COTE DE TEXAS

Reed Dillon: Private Gardens

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image My back yard.

 

Many years ago when Ben and I built our house – we were faced with a tiny yard – a mere 20x50 plot of land – not a backyard truly, more a courtyard.   Building on a town lot like ours doesn’t leave, unfortunately, much spare space for a swimming pool or beautiful views.   Our house was due to be completed in the early fall and when my parents returned from their annual summer in California to see our almost finished house – to their dismay, the backyard was a desolate area, filled with unsightly construction debris.   Ben and I had decided to put grass out back along with a few flower beds and call it a day.  Frankly, we were over our budget and professional landscaping was not exactly where we had planned to use our precious few funds.  But, my parents were insistent.  They themselves had lived in a townhouse with a courtyard and knew how vital that space was to a house’s decor.   And so they offered, as parents are wont to do when children are penniless, to provide the landscaping as a housewarming gift.   It was probably one of the best things done for our interiors.   You see, our entire back wall is French doors which open onto the courtyard and the landscaping is seen from every room downstairs.   We turned to Reed Dillon, a young landscape architect who, with his partner owned Ruckel-Dillon.  Reed came up with a wonderful design, he approached the courtyard as if it was actually another room in the house.  He added a large brick terrace that lead directly from our house, past the covered porch, on through the back fence.    On each side of the terrace were two grassy areas, framed by brick-lined flower beds.    For the front yard, he designed a large, curving, brick-lined bed and a rose garden.   But it was the back courtyard that really showed off Reed’s vision.  Through the years, we have used our backyard as a second family room.  I practically live outside – writing on my laptop all through the day and night while sitting at a table and chair on the brick terrace.    In the past sixteen years, we have changed very little from Reed’s original design, a testament to his talents.  We did replace the two grassy areas with gravel, something that I think Reed would have originally done had we not insisted on greenscape for our dogs.  At one point we added a fountain – an anniversary gift to ourselves.   But otherwise, the design remained the same.  The two once small ligustrums now tower over corner beds  and  the fence is overgrown  with fragrant, flowering vines.    We look at the yard and marvel at how Reed’s vision became the focal point of our house – he took a dirt filled, small patch of land and turned it into a place that draws the eye and the body of everyone who comes over to visit.

 

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Our courtyard last summer.

At the time we built our house, Reed Dillon and his wife Stacey also lived in West University, in a house designed by architect Kurt Aichler (a favorite of mine, as readers of this blog well know.)  Kurt is a favorite of the Dillons too – he actually designed two of their houses in Houston.     Though Ruckel-Dillon was successful in Houston – they worked on yards in all the toniest of neighborhoods  – both Stacey and Reed were from Kansas, and after 15 years here, they decided to move back home to Lawrence.  

 

 

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   The stucco house in West University designed by Kurt Aichler for Stacey and Reed Dillon.

Once Stacey and Reed and their two young children were settled back in Lawrence Kansas, he opened Reed Dillon and Associates, quickly picking up from where he left off  in Houston.    They decided on a large piece of property to build a new house and turned to Aichler  to design a sprawling French inspired home made of stucco and stone.   The many gardens surrounding the house were of course designed by Reed.   John Kidd from Houston was called on to design the interiors, along with help from Rusty Arena, another Houstonian who added the special wall treatments to the dining room, amongst other spaces.    It had been years and years since I last spoke with Reed, but one day a few weeks ago he and Stacey and I sat down for a lesiurely cup of coffee at, yes, of course, Starbucks.    Stacey and Reed were sweet enough to share pictures of their house and gardens back in Kansas.   They had recently hosted a winter wedding  for their son at their house and those pictures were an added treat.   Talking about their house, it amazed me how many Houstonians they had used to design their house in Kansas.  But, knowing how talented their team is, I completely understood their reluctance to use anyone else.   Reed teased Stacey that he was ready to hire Kurt again –  to design, perhaps,  a Belgian inspired house – but judging from the look on Stacey’s face, that is in the future.  Myself, I was overwhelmed by pictures of their house – and especially their gardens.  Thinking on my own small courtyard and the happiness it has brought me, I can’t imagine the joy that must come from looking out on views like the Dillons have.  It must be absolute heaven. 

