urban home austin-san antonio june/july 2015

www.UrbanHomeMagazine.com

HOMEAUSTIN-SAN ANTONIO URBAN

JU

NE

/J

UL

Y

15

CELEBRATING INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN AND PERSONAL STYLE

www.artesianpoolstx.com

Pool Maintenance: Personalized Pool Service First month free with 6 month commitment

(210) 251-3211

Pool Remodeling Specialists: Pool Re-Surfacing Equipment Repair and Replacement Coping, Tile, Decking and Rockwork

Custom Pool Design and Construction

2013MASTERS

OFDESIGNWINNER

FORBEST SPA

www.artesianpoolstx.com

This issue celebrates three influential architects of the twentieth century, and contemporary architects who are inspired by their work. ONeil Ford and Atlee B. Ayers of San Antonio and A.D. Stenger of Austin were innovators, admired for their craftsmanship and use of local materials, and they left lasting imprints on their respective cities in the form of public buildings and residential homes.

David Webber grew up in an A.D. Stenger house. And as luck would have it, he was hired to renovate another Stenger house right down the street from his boyhood home. Inspired by other Stenger designs in the neighborhood, Webber stayed true to the original mid century modern structure while integrating energy efficient features.

Craig McMahon was challenged with the restoration of an Atlee B. Ayes 1951 pool house. The homeowners, aware of the significance of their home, were intent on respecting the history of the building. It has now been restored to its original condition with the addition of modern day amenities.

John Gutzler of Ford, Powell & Carson, an architectural firm founded by ONeil Ford, designed a sprawling ranch retreat based on the same design principles learned from the late founder. Stating that siting a building in relationship to the landscape was fundamental, he incorporated regional materials and exceptional craftsmanship to create a home that looks like its been there forever.

On the food scene, brewpubs are hotter than ever thanks to the growing number of brew masters and chefs collaborating to create perfect pairings to enhance your overall dining experience. In fact, beer-food pairings follow many of the same principles as wine-food pairings.

Its summertime in Central Texas, and several family-friendly venues have recently opened, providing perfect staycation activities. Both Austin and San Antonio have new state-of-the-art childrens museums, Topgolf and restaurant gaming venues. And then theres the new drive-in in New Braunfels a welcome trip back to the good old days and watching a double feature from our car.

Enjoy your summer,

Trisha Doucette

On The Cover:

David Webber doubled the size of this 1968 A.D. Stenger-designed home, garnering inspiration and extending Japanese references originally incorporated by the late architect. Page 20

FROM THE EDITOR EDITORS ESSENTIALS

FREDERICKSBURG FARMSWhat began as a small family-owned plant nursery

has grown to include gourmet foods, luxurious bath and body products, and my favorite candles the Texas Bluebonnet to be specific. The soft floral notes are perfect year-round. And besides, wildflower season is just too short. Fbgfarms.com

LITTLE BARREL AND BROWNThis is a great South Austin restaurant with a menu

that will appeal to everyone. The appetizer selection is so diverse with dishes like mussels, grilled quail, fried oysters and beer-battered shrimp. Its tempting to order one of each for the table. But the perfect sum-mer picnic treat is their Texas Free Range Buttermilk Chicken served with celery root slaw and Franks Red-Hot sauce, packed and ready to go. Littlebarrelandbrown.com

CONFITURASStephanie McClenny had been preserving local pro-

duce sourced from Austin farmers for years when she decided to share her jams, jellies and knowledge of preserving through her small jam company. Such de-licious and creative combinations include blackberry and thyme flower, orange chile de arbol and grapefruit and vanilla bean. You can find these jams at several shops and farmers markets around Austin check out their website for a complete list. Confituras.net

CULINARIA RESTAURANT WEEKCulinaria is a non-profit organization that showcas-

es the many talented individuals in San Antonios food and beverage industry. Each May they host a dozen+ themed events, but its their Restaurant Weeks held in January and August that are worth planning your days around. August 15-29, 51 restaurants will offer spe-cial prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Many times youll find your favorite dishes, or you can sample the chef s newest creations selected just for this event. Rea-sonably priced at $15 for lunch and $35 for dinner, these three-course meals can also be paired with wine. Start marking your calendars. Menus are posted on the website! Culinariasa.org

8 URBAN HOME AUSTIN SAN ANTONIO urbanhomemagazine.com

2015 | VOL. 10 | NO. 3

PublisherLouis Doucette

EditorTrisha Doucette

Contributing EditorCatrina Kendrick Catrinas Ranch Interiors

Contributing WritersClaudia Alarcon, Beth Bond, Julie Catalano, Mauri Elbel

PhotographyChris Archer, Paul Bardagjy, Andrea Calo,

Michael Hunter, Mark Menjivar, Whit Preston

Strategic Media PlacementDiane Purcell Ttlmgt.com

Advertising SalesSandy Weatherford,

Gerry Lair, Janis Maxymof

Business ManagerVicki Schroder

Design and ProductionTim Shaw The Shaw Creative

theshawcreative.com

Printing and Direct MailSmithPrint

Phone512.385.4663, Austin - 210.410.0014, San Antonio

Fax830.981.8887

Address10036 Saxet Drive / Boerne, Texas 78006

[email protected]

Website www.urbanhomemagazine.com

Urban Home Magazine Austin-San Antonio is published by Big City Publications, LLC. Advertising rates available upon request. All rights reserved by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent from publisher. Every effort is made to assure accuracy of the information contained herein. However, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Advertising is subject to errors, omissions and or other changes without notice. Mention of any product or service does not constitute endorsement from Urban Home Magazine. The information contained in this publication is deemed reliable from third party sources, but not guaranteed. Urban Home Magazine does not act as an agent for any of the advertisers in this publication. It is recommended that you choose a qualified remodeling, home furnishings or home improvement firm based on your own selection criteria. Urban Home Magazine, does not act as an agent for any of the realtors or builders in this publication. It is recommended that you choose a qualified realtor to assist you in your new home purchase.

Urban Home Magazine will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. All real estate advertising in Urban Home Magazine, is subject to the Fair Housing Act that states We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

Copyright 2015 by Urban Home Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

Push Pull Open Close

To set an appointmentcall 512.694.7762

or [email protected]

The Mobile Decorative Hardware Store

WE BRING THE SHOWROOM TO YOU

2014 CONTRACTOR OF THE YEARNational Remodeling Association San Antonio Chapter

CROSS is a full-service residential remodeling and custom home builder, with an established customer base in San Antonio and the surrounding area. We pride ourselves on sound ethical business principles

and a strong desire to provide complete customer satisfaction.

cross-tx.com (210) 826-7200

Discover the CROSS difference at cross-tx.com.

CONTENTS

cover20 Building On Inspiration Photography by Chris Archer and Andrea Calo

featured homes26 Reviving A Classic Photography by Mark Menjivar32 South Texas Hacienda Photography by Paul Bardagjy

highlights48 Made In The Shade54 Pergola Preservation56 The Outdoor Escape

departments

Why This Space Works 38 Designer Spotlight: Betsy Homan of Betsy Homan Interior Design

Commercial Design42 Boho Meets Tex-Mex At Maudies Triangle

Garden Design50 Planting Out-Of-The-Box

Food Design58 Beer-Centric Restaurants

Fabulous Finds62 Destination: Family Fun

Contributing Editor52 Catrina Kendrick, Catrinas Ranch Interiors

66 Advertiser Index

June / July 2015

4238

26

58

3220


IF THERE EVER WAS AN ARCHITECT FIT FOR THE JOB, ITS SAFE TO SAY KAREN KNIGHT FOUND HIM.

By MAURI ELBEL Photography by CHRIS ARCHER, PAUL BARDAGJY AND ANDREA CALO

BUILDING ON INSPIRATION

s the single mom of three teenage girls, Knight immediately fell in love with this mid century home nestled in Westlake Hills because of the potential

she knew it held for her family. Designed by the late A.D. Stenger, one of Austins most renowned design/build architects, Knight was seeking an architect who could remodel the 60s-era home while honoring its original design. After being introduced to David Webber of Webber + Studio, she discovered he actually grew up in another Stenger home just around the corner plus Knight took it as a serendipitous sign that she, Webber and the house were all born in 1968.

The fact that I grew up there in the same neighborhood in an A.D. Stenger home I actually remember trick-or-treating at that house as a kid probably helped us make the cut, admits Webber. And while this coincidence likely gave Webber the upper edge against other candidates vying for the job, it also provided him with an insiders appreciation when it came to conceptualizing the addition for Knights Stenger-designed home.

Collaborating with Webber and interior designer Veronica Koltuniak, Knight was able to effectively double the size of the original home while preserving its original character. But taking the house from 1,500 square feet to 3,000 square feet required careful thought Webber feared mimicking the original style with another level stacked on top of the flat roof design would have diminished Stengers work. Instead, he had another idea.

