The Pink Ribbon House - 2012

I am thrilled to be able to show these pictures today of the Pink Ribbon House – 2012.  A huge thank you goes to Leslie Sinclair of Segreto Finishes who was gracious enough to share the these gorgeous photographs (photographer is Wade Blissard at http://www.shooterwade.com) with me.  Leslie has been a huge presence at the Pink Ribbon House, which is a collaborative philanthropic endeavor dedicated to raising both funds and awareness for breast cancer research AND patient care at the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine, located in Houston, Texas.  Established in 2003 by the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center Advisory Council, the Pink Ribbon House project has raised nearly $2.5 million for the Smith Breast Center.

Leslie, a wife and mother of three children, who also runs her own decorative paint business, Segreto Finishes, tells why she has been so active with the Pink Ribbon House:

When I was pregnant with my third child, Samantha, now 18, a lump was discovered in my breast. Since one of my grandmothers had gotten a double mastectomy, I was definitely scared. I immediately rushed in to get an ultrasound that day and then a biopsy the following day, which I knew meant bad news. Rather than receiving treatment and having it removed right away as suggested, I decided to continue the pregnancy, watch the tumor and have it taken out after the first trimester when the surgery was safer for the baby. After the operation, I was extremely lucky that the tumor turned out to be benign. The research for breast cancer is such an important cause for so many women - it effects our daughters, our mothers, and ourselves. The Pink Ribbon House not only raises money for the cause, but also provides one of Houston's best designer showcases.

Every other year, a team of interior designers partner up with an architect and builder to create the Pink Ribbon House.  This year, the builder is Levitt Partnership and the architect is Hollenbeck Architects.  This is the first year that the Pink Ribbon House was not built on spec, but rather it was built for the family who is now living in it.  Located in Memorial’s Hunters Creek Village, the original house that stood on the property was donated to Habitat For Humanity.  

The house is over 5,000 sq. feet, with five bedrooms and 5 1/2 bathrooms, 2 studies, and three fireplaces.  The tour took place earlier this month – so if you were unable to attend or live out of town, you can now enjoy seeing the showcase here. 
 

The façade is a combination of stone and stucco with French styled shutters in gray.  To the far left is a side courtyard that leads to the dining room.

The two story entrance is dominated by the winding staircase.  Decorator for this room is Trisha Dodson.  The stairs lead to a study that is between the first and second floors. The chandelier is the homeowners.

I love antique shutters used as a backdrop. Such a pretty chandelier in the wet bar.

A close of the wet bar with its leaded glass window.  Such a pretty picture!

Furnishings include an antique settee, wood carved panel and mirror from Joyce Horn and shutters, pillows, and stool from Vieux.  Painting from MAI.     Past the entry is the family room and kitchen.   Notice the wood and stone threshold between the family room and entry hall.

The family room and kitchen and back patio were all designed by Julie Blailock.  Between the two spaces is a window seat and and dining table.  A large console behind the sofa divides the two areas.  A focal point is the fireplace with large wood doors that hide the flatscreen.  Segreto Finishes added a gesso textured finish to the doors, then followed it up with layers of glaze. 

Close up of the doors that Segreto created.  Love that black and white chair.

The fireplace is Leuters stone from Materials Marketing.  Furniture in this room came from Carl Moore Antiques, Quatrine Washable Furniture, and Boxwood.  The carpet is from Matt Camron Rugs.  The linen curtains are Pindler and Pindler.   The art work came from Segreto Art Gallery.  

The breakfast table is glass topped and sits in front of the window seat.  The rose painting is from Segreto Art Gallery.

 

 

Looking from the kitchen back into the family room.  Through the arches on the right is the entry hall.  Additional seating is available around the curved counter.

Julie Blailock didn’t have the working budget for a metal hood, so she had one built out of wood, which Segreto painted, first black, then they added layers of metallic paint to achieve a worn metal patina.  The cabinets were painted a custom color then glazed by Segreto to give them a furniture quality finished look.  And I can attest -  Leslie’s cabinet treatments really do look like expensive furniture!  Gorgeous!   The countertop is Luna Nero and the island is Bianco Romano.  The backsplash is tumbled travertine and Ken Mason handpainted ceramic tile with polished sable mosaic accent all from Materials Marketing.
 

Closeup of the cabinets – love those Xs!!

