1115 houhousehome vir

HOUSTON

NOVEMBER 2015

THE COMPLETE RESOURCE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR HOME

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING ISSUE

Choosing The Right Dining Room Table The Best Holiday Decorating Ideas from Design Blogs Autumn Gardening: What to Plant for Best Winter & Spring Blooms

A Galveston Home Decorated in Seaside Hues Understated Elegance in Memorial

I TA L I A N H O M E AT C A S T L E F U R N I T U R E D E S I G N C E N T E R

Fine accessories, arts and area rugs

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NOVEMBER 2015

CONTENTS

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Editor’s Note Calendar Editor’s Picks: Holiday Finds Before & After: Decorating the Home Product: Dining Tables Project: Nostalgic Christmas Trees Designer Profile: Sharon Staley Gardening: Autumn Planting Pet of the Month: Lil’ Bit

ON THE COVER: Interior Designer Susan Alexander and husband Robert Clarke open the doors to their historic Galveston home. They favor a family-filled holiday, complete with nautical Christmas decor.

Photography by Phyllis Hand

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house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Understated Elegance in Memorial Festive Galveston Victorian Holiday Decorating

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H O M E

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THE KITCHEN ISN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE NEITHER ARE WE.

EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s time for our holiday issue!

The lifestyles and preferences of today’s consumer have inspired us to reimagine the kitchen. With innovations like the first Hands-free Autofill water dispenser, the first dishwasher with 102 cleaning jets and a clean modern appearance, the GE kitchen is more intelligent, intuitive and beautiful than ever. l geappliances.com

ACCEPTANCE APPLIANCE CENTER, INC. Authorized As-Is Dealer 6765 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W. • Suite 200 Houston, TX 77064 • 281-955-0861 www.acceptanceappliance.com

reimagining home

We’ve put together an issue chock-full of ideas — both in terms of decorating and cooking.

I’m going to start off by teasing you with a great pumpkin idea!

Turn those cute little sugar or pie pumpkins into soup bowls — right after you scoop up the seeds to roast in your oven for Roasted garlic, sage, pesto pumpkin soup on page 66. a healthy and tasty garnish. You’ve got to act quickly though, as news reports say this year’s pumpkin harvest is down by half. You can find the instructions for the bowls and a soup recipe on page 66.

Just imagine how inviting and tantalizing your table will look.

Or if you must surrender to making your fall-time soup from canned pumpkin and serve in dishes, you can still garnish with seeds. You can buy them by the bag at most grocery stores. I roast mine in the oven after tossing the seeds in a mixture of a little olive oil, salt, pepper and Tony Chachere’s Cajun seasoning. Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 5 or 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place on a paper-towel lined plate so that any excess oil can drain.

Pumpkin seeds in of themselves are so healthy. I was just telling my almost 87-year-old dad, who was happily munching on some the other day, that they offer heart-healthy magnesium, zinc for an immunity boost, and anti-inflammatory benefits — to mention a few.

Switching gears here, I’d like to give a shout-out to American Leather. They open their third Houston-area store this month at 7930 W. Grand Parkway S, in Richmond, TX. I also want to give a mention to Houston Makerspace. They issued an announcement about their October, which arrived while we were working on this month’s issue. But the group sounds interesting in that they provide space for artists/artisans to come and work without forking over a lot of money for studio space and equipment. Additionally, you can receive — if you want it — feedback on your creations.

Houston Makerspace, located at 3605 Texas St., also offers classes in a number of disciplines: ceramics, jewelry making, metal working, gardening, sewing and more. Visit their Web site for a list of classes — or sign up for email alerts: www.houstonmakerspace.com Wishing you all a warm holiday season, Susan HOUSTON

PUBLISHER ........................Mike Harrison, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ........Susie Reisenbigler EDITOR ..............................................Susan Fox CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ................Shirley Barr,

Over 30 Years of Experience on Residential & Commercial Properties.

• Dramatic Uplighting • Delicate Moonlighting • Feature Lighting

• Mercury Vapor Lighting • Low Voltage Lighting • LED Lighting

..........Barbara Canetti, Linda Gay, Joetta Moulden CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS....................

• Accent Lighting • Mosquito Misting • Maintenance

..........Phyllis Hand, Janet Lenzen, Mark Scheyer ART DIRECTOR ............................Robert Coplin SR. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ........Frances Dowling ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ......................David Tree

FREE DESIGN & ESTIMATE

PRINTING ........................................RR Donnelly

Blue Thumb Inc., dba Houston House & Home ("HH&H"), is a news magazine with emphasis on interior design and remodeling. HH&H does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does HH&H or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication.

