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!   

A Special Gift Offer for Cote de Texas Readers

 

 

 

This past summer during my vacation at South Padre Island, I was slightly shocked and totally thrilled to receive this gorgeous pearl and aquamarine necklace from jeweler and  blogger – Karen Sugarman.   She gifted me  the necklace after I had seen it on her blog and commented how much I loved it.   I was so excited to get it that I wrote about it here. 

 

Here is Elisabeth modeling the necklace the day I got it this summer.   Isn’t it gorgeous?!!!    She’s not too shabby herself!!

 

Since that time I have kept a small box on my blog that links to Sugarman’s web site.   So, as a thank you to all of the readers who plan to order this Christmas season, she is generously offering Cote de Texas readers a free pair of “Bonbon” earrings with a $250 purchase. 

 

 

The Bonbon Earrings – all different colors of pearls and stones.

 

Here’s the scoop:  if you make a $250 or more purchase on Karen Sugarman’s web site – email her:  karensugarmanitr@aol.com  with your preferences for your own custom made Bonbon earring!   You can choose between sterling silver or 24K gold vermeil ear wires AND the color of the Swarovski pearls combined with the gemstone of your choice.    Remember - all orders are sent gift wrapped and shipping is free! 

Here are your pearl and gemstone color choices:

 

 

Necklace available at Karen Sugarman Designs.

 

I just ordered a necklace for a relative (sshhh!) myself and ordered the free Bonbon earring to match it!.   To visit Karen Sugarman Designs, go HERE.   If you order anything above $250, email Karen at:   karensugarmanitr@aol.com   with your color preferences for stones, pearls and ear wires for the Bonbon Earrings.   

 

 

Another beautiful necklace available at Karen Sugarman Designs.

 

REMINDER:      Be sure to visit The Skirted Roundtable for our last show of the season.  It’s a Christmas decorating show – where we discuss our favorite bloggers holiday decorations.  AND – we are having a thank-you giveaway!!!!   To enter the giveaway – go HERE.

La Quinta

 

 

“La Quinta” – the proper name of the California Dream House #1.

 

  

 

The California Dream House #1 sparked some reader interest.  One commenter hinted this house was owned by a celebrity.  Another said Diandra Douglas owned it.   One eagle eyed reader from Houston emailed me also saying this was Diandra Douglas’ house – the one she lived in before and after her marriage to actor Michael Douglas.  “Oh no, it’s not” I quickly emailed her back.  “I’ve seen those pictures – it DOES look similar but it’s not hers.”  Talk about being a big-mouthed know-it-all (which is exactly why I started a blog, I suppose.)    But it nagged at me.   Was it really hers?   Earlier this year, author and blogger Diane Dorrans Saeks came out with her latest book “Santa Barbara Living” – which featured La Quinta.    I hadn’t looked at the book in months - perhaps I needed to?    In my defense I will say this – the previous pictures I had seen of La Quinta featured rooms that looked different and much smaller, too.  But comparing the photos from the Saeks book and a newly found real estate brochure – I must admit, I was wrong.   My dream house and La Quinta are, of course, one and the same.

 

 

Featured a decade ago in the French Architectural Digest – Diandra and Michael Douglas during happier times at La  Quinta.

 

 

 

The massive double doors that lead into the Montecito house.    Though I wrote these doors were probably original to the house – they aren’t.     Diandra replaced those with these antique Castilian carriage doors.   

 

 

I originally wrote:

The main living room was a surprise.   It actually looks like it was decorated by someone young for someone young.    Most houses in this price range are furnished rather theme-like and matronly, either heavily Tuscan-inspired with lots of chenille or sappy French with frothy silks and brocades.   This house looks like it was designed by someone who might occasionally look at a trendy magazine or two.   And it looks extremely livable, warm and inviting.   Though very large – I can imagine watching TV in here after dinner with Mr. Slipper Socks Man.  This room is not dressy, it is relaxed and comfortable – perfect for a young family with lots of children.  Do you have any idea what a house like this might cost?

Knowing now that the house belongs to Douglas, a woman of impeccable taste, I laugh at my words “decorated by someone young for someone young.”   Well,  Douglas is close to my age, but she has no young children – only a grown son.    Also, the house and this room in particular was decorated differently at first.   The decor was somewhat dressier with silk covered sofas – until Douglas decided to bring in the white slipcovers and take it all down a notch.   Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Interior Designers,  the noted  antiquarian Craig Wright, helped Diandra with the decorating – but he only helped.   The vision was Diandra’s.   La Quinta was the first house that Diandra and Michael saw in Montecito and the put in their bid for it immediately.  They spent two years refurbishing it all – only the living room and dining room remained structurally the same.     Wright, owner of Quatrain, recently sold his possessions at a Sotheby’s auction and a large portion of the sale included pieces owned by Diandra.  Perhaps they were from other decorating schemes at La Quinta?  

