Laman

House Psychology!

 

Searching through Houston Area Realtors for houses on the market  is usually a boring way to spend a few hours.  House after house is filled with brown or black poufy leather sofas with matching chairs, floors that are stained a color that could only be described as light orange, humongous TV systems that overtake the room, terrible window treatments like these limp, arched, curtains above,   and everyday clutter - and I don't mean  your attractive faux English country manor clutter, but just the regular flotsam and jetsam  homegrown type of clutter.   The picture above represents the upper end of most homes in Houston, believe it or not!   I can whip through over a 1,000 homes just like it on MLS and not see even one that sparks my attention or makes me stop to linger longer than a nanosecond.   So, when there IS something that is just a little out of the ordinary or just a little different than your average "everything is brown" interior, I call it a hit, a victory, a score, a win.    I'm ecstatic that I've found just one home that makes the time spent weeding through the 1,000 fugly homes worthwhile.  

 

When I do get a hit, it becomes a process.   Out of an insane curiosity,  I go first to the Harris County Tax Rolls and look up who owns the house (and, yes, that information is public record and available free on your Internet) and then I do a quick Google search on the person, and within a few minutes, an attractive house becomes a mystery to solve - why is the house for sale?   Was there a divorce, a new job out of town, did the owner fall on hard times, or, in our oil industry rich town -  boom times?   Who was the designer, or did the owner decorate his house himself?  When the interiors are fabulous, I look with an twinge of envy at the talent that created such a beautiful home.    Could I do it as well as they did?   Did they shop in Houston, or New Orleans or France?  Do  the interiors reflect the owner's sensibilities, or the designer's alone?  Do they appreciate the beauty of their home?   Oy vey, a pretty house can cause such mental turmoil!

 

The hit today is a home in Houston's most exclusive neighborhood, River Oaks.  It is not a huge house for River Oaks, and it's not one of it's classic old mansions - there are plenty of those filled with nasty wall to wall carpeting and antique reproductions badly in need of reupholstering.  No, this house is different.   It is average sized by the neighborhood's standard, measuring in at 5,300 sq ft.  There are 4 or 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and 3 half baths.   It has   a three car garage and two fireplaces and it was built in 2004.  It's interiors and exterior are very unique and quite different than the average Georgian or French home that line the gorgeous streets of River Oaks.   Just four years old, I wonder about this, why does someone build a custom house in which they probably invested  over 2 or 3 years going through the process, only to turn around and sell it a few years later?  Odd.  The owner is an attorney, of course.  Most home in River Oaks are owned either by  attorneys or oil men.    The rest are owned by their heirs.   This owner's biggest case was defending one of the Enron executives, which garners the homeowner thousands of Google hits.   

                                            

Just by looking at a  house and it's interiors,  you can tell so much about it's owners, what they are like, how they spend their time, are they extroverted or introverted, well read and intelligent, or are they high school drop outs?   A quick glance at this house and it's obvious to see that the couple are refined, wealthy, well read and very intelligent.  They also are very independent - they certainly aren't a couple who follow the crowd or even care what the crowd thinks of them.  They aren't very social, preferring instead to spend their time at home, puttering around in their yard or reading in their library.   The husband is very strong willed, and requires privacy - his library is noted to be "soundproofed."      The wife fills her time by antiquing and fluffing up her interiors.   She's not on the Best Dressed List and probably wears a lot of jeans as she loves to garden and cook.    They don't entertain at home much, preferring to be by themselves.  Their children are grown and have flown the nest.    All this information comes from just a few pictures on the MLS web site.  And all the information is just a figment of my imagination.   There  probably should be a profession called house psychology.  I don't know the owners so I have no clue if my description of them as an intelligent, worldly, well read, and private couple is correct.  Look at their house and decide how you would describe the people who live here.  

 

 

The Normandy home.  Beautiful windows surrounded by limestone.  The front yard is a wild abandonment of natural landscaping - roses and flowers.  At first glance, there is no discernable front door, further suggesting a couple who likes their privacy and doesn't entertain at home at lot.   One of them is definitely a gardener, a hobby of quiet solitude and suggestive of a caring, thoughtful, and empathetic person. 

 

 

 

The front yard.     Crushed stone pathways wind around what is described as an organic garden.   I'm sure the wife plants herbs which she then  uses in her cooking.

 

 

 

Another view of the front "lawn."   When Ben and I were first married, we rented a cottage with landscaping very similar to this.   About once a year the City of West University cited us for our "overgrown" yard and demanded we cut it down.     I wonder how the neighbors and the home association feel about this yard which is definitely not your typical River Oaks front lawn of azaleas and boxwoods?

