With that, check out my most recent article for houzz.com was all about our leafy green friends: Bring In The Outside With House Plants!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Around the Houzz: House Plants
Numerous people (clients, prospective clients, friends, etc) have asked me what I think is the easiest, quickest way to transform a home (or room) on a budget, especially on a renter's budget. My answer has always been paint, which obscures all signs of the people who occupied the place before you, memories of ex's, filth or simply breathes new life into a space without breaking the bank. But I recently added plants to my answer. Plants have an uncanny ability to make everything look and feel clean, fresh and alive while simultaneously scrubbing grossness out of the air we breathe. That shot of green (or many shots) does wonders for any space, and in my opinion, you cannot have too many. For high-end projects, I recommend choosing sculptural, statement plants that add texture and interest to a room, and almost act as a piece of art. But big plants don't come cheap. For the rest of us, I think just about any healthy plant will do. We used them liberally in our last apartment: plants became "curtains" over our bathroom window, they softened sharp edges and brought your eye up to the ceiling when placed high on a top shelf. But more than anything, they made our small apartment feel airy, breezy and a little more connected to nature. We only have one right now (sadly, our plants did not survive the freezing cold drive from New York to Texas) but we have big plans to get more soon.
With that, check out my most recent article for houzz.com was all about our leafy green friends: Bring In The Outside With House Plants!
With that, check out my most recent article for houzz.com was all about our leafy green friends: Bring In The Outside With House Plants!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Heritage Homes Tour
I cannot believe more than a week has already passed since I started to write this! Saturday, April 9th, the Heritage Society of Austin hosted it's nineteenth Heritage Homes Tour, cleverly named "The Bold and the Beautiful," featuring grand estates that rarely allow access to the unwashed masses. We were washed, FYI. I was even wearing a sun dress because it was 90-something degrees!
Me, outside Woodlawn/Pease Mansion
It was unclear as to whether or not photos were allowed, but we brought the camera, just in case. As it turned out, photos were generally not allowed, but some volunteers weren't aware of the rule, so Oliver got a handful of good shots before being kind of berated.
Insallah
The first house we visited was a bit of a let down. "Insahallah" (602 E. 43rd St) was built in 1920, but, sadly, has been remodeled so many times by people who clearly weren't interested in retaining any of the historical elements of the home, as it has been almost completely stripped of all original detail.
Nothing historic-looking about that! (Real estate listing photo)
Redeeming features included an awesome inlaid wood star, and Texas star theme in general that was repeated throughout the house, in addition to some lovely tile flooring.
Photos snapped covertly by Oliver
The library was the most historic room in the house, with it's original wood paneled shelves still in place:
The rambling home had a floorplan that made no sense (one room lead to another; some rooms had three doors for entering and exiting) and poor, "builder-grade" finished (faux wood treatments, cheap flooring, faux beams made to look old and "ranchy,") which made the whole place feel cheap. The home, which is for sale, is situated on beautifully landscaped grounds, so hopefully the right person will purchase it and restore it back to the condition in which it is meant to exist. Obviously, it wasn't all bad – if I had an extra $2,950,000 burning a hole in my pocket, I might buy the place for the pool alone!
Fun wagon artifact near the front of the house
Commodore Perry Estate
The disappointment of the first house set our expectations quite low, so we were a bit wary of the next place. We were simultaneously pleasantly surprised and blown away at house number two, the Commodore Perry Estate (710 E. 41st), which was chock-full of original details and sprawling estate-y charm. Since its completion in 1928, the home has not changed hands many times over the years, so most of the original elements remain. Dallas architect Hal Thomson designed the 23-room Renaissance-style house, which features a central mass flanked by two pavilions, a terracotta roof, a triumphal arched entry with Corinthian columns, a grand staircase and entry hall, oval walnut-paneled library, dark oak floors, Mexican tile and wrought iron details. A decorator show house was hosted in the home in the 1980s and a few remnants of the wild (and completely not historic) choices made remain, such as pseudo-trompe l'oeil wallpaper, over-the-top drapes and a pleated upholstered ceiling treatment, although none of that managed to detract from the beauty of the home.
