considering introducing a fashion line. Anticipate Stephanie Anne’s presence on the runway! TH&L
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Stephanie Anne November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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book notes
THE COLLECTED TABLETOP Inspirations for Creative Entertainment by Kathryn Crisp Greeley with Heather Anderson Photography by J. Weiland Text by Kaci Neves
Kathryn Greeley’s The Collected Tabletop is more than a lesson in elegance and entertaining; it is a passionate recollection of tantalizing recipes, invitations and favors, flower arrangements, and exquisite dining room furnishings – all of which combine to create something Greeley calls “soul” – that warm flair, essential to creating a hospitable home. 24
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
left “The collection of antique Flow Blue, combined with crisp white linens, gives a lovely contrast with the dark wood of the table,” says Greeley. top right Sea Salt Caramels by The Chocolate Fetish in Asheville, North Carolina, in miniature fall leaf dishes by Mud Dauber Pottery. right The star of Greeley’s Thanksgiving meal: Grandmother Crisp’s Caramel Cake.
The images inside The Collected Tabletop provide readers a soul map of the renowned interior designer. Greeley’s travels, her favorite occasions, and the people who most inspire her to collect and create are all captured in each carefully crafted table setting. Within the first few pages, readers are inspired by a crème brûlée recipe from Paris, a retro-fabulous china pattern, hand painted invitations, and bright bursting blooms from Greeley’s own garden, all illustrating her unique design philosophy, “collected not decorated.” For readers looking to create their own collected tabletops this holiday season, Greeley offers the following advice: “Use what you have – things that bring back special holiday memories. Buy the best you can afford and use it. Don’t hide it way in a china cabinet or pantry! Get out the holiday china and crystal and linens. So what if it doesn’t go in the dishwasher. Lovingly wash it by hand. Slow down and enjoy the beauty of your tabletop pieces and the seasons.” November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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book notes
top left and bottom right Table Setting for a Scottish Gamekeeper’s Dinner. Woolen, Scottish plaid tablecloth combines nicely with houndstooth. Table setting also includes antique sterling and stag antler cutlery by George Butler and Co., of Sheffield, England. “I mixed two crystal patterns on the table, Waterford’s Curraghmore and perhaps my most treasured crystal pattern, ‘Thistle’ by Edinburgh Crystal Company. The highly distinctive thistle shapes are embellished with a complex geometric pattern and delicate engravings,” says Greeley. center A fall tabletop for a football official in the South Eastern Conference. Fall flowers arranged in antique majolica pitchers and bowls complement Brad Dodson’s hand-thrown pottery.
Thanksgiving settings at Greeley’s own residence are a tribute to her guests. Friends and family are forbidden from bringing even a single side dish. Greeley alone creates the feast, which consists of heirloom recipes, like Grandmother Crisp’s caramel cake, set in antique Flow Blue dishes. Greeley’s younger guests enjoy helping create holiday butter pats for each setting. This small act has become one of the many traditions at Greeley’s Thanksgiving dinners. With The Collected Tabletop, readers are reminded that a table setting is more than a conglomerate of pretty dinnerware and flower arrangements; meaningful tabletop collections warm the home as they conjure memories and help create new traditions. TH&L
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Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
Broccoli Cornbread Ingredients:
1 medium onion, chopped ½ cup chopped red bell pepper ½ cup chopped green or yellow bell pepper 1 stick butter, melted 10-oz. package frozen chopeed broccoli, thawed and patted dry 6 ounces cottage cheese 4 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon slat 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese 8 ½-ounce box Jiffy Cornbread Mix Optional: chopped jalapeño peppers Saute onions and peppers in Pam or a small amount of butter. Combine all ingredients. Bake in a lightly greased 8 x 8-inch pan at 400° for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. Check for doneness with a toothpick. Note: From The Collected Tabletop by K. Greeley and H. Anderson (Green Leaf Book Group Press). 2011. p. 221. Copyright 2011 by Kathryn Crisp Greeley. Reprinted with permission.
Inn, Antiques & Christmas Shop 827 St. Joseph, Gonzales • 830-672-2484
laurelridgechristmas.com • laurelridgeantiques.com November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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designer profile
Texas Home & Living: Describe your design aesthetic. Komal Sheth: In three words – less is more. Keep the space relatively simple, but elegant and eye catching. … To elaborate, every element and detail is consciously selected to serve multiple visual and functional purposes. Most designers tend to throw in lots of individually beautiful pieces that don’t come together as a whole and only serve to make the space look cluttered, overwhelming, and worst of all, dysfunctional. As I think about aesthetics in my designs, I envision a completed space that is functional, comfortable, inviting, and beautiful. All of the above, without exception.
KOMAL SHETH An interview with Austin DESIGNER Komal Sheth, Founder of Spaces Designed Photography by Allison Cartwright 28
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
TH&L: You have worked for prominent design firms in India, Southern California, Northern California, Dallas and Austin, Texas. How does the Austin client’s taste differ from clients in other regions? KS: Austin design is relaxed, more eclectic, and more environmentally conscious. … As for differences in tastes, I find that it varies not just by geographical region but from client to client. The differences are what makes my work extremely interesting and exciting – imagine the rush of a new challenge every day! Let me start with what’s common. The one thing all clients are anxious about when working with a designer is whether their own vision/ideas will be smothered by the designer’s opinions. When I meet new clients, I start by easing any such fears. I see a designer’s role, first and foremost, as understanding the homeowner’s vision for their home and then
designer profile
framing the details around this overarching goal. TH&L: Has designing in a number of different locations been advantageous to your career? KS: Yes … I’ve had the opportunity to focus on different aspects of design in each location. In India, where carpenters are much more common and affordable, I honed my skills in custom-designed furniture. In California, I gained priceless experience remodeling kitchens and bathrooms (which, by the way, are also my forte) with a keen focus on usability and functionality, given the smaller spaces. In Austin, I’ve been influenced by the sustainability movement and now intuitively incorporate elements of green design whenever feasible/possible. TH&L: In addition to your interior design credentials, you also have your real estate license. Is both finding and creating the home of your client’s dreams overwhelming? KS: On the contrary. Being involved with the client from the discovery phase allows me to guide them to identify the house with the right skeleton, that I can then design/remodel into the home of their dreams. I’ve had many an experience where the structural elements of the original house placed limitations on the future design – I would highly recommend anyone who is looking to buy and remodel to contact us first thing. In addition, the insights I get into their tastes and aspirations during the homefinding process are invaluable as I get into the designing phase.
Sheth says, “Our Signature is an assertive mix of classical and contemporary designs, perfectly blended for modern living.“
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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designer profile
“A splash of green, even if only from an accessory, plant, or flower arrangement, brightens up any space.“ TH&L: Do you have a go-to color? KS: Green. A splash of green, even if only from an accessory, plant, or flower arrangement, brightens up any space.