HH&H has not independently tested any services or products advertised herein and has not verified claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products.

HH&H makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products.

No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the Publisher.

Copyright 2015, all rights reserved. HH&H is distributed at most Houston area Randalls and HEB stores.

P.O. Box 131845 • Houston, Texas 77219 (713) 523-6523 • info@houseandhomeonline.com

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NOVEMBER 2015

A R T S

•

E V E N T S

•

M A R K E T S

•

W O R K S H O P S

CALENDAR

Christmas on the Bayou takes place at historic Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site on December 12. (Above and Below)

Pantone’s Color of the Year, Marsala, is also a 2015 Christmas tree decorating theme color. Courtesy of Cornelius Nursery on Voss.

Holiday Events The Sugar Plum Market, presented by the Fort Bend Junior Service League & Memorial Hospital, is Nov. 5 - 7. At Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre & Convention Center, 10505 Cash Rd., in Stafford, TX. Find more info about hours and tickets online: www.sugarplummarket.com In Sugarland, TX . . . It’s time for the Holiday Treasures Market on Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Sugar Creek Country Club, 420 Sugar Creek Blvd. Charitable donation of $5 requested.

Presented by the Club’s Women’s Association.

On Nov. 7 and Dec. 5: Thousands of treasure seekers and shopalcoholics converge in the little village of Wimberley, TX, FM 2325.

Wimberley Market Days includes 475 vendors. Includes entertainment, food, more. Gates open at 7 a.m. Info: Wimberley Visitor Center, 512-847-2201.

Old Town Spring, 26501 Border St. at Spring Cypress Rd., invites all to its Fall Festival & Craft Fair on Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy baked goods, arts & crafts, food. Info: www.immanuelspring.org The Woodlands hosts a shopping extravaganza — with a special holiday market and pictures with Santa — on Nov. 20 - 22, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Info: www.jlholidaymarket.org The Houston Ballet presents its 35th annual Nutcracker Market — a holiday shopping wonderland — on Nov. 12-15. Opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. on the first two days and at 6 p.m. the last two. Fashion shows, entertainment and food. At the NRG Center.

Admission is $20, with discounts available at Randall’s and Ticketmaster. Info: 713-535-3231 or www.nutcrackermarket.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please send all calendar items to sfox@houseandhomeonline.com by second Fridays for the following month’s issue.

14 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

The Uptown Houston Lighting Ceremony is Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 26, beginning at 4:30 p.m. along Post Oak Blvd.

The family event features live festive music, holiday characters — including a larger-than-life reindeer accompanying Santa -- 80 trees and more than 500,000 twinkling lights. The evening finale: spectacular fireworks choregraphed to favorite musical selections. Info: www.uptown-houston.com “Holiday on 19th Street” happens on Dec. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hosted by street merchants, visitors enjoy strolling carolers, live music, shopping and food. Shops feature gifts, furniture, antiques, original art. Houston Heights, on 19th Street between Shepherd and Yale streets. On Facebook: Shop Heights 19th St. Mark the date: Dec. 12 — For “Christmas on the Bayou” at the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, “Where Texas Became Texas.” Begins at 9:30 a.m. Various events — Christmas stories, make and take crafts, farm tours — occur at various times througout the day and evening. The day culminates with a Candlelight Tour at Barrington Living Historic Farm, 4:30 p.m.

Free. Info: 936-878-2214 or www.barrington.farm@tpwd.texas.org

Design Decorative Center of Houston (DCH), 5120 Woodway, celebrates its 30th anniversary as being the epicenter of design and luxury decor in south Texas on Nov. 12. The DCH Fall Market kicks off with renowned speakers: Interior decorator Miles Redd at the Schumacher Showroom at 10 a.m., speaking about “The Art of the Approach.” Lloyd Princeton follows with a presentation on “Re-igniting The Fire Within You: Purpose and Passion in Design.” Info: www.decorativecenter.com

In the Garden Find beautifully decorated trees, sparkling ornaments, live music, and savory and sweet treats at Cornelius Nursery’s Open House on Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2233 S. Voss Rd. Various workshops scheduled throughout the day: “Creating Your Own Wreath,” “Re-creating Mrs. Cornelius’ Bows,” and “Designing Centerpieces.” Info: 713-292-0898 or www.corneliusnurseries.com The Arbor Gate in Tomball, TX — 15635 FM 2920 — invites all to attend three scheduled talks this month: “The Creative Herbal Pantry” (Nov. 7, 10 a.m.), “Pruning and Preparing Fruit Trees & Vines for Winter” (Nov. 14, 10 a.m.), and “Teas, Tinctures and Toddies,” (Nov. 19, 10 a.m.). Also pencil in Dec. 5 — the day of a fun-filled Open House. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Info: 281351-8851 or www.thearborgate.com Bart Brechter, curator of Bayou Bend Gardens, along with leading horticultural experts provide presentations and discussions about raising trees in Southeast Texas on Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor Center at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. The seminar is followed by a light lunch and a guided look at significant trees in the gardens of Bayou Bend, 6003 Memorial Dr. Admission. Info: www.mfah.org

