The 2015 Bellaire Fall New Home Showcase

 

Looking for something to do this weekend and the next?

 

The Bellaire Fall New Home Showcase is is being held this October 17 & 18, and the next weekend  October 24 & 25, from 11:00 AM -6:00 PM.

 

This showcase is known for having some of the more beautiful houses in the area, featuring all the latest bells and whistles. These specially selected houses are built by the more respected and popular companies in Bellaire & Houston.

 

Here are a few pictures from this year’s show to grab your attention:

 

RJ Homes:

 

 

This white stucco by RG Homes is located at 101 Calvi Court.

 

 

 

 

And this white stucco by the
Frankel Building Group is located at 4514 Braeburn Drive.

 

 

 

Inside, it has a stone accent wall and a large bar that opens to the living room.

 

 

The dining room, at the front of the house, is on the other side of the stone accent wall.

 

 

 

Upstairs is a darling bunk room.

 

 

 

The master bath is a mix of marble.

 

 

 

Next, the entry from Cason Graye Homes is at 5120 Grand Lake.  Love the two gray velvet sofas mixed with antique leather chairs.

 

 

 

The floor is on trend cerused.  Love the planked ceiling.

 

 

 

And the metal windows, also very on trend.

 

 

 

Tufted bed in the master with gray walls.

 

 

 

 

Look at the mother of pearl-like tile in the bath!  Also, notice it features the latest combination shower/tub wet room.

 

 

 

 

And the media room.  Every house in Bellaire has a media room for sure! 

 

Be sure to visit the tour this weekend and next.  If you are building or thinking of buying, it’s a great place to see the latest looks

and options.   And be sure to vote for your favorites!

 

 

For more information on the show:

 

 

To look at past Bellaire showcase houses, go HERE.

 

The 2015 addresses:

 

Blum Custom Builders - 5219 Pine Street
Cason Graye Homes - 5120 Grand Lake
Frankel Building Group - 4514 Braeburn
Lovett Homes - 5401 Alder Circle
RG Homes - 101 Calvi Court
Tommy Cashiola Construction - 420 Mulberry Lane

NEW GIVEAWAY IN HONOR OF BVIZs NEW BOOK!!!!!

I am thrilled to announce the publication of a new book,“Once Upon A Pillow,” written by the “Pillow Queen” Rebecca Vizard of BViz .

As a huge fan of Rebecca’s work, I’ve talked about BViz several times.  She designs the most beautiful pillows, using antique textiles, trims, appliques and fabrics that she culls from her travels around the world.  

Designers love her pillows which are works of art and décor magazines are filled with pictures of her beautiful pillows sitting proudly on sofas and chairs.

A few years ago when I was redecorating my daughter’s bedroom, Rebecca’s pillows, the embroidery on blue velvet and the antique blue Fortunys, set the entire decorative theme in motion. 

BViz pillows are often the focal point in a room, as seen here.

Other times they are the cherry on top of the icing.

Such beautiful perfection – her pillows have a certain look and this style with the antique raised metallic embroidery, are the crown jewels of her collections.

,

In fact this type of pillow design was used as inspiration for the cover of Rebecca’s new book, “Once Upon A Pillow.”

The cover looks almost as if it were a true pillow – ready to plump your head on!

The book tells the tale of how Rebecca came to become a textile designer.  It is part design, part story, and part history – Rebecca writes about the different fabrics and textiles she uses, where she gets them, how they are used and their historical perspective.  Notice her assistant’s hands in the picture putting together an embroidery. 

She also shows how she uses her art in her own house on Locustland plantation adjacent to Lake Bruin.  The walls of her great room are Louisiana cypress.  To die for!!!!

Parts of the book explain how Rebecca comes up with her designs.  Here, this pillow reminds her of the lake where she lives – with its odd shaped trees.

 

 

Beautiful photography in the book is by Antoine Bootz.

 

 

 

 

 

Other features show her pillows as used by designers like Katie Scott, above.

 

Besides pillows, Rebecca designs things like these darling Christmas stockings, bookmarks, and even a chandelier made out of beer bottle caps!

But surprisingly, it is her dog collars and leashes made out of Fortuny fabric that really has taken off.  Her daughter made a casual remark about making one, and a light bulb went off.  Today, the dog collars are a very large part of her business.