 

 image Lawrence, Kansas:  The house that Kurt Aichler designed for Stacey and Reed Dillon.   Part stone, part stucco, there is a long, walled courtyard at the front of the house. 

 

 

 

image The winding stone walk leads up to the courtyard.

 

 

 

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Through the iron gates, onto the front door.

 

 

image  Throughout the property are architectural elements that the  Dillons have collected at antique stores and salvage yards.  Here, old iron gates lead to the front courtyard.  

 

 

 

 

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Along the back of the house is a large flagstone terrace with a pond, a swimming pool and assorted gardens.  At the left is a stone lined, running stream.  The Dillons’ property extends out past the back fields. 

 

 

 

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A close-up view of the flagstone terrace.   A series of steps lead down into the different gardens.

 

 

 

image Another picture of the same view, different season.  Both Stacey and Reed are avid gardeners.  

 

 

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A view of another section of terrace, off the living room. 

 

 

 

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The swimming pool is a focal point.  A large industrial autoclave salvaged by the Dillons was turned into a fountain.  Just beautiful!!

 

 

 

 

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Another view of the swimming pool area.

 

 

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Another water feature in the garden is this fountain which leads off the back terrace. 

 

 

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Another view of the pond, looking towards the house.   The back fields are to the right, past the stream.

 

 

 

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A photograph taken a few years earlier when the plants were not quite as tall.  The stream is really visible here.  Also, you can see the wooden pergola on the left. 

 

 

 

image The log garden structure with the stream behind it.   This leads off the parterre garden.

 

 

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A view of the parterre garden, with its gravel paths and box enclosed beds.

 

 

 

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A large pot stands in the center of the parterre garden – off the kitchen and breakfast room.  I think this is my favorite garden!! 

 

 

 

 

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A view of the house taken by the pond.   In the reflecting sunlight, the stucco almost looks pink.

 

 

 

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Spring:  The large gently rolling fields beyond the back terrace is filled with bulbs that Reed has planted.  Yes, this is still their yard!!  So pretty!    Who knew Kansas was so beautiful????

 

 

 

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More spring daffodils. 

 

 

 

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An early spring view of one side of the yard featuring ornamental trees.  These beds are edged in stacked stone. 

 

 

 

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This winter:   The Dillon’s son was recently married at their house, where a large tent was erected past the back terrace.   With a huge stroke of luck, a heavy snow fell the day before the wedding.  Stacey would not allow anyone to traipse through the snow, hoping to keep the view pristine.  Along the stone walk at the right, you can see the white candles in votives,  waiting to be lit.   Is this too gorgeous???????

 

 

 

 

image Inside, all the furniture was removed to make room for the guests.  The wedding took place in the formal living room.  Here, the dining room was emptied save for a library table holding the wedding book.   Past the window you can see the terrace where some of the furniture was moved to.    

 

 

image The same dining room, as it is normally furnished.  Houstonian John Kidd did the interiors and Houstonian Rusty Arena did the wall treatments in this room.   I love how the host chairs are different than the guest chairs.  

 

 

 

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Close up of the dining room – ready for the wedding.  Through the window you can see past the terrace to the reception tent. 

 

 

 

image On the back terrace, looking into the dining room.  The furniture was moved outside to make room for the wedding. 

 

 

 

 

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The formal living room – ready for the wedding.    The antique fireplace mantel is so tall that Stacey can actually stand inside it!  Notice how beautiful the ceiling is.  

 

 

 image The living room as it is usually furnished.   The Dillon house was featured in Betty Lou Phillips book:  Unmistakably French.

 

 

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I had to show the bride and groom!!!!

 

 

image The kitchen in preparation for the wedding.  Of course the flowers were beautiful!!

 

 

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Roses were placed inside this niche.

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The tent going up behind the terrace.  On the right is the entry tent located over the small fountain. 

 

 

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The linking tent between the house’s back terrace and the reception tent.    This tent is over the fountain area off the terrace (see below.)

 

 

 

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The small fountain – where the linking tent was placed.  Looks so different in the summer!

 

 

 

image  Inside the tent.  All the tables were skirted in linen.   The sides of the tent were draped.  Jill Brown from Houston’s BROWN provided the large Italian chandeliers for the event. The Dillons wanted the tent to seem as if it was another room in the house. 