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Hien Lam Upholstery “Where quality, service and price make a difference” Phone: (713) 523-3416 Fax: (713) 523-8610 819 West Drew St. • Houston, TX 77006 www.hienlamupholstery.com • hlupholstery@yahoo.com 16 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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EDITOR’S PICKS GATHERING AT THE HEARTH 1. Prepare to stay warm this winter. Stack your logs in an iron hoop log holder. Available in two sizes: 24 and 36 inches. $139.

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2. Load up goodies on a pretty cake plate for perfect presentation — by fireside or for a friend. Crafted by a venerable American company, the pressed glass tableware is handmade using original 1930s molds. They're also a lovely way to display a treasured collection of vintage postcards, bud vases, or sea shells. Three sizes. In jadite, milk glass and blackberry. $75.

Both from Rejuvenation: www.rejuvenation.com HOLIDAY GIFTS 3. Gear up for Santa's bounty and hang your stocking with this Reindeer Stocking Holder. Each is a chalkboard for you to personalize. With a solid wood base and metal hooks, this piece is sturdy enough to carry the most generous results of Santa's Christmas Eve visit. Four different reindeer from which to choose — or get the set. 5 w x 4 d x 7 h. $24 each.

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4. Get a little perspective while keeping a clean kitchen with this set of Polish Proverb Tea Towels. Screenprinted on 100 percent cotton. It's easy to get lost in the day-to-day stresses of life, especially while cooking or cleaning after a long week. Keep things positive (at least in the kitchen) with a little Polish humor: Nie Mój Cyrk, Nie Moje Matpy, or in English: Not My Circus, Not My Monkey. With a stitched trim. Machine washable. 21x 30. $24 each. Both from Wisteria: www.wisteria.com TIS THE SEASON TO DECORATE 5. Trim the tree with this cute little gingerbread ornament.

Crafted of glass and sealed in shimmering festive hues. 2.5 L x 2.5 W x 3 H. $15 6. Cozy up to this charming hooked wool pillow. 16 x 16 golden lab on front with solid back. Insert included. $39 Both from One King’s Lane: www.onekingslane.com AT HOME 7. Custom house portrait ornament — a gift for the host/hostess, engaged couple, recent renovators, new homeowners.…

From your photo. By Cathie Carlson. $48. Handmade item.

Materials: clay bisque ornament, non toxic, lead free glazes.

Ships worldwide from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

By MagicMarkingsArt.

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20 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

8. Women's Christmas Aprons. $42 each. Quality cotton fabric.

Bodice and top layer have a joyful print in red, pink, green and white ornaments. Middle layer and bottom layer customized to suit your taste in coordinating fabrics of own color choices.

Waist is decorated with a handmade fabric flower which is removable for washing. Quality cotton fabrics used in the making of all aprons. Apron has sweetheart neckline. Available sizes are: Small (size 10-12), Medium (size 14-16), Large (18-20).

Ships from Carbondatle, IL. By PancakesOnSunday.

All from Etsy: www.etsy.com

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BEFORE & AFTER

LONG-TIME COLUMIST BIDS ADIEU BUT NOT WITHOUT SHARING A ROOM FULL OF HOLIDAY CHEER! B Y J O E T TA M O U L D E N • P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y J A N E T L E N Z E N AFTER: By re-arranging the living room furniture, the live tree and new wood flooring from Forsyth made the room come alive.

BEFORE: This typical formal living room felt “old,” with dated lighting. It did not work for this busy couple.

Wall-to-wall carpet also made this room feel older than its years.

22 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

BEFORE

BEFORE BEFORE: An old sofa, bad lighting and poor accessories did nothing to make the living room shine.

How did you first hear about me? That's what I first had asked Nancy.

“I attend an exercise class that you also attend. And I heard about the work you do from several fellow class members. As it so happens, I needed help with all my decorating projects,” she says.

As it turned out, I have decorated her kitchen and breakfast room, redone husband’s Morris's home office, remodeled their bathroom and, now, decorated their formal living room for Christmas.

All have been featured in my Before/After column for HH&H. Speaking of which, I am retiring my Before/After column. This marks my last one.

I hope what I've done for Nancy will offer inspiration to you. Additionally, I thank you all for reading my column; some of whom even called about my services. Additionally and importantly, may I wish you and your family the warmest holiday season.