 

 

I assume this is the way to the front door - through the black gate.   It's all very mysterious  - are the owners mysterious too?

 

 

The main hall, the wood is painted glossy black, the walls are a  faux sage color.  Oil paintings of people long passed line the walls.   Are they relatives, or "bought" family?   The floor is marble.   Not my taste or style, but still, the entry hall is intriguing and very, very attractive.

 

 

Looking back towards the front door,  antiques line the walls - mirror and sconces, old maps, french chairs and benches.  The wife has added soft touches - the needlepoint pillows and flowers, presumably from her garden.   Otherwise, the entry hall screams masculine.

 

 

The front drawing room, again filled with antiques.  To me, these antique appear to be inherited.  They don't seem the kind that are so in vogue in Houston now - the pale, peeling Swedish or rustic country French antiques.  This room with it's chintz curtains and pink upholstery is definitely the wife's area.   It's very elegant.  I like how the chandelier is over one area as opposed to the entire room.   And I love the sweet portrait of the young girl on the left.   Through the back door is the dining room.

 

A view from the opposite end.  The oil painting on the left is  wonderful and appears to be a significant piece of art.   Looking from this view, I'm more convinced that the furniture and artwork is a mixture of that inherited and purchased by the owners.    This room's upholstery needs some updating.   And the wife must agree as I spy a piece of fabric sample on the chair's arm.   I think the couple decorated their house mostly themselves.  It has a real homey quality to it as opposed to the glamorous, don't touch type of matchy matchy decorating that a designer would have done in this room.  Though a designer would probably have been needed for the window treatments. 

 

 

 

The dining room is again filled with antique furniture - a mix of English and French.  People, do NOT hang your mirror horizontally!  Ever!  NEVER!   The mirror would look so much better vertically.    I like how the doors are stained dark.  I always paint my doors black - throughout the house.   It makes them look so special as opposed to just being from Home Depot.  The walls have a lovely faux treatment on them, barely noticeable at all, just how is should be.  The French doors are wonderful and be sure to notice the hardware on them.   Now that's some hardware!

 

 

The soundproofed library aka the husband's domain.   I'm so envious of this space!  I want a library this big!   I need one this big!!   A mixture of leather armchairs and ottomans.   Comfy, well used couch on the right.   The fireplace is large, and everything is painted glossy black.  The home doesn't have a family room, just the drawing room and this  library, so I suspect all the husband's time is spent right here.   I just wonder if the wife is invited in?  There is no noticeable TV and I think there isn't one at all.    He's too busy reading to watch television anyway.

 

I like the antique library table with the tole chandelier over it.  The wall to wall carpet was chosen to simulate a  large antique rug.  They definitely like to collect leather wing chairs and arm chairs.   And butterflies too.   What a wonderful space - so warm and cozy feeling.  It feels so "real" - this room isn't staged.  It is used and loved.   Myself,  I would take out all the leather and replace it with down cushioned, white slipcovered chairs and sofas.   Look at the small chairs around the table slipcovered in white - don't they look wonderful?    Last, I would install seagrass wall to wall.  But, of course I would!    I LOVE this room!!!

 

 

 

I love the kitchen!  This is a cook's kitchen and it's obvious they do love to cook.   Spices are out on the counter for easy reach as are the knives and utensils.  The large farm table is surrounded by various French park chairs.  The floors are concrete.  I adore the farm sink and take a look at the pantry door!     Again, this room is not staged, rather it's a reflection of the wife's warmth and love of cooking and gardening and home.

 

 

The breakfast room with its round table surrounded by an assortment of chairs, furthering my theory that there was no designer.   Rather, this collection of chairs was obtained over a long period of time - something a designer wouldn't have the patience for!!    There's even a stool included here.  Note the concrete floors and a stone fireplace which is so authentic looking - it could be in the country side of Normandy or England.  The show stopper though is the huge antique station clock.  Wow.  I love that!  All the rough textures are juxtaposed by the rock crystal chandelier and soft gray curtains.  Again, the walls are fauxed to perfection. 

 

The last shot of the back yard, probably part of the driveway.   I love their wire fence.   And the wisteria looks so old and overgrown, hard to believe it's only four years old.  Vintage French iron patio furniture is painted white.   The breakfast room overlooks this area.  I wish there were pictures of the upstairs, but I have to settle with these.    I want more pictures!!!!!   What a tease!   I love the crushed stone paths and driveway, so French looking and authentic.  One trick to having a stone pathway is not to make the stones deep.  There should be just one level of stones so that it is easy to walk on.  If the stones are too deep, your feet will sink down.  One layer is enough.  