A The great benefit of being someone who grew up in the neighborhood and also had his childhood home designed by Stenger is that I also happened to know there was an A-frame down the street about five houses away that he also designed, explains Webber. We learned from the A-frame that combining the two styles might be a way to contrast with the original horizontal style while reinforcing the design at the same time.

While A.D. Stenger is revered as a mid century master, Webber admittedly isnt.

We dont think of ourselves as mid century specialists, but the mid century bones of this house were so decent they really

didnt deserve being changed in any way, says Webber. The real question became: How do we double the size of the house without totally squashing the original design?

Recognizing the historicism of the original Japanese-inspired design and being familiar with Stengers work, Webber came up with a design that marries opposing impulses by adding a vertical, reinterpreted A-frame to the horizontal, low-slung format of the original house. While Webber was fond of the A-frame reference, his addition which features a metal roof, ample windows and a vertical stained Western red cedar screen that serves as a shading device to mitigate the harsh morning and afternoon sun remains more elegant and modern than the one that inspired him. The addition presents a well-integrated yet balanced

BARDAGJY

ARCHER

URBAN HOME AUSTIN SAN ANTONIO 21urbanhomemagazine.com

approach that not only doubled the size of the house but also maximized the homes functionality, transforming the previously modest abode into a five bedroom, four bathroom home boasting flexible, multi-use spaces.

Despite the size, this home still feels quaint, says Webber. Its well integrated into the site. And adding the A-frame was the thing we were most excited about that we came up with a way to add on that allowed the addition to be special but not too special. Theres a yin and a yang now that balance each other out.

The A-frame, built for maximum height and flat-topped to accommodate a roof deck, makes the homeowners feel as if they are up in a treehouse most of the year and gives way to downtown Austin views from the ridge line property in late-December when the leaves fall. From the very beginning, one of Knights main requirements was to maintain the continuous flow between the indoors and outdoors.

I always wanted this home to be a welcoming, inviting space, Knight says. I feel a lot of contemporary homes can be very cold. But for a very efficient, clean-lined home, this feels very warm and comfortable. Inviting and playful.

Webber actually improved upon the existing cohesion through thoughtful selections of materials that honored the homes original design. For example, epoxy-pebble flooring serves as both the main interior flooring as well as the exterior decking, blurring the line between inside and out. In the kitchen, rich walnut LEICHT cabinetry serves as a strong counterpoint to

the walls and stairs clad in stained Western cedar. A bright tangerine Formica countertop provides the perfect mid century punch in the kitchen representative of Stengers signature style and reminiscent of Knights childhood home which featured identical orange countertops.

Growing up in a Stenger house, I knew these bright colors and oranges and reds would often show up, explains Webber. Those countertops have gotten more attention than any other expressive detail we have done.

Webber says one of the remodels greatest accomplishments is its ability to pack a huge amount of programming into a relatively small space something he attributes to Knights desire to make each room serve multiple purposes. Some of

CALO

CALO

CALO


the more clever uses of space can be detected in the flex room which was built into the original master bedroom and now houses a Murphy bed but duals as a living space for the family which can be opened or closed-off with a sliding glass partition. To maximize the number of bedrooms Knight wanted, Webber made use of a design opportunity by transforming the previous carport into her master bedroom. Webber sunk the master so the existing steel, concrete-reinforced beams could be used as supports in the renovated structure. Now a serene retreat that sits eye-level with the pool, it has the desired ceiling height and features window seats with underneath storage running the length of the glass walls. Inside the A-frame structure, two bedrooms with 15-foot ceilings are positioned on both ends and a shared playroom sits in the center which serves as an inviting living space for Knights daughters. A roof deck at the top looks out toward the city. Savvy uses of matching materials pop up throughout the home for example, heavy wood cedar timber beams form the bathroom countertops as well as sitting area benches placed near the front entrance and in the living area.

Outside, existing impervious cover limits presented a few obstacles yet Webber made them work to his advantage. Knight says this is one of the things she admired most about working with the architect: Webbers ability to transform limitations into the designs biggest attributes.

We needed a seamlessness from the inside to the outside, but because of impervious cover rules, the pool had to be pulled next to the house, explains Webber. But this house demonstrated that those rules dont have to hinder a design it can work with the overall architecture.

The pool, designed by Modern Design Build, is tucked right up to the house, molded in the shape of a quasi butterfly symbolic for the metamorphosis one goes through during major life changes and representative of the Japanese concept wabi-sabi which means finding beauty in the imperfect. A walkway from the back terrace continues as a stepping stone across the pool to the yard where the homes original entrance Japanese torii was reassembled, painted in Million Dollar Red to match the front door and spiral deck stairs, and now serves as backyard art. While mid century modern design ultimately finds its root in Japanese architecture, Webber says the fact that this home came with a torii on the front further inspired him to implement slight Japanese references throughout the design.

If anything we were just trying to tap into its real heart, he

says. But growing up in a Stenger home and having known him from an early age, Webber said he never thought of the notable architects work in a sacrosanct way. Rather, Webber feels the addition is a better version of what Stenger always wanted it to be: an Asian-inspired, low-slung mid century modern with greater sustainability, efficiency and craftsmanship than was possible years ago.

This home now performs better on all fronts thermally it is more efficient, it is more energy efficient, and it is built stronger and sturdier than it was before, he says. We brought it up to date and A.D. Stenger would have been pleased in fact, I think even

ARCHER

CALO

CALO


at the base of the pool which provides optimal cooling with less energy consumption throughout the summer.

I didnt realize this house would be such a science project, says Knight. But one of the things I am most proud about is the opportunity to share knowledge with other people on the possibilities available to them to reduce monthly water and energy costs in their own projects. v

ARCHITECT Webber + Studio Architecture512.236.1032 | Webberstudio.com

BUILDER W+Inc.512.480.8838 | [email protected]

DESIGNER Verokolt512.771.3725 | Verokolt.com

ARCHER

ABOUT A.D. (ARTHUR DALLAS) STENGER

(1920-2002)A.D. Stenger, a renowned local builder/architect/developer

left his mark in central Austin neighborhoods in the form of roughly 100 homes he designed and built from the late

1940s through the late 1990s. Stengers signature style shines through these modern, relatively affordable, single story

houses which often contained elements of homey comfort and one-of-a-kind flourishes like the unusual Japanese torii

gate that graced this homes original entrance. Beginning his architectural career as a student in The University of Texas at Austins School of Architecture, Stenger became one of the areas first design/build architects and built a slew of

affordable, modern dwellings over the course of a half-century.

some of the architectural details in this iteration are better versions of what he was trying to achieve and just couldnt back then.

Knight says her Austin Green Building Program Five Star Rated home is the only home in the area that uses greywater they pay for water once but use it twice. And the home was actually re-plumbed to allow the family to eventually collect rain water on site and use it for showering and drinking. Rather than opting for a traditional geothermal system, they utilized the cooling opportunity of running loops through the concrete

ARCHER


By MAURI ELBEL | Photography by MARK MENJIVAR

REVIVING A CLASSIC


Bringing the 1950s-era pool house tucked behind this historic Terrell Hills estate designed by Atlee B. Ayers up to date wasnt easy. But one glimpse of this

palatial pool house project thats been remarkably restored to its original condition and revived for modern day living makes it evident every struggle has its reward.


uilt in 1951 by the prominent architect to sit off the main nearly 10,000-square-foot home on the property, the pool house and expansive pool had

suffered significantly over the decades.It was in bad disrepair, says Craig McMahon, the architect

brought onto the project at the suggestion of John Troy who had been working with the homeowners for over a decade to update the property to its current state. The pool itself was built in the same period as the pool house but had literally jumped out of the ground because of soil conditions and ongoing bandaging over the years. So both the pool and the pool house needed total renovation.

Salvaging what was salvageable came with its challenges, says the architect. The entire structure had fallen into a dilapidated state, serving primarily as extra storage space for the owners who have lived there for the past 15 years.

The building and pool were in such disarray, I at one time recommended starting over completely due to cost, but the owners were adamant to respect the history of the building,

B says McMahon. I like that they respected the original intent of what it was designed for it is rare nowadays to keep original character in place.Wanting to restore the building while updating and expanding

it to suit their modern day lifestyle, Troy says the owners had several objectives: to revive the beautiful, classical pool house, add a barbecue component, and create sitting areas for outdoor dining and poolside lounging.

There were decades upon decades of poorly executed design revisions and improvements that had made it worse and worse, says Troy. Arizona sandstone had been put around the pool which made it higher than the cabana so the drainage was going to the cabana. It had been cracking and flooding.

