The Wheats, The Stalking Continues – Part II

 

Sally Wheat lets me back inside!

 

One of the most popular stories on my blog has been “Stalking the Wheats” where last year I wrote about a beautiful house that I stalked on my daily Starbucks route.   The story of this house, a mixture of Belgian styling with lots of trendy pops, was a huge hit with everyone.   Their gray kitchen in particular was admired.  Even today, I still get emails asking for the color of Sally’s cabinets (Benjamin  Moore’s Fieldstone.)      The Wheats’ house did not go unnoticed by people in the media either.   Several magazine scouts that read my blog took an immediate interest in the house and finally  -  it was approved for a photo shoot with Country Home magazine.   As we all know, that magazine folded, just shortly before the photographs were to be taken.   But, all was not lost.   The editor of Houston House and Home, the top local design magazine here, contacted me about photographing the house - which  Sally very excitedly agreed to.  The photo shoot was set for earlier this summer.  The only thing  that was particularly nerve wracking about the entire shoot was Linda Barth, the editor, had asked me to write the cover story!   YIKES!    She promised it would be easy – she wanted a similar story to the original “Stalking the Wheats” – and so I agreed.    Most exciting of all, I would actually get paid for writing the story, which is a first – to be sure!  Everyone knows blogging is truly a labor of love, we don’t get reimbursed by some big blogging boss out in cyberspace.

The Houston House and Home photo shoot happened over a month ago.  I had not been back inside the Wheats’ house since the first story, and I was very pleasantly surprised at all the wonderful changes that have taken place.  Sally, like all interior designers, isn’t one to sit by and let her house just “be.”  It’s constantly in flux as pieces go in and out and from room to room.  The biggest change was in the living room; oh, I almost gasped when I saw it – it was so beautiful.    It’s been pure torture to have all these wonderful photographs that I took that day and not to be able to show them, but we (Sally, Linda and I) decided it would be better to have my new pictures timed to come out at the same time that the magazine issue came out.    The Houston House and Home with Sally Wheat’s house on the cover arrived in the stores this week, so, today – here are my updated pictures of the house!     The magazine is online – if you don’t live in Houston, you’ll still be able to read the story.   And for fun, be sure to read my original story here to see what changes Sally has made since we first visited in April of 2008.

 

  The evergreen wisteria has really grown since last year, but all in all the exterior was same, except for different pots at the front door.

 

 

The front door is dark brown planked wood with small sconces flanking it.   Above is the lantern from Chateau Domingue.

 

 

Sally and I are very different in that she doesn’t like any lights on in her house during the day!  I am the complete opposite – I love all my chandeliers blazing all day long and I keep my sconces on 24/7 (after years of fighting with Mr. Slipper Socks Man over this!)   Here, I turned on the lantern and the dining room fixture.    She really doesn’t like them on – not for electricity issues – she just thinks the house looks better in natural light only.   A thought:  do you?  Which you do like, lights on during the day or off?   

 

 

The biggest change in the dining room was the breakfront – it was formerly in the living room.  The mirror that was previously where the breakfront is now moved to the living room!     Sally had the dining table custom made to  match one she had seen in World of Interiors magazine.  Os de Mouton chairs are slipcovered in a muted damask.   The curtains, from Indulge in Houston,  are very breezy and are unlined linen with top ties. 

 

Another new addition to the dining room is the large cross made out of dried leaves.  I love her wooden Italian chandelier and  her choice of accessories for the table.

 

 

One small wall in the dining room is completely filled with this set of botanicals. 

 

 

Here you can really fully see the chandelier.    The dining room is to the right of the front door, so now, we’ll go the living room at the left of the front door.

 

Facing the front door, this vignette is between the living room and dining room and it shows Sally’s style – a mixture of antique and modern.

 

 

BEFORE:  The living room had four arm chairs surrounding a small Italian table.  The breakfront now in the dining room was in this room last year.  At the time, Sally still hadn’t purchased her seagrass – it was on the way.  

 

BEFORE:  Against the back wall of the living room was this magnificent screen from Thompson Hansen.  When I was stalking the Wheats, I could see this screen from my car, and it used to really make me want to go inside and see the rest of the house!

 

 

TODAY:  C’est magnifique!    What a change!   I gasped when I first saw this room – it is just beautiful.  Sally moved the screen (and removed some extra panels from it) behind an antique gilt framed French settee.  She added a linen skirted table and a seagrass rug is layered with a white calf skin on top.  Two vintage chairs that are not a pair are covered in Kelly Wearstler’s Imperial Trellis.   This setting made the cover of Houston House and Home.

 

 

On the right wall is the large mirror that was once in the dining room.  It is now flanked by two antique sconces. 

 

 

Perfect perch for the pooch!

 

 

I love the way the room is reflected in this shot.   I hate to leave here!  It’s so pretty!