Home is where the heart is for most of us. And Nancy, as we all do, wanted to make hers especially nice for her family during Christmas time.

“I was expecting my oldest son and his family for Christmas,” she says. “I was tired of all the things I had done in the past to decorate the living room, so I asked you to help me decorate with a live tree.

“Because of the colors I used to decorate my living room, I find it a challenge to decorate with traditional Christmas colors,” she explains. “I was stuck because I have been deco-

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rating for so many years, and I also wanted a new look,” she explains.

She was not surprised by my suggestions and help. I have known you long enough and have completed many projects with your help so I was confident that the results would be great, she says.

“I was confident that if anyone could do it, it would be you. I was surprised that you used so many of my decorations collected over the years. I probably would have used half the number you used but it worked.

You did not mind mixing my traditional Christmas colors with my blue living room.

It looked truly festive when it was completed,” she says.

“I am not a detail person. It was nice to have it all done, and looking polished and finished. I do seek help when I get discouraged. It always helps me see things in a new way and gives me confidence to try again,” she explains.

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• Sometimes the most effective strategy is not to add costly square footage to your bathroom, but to first rethink the space that is already paid for.

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24 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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PRODUCT REVIEW

The hourglass table in Soho finish. 54-inch round with extension. At Dazzling Décor. MSRP: $7,795. For HH&H readers: $4,795

The John Richard Collection by Horchow.

Gathering Around the Table Holidays Prompt Thoughts About Dining Rooms

BY BARBARA CANETTI

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of furniture in any home is the dining table. This is where family and friends converse and break bread together and often times it is the heart of the house. And, at this time of year, people start thinking more about their dining rooms as holiday gatherings are planned.

Therefore, selecting the right table for the space available is critical. Houston interior designer Amitha Verma advises her clients to make sure the furniture’s scale and proportion fits the dimensions of the home.

“It takes a little math, but it is important that the furniture fits the room properly,” says Verma, owner of Village Antiques.

“I like to leave 42 to 48 inches between the table and the walls. So, to figure out the best table size, I simply measure 48 inches from the walls and then draw that in with blue tape or lay it out with craft paper so you can see available open space.

26 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

If you have a wall where you will place furniture such as a buffet, then measure 36 to 42 inches from that piece of furniture to the table,” she says. “This will give you enough room to comfortably move around the room.”

Verma says the trends this year for tables are mostly the traditional round or rectangle tables, but she is seeing variations of those. Trestle tables or pedestals are popular, especially in lighter, weathered finishes.

Kenna Johnson, a representative of The Dump furniture store, says the acacia and sheesham wood – with their irregular but desirable looking grain – are gaining in popularity, along with acid-washed, hammered copper table tops. These materials bring texture to the room and give it a warmer ambience.

Two new trends in dining rooms are the mixing of styles in the room, along with the multipurpose of the space.

Neil MacKenzie, with Universal Furniture, says he has

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A modern dining set at Houston’s Castle Furniture.

Bassett Custom Dining (above) and Emporium Casual Collection (below).

noticed consumers and designers selecting furnishings for a room that are coordinated, although not matching.

“The requests that seem to be coming in are for a mix of styles, shapes and colors instead of a collection of matching pieces,” he adds. “We believe many consumers are looking for more of an authentic look that is eclectic but was packaged in a way that takes some of the guess work out of the purchase process.”

Verma says she loves to mix and match chairs but a few rules of thumb are to keep the same scale – the size, height of the back and seat – of the side chairs, with one or two matching chairs at the head(s) of the table.

“Paint them all the same color, use the same upholstery fabric, but mix it up a bit,” she adds.

And instead of lining the walls with art or other furniture, have shelves installed and make the dining room also serve as a library.

“This is a great use of the space. You will be using the room and the table daily and it will give you an opportunity to display collectables as well,” Verma says, adding the books give a room an “intellectual and fascinating” look.

One more tip: lighting. If you plan to hang a chandelier over the dining table, measure the width or diameter of the table and select a chandelier to be half to two-thirds the width of the table.

“So if the table is 36 inches wide I go for an 18- to 24-inch wide chandelier,” Verma says. “I also like to hang my chandelier about 30 to 36 inches above my table.”

28 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Haute House dining table by Horchow.

Century Furniture’s Fisher table (above) and Omni table (below).

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Artistica Furniture’s Lido Balboa extension table.

Provence dining table from Eclectic Home.

Dali dining table from K&D Furniture.