 

This photograph comes from Saeks book.  The sofa, on the right wall, sits underneath a gorgeous 18th century tapestry.   Though I had this image saved in my files,  I didn’t realize this was the same house -  I had always thought the rooms pictured in Santa Barbara Living were much smaller.  This table is seen in the photograph from the real estate brochure.  Notice how wonderful the pillows pick up the colors in the tapestry – Diandra does have fabulous taste and style.   I love the accessorizing on the tabletop.      And this also shows how much more beautiful professionally shot photographs are!    These photos seen in Santa Barbara Living were taken by Lisa Romerein. 

 

 

Another picture from Saeks book of the same living room.   Do  you see why I thought the room was smaller?   Notice that the window is not black.  Also notice the seagrass in the book’s photographs are the typical weave.  Today, this rug has been replaced with a diamond patterned seagrass with a dark, wide border.   The ottoman is also different here – it looks like it has been replaced today with Oly Studio’s zebra ottoman.   Gorgeous andirons – just gorgeous!

 

 

 

The Houston reader who first alerted me to the origins of this house once lived in France and had saved the story of “La Quinta” from the French Architectural Digest.   Quite organized, the Houston reader neatly places her clippings in plastic sleeves that go into a large binder, hence the page holes in these pictures.   This story was published about a decade ago – and notice what a huge difference the decorating is here compared to today.   This is the living room – notice the windows are painted white here.  The floor is covered with several small striped dhurries and much blue and white porcelain is placed about.  The mantel is missing, today there is a large antique limestone mantel here.  The furniture is also totally different.  No pieces here are seen today.    On the left is the 18th century tapestry that is still used in the living room.  In the mirror you can just barely see a large oriental screen along the right wall.    Diandra says that when she first moved in, the decor was very dressy with lots of silks and she has since made the house more casual.  This room might not be the original decor – it doesn’t seem too dressy, but it may be.   I must say I love the decor here and as it is today.  Do you have a preference?  I actually like them both!

 

 

In the dining room – I didn’t care for the chair fabric or the chandelier.  But of course, it’s another story when I see the professional pictures!           

 

      

In this beautiful photograph from Saeks book, the chairs wear white slips, which I prefer, and the red tole chandelier from Quatrain is simply stunning.  The red chandelier ties in with the red curtains – and makes more sense.  You can just make out a damask like pattern in the fabric.   In this photograph, you can also make out the relief seen above the fireplace.   An oriental rug is underfoot as opposed to the seagrass.   Again, this tight shot of the room makes it seem much smaller than it truly is.  This room looks nothing like the real estate photo, another reason I missed the fact that this was La Quinta.  

 

 

And, a decade before – a dhurrie rug covers the table, while gilt Venetian chairs surround it.  The chairs, here with a peach silk fabric, are the same ones, now wearing a raisin colored silk velvet fabric, that are seen in the living room and in the gallery adjoining this room.   There is no rug underneath and the beautiful floor is prominent here.    A long gone santos takes the place of the relief.   Of the three versions of this room – which do you prefer?   I think I like this and the white slipcovered chair versions best!

     

 

The gallery off the dining room.  Here you can see the chairs that once sat around the dining room table.  

                     

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 The only photograph of the kitchen comes from the real estate brochure.  The butlers pantry with its original wooden countertops is through the door along with the back staircase.  This all leads to a guest apartment – with its own kitchen – that adjoins the two staff bedrooms – making a total of seven bedrooms in the house. 

 

 

 

The library – as it looks today.   The beautiful mirror above the fireplace shows up in another room in the Architectural Digest pictures. 

 

 

The library – a decade ago!   Here you can see the beautiful tiled floor.  I’m not sure if this is the original floor or if this is what Diandra replaced – either way, its fabulous.  The desk is still in use in today’s library, but the tapestry chairs are long gone, as is the ornate stool.  The scalloped awning is no longer in use, nor are the curtains – notice the puddle, so 90s!!!!!    And finally – the window has been replaced with French doors that open.  Here is appears it was a plate glass.    Not sure which version I prefer, maybe a bit of both.

 

 

 

The master bedroom as it is today.  Light and bright with pretty blinds.  There is a large entry hall to the master suite, along with a sitting room and two bathrooms – his and hers. 