Arched portico overlooking gardens – tile flooring from Mexico
Original marble flooring in entry with original iron door
Oval library paneled in walnut, which was cheaper and more widely available than mahogany at the time (not at all the case today)
Walnut paneled dining room (featuring heinous 1980s window treatments)
Gorgeous staircase leading from entry to upstairs bedrooms
All the bedrooms also had sleeping porches for toasty summer nights
Built-in vanity for the lady of the house. Don't overlook the lovely mouldings and intricate door details with inset mirrors!
Intercom in the servant's hall
Thankfully, a local investor has purchased the property and is working to restore and preserve the buildings and landscape further.
Sweetbrush (Swisher-Scott House)
Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin
Next we visited Sweetbrush (2408 Sweetbrush Ave), a Greek Revival built by celebrated and accomplished master builder Abner Cook in 1853. While the property has had a handful of different owners over the last 158 years, original details have not only been preserved, but celebrated, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure was relocated in the early 1900s to a plot of land overlooking the future Lake Austin. Measured drawings had previously been created by Samuel E. Gideon,an avid admirer of the home, and her was able to accurately reconstruct it. The home originally had three-foot-thick brick walls but such insulation was no longer necessary, so the extra bricks were used to create two additional wings flanking the center structure, in keeping with Greek Revival's adherence to symmetry. The current owner has been painstakingly restoring various parts of the home. Operable exterior shutters have been restored or replicated, as needed. Original floors, mantels and woodwork remain. Ionic columns at the front entrance have been sanded down to remove 16 layers of paint and reveal the wood grain, once again. Abner Cook's signature is an x-motif used on railings. An example remains on a second floor balcony.
While the owner has some amazing furnishings, rugs and accessories, which add to the richness and historic elegance of the home, the she would benefit from the expertise of an interior designer who specializes in historic preservation to help with things like rugs and window coverings. Greek Revival architecture looks quite ornate and detailed by our current building standards and often inspires designers to bring in fussy decor and textiles. In reality, the style is actually quite understated and pared down. Floofy window valances and crazy drapes are not historically accurate, and tend to compete with the architecture.
Lovely furniture, but the drapery is just too much for the time period. (Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin).
Woodlawn (Pease Mansion)
Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin
Woodlawn (1606 Niles Road) was our next stop. Also designed and built by Abner Cook in 1853, the home's exterior features six fluted columns and Mr. Cook's signature openwork diamond-pattern balustrade. In 1957 the owners at the time added rooms on the northside of the property. It passed through the hands of the University of Texas before being purchased by Jeff and Laura Sandefer in 2003. While upgrading the foundation, mechanical systems and adding 21st century standards to the home, the couple removed the additions to reflect the home's original (and intended) symmetrical configuration revered by the Greek Revival style. The home, a national, state and city landmark, is considered one of the finest examples of Green Revival architecture in Texas.
Entry
Photo courtesy Traditional Home
Mark Ashby, one of Austin's finest decorators, worked his magic on the interior, which looks fresh and contemporary, but is respectful of the home's historic elements. Ashby nailed it with the window covering (clearly my obsession here); they are stately and refined without being gaudy. He brought in a variety of textiles and textures that work beautifully with the case goods and flooring to create a modern yet classic style throughout the home.
Formal living room: Ashby created two seating arrangements using different furniture in each setting, yet it doesn't look cluttered or busy. The chandelier in the center ground the room without blocking views while the gently lacquered ceiling reflects light throughout the grand room.
Photo courtesy Mark Ashby Design
Parlor: I would be honored to wait for my hosts to greet me in this lovely room!