 

Do you think I was correct in my analysis of the owners?  How would you describe them differently than I did?  Do they seem like people you would like to meet and share a meal with?  Would you rather eat the meal in the dining room, or the breakfast room, the kitchen table OR the library table?  Such choices!!! 

 

Be sure to check back over the weekend when I'll be doing an extensive piece on ----- libraries, inspired by this one!!!   Thanks as always for your continued support, comments, and general good wishes.  They all mean the world to me and make blogging so worthwhile.

 

Joni aka Cote de Texas

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Bon Weekend!

Bon Weekend! I'm taking a much deserved few days off!
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Fun at Flair

I stopped by Flair tonight to pick up another painting that we bought for the Bachelor Pad and I can't say enough how much I love this store and Jon and George who own it! And Sean who works there! They are so sweet and helpful and such a joy to visit. Every time I am there, something new catches my eye! I would buy everything in it if I could! It's so perfect! You must visit it when you are in Soho but be forewarned, they are closing from August 18th to September 1st. At first, I thought they were taking a page out of their Italian counterpart's handbook and closing for August but they they are actually getting the floors refinished in addition to taking some much deserved time off.

Oh, and to let you in on a little inside scoop, the set designer for Gossip Girl bought some tables for the Van Der Woodsen abode! OMG! I can't wait to watch and try to figure out which ones they are! This is more exciting to me than when they told me about a famous uptown interior designer who stopped by! You know you love it too! XOXO!
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Buh Bye Vogue Living

I picked my five pound Vogue magazine today (do you think they make it heavy on purpose to work out your arms so you'll fit into the fall clothes?!) and was wondering if Vogue Living would also be out on the newsstands. But alas, I found out that it's not meant to be.
NO HOME: Blame the housing market crisis, the dip in advertising impacting every magazine or any one of myriad reasons, but Vogue Living will not publish a scheduled second issue this year. The Vogue shelter spin-off published a spring issue and had planned to produce a fall one, but a Vogue spokesman confirmed Monday that the fall issue has been nixed. "We decided earlier in the year that, given the current ad climate, this wasn't the time to roll out a second issue," he explained. However, said the spokesman, a spring 2009 issue is still under consideration. In all, Vogue Living, which executives have insisted since its inception was not a launch title, has had three issues. The magazine had a 500,000 rate base, including 300,000 copies that were poly bagged to Vogue subscribers with household incomes over $100,000, or a net worth of over $1 million, or a home valued at more than $500,000. The first issue in November 2006 had 134 ad pages; its second, a year later, carried 34 percent fewer, at 85 pages. The latest issue, in April, carried 48 pages. But Vogue Living, published by WWD parent company Condé Nast, hasn't been alone: according to Mediaweek, the shelter category has slid 5 percent in ad pages through July of this year. — Stephanie D. Smith, WWD
I was just thinking that it started out with a bang but seemed to fizzle with each subsequent issue. Such a shame since Vogue prides itself on having access to the best of everything and since there aren't many shelter magazines left. I hope they manage to get it together for a spring issue. And if they need any help, I'll be the first to volunteer my services! Until then, I'll be scouring regular Vogue for the photos of Kelly Wearster's new house since it doesn't look like they're going to be in Vogue Living. Oh well.

Photo borrowed from Design Inspiration
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Built in Beds


Marie Claire Maison
When I was eleven years old I slept over a friend's house. Her parents were interior designers and her house was beautifully decorated. The guest room had a whimsical, built in bed. It was painted in bright colors and had pretty floral curtains that you could pull closed. It had a hidden light to read in the dark of night and lots of pillow and quilts for curling up. I will always remember the night I stayed in that bed. I believed it was a secret and magical place. Over the years I have collected many, many images of built in beds. Someday I hope to build my own bed for my children or grandchildren to curl up in and dream childhood dreams. Brian Vanden Brink Brian Vanden Brink
I love these first three beds, the two above and the one on top of the page - They all have a Hansel and Gretel quality. Notice the hand carved wood and built in drawers. I also love the choice of paint colors with the natural wood. Charming!
Greene and Greene Architects
These special beds, flanked by built in cabinets, were built into a wide hallway What a fabulous use of space. This is a great idea in vacation home where you always need to have some extra beds.
Locati Architects
I love the rustic feel of this room. The beams and barn wood really give this room character. I especially love having the sink right in the room. A great spot for kids to brush their teeth. Notice the three tiny step stools in red, blue and yellow - adorable.Southern Accents Traditional Home
Need extra beds for six guests? These two photos have a more nautical theme - perhaps these beds were found in beach houses in Cape Cod or the Hampton's. I especially love the beds with the striped curtains.