 

 Walking down the center hall to the family room/kitchen, you pass the stairs on the left.

 

Here we pass the iron stairs that were painted to resemble pewter – next is the family room.  This picture is from last year - I forgot to take one of the stairs this time!

 

 

The family room – all lit up for the photo shoot.  I think the candles look so pretty.   This room is much the same as it was last year, just the mantlescape has changed and the coffee table accessories – I actually like both much better now.

 

 

The two matching sofas are slipped in linen, long and lean – Belgian style.  There are two armchairs and a cow hide rug underneath. 

 

 

 

The mantle now has old books – without covers, the trendiest of the trendy, and lilac roses.  I think this looks so beautiful!  The light above was driving Sally crazy – she couldn’t wait to turn it out.  I happen to like it on myself – too funny.   Notice moi in the mirror.   hehe

 

 

Love the coffee table – Sally makes the driftwood art herself with wood she collects at her beach house on Boliver.   She sells the items at her antique booth at Antiques and Interiors on Dunlavy here. 

 

 

The TV hides behind one of the antique shutters Sally bought and had repainted.  Originally the house plans called for open shelving here which Sally had changed before the house was completed.    The shutters are now the beautiful focal point in the family room. 

 

 

 

Behind the sofa on the left are the stairs and the portrait wall – filled with anonymous women – several of whom actually resemble the dark haired Sally!   The collection of portraits has grown over the past year. 

 

 

A wide view of the family room – on the very left is the kitchen and on the very right, under the stairs, is the computer office hideaway.   In the hallway by the front door are things being moved around for the photoshoot.    Madeline Weinrib pillows on the chairs.

 

 

To the right of the family room is the breakfast room and then the kitchen.   The doorway leads to the back stairs which go to the playroom.

 

 

Closeup of the vignette between the family room and the breakfast room.

 

 

The back stairs up to the playroom.  I really like this carpet.    Sally loves trends as much as I do – can you count the trends in this picture? 

 

 

BEFORE:   The breakfast room as it was – French host chairs and an antique chandelier. 

 

 

AFTER:  Everything has changed except the Tolix side chairs – the zinc table is new as are the Pantone chairs.  The lighting fixture was replaced with something more modern from Indulge Maison Decor.  Sally loves to mix the new with old, the modern with the antique, the industrial chic with the Belgian chic. 

 

Leading into Sally’s kitchen  - the plate wall over the marble buffet is new since last year’s visit.  

 

 

Sally’s kitchen was such a hit last year – everyone loved it!  The gray cabinet paint color is Fieldstone by Benjamin Moore.  The lighting fixtures came from Brown in Houston – aren’t they fabulous?

 

 

Sally’s cabinets are open and show off her white dishes and crystal.

 

 

I love her casement window and the Shaws sink with the polished nickel faucet.   Love her cabinetry and hardware too.   Let’s go upstairs now.

 

 

BEFORE:  Sally’s guest room before – actually this color is so “in” right now – I’m almost surprised she changed it all out.  But she did. 

 

 

AFTER:  The new guest room is all black and red – with a vintage suzani the focal point.  I love the hanging lanterns!  Upstairs is all wall-to-wall seagrass, my favorite.

 

 

Cute side table vignette in the guest room.

 

 

Since last year, Sally has added some new touches to her daughter’s room, like the Madeline Weinrib rug.

 

 

Sara’s vintage chairs wears a Rubie Green fabric, isn’t it the cutest?   Sally loves to buy vintage chairs and redo them with paint and fabric.

 

 

The master bedroom now has two vintage chairs, slipped in white, in front of a large antique mirror. 

 

 

 

Tired puppies from the long day of photoshooting.  Large tufted headboard and antique bench. 

 

 

 

Against the windows on the right side of the master bedroom is a large white desk and a ghost chair.   Unlined linen curtains.  For pictures of her bathroom, see the photos from last year. 

 

 

All of Sally’s backyard furniture was damaged in Hurricane Ike, so the back patio is completely new this year! 

 

 

What a photo shoot looks like – the stylist checks the shot while the photographer waits patiently nearby for the OK!!   The editor is nowhere in site – probably out looking for the sun.  The angle of the sun is important – how the light comes through certain windows can make or break a shot.  They were excited to get sunrays in the cover shot of the living room below:

 

 

The afternoon sunlight was streaming through the left windows in the cover shot.  Really, this is just an excuse to show this picture one more time!!!!!

 

To read last year’s Stalking the Wheats, go here.   And to read the story about Sally’s house in Houston House and Home online, go here.   If you live in Houston, be sure to pick up the magazine this month.    And if you would like to learn more about moi,  read the Editor’s Note – on page 8 – online too.    Linda Barth has always been extremely nice to me and I want to sincerely thank her so much for her support and confidence in this little blogger.    And a huge thank you to Sally Wheat for all your hospitality and friendship!