RESOURCES Village Antiques 1200 Blalock St. 713-468-3931 www.villageantiques.net Universal Furniture www.universalfurniture.com — for local stores The Dump furniture store www.thedump.com — for local stores

Bernhardt’s Auberge table (above) and Criteria table (below).

Castle Furniture 832-201-1000 www.castlefurniture.com Eclectic Home 345 W 19th St. 713-869-1414 Furniture Accessories Outlet 9214 Cypress Creek Pkwy 281-894-8838 K&D Furniture 3190 Fondren 713-869-1414 www.kndhouston.com Dazzling Décor 3003 Fondren 832-377-4665 www.dazzlingdecorhouston.com

30 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Above: Universal Furniture’s Proximity Collection.

Below: Artistica Furniture’s Ringo Square table.

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PROJECT

“Combining prints and solids make bows pop on your trees,” says Kay Stephens, Cornelius Nursery.

Children’s notes to Santa bring charm and whimsy to this delightful tree.

Nostalgic Christmas Trees Light Up Holidays

BY SHIRLEY BARR

Remember when your family just had one Christmas tree usually standing in the corner of the room and always decorated with the same treasured ornaments?

“Nostalgia is showcased in many different ways today,” said Kay Stephens, Interiors Manager at Cornelius Nursery. “Some homes have a holiday tree in every room … each with a different theme.”

Multi-tree homes aren’t just found on home tours.

With inspiration pulled from hobbies, room colors, even from TV shows, Christmas trees steal the spotlight. It may have started with children wanting a tree in their own room, but it has blossomed into having a tree in the foyer to welcome guests, a tree in the dining room showcased at holiday meals, and a table top tree in home offices so you won’t forget to leave early for church services, shopping, or baking.

Center a vintage toy on your table, add a festive table runner and glass balls . . . . This one was created by Cornelius designer Gail Bullion.

32 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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“This Cornelius Nursery “Time for Christmas-Happy New Year” tree features celebration hats, crimson silk flowers, and vintage clocks.

Highclere Castle celebrated Christmas with the upstairs and downstairs family on the popular British PBS series Downton Abbey.

34 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Stephens says some of the nostalgic trees at Cornelius Nursery in the past have included the: • Western Slope design -- snow covered and decorated with miniature wood cabins, skis, and sleighs (recalling that awesome family ski trip to the Rocky Mountains) • Downton Abbey tree -- based on the popular British PBS series, the white-frosted tree was a vision in soft aqua, cream, and gold décor and displayed against a backdrop to emulate the silk walls in Highclere Castle All of the Cornelius themed trees are totally “paved,” from limb to limb with glass balls and ornaments and perhaps berry garlands and crimson faux cardinals (the Berry Merry 2015 tree) and “loopers” (big loops of dazzling ribbon) in wired solids and print silks and taffetas.

Stephens says the secret to attaching so many ornaments to one tree is balance. “We have a system of always putting on the topper, garlands, loopers, big items, then small items. Of course we start with a magnificent lighted tree from our faux forest,” she adds.

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These slim white trees called for bright colors.

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This cream-colored and blush beauty is a celestial delight, with angels, sparkling glass balls, sheet music and glorious silk Magnolia blossoms.

Cornelius Nursery (corneliusnurseries.com) will showcase its 2015 themed trees and treescapes, including mantels, tables, wall décor, and wreaths at the Holiday Open House on Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to – 6 p.m., 2233 S. Voss Road, Houston.

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The formal living room features a wool area rug by Stark and softer, and more elegant Christmas decor. The front elevation of the house, right.

THE BEST GIFT OF ALL NEW CUSTOM TOUCHES FOR AN OLDER “SPEC” HOUSE

By Susan Fox • Photography by Mark Scheyer

area family, but their patient wait to move into their

I

November afternoon — to find it enlarged, reconfigured,

newly remodeled home culminated in beautiful rewards.

updated, and even decorated for Christmas. Elizabeth Munger

1990s spec house — a very dated and restrictive space —

made sure the family’s move-in was a warm welcome — and

after living there for a few years.

full of sparkle and fun.

t may have been a long 14 months for one Memorial-

The owners and their four children moved out of their

It was one summer day that they handed over their keys to

They came back home more than a year later — on one late

Stiver and Amy Munger, owners of Munger Interiors, had

Hand-embroidered holiday stockings, lovingly made by the

David Gunn, owner of Gunn Construction — with great

childrens’ grandmother, hung at a mantel adorned with a gar-

anticipation of returning to the home of their dreams. And

land made of eucalyptus and magnolia leaves. A tall full Frasier

that all happened, quite successfully.

Fir tree — one of two in the house — stood in the corner

38 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

39

near the fireplace, alive with long-time family favorites that evoke treasured memories of holidays past.