 

 

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A view of the tent – on the left, guests are sitting on the furniture taken from the formal living room.   Hard to believe this room is really outside in the winter air!!

 

 

 image  And finally, another picture of the seating area of the tent.  There was even a faux fireplace erected for the event.   Recognize the antique coffee table and sofas from the living room?

 

 

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Reed Dillon, sitting by his fountain.

Below is a list of Reed’s favorite plants for your perusal.  Reed’s company, Reed Dillon and Associates, is located in Lawrence, Kansas, but they perform work throughout the United States.  I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing this landscaper’s own gardens – with a peek into a gorgeous wedding at home!  Congratulations to the newlywed couple -  many, many years of happiness.  The beautiful wedding photographs were taken by J. Gladman Studios in Lawrence, Kansas.

To access Reed Dillon’s web site, go HERE.

 

Favorite Plants for the Garden:

Hydrangeas, all types, they have a wonderful scale and are blooming in the summer when most people are outdoors.

Roses, have a great feel and look.  The Knockout variety are fabulous and with no black spots or diseases, they are worry free.

Boxwood, they are the work horse of the garden, looking beautiful when they are sheared and bringing fabulous winter structure to the garden.

Azaleas, as long as you site your azalea with East or North light and a little shade with lots of compost, they will perform beautifully here.

 

Reminder:  The new Skirted Roundtable with Tobi Fairley is now online HERE.  Enjoy!!!

Jealousy on The Skirted Roundtable

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Ah, jealousy!  This week on The Skirted Roundtable, Linda, Megan and I discuss that little talked about phenomenon – jealousy among bloggers.  Linda actually thinks the correct term is envy.  Whichever, it’s not pretty and certainly, it’s nothing to be proud of.  But, we’re all do seem to be guilty of it.  For sure.  In fact, the three of us admit to everyone and ourselves the design blogs we are particularly jealous or envious of.  Be sure to listen, it’s a fun one.

Next, we have Tobi Fairley visiting – she discusses her House Beautiful cover and the ins and outs of running a highly successful interior design business in Arkansas.  Coming later this week.

To listen to Jealousy and Blogging, go HERE.  

Webb Design: Albans House Part II

100 comments

 

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Last week I showed you the family room that I had just completed in a client’s house – who lives across the street from me.  Today – this is the rest of her house, downstairs:

 

 

 

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At the front door, you enter the foyer where the seagrass covered staircase leads to the bedrooms upstairs.   Through the hall, the family room and kitchen are at the back of the house.  We painted the walls here the same color as the family room and kitchen.

 

 

 

image The dining room is to the left of the front door and the study is to the right.   In the entry hall, besides painting, we switched out the light fixture. 

 

 

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In the office, we built a large bookcase with  desk space for the two daughters – along with room for their future computers.   The walls were painted a deep brown in contrast to the aqua color found throughout.   The owners’ desk was moved from the former upstairs office.  Seagrass was custom cut to fit the room and a flatscreen was installed in the corner.   The artwork was moved from the family room – which is reached through French door.

 

 

imageThe dining room was formerly painted a deep red  - typical of most West U homes decorated in the 90s.  We repainted the upper half a deeper aqua found in the family room, leaving the wainscot painted white.   The owner waited to use her table, chairs and buffet – which were a dated dark reddish brown stained wood.   We had these pieces painted a distressed gray to be more in keeping with the lighter wall color.

 

 

 

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Additionally, we added a seagrass rug which was custom cut to fit the room.

 

 

image I had slipcovers made for the chair seats to make them more youthful.   The curtains are a silk stripe.   Both fabrics are from Robert Allen. 

 

 

 

imageAnd finally, above the buffet, we added the painted trumeau from Indulge and lamps from Aidan Gray.  Everything else used in the room was the clients.

 

 

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In the kitchen, we added a matte black granite with a textured surface.  Additionally, creamy subway tiles were installed for the backsplash, along with a small flatscreen in the corner.

 

 

image Besides the granite and subway tile, the white appliances were switched out with stainless ones and a Shaws farm sink was installed along with new hardware and fixture.  The wallspace above the cabinets was painted in the same aqua color found in the family room to tie the two rooms together. 