Troy lowered the pool coping so that the water would not drain into the cabana, removed all the layers and existing gutter system and replaced it with a traditional skimmer system. The pool was rather large 22-feet by 45-feet and Troy wanted to create a sense of scale both with the existing pool house structure and the surrounding tree-filled landscape. McMahon


added the barbecue on the left side, and Troy utilized landscape design to give it a true sense of balance. Because of the size of the pool, a large sun bench was added for scale.

All the team players really worked together to help create classical design in an asymmetrical sort of way, says Troy. It seemed symmetrical but it was anything but. We balanced it really well by keeping the classical lines in place and strengthening the symmetry that existed.

For example, the wing of the house was not centered on the pool so Troy created a more symmetrical feel by splitting the walkways into two arching curves rather than one straight walkway.

Before, the foot print of the pool house functioned like a country club with his and her restrooms flanking a central, open-air lanai. No longer needing his and her restrooms, McMahon converted one side into a suite featuring a fold-out couch and bathroom, opened up the lanai to be used as a sitting area with an overhead projector to watch sports games, and transformed the other end by removing the bathroom and building a kitchen that serves as an air-conditioned prep area for the outdoor barbecue addition.

I love the lanai now because it provides such a great outdoor experience, protected from the harsh sun while remaining in scale functioning like a pavilion in the landscape that doesnt overwhelm or underwhelm, says McMahon.

Throughout the remodel, McMahon says the owners remained very careful to protect the original architects intent, with each detail requiring extreme attention. The original concrete masonry walls with stucco finish on the outside were respected, cleaned and refinished. Each square of the structures authentic dentil trim had to be pulled down, sanded and repainted before being reinstalled. Painstaking efforts were made to keep the original copper recessed gutters hidden in the house. Original true divided light windows were respected and recrafted to ensure everything kept its old world feel with new world quality, says McMahon.

Before the remodel, flat ceilings were in place, but McMahon noticed a vaulted ceiling existed above the flat ceiling. While the owners were adamant to respect the history of the building, they allowed McMahon some wiggle room to vault the ceilings, opening up spaces to a more current era of use while respecting Ayres original details.

We are modernists by nature so to open this space up was important to me, says McMahon. I kept trying to reimagine how he (Ayres) would have wanted it to be done today. I tried to respect the original intent but give it a modern use.

Taking out the flat ceilings made the space feel larger than it is in reality but McMahon says steel framing, an out-of-the-

ordinary material, slowed the renovation process because it required cutting torches and steel equipment from the inside.

Even remodeling the pool proved to be extremely difficult due to the prior strand of piecemeal renovations that had occurred over the decades, according to Brett Corrigan of Artesian Pools. While it would have been easier to remove the entire pool and start over, he says the owners insisted on keeping it for its historical significance. Likening the process to peeling an onion, Corrigan says layer after layer had to be peeled off in order to locate a sound structure.

We also found the deep end of the pool was floating on a natural ground spring, and that was another challenge we didnt anticipate so we had to employ some water removal techniques and use a specific type of cement treatment to stabilize the pool to prevent further movement in the future.

But Corrigan credits the projects success to a variety of factors clients with an open mind and strong vision, a landscape architects perfect design and an incredible, highly skilled architect and contractor. With all those components working together to achieve a similar goal, the project turned out flawlessly despite the many unanticipated challenges along the way.

The hardest thing to do in construction is to build something brand new while having it appear old, he says. But it turned out amazing. Just incredible.


ABOUT ATLEE BERNARD AYRES (1873-1969)

This pool house and residential estate was one of the many architectural legacies left behind by Atlee Bernard Ayres, a well-known architect in the first half of the 20th century who left his

mark in the form of more than 500 architectural projects, many of which are found in the San Antonio area including the Tower Life Building and the McNay Art Museum. Ayers graduated from the

Metropolitan School of Architecture, a subsidiary of Columbia University in 1894, before returning to Texas. In 1915 he became state architect of Texas; in 1937, as a charter member of the Texas Society of Architects, he was one of three architects instrumental

in passing state legislation for the licensing of architects to practice; and he remained an active architect until he died at age 96.

Melissa Morgan at M Interiors, who had also been working with the family on the main home renovation, created the lovely indoor/outdoor kitchen and barbecue addition that enhanced rather than detracted from the existing cabana. Interior selections translate the look of the times, featuring classic materials such as white marble tile, a light palette of pale grays and whites flowing from the exterior to the interior spaces, and a white washed pine ceiling in the lanai that brightens the room.

Cherry red brick pavers by DHanis Clay Tile were used around the pool grounds and carried into the lanai area to blur the lines between inside and outside. The continuous feel is furthered by the choice to use cast stone around the pool and continue it on the coping in the outdoor kitchen, allowing the language of materials to speak to each other. The lighting sconces in the main area as well as exterior lights from Urban Electric Company were chosen for their classic shapes and lines and simple black finish that contrasts brilliantly with the pale walls.

Morgan gravitated toward luxury outdoor furniture by JANUS et Cie which boasts timeless lines with a modern sensibility, ranging from the outdoor lounge chairs to the dining tables found throughout the sitting and lounging spaces.

This is a great addition to the home, says McMahon of the completed pool house. It really is this jewel box off by itself that has been restored in a way that expands on the way they live on the property.

The dramatic change now truly matches the classiness of the home.

It went from a zero to a 10, says Troy. I love the clean lines. The simplicity of it. The elegance. v

ARCHITECT Craig McMahon Architects. Inc.210.710.3874 | Cmarchtx.com

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT John S. Troy, Landscape Architect, Inc. 210.222.1355 | Johnstroylandarch.com

POOL DESIGN Artesian Custom Pools, Inc.210.251.3211 | Artesianpoolstx.com

DESIGNER M Interiors210.859.7512 | M-interiors.net


AWARD-WINNING INTERIOR DESIGN

custom homes loftsspec homes commercial

512.443.3200 www.bellavillads.com

Stephanie J. Villavicencio, ASIDTexas Registered Interior Designer

By MAURI ELBEL | Photography by PAUL BARDAGJY

MODERN-DAY RANCH RETREAT BUILDS UPON FORDS

FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN CONCEPTS

SOUTH TEXAS

HACIENDA


is because of the craftsmanship and respect for scale which are some of ONeils ideas, says John Gutzler, principal at Ford, Powell & Carson. We had a large site to work with and could have put the house anywhere, but we chose to maximize the views by placing the house into the hill rather than on top of the hill which also allows southeast cooling breezes to flow across the building as a form of natural ventilation and cooling.

The project serves as another example of Fords fundamental design concepts regarding siting buildings in relation to the landscape, creating indoor and outdoor relationships within

tretched out along the side of a plateau, views from this timeless hacienda situated on a sprawling South Texas ranch extend into Mexico as far as the eye can see.

Sited close to another outcropping to fit within the existing landscape while retaining southern panoramas across 20 miles of undeveloped land, the design concept of this ranch retreat was built upon the underlying philosophies of ONeil Ford, the renowned 20th century American architect and founder of Ford, Powell & Carson.

The reason I am at this firm and have been here for 32 years

S


a building and incorporating exceptional craftsmanship, explains Gutzler.

Designed as a getaway retreat for clients who wanted a place to escape with friends and family, the 5,000-square-foot house is composed of private and public spaces arranged in a row of individual buildings linked by outdoor spaces.

Three separate master suite pods provide privacy for their occupants, each featuring individual courtyards wrapping bathrooms equipped with outdoor showers and garden spaces. Each one has a private porch, situated to take advantage of the

views and cooling breezes with an effort to extend the interior living spaces outdoors. A separate bunk room provides extra sleeping space while the entry, living area and kitchen serve as the active zone of the home.

The clients are very complimentary of the design because it allows them to have guests but still maintains some sense of privacy while allowing them to all get together in the active areas, explains Gutzler.

Largely inspired by Gutzlers travels throughout Mexico, Cuba and Europe, this hacienda projects an old world feel.


And by keeping the scale intimate, Gutzler says the home gives the impression of a compound a structure that was added on to over time.

We wanted a house that looked like it had been there forever, says Gutzler. So many times people want these homes with huge high spaces, but we kept this home very intimate. Part of ONeils philosophy was to have a sense of human scale and to employ craftsmanship throughout the building. Overall, I think this house really fits the site and expresses the idea of old world Mexico and Texas in the craftsmanship and simple regional materials that were incorporated into it.

Following suit with the firms founding concepts, Gutzler says the project remains a celebration of craftsmanship and simple details. From the millwork done by Alan Reams and the wood floors crafted by Carl Fite of San Marcos to the Luminario light fixtures and custom carved doors by Denise Kocurek of San Antonio, thoughtful touches and real elements dominate the design.