Photo by Andrew Pogue
TH&L: These days, many of us are sticking to a strict budget. How would you suggest we spruce up our interiors without spending a great deal? KS: One way is to change the space planning of a room or two, which brings a fresh atmosphere to a space. Another way is to take accessories from one part of a home and place them in a new location. Lastly, purchasing simple but elegant accessories – pillows, artwork, light fixtures – to be accent pieces in rooms can update a room effortlessly … And never forget, just changing the paint colors of the rooms will make a huge difference in the ambiance. TH&L: What design elements will always be in style? KS: The use of contrasting cabinet finishes and contrasting counter tops on back wall cabinets and islands; the use of unconventional shapes, patterns, and finishes in porcelain and glass tile; mismatching dining chairs at a table; and the use of rugs as statements rather than understated accents. TH&L
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designer profile
Komal Sheth
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59th Annual
Theta Charity Antiques Show november 17-20, 2011
George r. brown Convention Center HouSTon, TexAS
Photo by Eric Beggs, courtesy of Friends of the Governor’s Mansion, Austin
The TexAs Governor’s MAnsion LoAn exhibiT Unique opportunity to view selected pieces from the Mansion’s collection
Photo by Scott Duncan
MArThA sTewArT Introduces and autographs her new book, Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations saturday, november 19 - 10:30 AM
Over 50 of the most notable antiques dealers from the United States and Europe 32
www.ThetaAntiquesshow.com
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
THE
dallas design
DISTRICT
antiques | interiors | exteriors | fabrics
an endless selection to meet your every design need kitchens & Baths | lighting | art
s the largest design district in North America, The Dallas Design District is the top pick for designers and industry professionals. The Dallas Design District offers an endless selection to meet your every design need – an unlimited collection of furniture, fabric, antiques, accessories, floor coverings, lighting and art with cost-effective strategies and luxury inspiration. The showrooms located in The Dallas Design District are filled with knowledgeable and professional staff members who have long been working with designers and industry professionals. Many showrooms welcome retail shoppers and have designers on staff to help guide you on your own personal design quest, and when working with a professional designer they will save you money by helping to avoid costly design mistakes. Whether it is interior or exterior, contemporary or traditional, The Dallas Design District is ready and waiting with all the gifts, skills, and ideas to fit your needs.
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THE
dallas design
Buildings and Showrooms
DISTRICT
1 World Trade Center 2 Dallas Market Center 3 International on Turtle Creek Design Center 4 Decorative Center Dallas 5 McGannon Showrooms 6 The Kitchen Source 7 The Mews
N 34
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8 Banks Fine Art 9 Pittet Company 10 Adele Hunt European Collectibles 11 Dallas Design Center 12 Uncommon Market 13 W Dallas 14 Hilton-Anatole
THE
dallas antiques | interiors | exteriors | fabrics design an endless selection to meet
DISTRICT
your every design need kitchens & Baths | lighting | art
McGannon Showrooms
Bill and Sharon McGannon of McGannon Showrooms are committed to providing the design trade with beautiful, quality furniture. The company’s 20,000-square-foot showroom, nestled in the Dallas Decorative Center, houses an expansive collection of custom order furnishings. Over 57 coveted designer lines are offered, ensuring solutions for any design project. And with McGannon’s Interiors to Go program, much of their inventory is available immediately. Furniture, accessories, art and lighting solutions are all within reach at McGannon. Beyond providing quality products to the design community, McGannon boasts a knowledgeable staff. After 30 years in business, the McGannon team knows how to add ease to the product buying process. Trust McGannon to provide a professional opinion, quality products, and fantastic furnishings! 1617 Hi-Line Drive, Ste. 700, Dallas, TX 75207 • (214) 748-1828 • mcgs.com
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36 Texas Home & Living • September/October 2011
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dallas design
THE
1
DISTRICT 2
4 3
1 Adele Hunt’s European Collectibles’ owner, Dick Lewis, travels throughout England to find unusual and interesting furniture and accessories. These bamboo occasional pieces date from the 1920’s and would be great accents in any room of a home. Come visit us at 1007 Slocum St., in the Dallas Design District or visit us on our website at adelehunt.com. 2 McGannon Showrooms invites you to visit their NEW Creation Station for design inspiration. It features two large-screen TVs for surfing or client presentations, use of in-house iPads, swatches/samples, color copying, and fresh-baked cookies to keep you going. With our genius staff and a huge in-stock inventory, we’ll make your design dreams a reality. The Malibu chest can be ordered in any color paint finish you choose, for a stunning custom piece. 1617 Hi Line, Ste. 700, Dallas, TX 75207 • (214) 748-1828. mcgs.com. 38
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3 The Pittet Company, located on Antiques Row in the Dallas Design District, offers timeless seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth century furnishings collected from European markets and private estates. The 12,000-square-foot Pittet showroom houses an expansive collection of antique pieces – from armoires to fine paintings to vaisseliers – and the inventory is constantly updated. 1215 Slocum St., Dallas, TX 75207 • (214) 748-8999 pittet.com 4 The Kitchen Source. For the exceptional products your clients desire, The Kitchen Source is your partner for the best in cabinetry, appliances, countertops, and much more. 1544 Slocum St., Dallas, TX 75207 • (214) 741-1912. thekitchensource.net
Adele Hunt’s European Collectibles, established in 1946, is synonymous with superb quality
furnishings, antiques, and accessories. Just in time for your holiday entertaining is a stunning figured walnut double pedestal dining table and beautifully carved Chippendale mahogany ball and claw dining chairs. The elegant mahogany lighted breakfront features blind fretwork on the frieze with a classic pediment. Antique majolica is displayed. Located in the Dallas Design District.
ADELE HUNT’S EUROPEAN COLLECTIBLES 1007 Slocum Street, Dallas www.adelehunt.com 214-651-7542
1 Banks Fine Art. Since 1980, Banks Fine Art, LLC has been offering a unique and vast selection of traditional and impressionist oil paintings. As an art dealer, exceptional professionalism, high quality, and absolute client satisfaction have earned Banks Fine Art, LLC an unparalleled reputation in the industry. 1313 Slocum St., Ste. 103, Dallas, TX 75207 • (214) 352-1811. banksfineart.com.
2 Uncommon Market Antiques has been in business in Dallas for over 40 years. We offer the best prices on leather-bound books, furniture, accessories, antique sporting equipment, wall décor, garden urns and planters in an easily accessible space open to the public. 100 Riveredge Drive, Dallas, TX 75207 • (214) 871-2775. uncommonmktinc@sbcglobal.net • uncommonmarketdallas.com. Uncommon Market is like being at Round Top Antique Show year round. Come see us in our Dallas Design District location and experience the same friendly service that customers have enjoyed for over 40 years. 100 Riveredge Drive, Dallas, Texas 75207 (214) 871 2775 www.UncommonMarketDallas.Com
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antiques
A Passion for
CHRISTMAS
I
A recent TH&L interview with Barbara Crozier, owner of Laurel Ridge Inn and Antiques – a shop of Texas proportions specializing in American antique furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories – focused on a single, surprising word. Passion.
It is passion that has driven Barbara’s purchasing and merchandising for over three decades. But each year, when she transforms Laurel Ridge into a Christmas shop of almost magical proportions, that passion is more evident than ever.