Rob Whitten, Architect
Here is a great use of an attic space. Simple architectural detail is achieved with MDF or plywood. Beds are boxed and set low to the floor. Walls, floors, and ceilings all painted the same color to give the illusion of a height. King of the Road Preserve
Here is a wonderful room designed for teens! Each built in was designed around a dormer and has a window seat and lamp. Also the room has a sitting area. We can not see what the leather club chairs are opposite, but something tells me it's WII or PS2 system. Catalano Architects
This built in is so charming. I love the beadboard and moulding details, as well as the quilts and star carpeting. The individual reading lights and built in bookshelf make you want to curl right up with a paperback.
Catalano Architects
I can't seem to determine what this area might have been or if it was designed originally this way. I really like how the bed, window and surround mouldings are painted green. I also like how the step up sets off the space. Hutker Architects
Hutker Architects always hits a home run - another beautiful space. What a view - who couldn't relax curled up in this bed?

Lyman Perry Architects
This bed is built into the eaves of and attic. It has a nautical feeling. The single bed and built in drawers are a very smart uses of the space. For more pictures of this space see my past post "Attic Transformation"Brian Vanden Brink
Isn't this an interesting bed? It has such a Zen feeling. Its an amazing design that brings the outdoors in.

Unknown

The final bed has a Maine Cottage feeling to it. I love the bright blue paint, beadboard and private reading lamps. Makes me want curl up and pretend to be eleven years old again!
Which one is your favorite?
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Bachelor Pad August Update

Everyone has been asking about the Bachelor Pad so I guess an update is in order. I can't show too many photos because I don't want to ruin the big reveal but I thought a before and after photo of the bathroom wouldn't hurt.

I had the bathroom painted in Benjamin Moore White Ice which I thought would be a pale blue but it looks a little bit more green. Either that or the original green walls are affecting the color. It actually worked out well though because the bachelor owned a vintage French art poster from the 60's that looks perfect in the space. I also bought all Jonathan Adler white lacquer bathroom accessories and a new shower curtain from Restoration Hardware. The funny thing is that I bought the old white one for the bachelor almost a year ago when a visit to his apartment revealed no curtain or liner. (I can only imagine the reason why but let's not go there.) Even funnier since he lives a stone's throw away from Gracious Home which is where I bought it.

Still not sure why he charges all his electronics in the bathroom but maybe we can work on that next!

We're having a bit of a lull in the action at the Bachelor Pad due to some "financial restructuring" so since I can't buy anything, I've been working on some organizational projects including the closets. I have four down and only one to go! There is nothing that makes me happier than to look at all the pretty shirts lined up on matching hangers. It is a far cry from the wire hangers from the drycleaner that they were hanging on before. I would have liked to have repainted all the insides of the closets but I decided that was way too much trouble and no one would have appreciated that but me anyway.


"No more wire hangers!"


While I was in the Hamptons last week, I picked up this wonderful little painting at the Silas Marder Gallery in Sag Harbor. They have a lot of great works so if you're in the area, you should definitely stop by and also their other location in Bridgehampton. The photo is a little fuzzy so I apologize but the shagreen box is by R&Y Augousti and holds all his cuff links. The vintage bedside tables are from Pieces in Atlanta and the lamps are from Crate and Barrel. Oh, and the little Asian accent cup is from Pearl River Mart. A motley assorted crew of objects but that's what makes it look personal and not like someone came in and "designed" the place.


Every time I visit the Bachelor Pad, I love looking out the bedroom window at this beyond ridiculous penthouse apartment or apartments. I'm still not sure how many floors they have or what is going on in the part that looks like it held an old water tower but I'm determined to find out! I'll keep you posted!

So that's it for now. We still need to find chairs and an entertainment console for the living room but it's not for a lack of trying. I think I've shown him a million different options so I might just have to make an executive decision soon so I can be done with it. I also need to hang the mirror above the entry console and all the artwork, as well as lay the new bedroom rug. I'm waiting until the last possible minute to lay the old living room rug since we just had it cleaned and I saw what he did to it before. Boys will be boys you know. There is still a lot to do but I hope it's done soon because I'm ready for a vacation...to a place where people clean up after me for once! Or maybe the people in the penthouse would just let me go sit on their terrace!
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The Greenwich Hotel

It seems like every day there is a new boutique hotel opening in the city but The Greenwich Hotel seems more like a home than a hotel. Albeit a home in Tribeca owned by a movie star and in this case Robert DeNiro. The best part about the hotel is that no two rooms look a like and this attention to detail took three years to create by interior designer Samantha Crasco. The exterior, Ago restaurant, and public spaces were created by Grayling Design, the group behind Bathazar, Pastis and Schiller's among other fabulous New York spaces. You can read more details about the hotel and Samantha Crasco in the September 2008 issue of Elle. Enjoy!











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