The leashes match the collars!  So cute!!

Her book ties in Rebecca’s home and life on the lake with her love of design – and shows how both are an inspiration.

Rebecca actually wrote her book while sitting on her boat dock.  Later, she would go inside and type it on the computer.   I think she needs a laptop to take outside!!!

Once Upon A Pillow is a beautiful book and a wonderful read.

To pre-order, click below:

The book will ship November 6.

If you would like Rebecca to personally inscribe your book, click HERE.

THE GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate the new book, Rebecca has generously donated a giveaway!

The winner will have the choice of one wedding pillow HERE.

Or:

A Fortuny dog leash and collar!  The choice will be the winner’s!!!

To enter, please go to BViz’s web site HERE and look around.  Pick out your favorite pillow or accessory and return here to tell me what you chose - in a comment.  If you are anonymous, please be sure to leave your email address so that you can receive your prize if you are the winner!! 

You have until this Saturday at 11:59 pm to enter.

Rebecca, or Becky as she is called, is as sweet and nice as she is creative!!!

A huge thank you to Becky!!!!   If you are in Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, or Atlanta, be sure to visit her at the signings:

                                        

Dallas:   October 20; The Mews, at their new address 1506 Market Center Blvd; 9 am – 7 pm

Houston:  October 22 (10 am – 6 pm) & 23 (10 am – 1 pm); Watkins Culver – signing & trunk show

New Orleans:  October 28;  Gerrie Bremermann

Atlanta:  November 11th & 12; Foxglove Antiques

Giveaway Today for Best Prices For Furniture!

Want to save money on designer furniture, wallpaper, fabrics and accessories? Don’t want to go to North Carolina to the showrooms to get your discount?

Cote de Texas’ sponsor Best Prices For Furniture is the answer!!!

All you have to do is call them at:   877-307-3185.

Here is how it works – you go to Best Prices For Furniture’s web site.

Choose the furniture company you want – or just look through all the furniture companies they represent.

Look through the furniture companies’ web sites.  Choose the item you like.

Call Best Prices for the Best Price!

It’s that simple.

Here are just a few of the companies they represent:

Oly Studio

Ralph Lauren.  Love!!

Safavieh.  I love this chair!!!

Councill Furniture – ok – that’s an antique map of Paris.  So cool!!!

Kindel Furniture/Dorothy Draper - Pinwheel Chest

And again from Dorothy Draper.  It’s a great looking collection.

Mary McDonald’s line!!!!!  Ferguson Copeland

David Easton’s clear glass screen.  Love!  Ferguson Copeland

Thibaut wallpaper, fabric and furniture.

Hickory White – Sofa.

Guild Master – they have lots of accessories, like these botanicals.

Beautiful reproductions by Encore

Glam for the Millennium set.

There is something for everyone at Best Prices.

All you do is call for their best prices at 877-307-3185

Now for the giveaway:

Best Prices has graciously offered a giveaway of a gift certificate valued at $150!!!

To Enter, go to their Facebook page HERE and “Like” it.

Then, visit the Best Prices For Furniture web site HERE, pick out your favorite item and leave me a comment back here on the blog!  Be sure to leave your email address in case you win!!!

That’s it!

You have until this Saturday, October 10, at 11:59 pm to leave your comment to enter the giveaway. 

Good luck!

Readers Houses

Today, I have a few houses to share from readers!  I love when you send me pictures of your homes and encourage anyone who wants to show their home to email me!!

 

Today, one of the houses shown is new to Cote de Texas readers, while the second is a house I first showed many years ago.  Since then, the owner totally redecorated it, and thought you would like to see her changes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

First up, The Red House.

Some years ago I showed a house owned by interior designer Cheryl Ketner in Texas. She and her husband, builder Kerry Ketner (www.ketnerservices@tx.rr.com) had bought a house which they completely updated and decorated all in the shades of red.  Many readers loved her bright and vibrant house, and they especially liked all their renovations. 

A few days ago, Cheryl contacted me, telling me that she had tired of all the red and wanted a change and thought you would like to see how she had transformed her house yet again.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Before:  The house is located in Plano, Texas – right outside of Dallas. It was a builder’s special which the new owners Cheryl and her builder husband Kerry updated to make it more custom. 