TH&L: What is your philosophy when it comes to buying antiques? BC: I would like to place the question mark after the word “buying” instead of the word “antiques” because I buy everything for my shop in the same manner. Whatever I buy for Laurel Ridge, from the fabulous antiques that fill the shop and now grace the rooms of our Inn, to the paintings on our walls and the treasures on our trees, I chose because I am passionate about their beauty. They excite me. I trust that if I buy things that excite me, they will excite my customers. It is funny, but more often than not, it is not the rich-in-history piece of antique furniture or the important 42
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painting or piece of estate jewelry that causes my heart to race. It is quite often a simple garland or a treetop angel or a glittery Christmas card that excites me the most. I am truly and completely a pushover for all things Christmas. TH&L: What is one of your favorite displays? BC: Take a look at the garland above the mantelpiece. It is overflowing with bright and beautiful and broken ornaments. Look at them closely. They are missing their arms and legs and their tops and tendrils. One day when I was frantically decorating for an event, I tossed one of these broken beauties to the side. It landed perfectly on a lush garland. Turned a tad to the left or twisted a bit to right – its damage disappeared. The ornament was still something stunningly beautiful. From that moment on, broken ornaments were never discarded. Now, every year in my home and my store I create a centerpiece or a mantel decoration I call The Land of the Broken Ornaments. If
I didn’t tell you that they were broken, no one would ever know. But I have to tell. The fact that they are broken is the beauty of the whole idea. Saving broken beauties is something that guests to my store or in my home are now inspired to do in their own homes … with their own shattered treasures. TH&L: How do you display your collections in your own home? BC: How I decorate for Christmas in my home differs little from how I display Christmas at Laurel Ridge. The objects themselves do the design work for me. They seem to seek the very nook or cranny in which they will be most artfully showcased. My angel collection chose to crown the French looking glass in my hallway. The nativity, created by my artistic and ingenious Mother more years ago than I even like to consider, carefully tucked itself on the console across from the crown of angels above the mirror. Now, that console is the only place I could ever imagine it residing.
It is the same in the shop. The decorations find their homes. When I return from a buying trip the images of everything I have found are still vivid in my mind. I walk the store with my staff describing all the glorious things that will be arriving over the next months. In the course of that stroll, we discover where everything will be displayed. The only time that really changes is when we have sold a whole room of antiques, and then it is a complete fruitbasket turnover. TH&L: What will guests in your shop find at Laurel Ridge? BC: They will find authentic antique furniture, some great period and contemporary art, mirrors, pottery, cut glass, and ori-
ental rugs. From September through December, they will discover that we are chocked full of Christmas from all over the world. Shoppers will be thrilled with our extensive inventory of Texas artist Lynn Haney’s Santas, including a Santa that I design with Lynn each year. The only place in the world shoppers can buy that exclusive Santa is at Laurel Ridge Inn and Antiques or online at laurelridgechristmas.com. This year our exclusive Sleighbells in the Snow is the third Lynn Haney Santa in my White Christmas series. He is not only handsome, but his sleigh bells really ring. Shoppers can select from hundreds of beautiful ornaments, some of blown glass from family-run factories in Germany and Poland including ornaments created by Christopher Radko, Ino Schaller, and Inge Glass. They can choose wooden ornaments carved in Russia and glass eggs inspired by the Fabergé masterpieces. They will find ornaments of crystal and pewter and tin and ornaments in the shapes of stars and crowns and crosses. They will discover that we devote one entire room to angel ornaments and nativities of every shape and size and price. This year, they will find beautiful papier-mâché angels that have been handcrafted in the same villages in Sicily for centuries. I hope shoppers at Laurel Ridge find the most wonderful things they have ever seen. I hope they find those things that make our hearts beat faster, stir our passions and imaginations, and make us all feel like kids on Christmas morning. TH&L: What are some of the most valuable Christmas collections? BC: That depends on what you mean by “valuable.” If you mean costly some of the handmade pieces from Central Europe would probably head the list. The hand-carved Russian Santas, the papiermâché angels, and candy containers that take weeks to create are certainly more costly than their mass-produced counterparts. But if what you mean by “valuable” is “dear,” that is a different kind of Christmas story. TH&L Barbara Crozier, a frequent TH&L writer, owns and operates Laurel Ridge Inn & Antiques in historic downtown Gonzales, Texas. Crozier specializes in authentic antique furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories. laurelridgeantiques.com & laurelridgechristmas.com. Photography by Loretta Shirley
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Text by Nancy Baldwin Photography by Julie Soefer
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Couple brings colorful Spanish Mediterranean ambience to Houston There was just something enticing about Spanish Mediterranean style. “We were drawn to the style since we were kids,” says the owner of this sprawling residence in the Memorial area of Houston. “I had a magazine picture of a Spanish Mediterranean home on my bedroom wall when I was 17. My husband has always loved the colorful style.” Yet the decision to build their dream home came unexpectedly. With a home on Lake Conroe and a high rise condominium in the Museum District, the couple had enjoyed the flexibility that came with having two residences. “We thought the two homes would be sufficient,” says the homeowner. However, the couple found themselves making the long commute to the city more and more frequently, he to his job as a
petroleum engineer and she to her volunteer position with Living Water International. Together they realized the time had come to find a new home in Houston, and a search began. “We originally were just looking at homes on the market but couldn’t find one that had everything we wanted,” says the owner. Even worse, the homes displayed a palette of uninspiring beige and neutral hues. “Everything was too bland. It was hard to find a
above Rough hewn beams and arched windows and doors give the formal living room an Old World feel. November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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above “We wanted an Old World feeling,” says the homeowner of the formal dining room elegantly arrayed in shades of blue and gold. right Hand-carved panel doors, an iron chandelier and terra cotta flooring add ambience to the cozy wine room.
home with any color in it,” she says. Consequently, the decision to build a home of their own was made, and the couple enlisted the help of designer Chandos Dodson, of Chandos Interiors in Houston, to bring their dream to life. “They were building the house to be something they would love, and Spanish Mediterranean is what the homeowner wanted,” says Dodson. “They just loved the architecture.” A top priority for the homeowners was an interior rich with color. “My husband disliked the brown/beige color schemes that were so popular when we began building,” says the homeowner. He thought they were boring, so when we interviewed designers, one of the first questions was, ‘Are you afraid of color?’” “They asked for as much color as possible, and you’ll see reflections of this all over the home,” says Dodson. “They really love jewel tones. There are reds, blues, and greens throughout,” she says noting that the home’s rusty reds pay homage to the husband’s alma mater. “He was an Aggie.” The dining room is a striking illustration of the home’s vibrant 46
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hues. Aqua blue and gold Fortuny draperies with tassel trim coordinate easily with damask dining chairs with nail head trim. Velvet wing chairs and a silk rug add a touch of luxe. The Tuscan painting by Nicolas Watine on the wall provided both the inspiration for the home’s Mediterranean style and a color guide for the room. “The design came about from the toile on the wall. We wanted an Old World type of feeling,” says the homeowner. Dodson designed the formal living room to be both elegant and livable, mixing fabrics in rich gold hues. “We used silk, velvets, chenilles and leather in the room,” says Dodson. An ouschak rug ties together two conversation areas anchored by a massive fireplace with a carved stone mantel. Floor-to-ceiling wooden gates lead to the outdoor loggia. Lush color also distinguishes the media room. Caramel leather seating contrasts sharply with the theater’s deep navy blue velvet walls. Art deco wall panels were commissioned by the owners to reflect the design of doors on the Empire State Building.