Sally Wheat Decorates: The Brick House

 

 

Stalking the Wheats- The living room (second version.)  The third version of this room is being worked on right now!

 

Without a doubt, some of the most popular stories on Cote de Texas are the ones about Sally Wheat’s house.  I think after the Something’s Gotta Give house, The Stalking the Wheats stories, part I and II, get the most emails.   I’ve featured her house twice – and her beach house, once – and all three times, the amount of interest from you has been amazing!  So, when Sally told me she was just finishing up some work on a house in West University – I jumped at the chance to show it to you!   I didn’t even need to preview it – I knew I would love it, and you would too.  So, please join me as we tour the house which I have nicknamed The Brick House (as you will soon see why!)  I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.   And just a side note, the above living room in Sally’s house has gone through yet ANOTHER redo!  In its third decorative scheme (which Sally swears is the last time she is going to redo it – sure, Sally!) – the look is now more contemporary.  I can’t wait to go photograph it, too.  

 

 

Made of stucco:   so why is it called The Brick House?

 

The Brick House is located in West University – the charming, small, all-American town encircled by the big city of Houston.   It’s three stories – as many of the newer ones are:   the third floor is usually a big media or play room.     And like most of the newer West U houses, it is creamy stucco with shutters and gas lanterns and lots of curb appeal.  The young couple who live here are friends with the Wheats.  Their children go to the same school – and so, when it came time to hire a new designer, Sally was given the nod.   Probably because like everyone who sees Sally’s house, the owner also is a big fan.

 

 

The Entry Hall.

Walking through the double front doors into the foyer – the dining room is on the left and the living room is on the right.  Straight ahead lies the family room and stair hall, with the walk in bar and kitchen, to their left.  The front part of the house has the more typical West U dark hardwood floors, but instantly your eye is drawn to the unusual – gorgeous brick floors that run throughout the more casual areas of the house.  The brick floor is so gorgeous, so unexpected, and such a rarity – that they take your breath away for an instant.  Suddenly, the house becomes not some everyday, new construction West U house – but rather a Belgian-esque flavored one.  The house is in the middle of a total redecoration under Sally Wheat’s direction.   The living room is still a work in progress, as is the master bedroom.   But, a small kitchen fire forced a rushed timeline in that room.   The family room, the sun porch, and the Princess’ room are all completed – except for a few pieces here and there. 

 

The Living Room.

The Christmas tree – so pretty and subtle with white snowflakes is the star of the living room, which is still waiting its finishing touches.   Of course there is seagrass – this is West University, after all! 

 

 

Though the owner and Sally balked at me showing this room - I think it looks pretty good right now.   As soon as Sally has worked her magic, I promised them I would show the finished project.   For starters, Sally has added the sconces and new seating and curtains are being ordered. 

 

 

The Dining Room.

Entering the dining room through the entry hall – I am in love!  

 

 

 

The dining room is long and wide – allowing plenty of space for the large Spanish styled wood table with its scrolled iron brace.  The chairs are fabulous – also Spanish styled, with ruffled slipped skirts and button detailing.  But – it’s the extra large nail heads that define the chairs and set them apart.  The chandelier is Italian styled, with a candlestick base and wooden tassels –a style that is so popular today.  Curtains are sheer, see-through linen with simple tab tops.   The room is  soothing in its monochromatic color scheme and the buffet matches the color of the chair’s linen.    Of course – the seagrass acts as another, large expanse of the linen color.  An arched window styled mirror reflects the sparkle of the chandelier lights.    The walls throughout the downstairs are painted Martin Senour’s Linen Weave – the paint de rigueur for chic Houstonians. 

 

 

The Spanish styled table is simply furnished with wood candlesticks and a large French pottery bowl.  A trio of tiny evergreen trees continue the Christmas decorations.

 

 

 

Leading into the family room, two carved French panels flank the arched opening.   The stairs have painted white wooden banisters and handrails along with a seagrass runner.  The beautiful Belgian inspired brick floor begins in this section of the house.

 

 

Entering the stair hall, there is a large, walk in wet bar on the left, through which the dining room connects to the kitchen.  The countertops here are a gray concrete.  

 

 

The Family Room.

Past the open stairwell, is the family room with a fireplace flanked by two built-ins.   A long sofa faces the arm chairs, and a wall of windows looks out onto the screened-in porch and backyard.   The kitchen and breakfast room are opposite the family room.   Painted in the white Linen Weave, a surprise dark gray paint shows up in the bookcases.  

 

 

Looking the other way, behind the sofa is the kitchen and breakfast room.   The stairs and the wet bar are to the left.   The tight back sofa, dressed in a gray Lee Jofa linen,  has contemporary lines and is simply tailored with a beautiful waterfall or dressmaker skirt.    Trimmed pillows with an accent skin continue the sedate, Belgian feel in the house.    A wood cricket table is mixed with a more industrial leaning coffee table.  Tara Shaw’s cachepot holds the just starting to bloom Christmas paperwhites. 