  

After:  The brick was painted taupe, but Cheryl left the original brick lining the windows.    The trees were thinned out, and the beds were made larger.

 BEFORE:  Here is a picture of the house when they bought it.   There is a large entry hall that overlooks the living/dining rooms through arched columns.

 

Entry Hall Before:  The walls were painted yellow, with touches of red and black.  The hardwoods were stained darker.

  

 

Today:  The walls are now a soothing green/blue/gray Benjamin Moore Healing Aloe throughout.  Cheryl kept the red rugs for a pop of color, but otherwise everything else was lightened – like the chairs and the lampshades. 

Although the house is now lighter and brighter, it isn’t cold – rather, Healing Aloe has a very warm tone that keeps the interiors from feeling sterile and icy.

 

Before:  the living room is red with the yellow walls.

AFTER:  New white slips cover the chairs and sofa.  The red coffee table was replaced with a new white marble topped one, and the sconces are now painted white.  The red and yellow patterned curtains are a soothing white – bought at Ikea for $39 a panel!   The red rug is layered over wall to wall seagrass.

Before Dining Room:  Here, the Ketners sit in the dining room with their red fabric chairs.

AFTER:  The dining room with the new white fabric chairs.  Here you can see the Ikea panels with the contrasting taupe hem that were added to the curtains.

BEFORE:  The family room had rather plain looking built-ins and wall to wall carpet.

 

AFTER:  A sea of red and gold, the mantel and bookcases were painted and updated.  Wood floors were added.

AFTER:  And today, the furniture now is covered in tight, tailored light slipcovers (perfect for dogs!)  There is a new gray rug and stool, and white/black coffee table.  The other big change is the fireplace with white carrara marble and white bookshelves with new lamps.  The sunburst mirror was moved from the master bathroom.  Wonderful!  

BEFORE:  The kitchen had light cabinets and wallpaper.

 

AFTER:  The cabinets were painted red with new granite, stainless appliances and floors.

 

Today:  The cabinets and walls are now Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige and reach to the ceiling, new hardware, along with black quartz countertops and carrara backsplash.  The change is total.

                                                                                                                                        

BEFORE:  The butler’s pantry was the pink-beige stain with the 90s style backsplash.

AFTER:  The butlers pantry was painted black with red undertones and seeded glass.

 

Today, the butler’s pantry is painted gray to match the kitchen.  There is now regular glass, carrara marble and mirror backsplash.  It’s more sophisticated now.

 

AFTER: A new Crate and Barrel breakfast room with knockoff Breuer chairs, along with a contemporary FLOR rug.

BEFORE:  The view into the kitchen.  What a difference the Ketner’s have made!!

 

BEFORE:  The red version.

 

AFTER:  And now, with the gray kitchen.  At the desk, you can see where a section of cabinet was removed to make a display shelf.

BEFORE:  The master bathroom.  Here there is a sloped ceiling.

AFTER:  The bathroom got a major overhaul.  The ceiling was leveled out with a furr down added.  A wall of carrara subway tiles were added, along with a new  quartz countertop and mirrors.

 

BEFORE:  The guest room with the yellow walls and bright brown bedding.

AFTER:  The walls are now light with white bedding and leopard quilts.  I love the ikat pillows and the new bedding.

 

In general, the changes in the house were structurally minimal except for the bathroom and the addition of new, extra cabinets in the kitchen.  All the other changes were mostly cosmetic – new paint and new fabrics.  The biggest change was editing, taking away a large amount of extra, unnecessary accessories which helps make the house look more serene and less cluttered.  The new paint, BM Healing Aloe is the most effective change.  It’s said over and over again, but a fresh coat of paint in a new color can be the most dramatic decorating change you can make.   And notice, by keeping the red rugs, it helps to keep the house warm and cozy and gives a pop of color.   And finally, another change, a really minor, very inexpensive change – new lamp shades – is something that anyone can do and almost anyone can afford, and the effect can be very pleasing!!