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left Coordinating custom bedcovering, a silk rug and draperies in a champagne hue are a sharp contrast to rustic beams and Mesquite flooring in the master bedroom. above Dodson commissioned custom inlaid tile medallions and hand-carved columns in the master bathroom.
“The wine room is also spectacular,” says Dodson. With handcarved panels and brick walls showcasing a favorite painting, the alcove is a special retreat. “Our favorite room is the wine room,” says the owner. “We now have romantic meals, great wine and conversation there. It’s not unusual to find our friends there in the early morning hours discussing world and societal issues.” This love for entertaining influenced the couple to have Dodson create the handsome yet versatile kitchen. “The kitchen was an important room,” Dodson says. “It has all the bells and whistles. The bronze sink is amazing.” Cabinets have bronze hardware and barley twist details. Terra cotta tile forms the backsplash, and custom-made, hand-embroidered fabric hangs above the sink. A nine-foot island table is a center for gathering. “We’ve had numerous wine pairing dinners in the kitchen and flown our favorite chef from Napa for a weekend cooking school for our friends,” says the owner. The owners’ love for the unusual is reflected in the home’s four bedrooms. “We have themed bedrooms,” says the homeowner. Guest bedrooms include the Madame Butterfly with Asian décor, the Argyle with art deco furnishings and the Flying Palm deco-
rated in a West Indies style. The master bedroom is the San Miguel room and features rough hewn wood accents and fabrics in calming champagne tones. “Wood beams in our ceiling are from a 200 year-old barn. The 8-inch plank Mesquite flooring is so rich you want to eat it,” the owner says. A hand-carved alder mantel tops the fireplace. Dodson’s creative use of stone and tile brought rich color to the master bath. “The client really wanted red,” says Dodson. “That was a fun part of the project. The counters and sink are red onyx. We did custom medallions and tile design. The shower is honey onyx.” The bath is practical with heated floors for cool weather days. Not to be forgotten is a special room that isn’t inside but outdoors. “My husband’s favorite is the summer kitchen which on the original blueprint was a casita,” says the homeowner. “I lovingly call my husband El Asador which means the griller. He has a summer kitchen to rival any restaurant and is ‘one’ with his pizza oven.” “We spend most of our time on the couch on the loggia. The house is situated perfectly to enjoy seasonal breezes,” says the owner. The outdoor living area has a fireplace accented by handpainted tile and a rustic wood mantel. An iron sofa and twin chairs November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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top left Stone floors and washed wood finishes create a casual feel in the breakfast room, which opens directly to the loggia. bottom left An 18th century French table forms the vanity in the powder room and is topped by an antique carved mirror.
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in all-weather fabrics provide the perfect place to relax. With color and warmth, the home is a place of refuge. “The most unique feature of our home is the feeling you get when you walk in,” says the owner. “Our most cherished comment from a guest came from a Flamenco guitarist we hired for an event. He teared up when he walked in and said, ‘I feel like I’m in the hills of Spain in the home where I was raised.’” TH&L
above A fireplace, surrounded by hand-painted tiles, forms the centerpiece of the outdoor living area.
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The eclectic Christmas tree works in concert with the living/great room dĂŠcor, which consists of fine art, jewel tones, and elegant-yet-comfortable furnishings. 52
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Designer’s fine balance marks a fresh start for a favorite client — just in time for the holidays
Design by Bill Horton William E. Horton Designs Text by Nancy Myers Photography by Ruda Anderson RUDA Photography
A Sense of
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For Dallas designer Bill Horton, outfitting a home for the holidays is about much more than trappings and trim. It’s about establishing familiarity with the homeowners, their home, their lifestyle, and their revered keepsakes. With these particular customers, Horton had a history. They wanted to go all out with a revived look, which, for the designer, was the greatest gift: an opportunity to revisit the past while cementing some new holiday trends. “I had worked for this client several years ago,” says the owner of William E. Horton Associates in Dallas. “Then I was called back last year to start over with all new decor and design. This beautiful residence has a wonderful architectural base, which is always such an advantage. I love to work in a large-scale space. With this in mind, one has to think differently about everything. In some ways, having a larger scale requires different ways of working and installing a holiday job. This is probably the most dif54
ficult aspect — working with heights and weights of materials.” It’s a challenge conceptualizing a grand home from front door to fireplaces, transforming each nook into something elegant, not opulent. “We tried different things, areas that we hadn’t done before,” Horton says as he describes his methodical approach. “I took each room separately and, based on the colors, we did the appropriate décor. The dining room was different from the living room, and so on. Basically, I like to coordinate with each room rather than doing one theme through the whole house. I think that makes it special. You want to complement what they have. They have exquisite furniture, beautiful antiques, accessories, and art, so you just
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want to enhance what they have and work around what elements are in the room. It’s very warm, and it flows every well.” Horton ventured beyond stereotypical Christmas colors, drawing rich jewel tones from the homeowners’ oriental rugs and other corresponding features. “We used lots of emerald, sapphire, ruby — not a red-red but more of a cranberry red,” he’s quick to note. “I used mainly those dark jewel tones, and very little silver — mostly gold and copper and bronze. I always like to add a little pink, which throws your eye off. It’s an unexpected color — it breaks up all the others.” The designer’s favorite space is the great room, where the towering tree tops out at 22 feet, base and all. Boasting more
The living/great room tree, filled with ornaments old and new, stands 22 feet tall in front of a Palladian window. The tree’s décor is part ode to Christmases past, part Texana, with a touch of glitz. November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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In the dining room, poinsettias flank the fireplace, adding a warm, sparkling ambience. 56
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
The stairway decor is deceptively simple. Mixed-colored ribbon adorns strands of garland, perfectly complementing the homeowners’ art collection.