 

 

 

A decade earlier, the master bedroom is visually linked to the decor of the rest of the house with its browns, golds, and persimmons.  The beautiful Spanish baroque mirror – now in the library - looks so wonderful here – above a great antique gateleg table that is no longer around.  Notice the legs on the gateleg.   The bed is a marquetry Dutch colonial and the cane chaise longue is 19th century English.    Wow – I love this older version of the master bedroom!   The bed looks so fabulous!

 

 

The guest room - off the large balcony– as it is today. 

 

 

The beautiful picture of the guest room from the Diane Dorrans Saeks book.  Here you can see this room adjoins another guest room, an interesting arrangement.

 

 

The guest bathroom – all the Portuguese tile is original to the house. 

 

 

 

And again from the Saeks book.  Even the lamp and bottom painting had to be changed.   Nothing seems to stay the same for long around La Quinta.  But, in the real estate picture of the bathroom above – you can see that they moved the painting from above the chest to be reflected in the mirror – this is called photostyling.   Which picture of the bathroom do you think is better stylistically – this one or the other?   

 

 

The beautiful loggia.

 

 

The view of the pool and ocean from the loggia. 

 

 

 

The pool and the ivy covered guesthouse.   Behind the guesthouse is the tennis court. 

 

 

 

A decade ago – the guest house was furnished with a large painting of the Dutch Indies and a collection of Mexican furniture.   I wonder what it looks like today?

 

 

The steps leading from the swimming pool up to the house.   You can see the loggia and the balcony above it. 

 

 

 

The guest house is on the left of the swimming pool and the pergola is to the right.  Diandra didn’t want the facade and grounds to be a caricature, rather she wanted the house to actually seem as if it was in Spain – a country she grew up in.   Doesn’t the ocean look really close by?  

 

 

 The courtyard.   At the front side of the house is the courtyard.   The house wraps around the courtyard on the side opposite the ocean view.

 

 

 

And towards the front of the property is a hidden Japanese garden and teahouse. 

 

 

The Property:

 

 Doesn’t the property look close to the ocean?  Actually it’s high up in hills which gives that illusion.  Here is the location on the satellite – where the orange marker is.   I was amazed how far away the ocean truly is,  yet the view is still fabulous.  Others who live somewhat close by are  Oprah Winfrey, John Saladino, and Kathryn’s Ireland’s former ranch – all are in this general area.     

 

 

 

And here is the Bing Map of the property.    The main house is on the left.   You can see where the interior courtyard is on the back side.  The larger building on the right is the garage and staff bedrooms.   You can see the orchard is right in the front of the garage building.   The pool house is visible and  the tennis court is to its right.   At the bottom right you can see the Japanese tea house.   The property is seven acres.

 

 

Diandra Douglas is an excellent equestrian who also breeds horses – which she keeps at a nearby stable.  Her primary residence is in New York City.   

 

To see the real estate brochure, go HERE.   The above picture comes from Santa Barbara Living by Dianne  Dorrans Saeks, available HERE.   To read Style Saloniste, Saeks’ blog, go HERE.  Saeks just returned home from an extended visit to India and she is writing about her journey, truly fascinating reading. 

Judith Miller – Antiques Expert on the Skirted Roundtable

 

 

Judith Miller is incredible – she has written over 100 books.  Yes, 100!  I buy her books on design and keep them for reference, they are filled with everything you need to know about any given subject.  Her latest, Chairs, is truly remarkable.  She went around the world to photograph the most important and iconic chairs known to mankind.   No small feat.

 

 

 

 

Sounds lofty?  Well, it is.  How she accomplishes what she does – I’ll never understand in this lifetime.   I’m the ying to her yang.  I don’t think she would have me for a friend – my laziness and general lack of ambition would bore and frustrate her to death!   And on top of it – she’s brilliant AND nice!  The pictures in Chairs are beautiful – and if you have a thing about where you sit down, you need to get it HERE. 

 

 

 

 

And, Miller didn’t just write one book this year, she wrote two (of course!)    The other one is Miller’s 20th Century Design –the encyclopedia of everything modern from our times, available HERE.   And trust me, these books aren’t small, or light, or brief.  They are masterpieces.

 

We were lucky to get Miller to sit down for a moment and talk to us about antiques, her books, chairs, you name it – she’s an expert on it.   So, grab a cup of hot chocolate, a throw, and go sit on your favorite chair by a hot roaring fire to listen to Judith Miller on The Skirted Roundtable, HERE.  You’ll learn something new and worthy, I promise you!