Photo courtesy Mark Ashby Design
Family room looking toward kitchen: A variety of textures result in a visually compelling room without being overwhelming
Photo courtesy Traditional Home
Neill-Cochran House
Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin
The final home on the tour was the Neill-Cochran House, yet another Abner Cook design. Built in 1855, the 18-inch thick walls are clad in local rubble-cut limestone with contrasting painted wood trim. After completion, the owners couldn't afford to live in the house, so from the beginning, the grand manor house was a rental. It changed hands twice (owned first by the Neills, the the Cochrans) before being purchased by The National Society of the Colonial Dames, who furnished it with 19th-century antiques and later turned it into a the Neill-Cochran House Museum. The Dames are still restoring the house, but it is open for tours and events. They are also in the process of acquiring more furniture and accessories from the Cochran family, as one of the Cochrans is still alive and visits frequently! Photographs were not permitted and there aren't any good interior shots floating around the interwebs. You'll just have to take my word for it; the house is beautiful and worth a visit on your next trip to Austin!
This was a wonderful collection of homes that we would never have had access to otherwise! I'm already looking forward to what we'll see next year! Of course, the tour left me inspired to come up with a snappy but stately name for our own (mini) estate. I'll have to run some ideas by you guys.
Me, outside Woodlawn/Pease Mansion
It was unclear as to whether or not photos were allowed, but we brought the camera, just in case. As it turned out, photos were generally not allowed, but some volunteers weren't aware of the rule, so Oliver got a handful of good shots before being kind of berated.
Insallah
The first house we visited was a bit of a let down. "Insahallah" (602 E. 43rd St) was built in 1920, but, sadly, has been remodeled so many times by people who clearly weren't interested in retaining any of the historical elements of the home, as it has been almost completely stripped of all original detail.
Nothing historic-looking about that! (Real estate listing photo)
Redeeming features included an awesome inlaid wood star, and Texas star theme in general that was repeated throughout the house, in addition to some lovely tile flooring.
Photos snapped covertly by Oliver
The library was the most historic room in the house, with it's original wood paneled shelves still in place:
The rambling home had a floorplan that made no sense (one room lead to another; some rooms had three doors for entering and exiting) and poor, "builder-grade" finished (faux wood treatments, cheap flooring, faux beams made to look old and "ranchy,") which made the whole place feel cheap. The home, which is for sale, is situated on beautifully landscaped grounds, so hopefully the right person will purchase it and restore it back to the condition in which it is meant to exist. Obviously, it wasn't all bad – if I had an extra $2,950,000 burning a hole in my pocket, I might buy the place for the pool alone!
Fun wagon artifact near the front of the house
Commodore Perry Estate
The disappointment of the first house set our expectations quite low, so we were a bit wary of the next place. We were simultaneously pleasantly surprised and blown away at house number two, the Commodore Perry Estate (710 E. 41st), which was chock-full of original details and sprawling estate-y charm. Since its completion in 1928, the home has not changed hands many times over the years, so most of the original elements remain. Dallas architect Hal Thomson designed the 23-room Renaissance-style house, which features a central mass flanked by two pavilions, a terracotta roof, a triumphal arched entry with Corinthian columns, a grand staircase and entry hall, oval walnut-paneled library, dark oak floors, Mexican tile and wrought iron details. A decorator show house was hosted in the home in the 1980s and a few remnants of the wild (and completely not historic) choices made remain, such as pseudo-trompe l'oeil wallpaper, over-the-top drapes and a pleated upholstered ceiling treatment, although none of that managed to detract from the beauty of the home.
Arched portico overlooking gardens – tile flooring from Mexico
Original marble flooring in entry with original iron door
Oval library paneled in walnut, which was cheaper and more widely available than mahogany at the time (not at all the case today)
Walnut paneled dining room (featuring heinous 1980s window treatments)
Gorgeous staircase leading from entry to upstairs bedrooms
All the bedrooms also had sleeping porches for toasty summer nights
Built-in vanity for the lady of the house. Don't overlook the lovely mouldings and intricate door details with inset mirrors!