than a thousand lights and ornaments, it’s positioned in front of a Palladian window, evoking Renaissance flair. “It dresses it up a little bit,” Horton says. Horton expanded on sentimental favorites such as papermache ornaments, kid-crafted baubles, yarn and wood creations, and jeweled ornaments, throwing in a few crystal accents for shimmer and glitz. “It all worked together wonderfully,” he says. “There are some that reflect Texas history, with things from Austin and the Alamo, so that was a nice mixture of different types of influences. Everything went on the tree. It tells a story.” The dining room, another of Horton’s favorite spaces, features poinsettias banking the fireplace, which work to soften the surrounding space. It’s a look the homeowners love, and it’s repeated in other rooms. The home’s second level, surrounded by a fully
stocked library, provides a picture-perfect venue for loads of garland, lit with LED lights. One of Horton’s trade secrets is using garland that’s a mixture of different textures and materials, rather than relying on a single foliage. For this home he combined Noble fir and princess pine with juniper, giving the combined strands a lush look. He’s also big on maximizing simple, subtle themes, as evidenced in the garland lining the stairs. “There’s no ornamentation,” he points out. “Just lights and ribbons, but I mixed several different ribbons together. It’s kind of like the dark wine color in the oriental rugs, so that’s why I pulled it out.” Blending fresh with faux is another triedand-true tactic. “Some people like fresh trees, some like artificial,” he notes. “Say we do an artificial tree. We’ll do fresh greens
in other areas, so you still have that scent of Noble fir or blue spruce. Some people like to go totally artificial, and then you work in poinsettias or amaryllis or pinecones and other berries, mixed fruits…sort of Della Robbia effect. You still have some natural things.” The house itself is Georgian in style, with neoclassical accents. “It’s more 18th century architecture,” Horton says. “It’s got some beautiful surface finishes – wonderful marbles, granites, limestone, and beautiful wood floors, millwork, and also the paint colors are very in keeping with that period. The walls are very soft, muted colors.” He says the homeowners love to show off and share their home, particularly at holiday time. Wreaths, garland, nutcrackers, and a Santa figure out front provide a warm welcome for guests who flock to the steady
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above Home for the holidays: the dwelling’s welcoming driveway is both warm and hospitable, reflecting the homeowners’ kind spirit.
stream of dinner parties, cocktail fetes, and receptions. The four-day endeavor involved a team of eight, starting the Monday after Thanksgiving and working through Thursday. It’s a typical timetable for Horton’s streamlined crew, and with that kind of efficiency and dedication, one has to wonder why homeowners would go it alone. Horton agrees. “On the larger homes it’s so hard for the resident to take on that responsibility, because the scale is different. You have to use different materials and you have to think a different way. The thought process is not the same as with some of the smallerscale residences.” His teams are thorough, disassembling and labeling every piece of ornamentation, usually to be stored at the customer’s residence. “That way, it’s easier to maintain
and protect,” Horton says. He’s even got a fabulous post-holiday tip: “The best way to store garland is to hang it and to drape it in plastic, because if you put it in a box you have to shape it and rework it every year. This way it’s protected and perfect for the next year. We label it with what banister railing it’s supposed to match up with and just go through that process.” Horton’s clients range from politicians to sports figures to oil moguls, and the firm does parties and themes outside of the holiday genre. “I’ve had the pleasure of doing Christmas and holiday decoration for my residential clients since 1976,” he says. “We actually do about 15 homes a year. It could be a ranch or country house, a smaller Highland park home, or a huge estate.” While size is no obstacle, in the midst of this seasonal flurry he’s got dead-
lines to meet. “I’ve got to get it all done by December 10, or it’s too late. Each home takes three to four days, but sometimes we work on two homes at the same time. We’re multitasking, so to speak.” Actually, Horton specializes in multitasking. His firm also does retail stores, wholesale showroom design, and they’re not limited to Dallas. “We’re in Houston, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and we’re working New York now,” he says. “It makes it more interesting; you can travel and space it out, but we also work very hard. I try to make sure every job is perfect.” So what’s the designer’s own home like during his busiest season? “I’m so dedicated to my clients that I don’t have much time for myself, so I keep holiday décor in my condo to a minimum.” TH&L
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This holiday package includes a 9½-foot tree adorned with copper, bronze, muted golds, and hints of chocolate and persimmon. This regal décor coordinates with the home’s existing interior designed by Jane Page Crump.
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avoidING THE holiday decorating disaster
Text by Kaci Neves Photography by Tre Dunham
The lights are in a terrible tangle. The Christmas tree, after spending eleven cramped months in a cardboard box, is undeniably crooked. Its itchy, plastic pine needles are causing every member of the household to break out in hives. And the angel tree topper, a semi-tacky craft store find, looks disapprovingly from atop the leaning pine. This year, avoid the aforementioned décor disaster. Let Houston’s Creative Branch deck the halls. The company gives clients the ultimate, end-to-end holiday decorating service. “We come in, put the decorations up, take them down, and store [them],” explains Blaine Stacy, owner of Creative Branch. With this approach clients can spend a few hours gift shopping, and by the time they return home, Creative Branch has installed a twinkling tree and all of the trimmings. And the stress, the tangled lights, the crooked Christmas tree, can all be forgotten. Creative Branch has been in the holiday décor biz since 1989. Stacy’s career began when her husband lost his job, and the family needed an additional source of income. “The only thing I knew I did well, was decorate for Christmas. I went to the tennis court with a book of my designs and asked, ‘Want me to decorate your house for Christmas?’” After perfecting her craft for more than 22 years – attending countless classes and seminars and developing new design strategies – Stacy’s décor biz grew into Houston’s premier source for holiday furnishings. So, how do Stacy and the Creative Branch team create a worry free holiday experience? The first step is a consultation with the client’s appointed interior designer and a Creative Branch representative. “A complete assessment of the space is conducted, and based upon the client’s vision and budget, a proposal is generated,” says Melinda Conley, Creative Branch Artistic Director. Creative Branch is a trade only organization – working exclusively with interior designers. The benefit of working only with design professionals is, according to Stacy, “We have our thumb on the pulse of what the trends are,” ensuring that clients are outfitted with innovative holiday décor matching their existing interiors. “Designers come from all over the region to take in the new twists put on classic designs … [Their] smart phones are furiously sending images to their clients,” continues Conley. Though Creative Branch caters only to the trade, holiday clientele is welcomed to reach out to the company in order to get connected with the appropriate interior design liaison. In addition to working trade only, a variety of innovative decorating techniques help distinguish Creative Branch from other
The mantle pieces utilizes the same themes seen in the Christmas tree to achieve a complete, coordinated look. Interior design by Jane Page Crump.
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Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
opposite A whimsical, fun design with vivid, crisp colors and the perfect variety of ornaments. Bright reds, white, lime green, and silver give this towering 12-foot tree a contemporary vibe. right Pheasant feathers, Lady Amherst feathers, and man made feathers provide drama and dimension. Each chandelier enhancer is cable tied to each side of the chandelier chain, bringing the focus up high.