Red tulips and peonies of a similar hue graced tabletops — in both the living and family rooms. In the kitchen, they delighted in finding large apothecary jars filled with red Christmas balls, white and red candy M&Ms, and Apex berries. In the more formal living room, the family enjoyed another Frasier fir decorated in glittery and mirrored ornaments.

“We love decorating simply — by filling up bowls with such naturals as backyard greenery, and adding tangerines and other fruits,” says Elizabath Munger Stiver.

A cleaned up traditional look is what the owners favor, and the Munger sisters accommodated them by choosing easy living, yet elegant pieces. In the family room, where the family “lives,” they brought in club chairs, upholstered in a faint blue floral cotton

The family room was designed to either merge into the kitchen space or be closed off with a pocket door.

This is where the family tends to gather.

40 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

41

blend, that can swivel around to view and be part of the kitchen scene.

The owners wanted the option of opening up the kitchen to the family room or closing it off, so they had two very large, sixfoot-wide pocket doors installed.

The family room’s two flax-colored sofas — custom made by Joseph & Co. — are separated by a coffee table topped with a lovely bluestone.

According to Amy Munger, the family room evokes a bit of a formal feel with the sofas facing each other, but overall it is a room that is designed for comfort and family togetherness.

The TV placement was a compromise between the couple. He wanted it above the mantel; she convinced him that placing it on a shelf to the side of the fireplace accomplished more versatility for the room.

In the corner, the Mungers married a folding

The custom-made Pyrolave countertops from France are a special feature as well as the custommade pot rack over the island.

The cabinetry was all made with specific spots fors every item.

The sink window overlooks an outside herb garden.

42 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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card table with a pretty banquette — a perfect place for homework or board games.

The design goal was to add some movement in the room, which features an overall calm feel and soft color palette. The Munger sisters accomplished the goal by finding a pretty floral and geometric-designed fabric by Cowtan & Tout, in a mix of light blues and earthy browns.

What a transformation inside and out; the house went from plain Jane to being the belle of the neighborhood.

According to Gunn, everything about the house was “touched.”

While the original footprint of the house remained the same, the company did move some walls, reconfigured rooms, installed new flooring and countertops, and also added space.

The existing attached garage, for example, was turned into living space

The butler’s pantry is new to the house. It was carved from a storage closet. The dark gray color on the cabinets is dramatic and sets off the white marble countertops. Brass is back, as noted with the sink and fixtures.

44 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

45

and a new detached garage was built with a long covered walkway to the back of the house.

Inside the converted garage, says Gunn, is an office, utility room and a TV room. Its second level was framed out for a future game room.

When entering the before version of the house, guests stepped into a two-story foyer with “a swooping staircase.” The architect — Roger Cooner — designed the secondlevel “empty space” so that it became added square footage, now used for closet space for each of the owners’ two girls.

The old bathrooms — which featured an old tiled floor, and cultured marble sinks — got upgraded to marble. New oak floors were installed elsewhere in the home, with a herringbone pattern formalizing the foyer.

According to Gunn, they also took this time to replace most of the exterior windows — some of which were rotted — with

The soothing, calm palette of each room, including the bath, offers a nice backdrop for spectacular artwork.

46 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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double-hung, traditional, customized mahogany ones. Door trims, crown molding, cabinets, the staircase itself . . . all were replaced with new designs.

On the exterior, shutters also were added and a new roof installed. It was a process, made easier with weekly meetings that involved the owners, builder/remodeler, and interior designers, says Gunn.

“Our client was interested in the process and was very much part of the decisionmaking process.”

Gunn provides these two tips to those thinking about remodeling: 1. Be flexible. There is always the case of the unknown when remodeling.

And you might need to be willing to work around something.

2. Do advance homework.

By being prepared, there are fewer delays. Know ahead of time what materials — everything from door handles to light fixtures and countertops — you want to use in the house. That information helps keep the budget in check, and plans accordingly with vendors.

This closet is an enlarged version of the old one. Gunn’s millworker built it, according to plans.

Customizing the closets ensures the space is well utilized.

48 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

49

The back of the house experienced more change than the front. An exisiting covered patio was covered and new columns and a beamed ceiling added.

Resources Munger Interiors 713-520-7170 www.mungerinteriors.com Gunn Construction 713-526-9494 www.gunncb.com Roger M. Cooner Architect 713-82204270 www.rogercooner.com FURNITURE Found for the Home 713-522-9191 www.foundforthehome.com RUG Stark Carpets 713-623-4034 www.starkcarpet.com

50 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

UPHOLSTERY The Joseph Company 713-862-7490 www.josephcompany.com LIGHTING Carlos de La Puente Antiques 212-751-4228 www.delapuenteantiques.com River Oaks Antiques Pavillion 713-520-9755 www.antiquepavillion.com DRAPERY FABRIC Cowtan & Tout www.cowtan.com

The original fireplace features beautiful majolica tiles.