Intercom in the servant's hall
Thankfully, a local investor has purchased the property and is working to restore and preserve the buildings and landscape further.
Sweetbrush (Swisher-Scott House)
Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin
Next we visited Sweetbrush (2408 Sweetbrush Ave), a Greek Revival built by celebrated and accomplished master builder Abner Cook in 1853. While the property has had a handful of different owners over the last 158 years, original details have not only been preserved, but celebrated, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure was relocated in the early 1900s to a plot of land overlooking the future Lake Austin. Measured drawings had previously been created by Samuel E. Gideon,an avid admirer of the home, and her was able to accurately reconstruct it. The home originally had three-foot-thick brick walls but such insulation was no longer necessary, so the extra bricks were used to create two additional wings flanking the center structure, in keeping with Greek Revival's adherence to symmetry. The current owner has been painstakingly restoring various parts of the home. Operable exterior shutters have been restored or replicated, as needed. Original floors, mantels and woodwork remain. Ionic columns at the front entrance have been sanded down to remove 16 layers of paint and reveal the wood grain, once again. Abner Cook's signature is an x-motif used on railings. An example remains on a second floor balcony.
While the owner has some amazing furnishings, rugs and accessories, which add to the richness and historic elegance of the home, the she would benefit from the expertise of an interior designer who specializes in historic preservation to help with things like rugs and window coverings. Greek Revival architecture looks quite ornate and detailed by our current building standards and often inspires designers to bring in fussy decor and textiles. In reality, the style is actually quite understated and pared down. Floofy window valances and crazy drapes are not historically accurate, and tend to compete with the architecture.
Lovely furniture, but the drapery is just too much for the time period. (Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin).
Woodlawn (Pease Mansion)
Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin
Woodlawn (1606 Niles Road) was our next stop. Also designed and built by Abner Cook in 1853, the home's exterior features six fluted columns and Mr. Cook's signature openwork diamond-pattern balustrade. In 1957 the owners at the time added rooms on the northside of the property. It passed through the hands of the University of Texas before being purchased by Jeff and Laura Sandefer in 2003. While upgrading the foundation, mechanical systems and adding 21st century standards to the home, the couple removed the additions to reflect the home's original (and intended) symmetrical configuration revered by the Greek Revival style. The home, a national, state and city landmark, is considered one of the finest examples of Green Revival architecture in Texas.
Entry
Photo courtesy Traditional Home
Mark Ashby, one of Austin's finest decorators, worked his magic on the interior, which looks fresh and contemporary, but is respectful of the home's historic elements. Ashby nailed it with the window covering (clearly my obsession here); they are stately and refined without being gaudy. He brought in a variety of textiles and textures that work beautifully with the case goods and flooring to create a modern yet classic style throughout the home.
Formal living room: Ashby created two seating arrangements using different furniture in each setting, yet it doesn't look cluttered or busy. The chandelier in the center ground the room without blocking views while the gently lacquered ceiling reflects light throughout the grand room.
Photo courtesy Mark Ashby Design
Parlor: I would be honored to wait for my hosts to greet me in this lovely room!
Photo courtesy Mark Ashby Design
Family room looking toward kitchen: A variety of textures result in a visually compelling room without being overwhelming
Photo courtesy Traditional Home
Neill-Cochran House
Photo courtesy Heritage Society of Austin
The final home on the tour was the Neill-Cochran House, yet another Abner Cook design. Built in 1855, the 18-inch thick walls are clad in local rubble-cut limestone with contrasting painted wood trim. After completion, the owners couldn't afford to live in the house, so from the beginning, the grand manor house was a rental. It changed hands twice (owned first by the Neills, the the Cochrans) before being purchased by The National Society of the Colonial Dames, who furnished it with 19th-century antiques and later turned it into a the Neill-Cochran House Museum. The Dames are still restoring the house, but it is open for tours and events. They are also in the process of acquiring more furniture and accessories from the Cochran family, as one of the Cochrans is still alive and visits frequently! Photographs were not permitted and there aren't any good interior shots floating around the interwebs. You'll just have to take my word for it; the house is beautiful and worth a visit on your next trip to Austin!