décor providers. Stacy was willing to divulge one of Creative’s trade secrets – the enhancer. “The key to our success is, we’ve made these enhancers that plug into the tree.” The enhancers are an aesthetic bundle of trimmings – ribbon, berries, greenery and ornaments – unique to each tree design. “They’re quite large,” says Stacy. “14-16 inches long. When you fill a tree with 14 enhancers… then all you have to do is come in and add ornaments.” This method allows Creative Branch to decorate in an intricate style while significantly shortening the installation time. “We can do a typical home in three hours,” says Stacy with confidence. And according to Stacy, “These things last so long that our clients get tired of them.” In which case, Creative Branch is happy to outfit clients with revamped décor. Towering trees, lush garland, and shining ornaments – collected from the Dallas Market and inspired by American Institute of Floral Design seminars – fill the Creative showroom. The space is ample – 16,000 square feet – and alive with the warm energy of the holidays. 10,000 square feet of the showroom is dedicated to Creative’s fanciful designs. “When you come in, you may see as many as 14 different Christmas trees,” says Stacy. The remainder of the showroom is designated to the manufacturing process – where the Creative elves toil and toil and create quality holiday digs for clientele across Texas. The showroom houses a number of holiday packages, designed to satisfy a number of tastes. “We’ve learned what is selling and what is not,” says Stacy. According to the Creative crew, pewter is this year’s trend. “We have the mixed metal package, which uses lots of pewter, bronzes, and gold,” says Stacy. Mixed metal is just one option, Creative’s carefully cultivated packages range from the whimsical – Dr. Seuss like designs and peacock feathered trees – to the more traditional – red, green, and gold or naturally accented trees. If these packages don’t completely satisfy a client’s needs, Stacy and her team are prepared to customize. “I had a [client] who wanted zebra print ribbon with red accents. And I thought how are we going to make this look Christmasy? But it turned out to be one of our prettiest designs,” says Stacy. To complete each tree, Creative Branch adds a unique topper, which serves to heighten the tree and the drama of the holiday décor. “It’s just a burst of greenery. A real glitzy looking spray covered with jewels and rhinestones. And then probably some berries that just burst out like a fireworks spray. That’s what sort of finishes our trees and gives our trees a unique look … These give the extra ‘wow’ factor,” says Stacy. After the package is picked and the tree is topped, it’s time for the install. As mentioned, Creative Branch outfits each home with November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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HOLIDAY DECOR The Holidays are Theapproaching holiday season fast is quickly approachand we can now ing. Let us consult offer you an with you on your effortless holiday needs and desires decoration and then have our experience. design staff create a look that will dazzle Our service andfull delight your program includes family and friends customized for all those holiday holiday events.decor, We will installation, take handle installation, down and and storage. takedown even storage while you We meet withonyou, concentrate the important people in do a walk through yoursubmit life. a and then proposal. Contact us today andhandle let us help We the you make your custom design, holidays installation, take down and storage. spectacular. Please contact us 7246 WYNNWOOD LANE if this is of interest HOUSTON, TEXAS to you this Holiday 713/861-5551 Season.
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Contemporary chandelier enhancer hangs over the kitchen table with Windsor pine sprays and lime and bright red balls.
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holiday décor in record time and fine fashion while clients are free from lifting a finger. But, “for all the ‘do it yourselfers’ who enjoy the decorating experience, [Creative Branch] builds the décor in modular fashion so it is easy to install, with little or no eye for design needed. You can have your own tree decorated in less time than it takes to watch a football game,” says Conley. What happens when the holly jolly season comes to an end? After the New Year, after Creative Branch stores the bows, garlands, and ornaments away, a home may seem a tad lackluster. Don’t fret. Creative Branch is capable of outfitting any home or commercial space with non-holiday, permanent botanicals, restoring that lush vitality. TH&L Creative Branch is owned by Blaine and Cameron “Curley” Stacy. The Creative Branch Showroom is located at 7246 Wynnwood Lane, Houston Texas, 77008. For more information or to arrange a holiday décor consult, call (713) 861 5551 or visit creativebranch.com.
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Text by Suzanna Logan left photo by Cocktails and Caviar right photo by Kym Skiles, F8 Studio
MERRY AND BRIGHT During the holiday season, Cocktails and Caviar owner Cory Morrison brings Christmas cheer and style to Texas homes. When interior designer Cory Morrison visits a home he has agreed to spruce up for the holidays, he says he comes in the usual way – through the front door. But, it wouldn’t surprise us to find out he actually slips down the chimney instead. Ten months out of the year, Morrison is known simply as the owner of Cocktails and Caviar, a special events company based just outside of Dallas, but during November and December, he becomes the Santa Claus of home décor, transforming some of Texas’ grandest homes into veritable winter wonderlands. For Morrison, Christmas comes early each year; the process of sizing up a client’s design wish list and their existing décor begins weeks before the big day. Decorating a home generally takes two or three days, and Morrison always arrives on site with a decorating plan that will add just the right amount of Christmas magic to his clients’ homes. For some, the right amount of magic means simple, earthy touches that blend with their home’s every day charms. For others, it’s more of what Morrison refers to as a “Christmas on steroids” approach. Whether he’s going minimalistic or all-out, the designer prefers a traditional take on holiday decorating. “You want your holiday décor to be timeless,” he says. “You don’t want to reinvent every year, so you have to stay away from anything too trendy.”
To make a classic Christmas statement, Morrison most often relies on a palette of reds, greens, and golds — although he’s not afraid to mix things up. He has been known to add touches of Tiffany Blue to an otherwise conventional color scheme, and once, he even outfitted a home with bursts of hot pink, lime green, and teal at the owner’s request. “We made it work,” he chuckles. Although Morrison says his personal aesthetic tends towards the traditional, it is far from dull. “People kid me all the time because I tell them glitter is better,” he says. “Glitz around the holidays is always fitting.” To add shimmer and shine to an interior, Morrison often relies on a mix of metallic and glass accents. But, he says the key to a dazzling display is good lighting. “Lighting is where you get your biggest transformation,” he says. “It creates a whole new feeling. It’s the cherry on top.” Considering his emphasis on light, it’s not surprising that the designer even gives light fixtures a seasonal upgrade with cascades of greenery, ribbons, and flowers. For Morrison, there is no detail too small and no element — no November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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a few of Morrison’s tried-and-true decorating ideas: Think Small: “You don’t have to spend a lot of
Photo by Cocktails and Caviar
money to add style. Hang a few new ornaments, tie on a pretty ribbon, or just switch up the placement of things.”
Let There Be Light: Rely on LED flameless candles
for an ambient light that’s as safe as it is beautiful. “They look so real; you can hardly tell the difference.”
Freshen up: “Put out paperwhites to fill the air with
a beautiful aroma, or use poinsettias to bring a pop of color to the room.”
Out with the Old: “People tend to hold on to Christmas trees forever, but you really need to refurbish every three to four years.”
Get Real (sort of): Bring the scent of the season into your home by nestling fresh greenery into your artificial Christmas tree and swags. “You reap the benefits without the upkeep.”
Take a New Approach: Add a surprise seasonal
statement by giving items you already own a holiday makeover. “For example, treat starfish or seashells with glitter or gold paint, and pull them into your décor.”
