House with Two Courtyards

 

 

Notice the brick paver driveway and the attractive garage door.  Antique shutters surround the front window, while an old bench sits out front.  I love the copper gutters!   To the right is the side garden which leads to the hidden front door. 

 

Now that the West University Home Tour benefiting WU Elementary is over, for those who don’t live in Houston, homeowner Heidi Dugan is graciously letting us see these pictures of her beautiful house first published in Houston House and Home magazine.  Dugan is a well known real estate agent in Houston, working for Greenwood King.  She built this house several years ago using inspiration she got after traveling to France and Italy.  The house is filled with antique architectural elements brought over from Europe which give the house its special feel.    Interior Designer Ginger Barber sourced old and antique beams, flooring, shutters, and furniture from Houston dealers and also directly from Europe.    While the house itself is outstanding, the outdoors really set it apart.  There are two courtyards – one for dining and one that surrounds a small swimming pool.   The front door, with its side entrance, is reached through antique iron gates, creating a third outdoor space.

 

The side garden behind a wood and iron door, leads to the front door.  The pergola gives this space a room like feel.

 

In this picture of the foyer, you can see the iron railing on the gracefully curved staircase.  Antique trumeau and candlesticks sit on a French console.

 

The living room, across form the entry, faces out to the front yard seen through the large arched window.  Linen was used for the curtains and slipcovers.   The contemporary coffee table is juxtaposed against a trio of antique chairs.  Notice the gorgeous ceiling beams that came from France.  The rug is the only bright pattern found downstairs which is mostly cream, ivory, and white.

 

 

The dining room has a beyond fabulous antique French chandelier.  The table is Italian and the fabric on the chairs is Fortuny.  Just gorgeous!

 

In the kitchen, antique beams were used for the crown molding.  The island is an antique shop counter.  The countertops are 17th century stones!  Amazing!    The floor is Portuguese tile. 

 

Slipcovers and seagrass, a popular Houston look which Ginger Barber helped define.   The star of the family room is the 17th century mantel.   The antique beams found throughout are from Chateau Domingue.   Out the doors is the “swimming pool courtyard” – one of two courtyards found on the property.

 

In the powder room, a stone trough becomes the sink.  The trumeau and sconces are both French antiques.

 

The upstairs landing features a vignette with an antique console and a pair of balustrade lamps.  What a great idea – blow up one family picture instead of having framed pictures spread throughout.  Love that!

 

Heidi’s bedroom is all linen in beiges and sages.   Hey  - that rhymes!   The desk is an antique.  Notice the pair of lamps taken from old vases.   I love the slipcovered bench at the end of the bed and the candelabra in the corner.  The ceiling is vaulted and lined with beams. 

 

The dining courtyard features a large limestone table and a mirror made out of an 19th century zinc French window.   The landscaping is all green, mostly from box, bamboo, and vines. 

 

The same space – here you can see the 18th century fountain set up on a wall made of 19th century stone blocks.   I really love the pair of stone columns and finial.    So pretty!

 

The second courtyard, off the family room, is where the swimming pool is.  To one side is a draped pergola that creates an outside room. 

 

Without the pet dog, you can see the courtyard better.   I love the table and the draped banquette under the pergola. 

 

Heidi Dugan, an real estate expert on West University and surrounding neighborhoods, works at Greenwood King and can be reached HERE.  To read more about this house see the article in Houston House and Home HERE.  All these beautiful photographs were taken by Miro Dvorscak.  Visit his web site HERE.

The builders were Overstreet Builders.  Helping with the plans was architect Travis Mattingly.  Ginger Barber did the interiors and Thompson Hanson did the landscaping.

 

 

 

If you are going to be in Houston this weekend, its Urban Market time again!  For more information, go HERE.

 

 

 

A Beautiful Showcase House–SOLD!!!

Last year I showed you a beautiful showcase house, “The Tile House,” HERE that was designed by Maria Tracy of Tracy Design Studio.  Recently, Maria contacted me to tell me about a new showcase house for which she had just completed the interiors.   This showcase house is located in Tanglewood – one of Houston’s toniest neighborhoods.   To get the house ready to show, it was filled with beautiful upholstered furniture, antiques, art and rugs.   Not surprisingly, the house went into “pending sale” status almost immediately after its opening cocktail party.   The quick sale really drives home the point that it helps tremendously to furnish a new construction house – it makes it so much easier for the prospective owner to imagine living there!    The house was designed by Robert Dame and built by Iraj Taghi.  Installed, are the most wonderful of finishes – including 100 year old reclaimed wood floors, hand carved stone fireplaces, and beautifully painted walls with just a hint of faux.  The house is large at 9620 sq. ft., five + bedrooms, and three stories.    While a house of this size is out of reach for most of us, it is still fun to pretend and dream and even to get some ideas.  So, enjoy!