In building this, we made a special effort to deal with the individual craftsman and to respect them so that we got something special, says Gutzler. All these factors came together to create a handmade, one-of-a-kind product.

Examples of superior craftsmanship are found throughout the hacienda. Load-bearing walls clad with heavy plaster are finished with special details such as rounded corners that appear worn reminiscent of an old church in Mexico. The plaster work, by Richardson Tile out of Lampasas was specially crafted with slight shifts in color drawn from the surrounding landscape in natural shades of sage, gray, silver and off-white. Saltillo tile from Mexico features custom bullnose edge details that engage low across the walls on the interior and exterior. Dense Sugarloaf stone, sourced from Sugarloaf Mountain, is seen on the top of the plaster walls and surrounding the multiple fireplaces found throughout the house. Executed by Stonescapes of San Antonio, the stonework speaks to the look of natural stone found near the site. All doors, wood flooring, millwork and timber came from a single source of old-growth long leaf pine to create a cohesive, solid look. Custom hammered light fixtures placed at eye level are supplemented with more contemporary lighting to properly light each space while keeping the focus on the handmade elements.

A lot of times these days, you put a project out to bid and you get what you get, says Gutzler. But when you have a good working relationship between the owner, architect and the contractor, you can truly build something special. v

ARCHITECT Ford, Powell & Carson210.226.1246 | Fpcarch.com

BUILDER Vaughn Construction Company713.243.8300 | Vaughnconstruction.com

ABOUT ONEIL FORD (1905-1982)

The firms founding partner, ONeil Ford, is largely regarded as the most influential Texas architect of the twentieth century. Born in Pink Hill, Texas, Ford came to San Antonio in 1939 as an architect for the National Youth Administration. Working with the San Antonio Conservation Society, he directed the restoration of historic La Villita on the banks of the San Antonio River. The early postwar years of Ford, Powell & Carsons practice were characterized by innovative designs for solar houses using natural ventilation and calculated shading. The firm designed primary and secondary schools during the postwar era and participated in the explosive growth of university education starting with the design of Trinity University in 1948. While design for higher education remains a major specialty of the longstanding firm, other specialty areas include residential design, planning and urban design, religious architecture, theatre and assembly space design, historic preservation and interior design. Numerous local iconic buildings including the Tower of the Americas, the Alamo and the Spanish colonial missions, the Urban Segment of the Museum Reach of the River Walk and San Fernando Cathedral were designed or restored by the firm.


210.843.4332www.christophervoss.com

FOURTH GENERATION IRON CRAFTSMAN

Christopher Voss Inc.

Celebrating 20 Years in business and 100 Years of Voss familY Craftsmanship.

worksWHY THIS SPACE

This light-filled, inspirational art studio and solarium serves as a testament to Betsy Homans ability to interpret her clients personalities and passions through thoughtful uses of color,

texture and detail. Reinforcing her belief that our environments are our nests, Homan designed the multi-use addition to this Shavano Creek home to accommodate the needs of a growing family.

This is a lovely, very tight-knit family and they were wanting to have this dedicated space where they could paint while looking out on their beautiful gardens and landscaped yard and pool, says Homan. Both the daughter and the mother are very talented painters and they wanted a space where they could leave their paintings while in progress but also use it as a lovely room to read in

or entertain. The longtime San Antonio-based interior designer sat down with Urban Home magazine to talk about the details behind this cozy and creative space.

Designer Spotlight: Betsy Homan of Betsy Homan Interior DesignBy MAURI ELBEL | Photography by MICHAEL HUNTER


book in hand, or for eating a lovely evening dinner overlooking the summer gardens. This room is light, airy and ready for creative energy. It truly is a multi-purpose room.

Please tell us about the elegant wrought iron and wood framed French entry doors.

BH: The elegant wrought iron and glass French doors are from Builders First Source. My client and I selected the style of the door and then the style of the wrought iron. The glass and iron doors bring natural light into the family room yet give you the feeling that youre entering a special room. They appear so graceful when you are in the family room and you look into this room. But they are dual purpose too. They not only lend themselves to the light, airy look of the solarium, but they are also functional because of the way they let natural light pour into the family room.

How did you make sure this room would remain functional for your clients?

BH: It is a room where paint needs to be easily cleaned from the floor. So durability was a big factor. We approached the entire project with this in mind, but we also wanted something that was functional and beautiful so I designed custom cabinetry which reflects a more English whimsical style to meet their painting supply storage needs. Inside there are many drawers dedicated for different color palettes of paint. The upper and lower cabinets are painted in Benjamin Moores Elephant Tusk with hand-painted accent lines of

Dry Sage and contain ample room for storing miscellaneous art supplies. The upper doors were designed with a curvilinear latticework to keep the look of the cabinetry light and airy. These cabinets are connected together with sage green and taupe handmade basketweave tiles from Materials Marketing. These tiles accent the Golden Butterfly granite countertop from Universal Marble. To reinforce our English theme, we used pewter Celtic-styled knobs from Allen and Allen.

I love the creamy and soothing contrast of materials in here. Tell us about these selections.

BH: We purposefully used a light neutral color palette to

What remained at the forefront of your mind as you designed this sun-soaked space thats primarily used as an art studio?

BH: My clients love nature. They are avid gardeners and have these beautiful gardens just outside. They were looking for a way to bring the outdoors in so we wanted a neutral-colored room with accents of green, and we relied on lots of textures to create the interest and drama.

What is the feeling one gets walking into this angular, light-filled room?

BH: Its calming. Its inviting to paint in, to walk into with a


keep the light in the room bright and neutral which is ideal for painting. We used ivory split-faced limestone for texture on the walls from Emser Tile, white washed wood ceiling and beams, and a durable porcelain floor laid in a Versailles pattern with playful inset patterns. The decorative wood panel between the upper and lower windows conceals motorized solar shades from Texton, providing sun control with the touch of a wall switch. This natural selection of materials highlights the outdoors, and by not over-doing the room, it keeps the look very clean.

The overall aesthetic of this Shavano Creek home is undeniably traditional, but how does the vibe in this room differ?

BH: Its casual yet refined, which is a reflection of my client. This room was a departure from the rest of the traditional home because of the height of the ceiling and different textures. When you are standing inside this room, you almost feel like you are in a miniature tower.

These furnishings are very simple, from the white round table to the wicker seating. What were you trying to achieve with minimalist selections?

BH: Our goal was to keep the room simple and let the rooms architectural elements shine. The architect, Steve Heflin and Associates, put in those huge windows so we wanted to use that to our advantage, making the clients feel as if they were painting outdoors. Because this is a very tall room, we wanted to add the plank wood ceiling to articulate the rooms architectural character. This multi-use space can be used as an art studio but its a lovely room where the client can entertain or read, which is why we left it sparsely furnished as a solarium.

Standing inside this space now, what is your favorite element?

BH: The ceiling! The large domed hexagonal painted ceiling is stunning. We used large pine planks within the trusses to emphasize the hexagonal dome originally created by the architect.

As artists, how does this space function for your clients?

BH: Perfectly. The room is filled with north light and has plenty of space for both mother and daughters easels. The specially designed cabinet holds all their organized paint supplies. This space is truly a painters dream. v

BETSY HOMAN INTERIOR DESIGN210.824.1959 | Betsyhomandesign.com


COMMERCIAL n DESIGN


ining at the newest Maudies Tex-Mex, tucked in Austins Triangle development, reveals a cool, casual and undeniably creative space that swirls together

traditional Mexican textiles with funky touches of Tex-Mex flair. Eye-catching turquoise alligator print booths and bright red framed canvas huipil prints suspended from the ceiling punctuate the new restaurants dim ambiance while bold furnishings flawlessly fuse with traditional Mexican decor.

While each of the seven Maudies Tex-Mex locations scattered throughout Austin possesses its own personality, the look of the latest addition to the locally-loved chain may eventually be rolled out across all Maudies restaurants, says interior designer Rachel Horn.

We wanted to keep each of the Maudies locations unique with its own funky little thing going on, but wed like them to be related to the design at the Triangle, Horn explains. We arent looking to make them identical twins maybe second cousins. But wed like them to look like they are all part of the same family.

Horn is no stranger to Maudies Tex-Mex restaurants. In fact, the Austin-based interior designer who still maintains her studio in San Miguel de Allende, actually designed the interior space of Maudies Milagro located in Davenport Village 13 years ago.

D

By MAURI ELBEL Photography by WHIT PRESTON

BOHO MEETS TEX-MEX AT

MAUDIES TRIANGLE

SOMETIMES THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DESIGNS FIND ROOT IN THE UNEXPECTED.