Nautical-themed china find their place at the holiday table.

HOLIDAY SPARKLE ON THE ISLAND HOUSE HISTORY AND COASTAL LURE INSPIRE DECORATING

By Barbara Canetti • Photography by Phyllis Hand

A

s fall becomes winter, Susan Alexander starts getting ready: it’s almost Christmas season and time to start decorating her Galveston Island house for the holidays – from top to bottom.

Alexander, an interior designer, and her husband Robert Clarke begin their annual task this month of unloading boxes and even more boxes from storage. Each is chock-full of holiday decorations and paraphernalia – all that is needed to create the holiday atmosphere that transforms their house. By the way, they also decorate for all major holidays – this is a yearround obsession.

After several weeks of fine-tuning her festive designs in her 118-year-old Victorian house in the East End Historical District, Alexander says her home becomes a nautical Christmas setting in every room.

52 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

“We don’t decorate as a typical Christmas,” she says.

“Instead ours is Christmas on the Coast – a tradition for our family.”

Clarke retired from the Navy and comes from a long line of sailors. Alexander’s dad was in the Merchant Marines and from these military men she has trinkets and nautical objects she uses in her creative decorations.

“My style of art is collage. I love to make decorations, as well as frames, mirrors and garlands, which have little items concealed in them. It brings the viewer (of the art) in as they look for the treasures buried in the pieces – something hidden or unexpected,” she says.

One thing she always includes in her projects is a bumble bee, her signature icon. In fact, she has renamed her house the Bee Cottage by the Sea, as she found hints of bee motifs in

53

the original design of the house, built in 1897 by August J. Henck. Henck was one of the financial backers of the Galveston Seawall, constructed after the Great Storm of 1900.

Henck also had a liking for the moon and the stars, and prominently displayed his passion in five beautiful stained glass windows in the front of the twostory house. He lined most of the four fireplaces with majolica pendants.

The glazed ceramic tiles embedded above the hearth display whimsical styles.

Alexander tops each of these fireplaces with mini-Christmas trees, stockings, garlands and holiday tchotchkes.

In the living room she erects a large tree and covers it in turquoise, aqua and indigo blue ornaments, picking up the seaside colors in the room.

Elsewhere, in the dining room, she has a tree in the corner adorned in nautical objects, with a large brass telescope topping the tree. And the design continues through to the dining room table, elegantly set with family heirloom china – emblazoned with lobsters and other sea creatures.

The guest bedroom, beautifully decorated, has its own tree for visitors to enjoy.

54 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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In her bedroom she has a large tree of glass, pearls, silver and shiny objects to coordinate with the silvery bedroom design.

Long garlands grace the cabinets in the kitchen; these are made of hundreds of tiny objects that Alexander has lovingly stitched together. A candy garland is wrapped around a corner cabinet and a wreath – composed of vintage balls and other goodies – hangs over the cupboard.

It takes all of Thanksgiving weekend to get her house ready for the holidays, but she says it is worth it.

“I am creating traditions for my three daughters to remember,”she explains, and perhaps emulate in their own homes one day.

Alexander and Clarke’s Bee Cottage by the Sea will be ready for them in time for the annual Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, which celebrates the Victorian-era during holiday season. Dickens on the Strand is Dec. 4-6, and takes place just a few blocks from the East End Historical District.

Above and Left: The owners recently renovated their upstairs bathroom, where Alexander designed the tub and added a porthole to the ceiling for light.

56 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

57

The 1897 August J. Henck house in Galveston’s historical East End. Henck was one of the financial backers of the city’s seawall.

Resources INTERIOR DESIGNER Susan Alexander Interiors sa7962@att.com FAVORITES Craftex Wholesale & Distributing, 7215 Ashcroft, 713-771-6691, www.craftexwholesale.com Tuesday Morning (especially for china pieces) www.tuesdaymorning.com (seven local stores) Houston+Antiques+Art Design (majolica source) – formerly HADA www.houstonantiquesartdesign.com Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, www.galveston.com/dickensonthestrand The Alexander-Clarke family: (L-R) Boone, Taylor, Kirby, Susan and Robert.

58 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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From Pure Style Home (www.laurenliess.com): Easy, breezy Thanksgiving table decorations.

Holiday Decorating Ideas Pinterest might be your go-to place for ideas. But if you want real DIY (do it yourself), inspirational decorating ideas and tips, then these ladies below have much to share. Their ideas appear to be so doable that you may get hooked on their blogs. Enjoy our roundup.