The side view shows the depth of the large house. 

Maria Tracy who did the interior design for the house is unique in the business.  She has a Master Degree in Architecture, yet she also practices interior design.   For this house, she enlisted many merchants in Houston to provide furniture, accessories and art.   Two vendors have stock in almost each room:  Custom Creations Furniture who provided all the upholstered pieces and Michelle Y. Williams whose art work is on the walls.   Other vendors include Chateau Domingue, Joyce Horn and Carl Moore.  Also contributing is CdT Sponsor MAI (2Lucy's, Gracy Hall, Jill Risley and Lindra Petty), Boxwoods and  Kirby Antiques.  Finally, making a huge impact is Creative Flooring who provided all the rugs.    And, lastly, Maria's daughter, Allyson Tracy Plumm, has joined Tracy Design Studio, and she assisted in all the interior furnishing selections.    

The staircase has a beautiful scrolling iron railing.  I love the huge French jardinaire – its rough texture juxtaposed against all the luxe.  

The main hall off the staircase runs throughout.  The floor is a pretty mixture of light and dark marble.

The living room is filled up with upholstered pieces from Custom Creations.  I love how Maria put four chairs around the fireplace and the sofa is in the big bay window.

Looking towards the dining room.  Love the two oversized mirrors flanking the arch.

The dining room is my favorite – with all the slipcovered chairs in linen.  Again, it’s a nice mix of the informal against the formal.   All the art work is from Michelle Y. Williams and is a great match with the muted colors found throughout. 

The view towards the living room.

Now, here you can see what a difference it makes furnishing new construction houses for sale.  This is the dining room without the furniture – though the room is beautiful, it is not nearly as inviting!

I really like how Maria furnished the library with antiques and accessories.  Love that sofa!!!

And looking the other way.  All the doors are so beautiful.

Another view of the main hall- looking from the opposite direction.  Here the painting picks up the darker colors found in the rug.

The large family room overlooks the back yard with its pool.  More furniture from Custom Creations.   Custom Creations sells furniture from their own line OR they can create any piece, custom to your specifications.    They also have a line of wood tables – like those between the two arm chairs.  Their prices are reasonable – especially for their wonderful custom work – and I highly recommend them.   

Looking through the family room into the kitchen.

Love the backsplash.

And looking the other way out the windows in the breakfast room.

The powder room has a sink inside a chest.

Leading to the upstairs master bedroom is a niche filled lobby that includes a coffee bar.

The bedroom is a mix of  furniture styles and art work.   A day bed sits under the TV.  A stone balcony through the windows overlooks the backyard pool.

The bedding is a great mix of linen and silk.   I love the headboard!!!!

Here’s one more view of the bedroom, looking into the entryway.

The bathroom has more of the windows found throughout the house.  Beautiful tub and tile backsplash.

My favorite.  I would kill for a closet like this with glass fronted doors!!!!

             

The view from the upstairs landing with art work by Michelle Y. Williams.

       

Out the back is a wonderful porch, with a fireplace and kitchen.  I like how Maria used trendy zinc furnishings out here.

Another view – here you can see the outdoor kitchen.

The back of the house – showing the family room and the breakfast room to the left.   Love those lanterns!!!

After the opening party, the house went immediately into “pending sale.”   Unfortunately, the furnishings were taken down this weekend, and the showhouse was closed early!   To contact the builder, Iraj Taghi go HERE.

To contact the interior designer Maria Tracy at Tracy Design Studio, go HERE.

Custom Creations Furniture HERE, Creative Flooring(713) 522-1181,  Michelle Y Williams HERE.

Molly Ann Kaplan, HERE,  has the listing. 

Wade Blizzard took these fabulous photographs. 

Be sure to visit our sponsor MAI HERE from where many of the antiques came from!

Coming Soon:  A great giveway – watch for more details!

And don’t forget to listen to the latest Skirted Roundtable with Joe Ruggiero HERE.