Maudies Tex-Mex owner Joe Draker hired Horn to head up the interiors for the Davenport Village space designed by Dick Clark + Associates after meeting her on a trip to Mexico. Over the years, the two became friends and when Horn moved back to Austin three years ago, it coincided with Draker forming a design team for his new Triangle restaurant.

He asked if I would be interested in giving the newest Maudies a fresh face, and I jumped at the chance, she says. The intention was to do something totally new for this restaurant to develop a design that could be taken forward for any new properties they open and to be used as a template for updates to some of the older restaurants.

Walking into Maudies Triangle, it becomes evident the way design can whisk you away to a place, transform your mood and evoke a certain attitude. Overall, the new look is what Horn calls Mexi Boho an aesthetic born out of a combination of materials and colors and favorite custom touches culled from all around Mexico.

Specifically I was looking for interesting textiles, says the interior designer. We picked our color scheme and fabrics by tapping into whatever textiles we found and loved.

With her main design office in San Miguel de Allende, Horn collected most of the textiles for the new Austin restaurant from around Mexico. For example, star pendants that dangle from the ceiling and others that are mounted to it are crafted out of handmade tin and antiqued mirrors, custom made in San Miguel de Allende.

They are one of the most classic Mexican, and Moroccan, design elements, says Horn of the star-shaped lighting. They are so charming and the light that comes through the antiqued mirror is so nice and soft.

Quintessential Mexican elements like the pendants provide an interesting contrast to the more funky, grin-provoking decor sprinkled throughout the restaurant. For example, the bright chartreuse statue of the Virgin Mary offers a stark juxtaposition with the custom zinc bar it rests upon, and the vividly painted longhorn skulls scattered throughout the restaurant play up the festive Tex-Mex vibe. Ultimately, Horn says the design stems from her own worldly, eclectic interpretation of bohemian style.

My interpretation of boho is a little bit different than the traditional one, admits Horn. Its a really personal interpretation because my parents were basically nomadic hippies and we grew up traveling all over and we would bring these amazing things back from our adventures.

Horn says her version is a departure from the typical bohemian look, a trend often executed through elements like oriental rugs paired with out-of-character furniture pieces.

That is not in my view that look doesnt even come to my mind, she says. My version of bohemian is more worldly, it makes more sense and it is more fun.

Some of the more unique items found throughout the new restaurant were one-of-a-kind ideas thought up by the designer. For example, one of the images she used on the design board when the team was planning out the interiors was a photograph she had taken of a dilapidated building which featured a painting of the Virgin Mary. To achieve a similar look, she commissioned Andrea Flores, an artist from Chile living in Austin who created a new piece by painting the Virgin Mary on old aluminum tin siding. The statement piece of art measures 7-feet by 9-feet and serves as the main focal point of the room where it sits adjacent to the bar area.

Horn originally wanted to frame red huipils, traditional


garments worn by indigenous women from Central Mexico, in plexiglass surrounded by colorful frames. However, when she couldnt find enough of them and wanted the look to be larger than the size of the garments, an out-of-the-box idea popped into her mind.

I was looking at some prints I had made of a painting when it occurred to me that you could create big, five-foot by five-foot prints of these, too and I immediately knew that is what we should do, says Horn. You never know where you are going to be inspired or by what. There I was, just doing some printing in a printing shop.

Horn laid out the huipils and captured high-resolution, close-up photographs before having them printed on large canvases for added texture.

The framed huipils are a great pop of color and also provide a little privacy between the four rows of booths they separate in the restaurant, she says.

Clever punches of color stand out against the restaurants polished gray cement floor, weathered wood and black ceiling. The bright chartreuse statue on the bar coordinates with the chartreuse fabric covering the dining seats, and longhorn skulls painted in vivid colors are stationed throughout the space. To break up the dark monotony of black ceiling, Horn designed large, faux wooden beams reminiscent of the ones found in the buildings and old colonial-style homes in Mexico. The outside area remains relaxed and funky with Acapulco chairs coated in fun colors like orange and black. Reclaimed fence wood is clad on the restaurants walls, columns and bar, providing a warm and rustic look. But Horns favorite touch is found in one of the most unexpected places: the bathrooms.

The bathroom is my favorite thing of all, says Horn. The tile in there is just spectacular

its a cement tile in a really cool geometric design that we had installed on the floors and up to the ceiling. It is pretty outrageous. And the sink is really fun, too its a giant custom made cement sink we designed. This is definitely not the typical bathroom. v

RESTAURANT Maudies Triangle512.381.5500 | Maudies.com DESIGNER Rachel Horn InteriorsMexico Tel. +52 (415) 154-8323USA Tel/Fax: +1 (310) 295-0100Rachelhorn.com ARCHITECT Red Arc One512.495.1556 | Redarcone.com BUILDER Blue & Associates, Inc.512.670.9310 | Blueconstruction.com


San Antonios Finest Wrought Iron DoorsThe threshold to your home is where so many of lifes simple stories begin and end

make every one of them special with a unique work of art from Supreme Iron Doors where we offer an extensive collection of elegant designs guaranteed to add beauty, security and value to any home, restaurant, retail shop or professional center.

Catrina's Ranch Interiors is now providing the same personalized service and quality you have come to expect in custom furniture and interior design with Custom Iron Doors designs for all of your home and commercial needs. Adding an iron door to your home is one of the few home remodeling

projects that actually adds value to your home. In fact, it tops the list of the 5 Best Home Improvements for your money.

tylish and practical, retractable solar screens and insect screens makes summer living a whole lot easier and more comfortable, including a smooth transition from

indoors to outdoors. Outdoor living areas are incredibly popular, and a big trend is to match the interior space to the exterior space, says Lindsay Wiebrand, marketing director at Texas Sun & Shade, a 28-year-old company founded in Austin by owners Ben and Gudrun Skoldeberg. The couple owned a successful business in their native Sweden the retractable concept is very popular in Europe and thought the Texas climate and lifestyle would be ideal for their extensive range of products.

SSummer is here, and theres no sugarcoating it Texas is hot. Hot and buggy. The thought of

a long season of sweating and swatting is not at

all appealing, and certainly not the way anyone

wants to spend even one day of summer

vacation. Whats a homeowner to do?

MADE IN THE SHADE

By JULIE CATALANO | Photography courtesy of TEXAS SUN & SHADE


If your space is open or exposed on any side to the south, east and west, says Wiebrand, you are taking in a lot of sun that heats up that space and makes it unusable. Drop down solar and insect screens turn spaces from unusable to enjoyable, and that includes enjoying the view, which is exactly why some homeowners bought their properties in the first place. Exterior retractable solar and insect screens allow residents to protect their spaces, solve the problems of heat, glare and bugs, and still have a great view of their surroundings. We have a lot of success stories on the Highland Lakes. People have these beautiful estates with gorgeous views of the lakes, the Hill Country and downtown Austin.

The key is retractable, says Wiebrand. Retractable screens provide flexibility in ways that a fixed screen or a permanent screened add-on room never could. Everything we offer is retractable in some way, she explains. And tailor made. All of our products are custom built to help solve whatever issue the homeowner has, whether its protecting fine furnishings from heat and light, or reducing glare in homes with a lot of exposed glass. The killer sun is tough on interiors, she adds, and can adversely affect pricey electronics, fade expensive fabrics and damage valuable artwork. Glare is similarly hard on the

eyes. We talk a lot about glare and eye comfort. Some homes are so bright you almost need sunglasses indoors. Solar screens stop about 95 percent of the suns UV rays, she says.

Texas Sun & Shades showroom is open six days a week. They also do in-home consultations, make recommendations, and then place custom orders with manufacturers across the country. A particular point of pride is their own in-house team of installers and electricians. We dont work with subcontractors, adds Wiebrand. Were a turnkey operation from consultation to installation and beyond, utilizing our own employees who are committed to high standards in products and service.

In addition to retrofitting existing homes, the company also works with architects and builders to skillfully integrate automated shades and screens into any architectural style from the ground up. We become part of the entire custom building process from the beginning, says Wiebrand. It also gives builders the freedom to orient the house in any direction; built-in automated shades and screens will protect the home and its inhabitants from the elements and insect invasions with the touch of a button. The screens can even be put on sensors, to continue protecting the space when youre away from home.

Motorization may be intimidating to some customers at first, says Wiebrand, but it neednt be. We no longer use a key to unlock our cars. Nobody lifts a garage door by hand. Motorization is everywhere, and we consider ourselves the motorization experts in Central Texas when it comes to these beautiful, functional shades and screens. Not many people can do what we do as well as we do it. v

WHO LET THE BUGS IN?The types of insects that call Texas home number in

the hundreds, ranging from bees to beetles and crickets to cockroaches. Throw in some flies, fleas, hornets, ticks, spiders, ants, weevils, wasps and the granddaddy of them all the dreaded mosquito and you have the makings of a horror film starring...you. And possibly your pets July and August are peak times for fleas that can make furry companions miserable.