 

 

 

Looking towards the wall of windows -  you can see the beautifully tailored sofa with its slender arms from which the fabric gracefully falls unimpeded.    Perfect.

 

 

The tight back English saddle arm chairs were recovered by Sally in an elegant eggplant colored linen with just the slightest of sheen.  Double ruffled skirts add a soft touch.  The ikat pillow fabric is contrasted against all the gray and linen shades. 

 

 

 

The focal point of the family room is the fireplace flanked by two bookcases.   A large peeling paint trumeau shares mantel space with old books, some with covers, some without.   Simple jars hold greenery.

 

 

Sally styled the deep gray painted shelves with a mixture of textures:   large spools of twine become decorative objects, caramel colored antique books match terracotta pots.   Shells and carved stones provide light pops of white. 

 

 

In the right bookcase, Sally mixed more caramel colored books with antique apothecary jars.   Shells, pots and more books finish out the vignette.

 

 

Heading from the family room into the kitchen and breakfast room – where the color gray becomes even more prominent.

 

 

The Kitchen.

 

A small kitchen fire pushed the remodeling up – luckily the owners had been planning an update, now they had to finish it quickly.   Sally changed the Corian countertops to a mixture of gray concrete with Carrara marble on the island.   The slate backsplash was eliminated for just a small lip of concrete – all much more streamlined.    The cabinetry remained – it was just painted, while upper cabinets received glass insets in their doors.   Wicker stools were purchased for the bar area.    The gray on the cabinets is Martin Senour Owlet.   The deeper gray on the kitchen island and family room shelves is Martin Senour Baby Hippo.    Also, all the wood doors throughout are painted in the darker Baby Hippo too.

 

 

Looking towards the back wall of windows and the screened-in porch – you can see the breakfast room.  The gorgeous lanterns are from M. Naeve  (yes, I have the same ones too! – great minds think alike, no?)     The chairs are still to be changed out, Sally and the owner were quick to tell me – though I thought these looked just fine!   In this view of the kitchen, you can see the Carrara marble on the island here.   Also, all the hardware was replaced in the remodeling.     How pretty is this?!!!?

 

 

A kitchen must:  casement windows, farm sink, and polished nickel faucet – perfection!

 

 

 

Here you can see the Christmas decorated white painted deer head and Sally Wheat’s own driftwood cross that she creates.   To order one – email me – she makes all different kinds of driftwood art.  The curtains here and in the family room are the same as those in the dining room.  Olivine in Houston carries these, and Restoration Hardware has similar ones. 

 

 

Leaving the kitchen to go outside and see the screened-in porch – another rarity for a West University town sized lot.

 

 

Screened-In Porch.

The screened-in porch, also with brick flooring, allowed Sally to have some fun.  Sally is a conflicted interior designer – as we all are!  She is torn between quiet, monochromatic palettes and the bright pops of color with contemporary accents that the younger set is drawn to.  The porch gave her the opportunity to express her younger side – with the bright yellows and oranges.   The brown cushions were piped in bright white to tie in with all the pots and tables.  But it’s the lamp and rug that really set the vibe here.  

 

 

Are we in Houston?   Doesn’t this look like a European house? 

Heading back inside to go upstairs – notice the closet door painted dark gray.  While I like to paint interior doors black to give them more of a presence, the gray is softer alternative.     There’s one more Sally Wheat designed room to see today:  The Princess’ room.    While the master bedroom is still being finished – I think you’ll like their daughter’s bedroom just fine!

 

The Princess’ Room.

So precious!   With walls of pink, the focal point no doubt is the round, tufted raspberry velvet ottoman.   Perfect for a throne!   The bed is done in whites and light pink ruffles, while the headboard is all white and nail heads.  Pillows are Hable Construction.   Wall to wall seagrass covers the floor – notice the pattern:  the basketweave is a thicker and somewhat heavier seagrass than the traditional weave. 

 

 

This charming gray painted screen with linen tied curtains came from The Fab Flea in Houston.    

 

 

A gray painted metal chandelier from Olivine hangs from the ceiling – while an antique Louis Philippe mirror sits atop the rattan chest.  

 

 

I love the little angel santos above the bed! 

 

 

But THIS is my favorite!!!!!   I absolutely love this!!!!!

 

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of The Brick House designed by Sally Wheat.   To see other work by Sally go HERE, HERE, and HERE.  Sally has an antique booth at Antiques and Interiors on Dunlavy HERE and is available for interior design projects.  Just email me and I”ll pass them on to Sally!  And Sally is working other projects that she is just finishing up – so hopefully I’ll be bringing those to you soon!