 

 

To the right of the front entry hall is the formal dining room, which overlooks a private, side courtyard that is surrounded by a short stone wall.  Trisha Dodson, who created the entry hall also designed the dining room.  Notice the beautiful ceiling.     The table is from Vieux and the darling slipcovered chairs are from Joseph Company.  I love the way Dodson designed the slips on these chairs!  Painting, chandelier, sconces, and accessories all came from MAI.  The buffet is from Joyce Horn Antiques.  Curtains are made of Kravet silk by Heines Custom Draperies.  The beautiful wall and ceiling treatment is plaster – applied by Segreto.

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Both the chandelier and sconces are beautiful!!

The homeowner has three young children and wanted the look of a rug without a rug.  Floors were first stained then Segreto painted the design with Sherwin Williams acrylic floor paint, which was then coated with two layers of polyurethane. 

Molly Oshman designed the mudroom and lady’s home office.  I love this space with its linen covered cabinets!  So cute!!  The office has a chandelier and the window shade is monogrammed.   In the mud room, Segreto painted each person’s name in car enamel paint – the names can be seen under each of their lockers.  Baskets in the cubbies are for their shoes.  What a great idea!! 

 

Close up of the office behind the mud room.  Love the shade with the monogrammed.

 

 

The second office is located between the first and second floors.  Notice the wood cabinet doors which are made from old barn wood – and designed by Julie Dodson.  Dodson also custom designed the lacquered desk which was made by Joseph Company who also made the chairs.  The fuchsia pillow fabric is Manuel Canovas.   Curtains by Heines Draperies are made of Donghia fabric.  Accessories are from MAI, Vieux and Watkins Culver and the rug came from Creative Flooring. 

 

The master bedroom suite was designed by Julie Dodson.  The focal point of the room is the bed – with Plush Home bedding.  The accent pillows wear George Cameron Nash fabric.  The wallpaper behind the bed is Fromental at David Sutherland Showrooms.  Joseph Company custom made the chairs and the nightstands.  Curtains were made by Heines Custom Draperies and embroidered by Michael Savoia of Villa Savoia, who donated his time to the Pink Ribbon House.   Creative Flooring provided the rug.   Accessories are from Chateau Domingue (shutters) and Watkins Culver.  Mirror from Joyce Horn.  Julie found the chandelier and lamps at Round Top.   The chest is from MAI. 

Another view of the bedroom – I love the shutters on the windows.   Segreto plastered the walls in a smooth finish diamond plaster to blend with the silk wallpaper.  This treatment gives the walls a finish that looks like silk. 

In the master bath, Julie added columns from Joyce Horn and the rug came from Creative Flooring.

Here’s another view of the bathroom – you can see the beautiful ceiling and chandelier here.

Christine Ho of Cho Interiors designed the baby’s room.  The rocker is the baby’s great grandfather’s!   The paint is SW Hinting Blue. The chandelier came from Restoration Hardware and the hot air balloons are from Doodles.  Drapery fabrication is by DJ Drapery.   Behind the bed, Segreto painted the wall to look like quilted fabric. 

Christine Ho also designed the eldest girl’s bedroom – with its white iron bed from her great great grandmother!!!  The bedding is Pottery Barn Kids.  The wall is painted SW Slow Green and the wallpaper is from Wallcoverings International.  Drapery fabric and sheers is Duralee and fabrication is by DJ Drapery.  Notice the disco ball!!!

This daughter’s room is in hot pink – with a wallpapered ceiling.  Darling!!  I love her fancy dress on the wire dress form.

And finally, the back patio was designed by Julia Blailock to tie in with the family room and kitchen.  All weather wicker sectional surround a zinc topped coffee table.  And, there’s a beautiful stone fireplace – one of three in the house.  Julia added a rug to make it more cozy.    I’d be out here with a fire going all night long, it’s so romantic.  Notice the curtains that make it even more romantic.  So beautiful!!!

Here is a complete roster of the interior designers who worked on the Pink Ribbon House this year: Valerie Cook of Valerie Cook Design Inc.; Julia Blailock and Rachel Reppond of Blailock Design; Belinda Bennett, Lauren Amber Prestenbach and Amy Vonderau of Bennett Design Group; Cho Interiors’ Christine Ho; Julie Dodson and Trisha Dodson of Dodson & Daughter; Mollie and Molly Interior Design’s Mollie Oshman and the late Molly Sullivan Levitt, wife of Zach Levitt, partner in the cause's construction company and of course Leslie Sinclair of Segreto Finishes.