Some pests are more than pesky they can send you to the doctor, or worse. Mosquitoes, for example, can carry West Nile virus, a potentially deadly disease especially for ages 50+ and those with weakened immune systems. Chikungunya, a virus new to these parts, is also transmitted by mosquitoes. Even simple mosquito bites can become infected from repeated scratching of that maddening itch leading to broken skin and bleeding. The best defenses, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, include getting rid of standing water and installing screens on all doors and windows to prevent them from invading your home.

So regardless of who let the bugs in, retractable insect screens do a great job of keeping them out.

TEXAS SUN & SHADE512.402.0990 | Txsunandshade.com


alking into the recently opened Shake Shack restaurant in Austin one is immediately greeted

by an 11x14 foot sculptural wall piece. A closer inspection reveals that the material used to create this stunning centerpiece is actually moss of different varieties. But the creator of this green masterpiece is not new to the medium. In fact, Articulture Designs is currently the foremost living wall designer in the city.

W

Bringing botanical dcor to a new level

with custom-designed living walls and living furniture.

By CLAUDIA ALARCON | Photography by SHAWNA CORONADO

GARDEN n DESIGN

Monique Capanelli started making small-scale living walls in 2009. Her first pieces were small surfaces that could hang like paintings, ranging from custom powder-coated steel structures to classic vintage frames filled with low-maintenance plants succulents, bromeliads, tillandsias and enhanced by driftwood, seashells, seed pods and other organic elements to create fantastic landscapes. These small-scale living walls caught the attention of builders and designers, leading to contacts

PLANTING OUT-OF- THE- BOX


for full scale works such as the one at Shuck Shack, commissioned by renowned architect Michael Hsu and installed in March 2015. In 2013 she designed and planted the massive living wall at the Whole Foods Market at The Domain, a giant chevron pattern made with steel and mosses in different colors and textures that spans 17 feet in height and 90 feet in length.

When designing these pieces, Capanelli encourages her clients to think about maintenance. These large-scale walls feature plants that require very little care, like mosses, but they still need to be watered. This needs to be taken into account when deciding location. I am constantly educating architects and designers [about living wall care], she says. These are large investments, so they want to be sure they last, just like regular landscaping and floral design. Therefore, they should think about watering needs. Because of its location, the wall at Whole Foods is very easy to maintain, says Capanelli. A water supply was installed nearby, and the Articulture team uses a hose with an end sprayer to give the mosses a slow, deep soaking about once a month.

An outdoor covered patio is an ideal location for plants that need more regular watering. For walls that include moss or tillandsia, the occasional misting with a sprayer is enough. Light is another consideration. Living walls need to have a good amount of sunlight and good air circulation. Maintenance and watering are determined by each clients needs and the types of plants used, and can be weekly, monthly or quarterly.

Thanks to her incessant desire to innovate, Capanelli came up with her next project a line of Living Furniture. I was just pushing the boundaries of where I could put plants, she says. I wanted to leave behind the hippy-country aesthetic and become more avant garde. These amazing pieces are not garage sale finds in which she drills holes and sticks a couple of plants. She designs each and every piece from scratch, knowing exactly where plants will go and what kinds she will use. The pieces are custom built by professionals, from coffee tables to patio furniture, working desks and cocktail tables. Materials include wood, steel, glass and even acrylic. Monique is always trying to stay ahead of what others are doing, says Dant Dominick, Capanellis husband and business partner. Articulture pushes the envelope in plant design.

The plant selection for living furniture incorporates low maintenance plants such as succulents, ferns and bromeliads, planted so that they are easy to replace if needed. The approach is the same as a container with no drainage. Capanelli uses a

light proprietary soil blend and recommends a light watering schedule to prevent waterlogging. Care is easy since the pieces are similar to potted plants, which people are familiar with. People tend to over water, she says. When it comes to these pieces, less is definitely more.

Thanks to their success and growing list of clients and a successful Kickstarter campaign the couple has recently bought a 2,200-square-foot commercial property on 3/4-acre of land, so Articulture Designs will have an actual storefront. There will be a gallery, a retail space, working gardens and a community outdoor space where people will be able to take a variety of plant-related classes. After undergoing considerable renovations, the Articulture space is expected to open to the public in August 2015. And you can expect the dcor will prominently feature living walls and living furniture. v

ARTICULTURE DESIGNS

STELA ALESI PHOTOGRAPHY


DIY LIVING WALLS

If you want to try your hand at making a living wall, Shawna Coronados new book, Grow A Living Wall, is a must-have. The title is a complete guide to living walls, in any given space and any application. Coronado, an author and professional photographer, left her corporate job to become a professional speaker and writer dedicated to green living and sustainability. She is also an on-camera spokesperson, blogger, columnist, keynote speaker and radio show host.

The book offers instructions to build and plant living walls featuring flowers, herbs, veggies, fruits, ferns and much more, both for indoor and outdoor use. For instance, you could grow a vertical

cocktail garden, with herbs that you can use to make a favorite libation. Other ideas include an aromatherapy garden, a wall to attract pollinators or a colorful garden for a shady spot.

Coronado offers ideas and resources to purchase a variety of containers and special vertical garden containers, but also appeals to our DIY spirit by upcycling things like an old bookcase or even discarded wooden pallets to create beautiful vertical gardens. And if you live in an apartment or have a small backyard, these space-saving solutions will let you enjoy a beautiful garden in even the smallest of spaces.

Each living wall project is illustrated with step-by-step instructions in color photographs, with the end result in an appropriate setting. Whether you are a seasoned expert or even if you are a beginner, this book is sure to inspire you to try your hand at this cool gardening trend.

At last summer is here again in the Hill Country. Our yards and patios will be beckoning and will provide long-needed refuge for the whole family. Yes, its time to get those outdoor spaces ready and I have a few hints and suggestions that might be of help to get you going.

If you happen to own a power washer, you can give a fresh look to your walkways, decks and rockwork around your house. The rockwork around my house, which is white Texas limestone, even had a bit of green mold on it from all of the rain.

Under no circumstances should you power wash your patio furniture or painted surfaces. The pressure is much too strong and can remove the paint. Patio furniture should be cleaned with mild soap and water. This is also true of patio cushions. Many Texans have natural wood patio furniture. Make sure that the wood is totally dry and then it is best to lightly sand it to remove water stains and occasional splinters. Now you are ready for a good outdoor sealer. I prefer to use Teak cleaner followed by a Teak sealer on Teak wood furniture. It is better and lasts longer than Teak oil. On pine furniture, I use Briwax which is available in many colors.

Whether its a straightforward backyard deck or a highly structured extension of the living room and kitchen, Texans love their patios! I often find the outdoor areas are a natural extension of the inner living space and are typically decorated with the same enthusiasm as the main residence. Sometimes its hard to tell where one room stops and another begins. I like to choose fabrics, styles and colors that flow seamlessly with each other. Patio drapery is a wonderful addition in Texan homes, providing privacy and shelter from our long, hot summer days.

Lighting is always a key element in ensuring the space can be used both day and night. If you cant afford to install professional lighting, there are plenty of ideas at your local hardware stores. Solar lights can be a wonderful source of instant radiance, assuming the sunshine returns to recharge them throughout the day! You can line walkways and pools with them and illuminate landscaped gardens. String lights and lanterns create a warm atmosphere that will encourage people to remain outdoors for longer periods. v

There are many affordable ways to give you the function, style and

patio retreat that youve always dreamed of. Always start with a

good designer or decorator. Have them create a storyboard layout so

that you can visualize the space and make a plan to create your look.

It may have to be a project that is done in stages but the benefits are

great. If you need some help with your project, call us. We are here

to help! 830.755.6355 / 210.535.3070, Catrinasranchinteriors.com.

By Catrina Kendrick, Catrinas Ranch Interiors

DECORATORS ADVICE

OUTDOOR LIVING IN 2015

he 110-acre garden space was the result of efforts by the Works Progress Administration which beautified American cities while creating jobs as

the country was in the throes of the Great Depression. At its highest point sits the pergola, a symmetrical, balanced wooden design atop a landscape that cascades down to a rose garden and a fountain. In its 80 years, the wooden structure had undergone restorative measures a few times but as of last year was again showing signs of wear.

T

PERGOLA PRESERVATION

By BETH BOND | Photography by BEN ROBERTS AND TIMBERTOWN

The Botanic Society turned to Brent Hull, a man whose fixer-upper projects require more than a weekend and a couple of trips to the neighborhood hardware store. Hull is founder and owner of the Fort Worth-based restoration company Hull Historical. An authority on architectural preservation and a contractor who works on historical restorations across the country, hes frequently hired to ensure that beloved landmarks will stand for years.