This was a wonderful collection of homes that we would never have had access to otherwise! I'm already looking forward to what we'll see next year! Of course, the tour left me inspired to come up with a snappy but stately name for our own (mini) estate. I'll have to run some ideas by you guys.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dining Under the Stars, or Sun, or Whatever, As Long As Its Outside
Our move to Texas was 95% motivated by the opportunity for nearly year-round outside living! I've written about outdoor showers (I will have one someday. Oliver has actually promised to built me one/have someone build one for me…like, in the very far off future, but now that he's said it, it will happen. Homey don't play); I've written about outdoor rooms, which seemed so out of reach for me, until somewhat recently; I've written about how nature-deprived New Yorkers misguidedly think fire escapes are legitimate terraces; and I've written about water towers and life inside them, a post inspired by an afternoon on the roof deck of my parents' building in New York. So, if you didn't know before, now you're aware that I love being outside.
This week has been kah-RAZY busy (in so many good ways) but its left little time for chillin' outside (although we've done our best to make time). So, it made me happy to write a post Houzz.com that allowed me to scour all the amazing photos of enviable, romantic outdoor dining nooks. We're still working on the inside of our house; we haven't even gotten close to thinking about the outside, but inspiration is swelling, thanks to Houzz. Check it:
Romantic Outdoor Dining Inspiration
I swear, I have some fun things to report on. I just need a minute to sit down and sort them out. In the meantime, all I've got time to write about it what I'm writing about on Houzz.com. I'm just dying to tell you all about the awesome Heritage Homes Tour we checked out last weekend – a photo-filled post is forthcoming! xoxo
This week has been kah-RAZY busy (in so many good ways) but its left little time for chillin' outside (although we've done our best to make time). So, it made me happy to write a post Houzz.com that allowed me to scour all the amazing photos of enviable, romantic outdoor dining nooks. We're still working on the inside of our house; we haven't even gotten close to thinking about the outside, but inspiration is swelling, thanks to Houzz. Check it:
Romantic Outdoor Dining Inspiration
I swear, I have some fun things to report on. I just need a minute to sit down and sort them out. In the meantime, all I've got time to write about it what I'm writing about on Houzz.com. I'm just dying to tell you all about the awesome Heritage Homes Tour we checked out last weekend – a photo-filled post is forthcoming! xoxo
Monday, April 11, 2011
Versatility in Tiles: Subway Tiles
I love subway tiles. They are so common in New York bathrooms because they're cheap, durable and relatively easy to apply. I grew up with them and have lived and have specified them for several projects. Our current home is the first place I've inhabited in recent years that doesn't have subway tile and I don't see them a lot in Austin, in general, except in homes that haven't really been changed in 100 years (seriously). To fill the void, I recently wrote an article for Houzz.com on different applications of subway tile – horizontal, vertical, white, colorful, combining styles to create patterns, dark grout versus light, herringbone (my personal favorite, although clearly not everyone's, since good images of them are scarce). Check out the many sides of the subway tile: Classic Subway Tiles Go Uptown
Below, I've included a few photos of how I've used them in the recent past.
White walls and small tile accents created a classic 1930s New York look in this Williamsburg bathroom and kitchen:
The dark green marble 1"x1" borders enliven the subway tiles in this traditional bathroom:
(I used the same contractor for both of the projects above – he applies tile with the tightest, straightest lines!)
Glass tiles, though more expensive than simple white ceramic, gave the Sunnyside bathroom a clean, serene yet bright and dimensional feel:
Of course, our landlord used them in our last bathroom, and they paired beautifully with stripes and patterns:
Below, I've included a few photos of how I've used them in the recent past.
