JAN SMULCER
JAN SMULCER
The Smulcers restored the hexagonal window, replaced vinyl
resources
siding with wood siding and removed the car park to restore the front lawn.
footprint/floor plan, air circulation and ratio of rooms to windows are primary goals for Perry. “If you don’t get the basic footprint right you never get the chance to rework it,” says Perry. “You cannot decorate your way out of a bad plan – that goes for both new construction and remodeling projects.” One example is the small den that was previously a kids’ playroom. It was initially accessible only through one small door from the kitchen. By adding a doorway to the breakfast room, the den became more connected to the whole house, practically adding a room. The room was further refined by adding a fireplace and maximizing the view of the pool, turning into a relaxing grown ups’ retreat. A similar transformation happed with the transition between the dining room and kitchen. Shifting the connecting doorway not only gave the dining room a more formal and serene tone, but also contributed to adding space and modern functionality to the kitchen. Perry points out that scale and detail are also priorities when remodeling an existing home. Rooms and hallways in the Smulcers’ house that were undistinguished were reworked and spruced up just enough with moldings, cabinetry, even changing the marble on the fireplace surround in the living room to a honed black slate which is more historically correct. By strategically placing doorways and carrying
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Architect SHARON PERRY, AIA, Perr y & Associates 713.523.8494
Primary Contractor
Before
COLIN SHELTON, Southland Homes of Texas 832.758.0289
Molding & Trim the wood floors throughout the entire home gave it continuity. The entire home now makes sense due to careful decluttering not only of small areas, but also both upper and lower floor plans. REWARDS OF DEDICATION
The assessment and planning took almost a full year, while the remodeling and restoration took another year, with Ron and Jan residing in the garage apartment (now that’s dedication!). “To see it finished – it’s like the house was alive again, says Jan. “It is as if we have given it a second life. Everything feels right, but not like it’s a new house. Friends who saw it before and then after have said, ‘We had no idea this was possible.’” On Friday, Feb. 5, the Smulcers will be among 13 Good Brick Awards winners to be honored by the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance for their outstanding historic preservation efforts. See Page 34 for more details.
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CHIP BOEHLE, Chip Boehle Construction 713.851.1465
Stone work CINDAY AND ROLAND LAWRENCE, Natural Stone 713.678.4407
Landscaping THOMPSON + HANSON 713.622.0602
Interior Hardware SETTLERS HARDWARE 713.524.2417 BRADY PAINTING 713.721.7797 DAVEY TREES 713.973.8733