For Hull, the clear choice for replacing the woodwork was a type of Brazilian hardwood called Ipe the hardest and most

Amid the delicate roses of Texas oldest botanic garden stands a structure that for 80 years had been the site of countless family visits, spring weddings and garden parties. After all those decades, it needed a heavy facelift. Built in 1934,

the stone shelter and wooden pergola overlooking the Lower Rose Garden of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden had seen much better days.


weather conditions. The hardness of Ipe also gives it a natural resistance to termites and flame spread. In fact, Ipe is so dense that if you drop it in water it will sink instead of floating. In other words, it can absolutely handle typical wear and tear.

We were able to supply the huge and heavy Ipe beams and boards for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden project, said Ben Roberts, TimberTown marketing specialist. The beams for the pergola were roughly 600 pounds a piece, taking a crane to lift them into position. Still, the work was done carefully: Dovetail joints on the 6-by-12 foot beams create a solid structure across such a large span.

Installing Ipe can be a little tricky without a bit of preparation

and know-how. The density of the wood means run-of-the-mill hardware cant be used. Carbide-tipped blades, pre-drilled holes and wood screws are necessary to install this product properly.

Now that the pergola has been refurbished with a super-durable wood, its a great time to visit the gardens in Fort Worth. Check out the flowers, the newly updated landmark or any one of the 2015 Summer Concerts in the Garden. v

TIMBERTOWN512. 528. 8112 | Timbertownusa.com

HULL HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK817.332.1495 | Brenthullcompanies.com FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN817.392.5510 | Fwbg.org

dense wood in the world. Used in famous structures like the Coney Island Boardwalk and the Brooklyn Bridge, Ipe stands the test of time.

When youre dealing with a structure that has as much exposure as this, the wood choice is very important, Hull said. Thats where TimberTown came in. The challenge was finding timber beams that would stand up to the elements, but they made sourcing the appropriate materials easy.

Austin-based TimberTown specializes in outdoor lumber and deck materials. Its a unique resource for homeowners and home builders that not only stocks its 36,000-square-foot warehouse with a huge array of hardwoods, softwoods, composites, siding

and soffits, plus beams and railings but has even more wood types available for special order. Its a go-to resource whether the project is a simple deck, adding on to a million-dollar home or, say, restoring a one-of-a-kind historical landmark.

We wanted Ipe because its got an excellent reputation, Hull said. Its a natural product thats long-lasting and durable. In a nationwide search, we werent able to find anybody who could find this until we contacted TimberTown.

Lucky for Hull, not to mention the residents of Fort Worth who enjoy the Botanic Garden, the company is the only lumber yard that partners directly with the countrys largest importer of exotic hardwoods and even has a buyer that travels to Brazil each year to secure a sustainably grown supply of Ipe.

So what makes Ipe so special? Architects and builders love to use Ipe not only because its beautiful but because its density keeps it from rotting and warping, even under the harshest


hen Chris Harrison first glimpsed the 3D rendering of the Jackson familys custom outdoor

kitchen, he knew the outcome would be special.Ive never seen a layout like that before, he said. The design they had chosen was a simple square pad off the side of their back door with a linear kitchen in one corner and a freestanding 12-foot masonry outdoor fireplace in the opposite corner.

What he didnt know is how rewarding the project would become.

Harrison handles sales and marketing at Cozy Outdoor Escapes, a San Antonio company specializing in designing custom

W

THE OUTDOOR ESCAPE

By BETH BOND | Photography courtesy of COZY OUTDOOR ESCAPES

outdoor kitchens and outfitting them with some of the highest-quality American-made grills and equipment on the market.

He and operations manager Travis Ponder put in long hours planning and overseeing building the outdoor kitchen space of the Jackson familys dreams, including an electronically adjustable louvered roof system made by Equinox. Depending upon need, the Cozy Outdoor Escapes staff can be involved as consultants or offer project management services. In this case, they not only worked with the neighborhood association, but also worked alongside an engineer to ensure correct layout, as well as with an


architect, construction crews, CPS Energy, Time Warner Cable and SAWS much more work than a typical project.

They came outside to check everything out, and we taught them how to fire it all up, Harrison recalls of the day the kitchen was complete. They were genuinely excited about everything. It was nice to have a customer be truly grateful for what we had done.

The team prides itself on a no-pressure sales experience that includes a 3D rendering program that allows for building everything to scale, showing the customer exactly what their design will look like in their own back yard. Beyond that, they offer on-site consultations. Plus, theres a retail showroom with full-size, full-scale outdoor kitchen examples for customers to see and experience. Once all design choices are made, Cozy Outdoor Escapes offers servicing, delivery and in-house installation.

We want to be informative facilitators and above all helpful to the customer in their decision making, Harrison said.

In addition to grills made by trusted names like Fire

Magic and AOG, the company sells Primo ceramic smokers, the only smoker made in the USA. It also deals in everything necessary for an outdoor hearth, such as fireplaces by Superior, Napoleon, Town & Country and Ortal. Youll also find American-made gas fireplace logs by RealFyre and Hargrove, custom gas or wood fire pits and fireplace accessories. Its a true one-stop shop, with high-quality, American-made outdoor furniture by Homecrest and Seaside Casual.

So why build an outdoor kitchen when you already have a full kitchen inside? How is it different than a grill out back you can

throw a few burgers on when the weathers nice?

Think of it as an investment, he said. It often adds significant value to your home.

For the customer who doesnt want the undertaking and construction of an outdoor kitchen project, all of the grills in the outdoor kitchens come in a cart model, as well.

Cozy Outdoor Escapes is the destination for everything for outdoor living. v

COZY OUTDOOR ESCAPES210.276.0734Cozyoutdoorescapes.com


SOUTHERLEIGH FINE FOOD & BREWERYPearl Complex, 136 Grayson, Suite 120, San Antonio

210.455.5701 | Southerleigh.com

Photography by Nick Simonite

An excellent example that is all the rage is Southerleigh, San Antonios newest brewpub. We wanted to celebrate beer and its casual nature, says acclaimed Executive Chef and co-owner Jeff Balfour, who previously helmed the kitchen at Citrus. Balfour brings his Gulf Coast upbringing and incredible talent to a menu that celebrates the many cultures and cuisines of Texas, paired with 13 unique and new house-made beers by co-owner and Brewer Les Locke, as well as a few craft selections from Texas and beyond. [We] make beer people want to drink and food people want to eat.

Although the food and beer lists grew independently, they did within the same spirit. I never wanted to be about cooking with beer, or forcing beers to be brewed to a particular flavor profile just to match food, says Balfour. They exist in the same world so they should be influenced by the same elements

FOOD n DESIGN

By CLAUDIA ALARCON

BEER-CENTRIC

Much has been made over the years about wine and food pairing. But only recently, and perhaps thanks to the renaissance of craft brewing, have we taken beer as a serious beverage worth fussing about. Were not talking about downing a cold

Dos Equis with your nachos (although theres nothing wrong with that). These days, beer-centric restaurants and brewpubs are kicking it up a notch, crafting unique beers to be enjoyed alongside interesting cuisine.

SOUTHERLEIGH

SOUTHLEIGH BANGERS

RESTAURANTS

BLACK STAR CO-OP


(seasonality, flavor understanding and discovery), but never forced on one another just for the sake of doing it. Balfour and Locke do consult and learn from each other, however, and very much enjoy experimenting. An excellent example of their creativity and collaboration is the Conjunction Curry Porter, a fabulous brew with definite culinary influence, great on its own or as a match to a variety of dishes.

Locke is passionate about his craft and what he brings to Southerleighs beer list. I like trying my hand at what are considered hard beer styles to get right, he says. Everyone makes an IPA, but to make one that you know is nearly perfect is tough. The same goes for our lagers. We want balance and approachable components, and we strive to make them the best we can. The teams goal is to have their house brews dominate the restaurants draft selections. And they recently collaborated with two other local breweries to brew a Gruit, a beer that relies on a blend of herbs and spices to act as the bittering agents, instead of hops. Its a fun way to re-think modern beer styles while paying [homage] to how beer may have tasted 600 years ago or more.

The menu at Southerleigh includes suggestions for homebrews to pair with each dish, but a lot depends on your personal taste. Juxtaposition helps a ton here, says Locke. Finding elements that are both in the beer and the food are ideal. But sometimes its fun to take people out of their comfort zones. Chef Balfour, a beer connoisseur himself, has his own opinions. I agree that sometimes its hard to pair hoppy beer with foods on first taste. But then when you try it again, you find that its something that really works, he says. The underlying flavors really come through. Its often surprising in a really interesting way.