 

 

 

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And finally since Monica was featured in the other Albans House story, found HERE, Bennie Davis wanted his own brush with stardom!  Bennie does all the installations for Monica and me – the three of us have worked together on every job for the entire time I’ve been in business.  He keeps threatening to retire, but Monica and I will let him do this over our dead bodies!!!!!!!!!!!!  He’s the best curtain installer in Houston.

Don’t forget to listen to the new Skirted Roundtable HERE  where we discuss blogging and jealousy!  It’s a good one.

The Stone House

106 comments

 

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Some years back when the West University Elementary School was still having their Annual Spring Home Tour (why did they ever quit – those were the best shows?!?!) – there was one tour that was particularly memorable:   on Albans, you first toured interior designer Ginger Barber’s house, and then further up the street you went through another beauty:  The Stone House.   Built in 1939, this West U house is a rarity.   It might just have the cutest facade of all the original houses, as it was built with Austin limestone over 60 years before that stone became hip and cool and in high demand.  

 

 

  image Massive curb appeal:   Austin limestone circa 1939.  Today, almost every other new house in Houston, San Antonio, and Austin uses this limestone either inside or out.  Notice the front doors – inside shutter close off the panes of glass.

 

I remember going on this particular house tour very well.  It was a tortuous one, the kind that leaves you wishing you could just move and start all over in a new place.  It was depressing enough to tour Ginger Barber’s house.    Not only was her zen-like back yard to die for, but the inside, as expected, was just so Ginger: casual, warm, friendly, cozy.  And then – to have to tour the Stone House right up the street - well, it was just all too much.  You know the feeling, you want to go home, scream, and then bomb it to the ground.    When I toured the Stone House back then,  I left there thinking, why can’t my house look like this?   The owner had decorated it herself, though at the time I thought perhaps Ginger had or maybe Carol Glasser.  It just had “that look” about it:  seagrass, slipcovers, chinoiserie tray tables, antique bamboo and pine furniture, rattan baskets filled with Kenneth Turner candles – that English Country Manor look that Houston does so well.   Room after room was prettier than the next.   Through the years it has, of course, been added on to – the space between the house and garage was enclosed and became a much needed family room with a master bedroom suite above.  I was mad for it.  So, recently, when Sally Wheat called me to come photograph The Stone House – I leapt at the chance to revisit the house that had so tortured me.   The owner was very welcoming – she is a doll, just as cute as her house is.  The mother of two daughters and a baby son, she loves her home and proudly showed it off – who can blame her?   But, as they say, all good things must end, and they are now looking to move on.  Yes, The Stone House is up for sale.  I have a funny feeling it won’t be on the market for too long.   

 

 

image The foyer:  stunning double front doors with interior wood shutters.

The double front door is quite beautiful with it’s pewter hardware and wood panels that close off the glass panes.  To the left is an antique bamboo cabinet and a Louis Philippe mirror.   The owner quipped that I should name this The Bamboo House, after all her antique bamboo furniture.    While walking through it, I had actually thought of that title, but the beautiful original stone exterior was too defining.  Everyone in West U knows this as the stone house on Albans.

 

 

image Close up of the wood panels that close for privacy and security.  The hardware is so beautiful, and so French!

 

 

 

image Walking in through the front door, the living room is to the left, the dining room to the right, and the seagrass covered stairs are straight ahead.  There is another set of stairs at the back of the house.  

 

 

 

image Walking into the living room, I immediately loved the dusty salmon pinks and creams found in the ticking curtains and the toile.   It’s all so warm and cozy, especially with the custom cut seagrass.   This color palette is found throughout the house.  

 

 

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A large built in bookcase is at the back of the living room.   Wonderfully accessorized with old leather books, coral and blue and white porcelains – the bookcases are the focal point.  

 

 

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This house is English Country Manor inspired – artfully cluttered and layered.   An antique Louis Philippe mirror is flanked by a collection of prints while a skirted table is on one side of the sofa with a cricket table on the other.   A chinoiserie tray doubles as the coffee table. 

 

 

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A pine mantel, blue and porcelains, toile and religious art:  The  English countryside comes to West U!

 

 

 

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The view towards the front door.  The tall clock is a French antique.

 

 

 

image Between the two bookcases is the hall to the family room, and to the right is the bar, which leads to the kitchen.

 

 

 

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Right past the bar is the charming kitchen.