House #2

Next up is a reader’s house in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  It isn’t often I get a chance to show a house from New Mexico, and adobe houses are completely alien to me in Houston!   So, this house is a real treat.   The native architecture of New Mexico, and I suppose Arizona, are so aesthetically connected to its environment – the brown adobe walls seem to disappear into the earth.  

This particular house has an interesting history.  It was built in 1970 by the daughter of the popular primitive artist Streeter Blair.   The house, decorated in a whimsical style, was featured in the book “Mud, Space and Spirit.”   Later, CdT reader Elizabeth and her artist/musician boyfriend Grant Hayunga bought the adobe house and remodeled it, keeping its original integrity, yet making it a bit more luxurious. 

The house is adobe brick with interior Venetian plaster walls.  The floors are terra cotta and reclaimed wood, while many doors are antique.  There are many fireplaces, and rough hewn vigas, or wooden beams, as would be expected.   The house, with views of Cerro Gordo and the Sangre de Cristo foothills, sits on half an acre and is completely surrounded by an adobe wall.

 

The adobe wall that surrounds the house.

 

Behind a half wall lies a courtyard.

I was lucky to find the original pictures of what the house looked like when the present owners bought it:

                                                                  

BEFORE:  The main living room.  With the original flag floors, painted walls, and stain glass.

                                                                      

 

AFTER:  Today, the flags have been replaced with terra cotta tiles, the walls are Venetian plaster.  Instead of contemporary strings of lights – there are now iron chandeliers.  I love the flatscreen easel!  I love those.  Here are a selection from Restoration Hardware.

BEFORE:  Looking towards the front door.  The new owners removed the wood raining and stone stairs that lead to the corner door and replaced it with wood stairs.  The door at the near left was removed below:

 

AFTER:  Looking towards the front door, you can see the rough hewn rafters.  At the left, you can see how the owners modified the stained glass window and made it more subdued and less colorful.

  

 

Looking from the front door to the living room.

 

BEFORE:  The dining room with orange brick walls.

AFTER:  Through antique doors, the dining room is seen from the living room.

AFTER:  Such a difference!  The brick walls were painted a fresh white and the wood floors and molding around the windows were stained black-brown.   Instead of traditional furniture, there is now antique styled chairs and tables.   Again, the contemporary lighting was removed for an iron chandelier.

    

 

BEFORE:  The kitchen before had dated granite countertops and light stained cabinetry.  It got a major overhaul.

  

 

AFTER:  The dining room – leads into the new kitchen.

A center island was added, along with all new cabinets.

 

Before:  The master bedroom with orange walls.

 

AFTER:  The master bedroom with the new dark stained floors and white walls.

    

 

The fireplace with a new free-form stone mantel.  I love the sconces on each side of the bed.

BEFORE:  The master bathroom.

AFTER:  The master bathroom with a free standing tub and corner fireplace!  How romantic!!

The shower is behind the sink wall.

 

The shower with natural looking stone floor.

The half acre is filled with courtyards.  Here, in this courtyard off the master bathroom is a fountain.

This second story balcony overlooks a window that opens to the fountain’s courtyard.

The balcony and winding outside stairs.

A view of part of the house and garage during winter.   It looks so different with snow!

Here is the same view of the same courtyard during the summer.  There is a fireplace at the right side of the terrace.

And the view from the same terrace, looking out.

This house in Santa Fe is currently for sale.  If you are interested in this beautiful property, go HERE.

AND, if you would like to share your house with us, please email me at Cotedetexas@aol.com !!!

AND

The 2015 Paper City Design Awards were announced this month HERE and Ginger Barber won First Place for BOTH Residential Design over 3500 sq ft AND Residential Design under 3500 sq ft.

A huge congratulations to Ginger and her team!!!

I was honored to show both of these winning houses.

To reread the story of the English Country Manor House built in the Texas countryside, go HERE.

And to reread the story about the second winning design, go HERE.

I was so excited for Ginger to win both of the top awards!!!  Very well deserved!!!

AND finally,

You may remember over the years my featuring the houses of Michael Siller.  Most recently, he and his partner Larry Hokanson built a Federal style house in Houston that is pure sophistication and a luxurious dream.  The CdT story of the Federal house is HERE.

The other day, I noticed the Federal house is now for sale.  To see the listing, please go HERE.