White walls and small tile accents created a classic 1930s New York look in this Williamsburg bathroom and kitchen:
The dark green marble 1"x1" borders enliven the subway tiles in this traditional bathroom:
(I used the same contractor for both of the projects above – he applies tile with the tightest, straightest lines!)
Glass tiles, though more expensive than simple white ceramic, gave the Sunnyside bathroom a clean, serene yet bright and dimensional feel:
Of course, our landlord used them in our last bathroom, and they paired beautifully with stripes and patterns:
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Anatomy of a Passport Photo
Oliver and I will be attending a wedding in Mexico in a couple of months (rough life, no?) and both of our passports just expired. Rather than spend time and money having passport photos taken by a grumpy non-photographer shooting flat pictures under fluorescent light, we decided to take a stab at it ourselves. In the end, after figuring out the lighting situation, achieving neutral expressions, standing at the correct distance (not too close, but not too far away) and editing the photos to look more washed out and evenly lit, per the gov's strict passport photo guidelines, it probably would have been worth our time (and money) just have the damn things taken by someone else. But then I wouldn't have a blog post dedicated to the outtakes, would I? Here's how we fared:
Just getting the lighting sorted out. I can't resist being a pain in the buttocks. Oliver hasn't shaved yet. Let's get the show on the road….
Killy: Too dark, not amused
Oliver: Too much shadow behind head, also not amused
Killy: Too much expression, not looking straight into camera
Oliver: Far too happy; crooked head (my fault, but on purpose)
Open mouths: not appropriate
Killy: These pictures are boring
Oliver: You're boring – I'm looking out the window
Killy: Are you sure that last one isn't going to work?
Oliver: You can't be serious
Getting into character...
Money shots (gross lighting courtesy photoshop, since it seems to be a requirement). Done and done! Mexico, here we come!
Just getting the lighting sorted out. I can't resist being a pain in the buttocks. Oliver hasn't shaved yet. Let's get the show on the road….
Killy: Too dark, not amused
Oliver: Too much shadow behind head, also not amused
Killy: Too much expression, not looking straight into camera
Oliver: Far too happy; crooked head (my fault, but on purpose)
Open mouths: not appropriate
Killy: These pictures are boring
Oliver: You're boring – I'm looking out the window
Killy: Are you sure that last one isn't going to work?
Oliver: You can't be serious
Getting into character...
Money shots (gross lighting courtesy photoshop, since it seems to be a requirement). Done and done! Mexico, here we come!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Well-Concealed Kitchen on Houzz!
Another ideabook by yours truly just went live on Houzz.com – ideas for cozying up your kitchen with furniture from other parts of the house! Hope on over to Houzz.com to read it:
The Well-Concealed Kitchen.
The Well-Concealed Kitchen.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Sartorialist in Front of the Camera
Many of you are probably familiar with The Sartorialist, but for those who aren't, former fashionisto (15 years in the fashion industry), Scott Schuman snaps arresting photos of everyday people (who happen to be phenomenal dressers) on the streets of New York, Milan, Paris, and other fashionable cities, and posts them on his blog, The Sartorialist. He's had exhibitions of his work and has published a book, so things are good for Mr. Schuman. Intel recently sponsored this lovely short documentary of the man most often seen behind the lens. He has wonderful insights and a soft-spoken, kind demeanor. Please check out the video!
I am aware that email subscribers often have trouble getting the video links – sorry about that! I have no control over how that operates! If you can't see the video in your email, click here! It's really worth a watch!
A wonderful Friday (and weekend!) to you all! xoxo
I am aware that email subscribers often have trouble getting the video links – sorry about that! I have no control over how that operates! If you can't see the video in your email, click here! It's really worth a watch!
A wonderful Friday (and weekend!) to you all! xoxo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