 

 

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The kitchen is filled with antique accessories.  Here – a large collection of antique cutlery sits in another collection of horned cups.

 

 

 

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Looking back through the bar which leads to the living room, or to the left, which leads to the dining room and the front door.  The pantry is hidden behind French doors that are draped to hide the grocery boxes.  Notice the hardware on the pantry doors. 

 

 

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Adjoining the kitchen, the dining room is located at the front of the house, to the right of the foyer.  Silk curtains and a linen skirted table share the space with a large antique French buffet and a Louis Philippe mirror. 

 

 

 

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Here you can see the living room and the kitchen which both lead off from the dining room.

 

 

 

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Back in the living room, the hall leads to the powder room on the left and the family room on the right. 

 

 

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The powder room continues the salmon pink and cream color scheme.  Another Louis Philippe mirror rests above the marble vanity.

 

 

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The family room is all white slips and a custom cut seagrass rug with a blue and white striped dhurrie layered over it.  The backyard is through the door, again with panels that close off the glass panes.  Above the chest is a collection of horns, memories from the many African safaris which the homeowner has gone on.

 

 

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The view of the family room, looking back towards the arched doorway that connects the family room to the living room.  The TV is hidden behind the shutters. 

 

 

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Outside the family room is the side yard with its stone fountain on the left wall.  The kitchen can be seen through the small window.  The family room is located in the section that was added onto the original stone house.   This section connects the house to the garage with its large apartment above it.

 

 

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The back stairs are connected to the family room.  On the left is the garage.  The laundry room is located behind the frosted double doors. 

 

 

 

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The guest bedroom is found off the back stair hall and next to the family room.  An antique bamboo night stand holds a baluster lamp. 

 

 

 

image Upstairs are three bedrooms – here the two daughters share a room and bathroom.  The checked fabric continues the soft salmon pink and cream theme.  Wall to wall seagrass is found throughout the upstairs.

 

 

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The girls bathroom has a wonderful tiled floor.  Notice the sink inset into a wood vanity.  I love the European styled glass half shower door.

 

 

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The baby boy’s nursery is furnished with grown up antique pine furniture. 

 

 

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 The crib is white iron.  Notice the table is actually an antique cut down to child sized height.

 

 

image The master bedroom with its vaulted ceiling is located behind frosted glass double doors and is in the new section over the family room.  The salmon pink shows up in the paint behind the arched built in shelves. 

 

 

 

image Simple brown and cream ticking striped fabric is used for the tufted headboard, dust ruffle and curtains.  The lamps are made from metal urns and are topped with cowhide lampshades.

 

 

 

image Adjoining the bedroom is the large master bathroom and closets.  The walls are papered in a creamy texture.   Notice the cabinet’s carved feet – so charming!   A large bamboo mirror is part of a vignette along with an antique rug and a tufted slipper chair upholstered in the brown and white ticking.

 

 

 

image Past the master bedroom is the back stair hall which connects the upstairs with the garage apartment.  The apartment has a bathroom and kitchen and is now used as offices for both the homeowners.  The larger office is furnished with more African memories including the zebra rug.  

 

 image  The smaller office is dominated by a large antique bamboo bookshelf which holds a collection of decor magazines.  Again, the check is in the same salmon pinks and creams – seen throughout the house.    The shade is a Bennison toile. 

 

 

 

imageThe bathroom in the garage apartment features this iron stand turned into a sink.   Due to the tight space, the faucet is attached to the wall.  

 

 

imageThe Stone House, located on a corner, is currently for sale - to see the listing go HERE.    In this picture of the house from the real estate listing, you can see how the new addition is visible from the back side of the house.   The stone on the addition is found on the ground floor, while the second story is clad in clapboard.   The clapboard area is actually the master bathroom while the first floor guest room is directly below it.  

 

 

 

imageI hope you have enjoyed this tour.   A huge thank-you to the homeowners for opening their house to Cote de Texas readers!   

 

 

In other news:

image A special note – the new Skirted Roundtable is now online HERE.  This week we discuss jealousy in blogging!  It’s a good one!!!

 

 

 

image Photography by Lecia Wolf Phinney

 

And, Lecia from  A Day That Is Dessert blog has recently opened up an Etsy store HERE featuring her fabulous photography.  Good luck Lecia on your new endeavor!!!!!