A HUGE thank you to Leslie for providing these beautiful photographs.  On her blog, Leslie has written extensively about the other Pink Ribbon Houses through the years – to read those blog stories, go here:

 

http://segretosecrets.squarespace.com/segreto/2012/4/8/the-pink-ribbon-tribute-series-2010.html

http://segretosecrets.squarespace.com/segreto/2012/4/1/the-pink-ribbon-tribute-series-2008.html

http://segretosecrets.squarespace.com/segreto/2012/3/25/the-pink-ribbon-tribute-series-2006.html

THE HOUSE STYLE CAR

 

Just a quick, fun post for a Sunday morning!  I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend.

 

Remember this Californian beach house – featured in House Beautiful two years ago?  So pretty, with its white walls and black bannister – Swedish bench and blue and white rug – all in the foyer alone!!

 

 

 

Designed by and the home of Carolyn Epsley-Miller – the living room overlooks the Pacific.  White slipcovers and another blue and white dhurri mix with the dark stone fireplace. 

 

At the other side of the living room, the dining room has a thick textured rug and classic French garden furniture, along with a huge mirror that reflects the fireplace. 

 

 

But, it was Carolyn’s white SUV, with its chintz slipcovered seats, that caught all the attention.  So many blogs showed this picture – and Pinterest is filled with this exact image.   I was so jealous when I saw this!  I immediately wanted to do this to my own white SUV.  Of course, I never got around to it.  The fabric is Country Rose in Russet by Jane Churchill.    Another good fabric to use would be a Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic one.

 

 

 

I drive an old Jeep Commander.  I’m due for a new car, but Jeep quit making this model, so I’ve been holding onto it.  I wonder why Jeep always discontinues their best cars?   I’m a square car person.  The boxier the better.  But, there aren’t that many out there because boxy cars aren’t aerodynamic.  I love my car, I think it’s so cute.

 

 

 

What I REALLY want is a Jeep Wagoneer – just like this.  But again, they don’t make these anymore.  This used to be a really popular car in Houston and it’s a much sought out vintage model.  I would love a refurbished one. 

 

We’re a Jeep family for some reason.   Elisabeth’s first car was a Jeep Compass and now she has a Jeep Cherokee.  All three of our cars are white – not sure when we started that car statement, but it looks nicer when all three cars are parked outside – all in white.  It would be nicer if we could park a car in the garage, but that's never going to happen because our garage is our biggest storage closet. 

 

So, Elisabeth is home for the summer and is working as an intern for a Personal Shopper.  Yes, she gets paid to go shopping all day which is a dream come true for my daughter.  At least she’s using someone else’s money for a change.  Her first day on the job, she came home to tell me all about the car mats in her boss’s car. 

 

 

 

Car mats?  You mean those ugly plastic things you put over your car’s carpet?  Yep.  She was talking about those car mats.  Apparently, you can order this wonderful, colorful coco mats – made out of the coconut fiber.  Once, all the foreign cars had cocomats – Mercedes, Jaguar, etc.  And, now, this company www.Cocomats.com has brought these fun mats back to the market:

 

 

For just a few hundred dollars, you can get these cocomats in colors to match your interior – whether you have a vintage sports car or not.

 

 

So cute!

 

 

Here is the mat in blue and white coco. 

 

 

 

 

They even make mats for the back area of SUVS.  You just order which mat you want, online, and give them the make, model, and year of your car – and a few weeks later, the mats are delivered to your home.

 

 

 

Here are the colors the cocomats come in.

 

 

But look – they recently came out with SEAGRASS mats!!  Yes, SEAGRASS!!  OMG!!  Wait, I might have a heart attack.

  Actually, the mats Elisabeth’s boss has are seagrass.  That’s why she was so excited to tell me – “Mom, her car mats are made out seagrass!”  I was thinking, sure they are, haha.  Tonight we google searched them and there they were.

 

 

Seagrass mats for your car.  There are also mats in sisal and wool that look just like the seagrass – but we all know that seagrass is cleanable and sisal isn’t.    Don’t we? 

 

Of course, there are seagrass mats for the back of the SUV.

 

Here’s a BMW outfitted with the custom mats.  So, do you think I ordered me a set?  Well, of course I did.  I can’t wait to get them, either.  If anyone should have seagrass car mats, it’s me.   With a white car, it’s just screaming for seagrass – right?  Talk about being consistent with my design philosophy.

 

 

I wonder if Carolyn knows about the seagrass mats.  She surely needs them too.  Should I tell her?  And the more I think about it – if I were going to slipcover my seats – it would have to be in plain white linen, of course.  I think I’ll wait until I get a new car and then make that decision.