Photo by Kym Skiles
matter how unusual — that can’t be used to create a charming Christmas display. “When you use the fun and unexpected, great things happen,” he says. His possibilities-are-endless-approach has led him to top Christmas trees with everything from pheasant feathers to a giant, red velvet top hat. Last year, he designed four outdoor, animatronic jack-in-the-boxes for a client on the circuit of the Highland Park Christmas Lights Tour. Each head was made to resemble one of the clients’ four children. Whether hanging a family’s stockings by the chimney with care or ensuring their home’s exterior will glow with lights once the sun sets, there is one thing that drives all Morrison does. “Creating something special that brings joy to everyone who sees it is the reason I do what I do,” he says. “For me, that’s what this time of year is all about.” And, while Morrison relishes the privilege of bringing Christmas cheer to others’ homes, he says after a long season of decorating, it’s tempting to leave his own abode as-is. “Each year I feel like the cobbler whose kids have no shoes,” he laughs. “I think twice before pulling out my own décor, but in the end, I always do.” TH&L 68
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
Photo by Cocktails and Caviar
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1 Design House features this large scale, 10-foot high, one-of-akind metal panel painting of a cowboy, most likely created for a rodeo years ago as an advertisement for Lee Jeans. It is a prime example of the unique finds in the 10,000-square-foot showroom with art, antiques, accessories, furnishings, lighting, and custom pieces. Located in The Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road, Ste. 115, Houston, TX 77024 • (713) 803 4949. designhousetx.com. 2 Emmet Perry & Co. Fine Carpets and Rugs offers amazing holiday specials. You can easily get that beautiful rug you have always wanted. What a wonderful gift for yourself. Interior Shops on Washington, 8200 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 77007 • (713) 961-4665. emmetperry.com.
3 Grand Openings, Inc offers Kolbe Windows and Doors for all new residential and commercial projects. Whether your design is contemporary, traditional, or historic our products are made to compliment your style while promoting environmentally conscious energy efficiency. Visit us in Dallas, Austin, and Houston or learn more at grandopenings.com. 4 F&G Landscape strives to deliver inspired elegance to Houston homes, lawns and gardens. Our services include design, custom installations, unique planting, irrigation, stonework, lighting, pools, spas and more. Naturally, we also provide weekly comprehensive maintenance to keep your landscape beautifully manicured throughout the year. (713) 667-7198. fandgdesign.com
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1 McGannon Showrooms invites you to visit their NEW Creation Station for design inspiration. It features two large-screen TVs for surfing or client presentations, use of in-house iPads, swatches/samples, color copying, and fresh-baked cookies to keep you going. With our genius staff and a huge in-stock inventory, we’ll make your design dreams a reality. This Mid-Century modern cabinet is beautifully crafted with rosewood veneer and exquisite sycamore veneer inlaid detail. 1617 Hi Line, Ste. 700, Dallas, TX • (214) 748-1828. mcgs.com. 2 Savannah House offers full service interior design in addition to a showroom with a fabulous selection of lighting and design accessories. To help you begin your design projects, we offer space planning, floor plans, elevations, and electrical and lighting specifications for both residential and commercial spaces. Then, we’ll help take the project to completion with furnishings and window treatments. Savannah House is located in the Interior Shops on Washington, 8200 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 77007 • (713) 863-2948. savannah-house.com. 3 Sugar Creek Interiors offers a wide range of design services and an 8,000-square-foot showroom with unique furniture, accessories, lamps, and art – all readily available “off the floor” to complete any design project. It’s a perfect time to stop in to freshen up your home or office before the holidays! Our inventory also includes many gift items for a one-stop shop. We are located in the Interior Shops on Washington Avenue. Sugar Creek Interiors design projects are featured on the 70
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theredvault.com, and we are currently adding our inventory for you to see! 8200 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 77007 • (713) 212-0000 4 Jane Page Crump presides over the Jane Page Design Group, an award winning, full-service interior design firm well known for its elegant and distinctive interiors. For more than 30 years, the creativity and uncompromising standards of Jane Page Design Group have made this firm one of the most respected in the industry. The firm works closely with the finest contractors and architects to ensure that their clients’ requirements are met. 500 Durham Drive, Houston, TX 77007 • (713) 803-4999. janepagedesigngroup.com. 5 Sunset Designs When looking to enhance your home or just add security with low voltage outdoor lighting, Sunset Designs is the name you can trust. Sunset Designs offers a personal design service with free evening demonstrations, professional installation, and annual service contracts to ensure the longevity of your lighting system. (877) 826-0504 • sd-lighting.com. 6 Uncommon Market Antiques has been in business in Dallas for over 40 years. We offer the best prices on leather-bound books, furniture, accessories, antique sporting equipment, wall décor, garden urns and planters in an easily accessible space open to the public. 100 Riveredge Drive, Dallas, TX 75207 • (214) 871-2775. uncommonmktinc@sbcglobal.net • uncommonmarketdallas.com.
F &G L a n d s c a p e Snow ski, snow mobile, snow shoe, hike, hunt, fish, mountain bike, fine dine, and shop all located within minutes. Winner of the 2007 Parade of Homes Grand Hacienda award, this beautiful custom built home features large gourmet kitchen, spacious great room, game room with pool table, scenic views from every room, and is located in the Angel Fire country club community with PGA golf course. Angel Fire Villa offers 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and sleeps 12.
Design • Installation • Maintenance Lighting • Hardscape • Pool & Spa
Available for monthly and weekly rentals.
713-667-7198
For more information call (512) 637-0321 or email Gary@AngelFireVilla.com
www.fandgdesign.com 5110 Elm Street Houston, TX 77081
www.AngelFireVilla.com
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Education Experience Examination Code of Ethics Annual Continuing Education Annual Criminal Background Check
Turn your home into an architectural showpiece.
Why Sunset Designs is the right choice. When it comes to outdoor architectural and landscape lighting, you want to know you are working with the industry’s best. Sunset’s expert staff has a combined work experience of almost 30 years. We know the industry, the trends and the products. And we take pride in our award-winning designs. So if you are looking to beautify your home’s appearance or want to make a stylish statement, Sunset Designs is the name you can trust. Enhanced
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For more information or a free demonstration at your home call 877.826.0504 www.sd-lighting.com November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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design TEXAS
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1 Le Villa Estate Furnishings and Antique Consignment Gallery specializes in high-end home furnishings and antiques. This exquisite beauty has been on Antiques Roadshow and dates from the 1950’s. This special piece is rumored to have come from Liberace’s Palm Springs Estate. We offer estate sale and asset liquidation services with client confidentiality as a top priority. Private consultations are available. 888 Market St., Allen, TX 75013 • (972) 908-2228. LeVillaHome.com
delivery at J. Douglas Design. 3301 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, TX 75219 • (214) 522-8100. jdouglasdesign.com
2 Rios Interiors offers customers an unlimited choice of native wood, from antique wormwood doors found in Central Mexico to unique pieces for your ranch or Southwestern home. Rios interiors has grown to become a leader in Southwestern, Ranch, and Rustic styles of furniture and accessories for modern living. New collections are arriving to our store this season, bringing new flair and charm. We invite you to visit our 20,000-square-foot showroom located at the Stockyard Historic District at 2465 N. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76164 • (817) 626-8600. riosinteriors.com
5 Gary Riggs‘s Allen retail showroom is relocating this Fall to Dallas. It will open as Gary Riggs Home and will be located off of Alpha Rd. across from the Galleria. It will showcase the finest home furnishings in the market in over 40,000 square feet of retail showroom space with the most skilled and talented design force working the floor. (214) 547-1054 • garyriggshome.com
3 J Douglas This Marge Carson wing chair works beautifully in either a formal or casual setting. Covered in a zebra print cowhide, this and many other Marge Carson pieces are available for immediately 72
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4 Alyson Jon is featuring fine dining from John Richard, including the “Rafael” dining table. This table is available now off the floor, just in time for holiday entertaining. 701 S. Capital of Texas Highway, Ste. 900, Austin, TX 78746 • (512) 330-9766. alysonjon.com.