BLACK STAR CO-OP PUB & BREWERY7020 Easy Wind Drive, Suite 100, Austin

512.452.BEER | Blackstar.coop

Photography by Dustin Finkelstein

Brewpubs are not new in Austin, but Black Star Co-Op has brought the concept to a new level as the worlds first cooperatively-owned and worker-managed brewpub, with more than 3,000 members. Alongside a selection of craft beer from around the world, Black Star proudly pours a rotating list of

house-made brews and a menu of Texas pub fare made with locally sourced and sustainably produced foods.

The taps feature the High Esteem Golden Ale and Vulcan Rye IPA year round, but other offerings change seasonally. We have some beers that we keep around for a few months at a time, and then we have a long list of one and done beers that we release throughout the year, says Andy Martinec, Black Stars Beer Team Leader/Head Brewer. Recently we have been releasing one to two of the special beers a month, and try to keep as many on at one time as possible. Some of the popular year-round offerings include Elba, a spiced American wheat beer brewed with lemongrass, bitter orange peel and grains of paradise, and the refreshing Waterloo, brewed with fresh apricots and perfect for the summer.

Martinec really enjoys brewing the darker, bigger porters and stouts they release during the cooler months. The darker malts make the brewery smell like chocolate and coffee which is never a bad thing, he says. These beers usually have fun adjuncts in them as well, which keeps the brew days exciting and different. The delicious Insubordinate Dockhand Porter, brewed with Cuvee Coffee, is the perfect example. However, he confesses hes always wanted to brew a traditional lager but because lagers require a longer fermentation period, he lacks the space to do it. Since we move beers relatively fast, it has always been a logistical nightmare to tie up a fermentation vessel for a long period of time. Hopefully one day we can plan it out just right and make this a reality.


BANGERS SAUSAGE HOUSE & BEER GARDEN79 & 81 Rainey Street, Austin

512.386.1656 | Bangersaustin.com

Photography by Jared Simpson

When it comes to selection, Bangers is one of Austins favorite beer gardens. Although they dont brew their own, the casual Rainey Street eatery offers a staggering selection of brews to match their ample menu of homemade gourmet sausages. Their Tried and True list features roughly 60 beers on tap, 15 bottled beers and a handful of ciders, with selections rotating every four months. The Seasonal/Limited beer menu includes about 40 options and is updated twice weekly.

At the bar, taps are arranged from lighter to heavier to make it easier for people to choose among the many options. In the kitchen, Chef Ted Prater uses beer in two of his sausage recipes. For his Andouille, the beer is used in the smoker to provide moisture during the process, and the Drunk Chicken sausage is brined in beer for 24-hours, giving it a very unique and delicious flavor.

The awesome thing about Bangers is we have so many beers representing many styles, so we can pair many different beers with items on the food menu, says Courtney Strange, the restaurants beer-broker. For example, the Dak Bulgogi, a Korean chicken sausage served with kimchi, Sriracha, oyster sauce and a soy caramel sauce, pairs very nicely with Real Ale Brewings Tripel, Devils Backbone. This beer is light in color and body with subtle sweet notes and a nice sharp finish. It accents the sausage perfectly, highlighting the different flavors and spice levels.

As far as pairing goes, says Strange, the rule of thumb is the lighter the food, the lighter the beer you should pair with it. Starting with this, one can gradually expand on that as their palate for beer expands. In case you dont feel up to the challenge, the Bangers staff is thoroughly trained to help customers find the perfect beer to go with any menu item, from salads to appetizers, and even dessert. And dont forget to ask about offerings from the growing Texas craft brew scene. v

PAIRING BEER WITH YOUR FAVORITE FOODS By Courtney Strange, Beer Broker, Bangers

Salads go great with light and refreshing beers or Light Belgian and Farmhouse, Belgian Wits and Tripels.

Your typical appetizer, chips and salsa, wings and Poutine, pair well with a good, malty Amber beer. They provide enough flavor to hold up but are also palate cleansing.

Red meat, pork or heavier sausages, like Brats and Andouille, pair well with darker beers but one has to be careful not to go too rich because dark beers

can be filling. A perfect pair here would be a beer like Austin Beerworks Black Thunder, a black lager with many nutty and rich flavors but a light body so it is less filling.

Chicken, fish or a sausage like Bangers own Turducken pair well with a wheaty, smooth beer. This pairing will highlight the subtle sweetness in fish and poultry, and it doesnt overwhelm the spices that are key to these types of dishes. For a little more flavor, try a beer from Hop Heaven because these beers are true spice enhancers. Hops tingle the tongue and when paired with lighter dishes, they seem to make the seasoning pop to a new level. Try a Ballast Point Sculpin with a Turducken and one will get the full experience of what Chef Prater was hoping to deliver.

Desserts are easy big rich stouts or super sweet lambics. A rich stout like the Great Divide Chocolate Yeti pairs well with any rich dessert such as a decadent chocolate cake or our Snickers Bar-in-a-Jar rich on rich. Also, any kind of coffee stout pairs well. A raspberry lambic with any pie a la mode will be the perfect desert.


FABULOUS n FINDS

DESTINATION: FAMILY FUN

By JULIE CATALANO

There was a time when

family friendly meant it was

all about the kiddos, with

bored parents on the

sidelines checking their

watches. Now, thanks to

some high-energy,

high-tech hotspots, fun for

all ages is more than just a

slogan. Summer is the per-

fect time to check out these

Central Texas venues where

multigenerational groups

can build, play, learn or

enjoy some plain

old-fashioned fun together.

Happy summer!

THE DOSEUM, SAN ANTONIOS MUSEUM FOR KIDS210.212.4453 | Thedoseum.orgPhotography by Dror Baldinger

Like kids on Christmas morning, San Antonio eagerly awaited the evolution of the downtown San Antonio Childrens Museum into the latest state-of-the-art addition to the museum district. Renamed the DoSeum (Doo-See-Um)

DOSEUM

emphasis on the do the facility opened in June to rave reviews. Kids learn by doing, says marketing director Cristina Noriega. Adults too, especially with crowd-pleasing, interactive exhibits like puppet parades that appeal to all ages. When you see an entire family working together it becomes a quality family experience. Children and adults alike also gravitate toward Baxter, a real robot, says Noriega, who is

THINKERY TOPGOLF STARS & STRIPES


programmed to give demonstrations. The complex features a 65,000-square-foot structure that connects three buildings with floor to ceiling glass that makes visitors feel enveloped by nature. Theres a spy academy exhibit where adults and kids face challenges in problem solving and code breaking, plus 39,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit space, a 26-foot treehouse, and a 75-foot childrens stream. Its a beautiful, elegant space that respects children, says Noriega, and provides an incredible place where families can connect.

THE THINKERY, AUSTIN512.469.6200 | Thinkeryaustin.orgPhotography by Casey Dunn

Originally the Austin Childrens Museum, the Thinkery has come a long way from its grass roots in 1983 when a group of parents and educators presented programs in schools, parks and other venues as a kind of mobile museum. After outgrowing a couple of spaces, the museum officially became the Thinkery in December 2013 and moved into its

40,000-square-foot building on Simond Avenue. Friday family nights are a bimonthly staple, with special theme programming and guest presenters; the next one on August 21 explores color, says director of education Robin Gose. Our exhibits are very open-ended, so you can be any age and still have fun. On our ten-foot-high simple machines wall, you can build a roller coaster with a three-year-old fitting pieces next to an adult doing the same thing. The kitchen lab area might teach flower dissection, using microscopes, or painting with micropipettes. There are all kinds of experiences in there that encourage families to learn and play together. The most popular area for adults? A giant Lite-Brite-style wall. They walk in and gasp, then rush over to play with it. Thats a lot of fun to watch.

TOPGOLFAustin: 512.222.5950 | Topgolf.com/us/austinSan Antonio: 210.202.2694 | Topgolf.com/us/sanantonioPhotography by Dror Baldinger

For being newcomers the San Antonio location opened in January and Austin just celebrated its first anniversary this spring Topgolf is practically a household name in Texas, with their sleek sports entertainment facilities and an ingenious way of making golf accessible and fun for everyone. Adrienne Chance, director of corporate communications at Topgolf headquarters in Dallas, says, We are so fortunate that Topgolf has become a really popular concept. It appeals to all ages, all skill levels, year round. Unlike traditional golf, the weather is irrelevant a real plus for a state where weather can change by the minute. From protected bays stacked at three levels made comfortable with misting fans in the summer and heaters in the winter players aim for giant circular targets. We see a lot of families,

adds Chance. In 2014 we had close to 400,000 junior visits by kids 12 and younger. Players usually stay for two or three hours, fortified no doubt by an

urban home austin-san antonio june/july 2015

Documents