6 Parrish Companies and Parrish at Cardell on Main provide professional and courteous service for beautiful home enhancements. Three locations in San Antonio and Round Rock offer innovative appliances, exquisite cabinetry, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, BBQ grills, garage doors, windows and countertops. Visit parrishandcompany.com and parrishonmain.com for more information.
THE 38TH ANNUAL
DECEMBER 3 & 4, 2011 D I C K E N S O N T H E S T R A N D. O R G
Galveston’s World Famous Victorian Holiday Festival! OFFICIAL SPONSORS November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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P
POLKADOTS
CUPCAKE FACTORY
Former Engineer Gets Sugarcoated, Creating Fun Specialty Cakes and Confections for the Holidays. Owner of Austin’s Polkadots Olga Lee says, “After a few years of being a corporate Excel monkey by day, baker by night, I decided to ditch my button down suits and high heels to put on my apron full time and create fun, whimsical cookies, cupcakes, and cakes.” The cake creating prodigy and her team, which includes Olga’s husband Ben Lee and artist Julia Doubleday, design scrumptious treats with artful appeal. “Our style ranges – classic, whimsical, and modern. We do custom wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and hand iced cookies – corporate logo and funky shaped cakes as well,” says Lee. This holiday season, when the bitter chill of winter whips in, stop by Polkadots and get sugarcoated! Their knit inspired cakes induce a cozy, sugar coma, and the adorable gift box cakes contain a rich, butter cream surprise, capable of warming any soul! THL
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a la carte
above Elk & Snowflake Cake A small, two-tiered, winter themed cake adorned with fresh flowers. Inspired by classic knit patterns on winter scarves and long johns. Design by Julia Doubleday. left Gift Box Cakes Four cakes inspired by holiday wrapping papers and gift bows. Each cake serves five adults. Design by Julia Doubleday. right Macaroons Gluten free almond macaroons. Perfect for finger-food parties!
Polkadots Cupcake Factory 2826 Rio Grande St. Austin, TX 78705 (512) 476-3687 info@polkadotscupcakefactory.com
Photography by Q Weddings Photography November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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kitchen + bath Take an ordinary journey to an extraordinary place
15635 F.M. 2920 • Tomball, Texas 77377 www.arborgate.com • 281-351-8851
1 Bath & Kitchen Showplace. Now you can have that apron front sink you’ve always wanted without redoing your entire kitchen. Kohler’s Whitehaven self-trimming, apron front sink is constructed of durable enameled cast iron and will complement any décor. But even better than that is that it fits any standard 36-inch cabinetry. This means it’s an easy install and will fit into your existing cabinetry. Visit any Bath & Kitchen Showplace to learn more about this and other revolutionary products. bkshowplace.com
Give the Gift of Just in time for the holidays, give the gift of
Texas Home & Living. What a perfect way to add cheer to a friend’s holiday!
To order, visit TexasHomeandLiving.com or call 512-637-0344.
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2 The Kitchen Source, an exclusive Wood-Mode Custom Cabinetry dealer, specializes in kitchen design and remodeling and extends their expertise to other areas of the home as well. For the homeowner who wants an exceptional experience with knowledgeable designers, The Kitchen Source has the product and staff to complete any look and provide you with the very best. 1544 Slocum St., Dallas, TX 75207 (214) 741-1912 or 3116 W. Sixth St., Fort Worth, TX 76107 • (817) 731-4299. thekitchensource.net
Italian Renaissance architecture is complimented by a formal stone portico with elaborate, boxwood hedge parterres and raised lawn.
Winner of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association Gold Award With this garden’s symmetrical elements, antique garden ornaments, charming cobble walks, and glowing night time lights, visitors are truly re-birthed into another era. “I have a real strong feeling and belief that gardens should relate to the architectural style of a home. We were dealing with an Italian Renaissance style home here, and that’s reflected very much in the style of the garden,” says awardwinning landscape architect Paul Fields. Visitors to this landscape’s front garden are ushered in with wide grass steps culminating in a great stone portico. The portico is divided into several parterres, designed with clipped boxwood hedges that curve and wind in a mesmerizing fashion. According to Fields, these intricate boxwoods are “a common thread that hold the whole garden together.” To create added visual interest, the parterres are contrasted by a raised lawn panel and complimented by an elegant bounty of roses and azaleas.
In addition to the labyrinth like gardens, Fields designed a linear fountain to amplify the elegance of both the interior and exterior of this home. Though the fountain is located in an outdoor courtyard near the rear of the residence, large windows and its strategic alignment with the entry hall make it visible from the front door. “We wanted to create a dramatic view,” explains Paul. Arrivals to the home are stupefied; the fountain’s precision jets echo the colonnade architecture, creating a cohesive and captivating space.
Landscape Architect Paul Fields, Lambert’s Landscaping • Text by Kaci Neves • Photography by Larry Speed November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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above Raised, carved limestone coping and linear jets make this fountain a dramatic end to an axis extending through the house. below Fields’ custom lighting design showcases the garden at night, too.
Small additions, such as the antique garden ornaments, lend ageless grace to this landscape. Fields says, “Several of the pieces . . . we brought in from Italy – there’s a combination of new and antique. I think the antique pieces lend that air of permanence.” This collection of antique garden accessories spans from the 17th to 19th centuries and works to authenticate the period architecture. This enchanting and well-manicured landscape was not created without challenge. Fields explains, “In the rear garden, we had two things we had to contend with. We had a real lack of space for the scale of garden we needed to create.” And after excavating, Fields and his team realized that beneath a thin layer of soil, there was nothing but rock. For these reasons, “the whole rear garden is like a big planter,” says Fields. Fields’s “big planter,” nestled artfully into the rocky hillside, showcases a finely carved urn spilling water into a grotto pool and utilizes a French drain system to accommodate the surrounding botanicals. In order to make this landscape shine after sunset, Fields carefully crafted a lighting design. “I feel really strongly about landscape lighting,” says Fields. “Garden spaces should be able to be utilized at night. Not only for entertainment purposes but for the homeowners use as well.” With the help of LED lighting 78
Texas Home & Living • November/December 2011
This cobble walkway’s limestone, combined with dichondra and clipped box globes, transports any passerby into the age of the Italian Renaissance.
with adjusted color temperature – tweaked to the perfect shade for showing off green plant material – Fields is able to accentuate certain elements of the garden, allowing the landscape to enchant by day and by night. TH&L right A view of towering Italian cypress trees and a homeowner-requested lily pond.
November/December 2011 • Texas Home & Living
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Give the Gift of
Just in time for the holidays, give the gift of Texas Home & Living. What a perfect way to add cheer to a friend’s holiday! To order, visit TexasHomeandLiving.com or call 512-637-0344.
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