USE WHAT YOU HAVE Interior designer Lauren Liess says: “I'm very last minute with my tables and keep them simple, meaning I use whatever's around.”

Last year was no different: She was pregnant at the time, with three small toddlers running around, and managing from Virginia a thriving design business with her husband. The beautiful transformation of her own house — along with her blog, Pure Style Home, began grabbing attention a few years back.

We love her easy, breezy style and the fall look of her Thanksgiving table from last year. She used kantha quilts to create an inviting and warm simple look. From Pure Style Home (www.laurenliess.com) From Etsy (www.etsy.com): Indian handmade quilt, vintage twin kantha bedspread or throw. Cotton blanket by artisanofrajasthan 1072.

60 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Carefully curated collection of antique & vintage furniture, housewares, crystal, china, jewelry – fun, funky, & fabulous finds for the holidays!

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Gift lighted flowers this holiday season to bring a huge smile to your loved ones and glow from their heartfelt thanks!

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The Whispering Willow & Co. Choose from a sophisticated selection of affordable American and European vintage furnishings and antiques, including French imports. We also carry a variety of contemporary accessories and handcrafted furniture to help make your house a home.

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Houston’s largest selection of ready-made frames, custom frames, oil paintings, hand carved frames and framed mirrors.

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3515 Fannin Houston, TX 77004 713-522-6547 www.adkinsantiques.com 61

On the site, Etsy (www.etsy.com), there are some beautiful, vintage kantha quilts for sale by artisanofrajasthan.

ELEVATE YOUR TREE This idea only works for fake trees, as it involves concrete. But blogger/designer Kristin Jackson — whose family includes a 4-year-old and a teen-aged stepson — says she is always looking for ways to give her 1,000-square foot home a high-end designer look without spending a lot of money. In her own home, she chose to work with reds and majentas one holiday as the primary palette. What she really wanted to do is set up her store tree in a urn.

First step, she says, is to find your ideal urn.

Fill the urn with a standard garbage bag. This step could be skipped, but they wanted the option to take the concrete out after the season was over.

In a large bucket, stir up your Quikrete, according to the package directions — using a shovel & water.

Once combined, place the wooden dowel (which needs to be smaller than the tree pole) into the urn & scoop concrete around it. Use a level to make sure it is straight. There will be no shifting after it is dry.

Elevated tree idea rom the Hunted Interior blog: www.huntedinterior.com

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APPRAISALS • ESTATE SALES • INTERIOR DESIGN 62 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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After a few hours, once the concrete is dry, simply slide the metal pole of your tree over the wooden dowel. She ended up trimming off a few inches of the dowel to accommodate the second tier of the tree to go on. And, actually, she only used the top two tiers of her existing tree as the original height at 9 feet would not have fit with the urn. A five-foot-and-a-half tree was her ideal height, plus the urn.

To cover the garbage bag & concrete, use a little reindeer moss.

From the Hunted Interior blog: www.huntedinterior.com A SNOWFLAKE CURTAIN Layla Palmer, along with her husband, received blogger fame a few years back when repeatedly wowing readers with their DIY ideas and know-how. She continues to pen the popular Lettered Cottage. And since then, she contributes ideas to HGTV. This curtain idea was one of them; it’s simple, yet festive and elegant.

To do you own, you will need: several sheets of plain white copy paper computer and printer, one heavy book, scissors, eight-pound fishing line, and transparent tape.

Search the Internet for free snowflake templates, and print out several different sizes. Cut them out.

Place each of the snowflakes between various pages of a very heavy book to flatten out all of the folds.

Snowflake curtain idea from The Lettered Cottage blog.

64 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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Stop in to see what’s new for the holidays and enjoy our old-fashioned service.

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355 W. 19th St. • 713-864-4411 www.codaintheheights.com

JOSHUA’S NATIVE PLANTS

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With a huge selection of custom mouldings, readymade frames, and paintings, we can satisfy all of your holiday needs.

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Visit bespoke by gjcd and discover your true design inspiration. Happy Holidays!

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ABSOLUTE PILATES

NATURAL PAWZ

Certified Pilates experts who have trained athletes, beginners and anyone in between since 2000. Pilates equipment and Mat. 20% OFF SPECIAL for new clients until December 31st.

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Call Mima Leal at 713-628-3599 WWW.APILATES.NET

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HEIGHTS ANTIQUES ON YALE

DRAMATIKA

LOVEJOY’S ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Fine Antiques & Accessories Mon-Sat, 10 am-6 pm Sunday, 12-6 pm

2110 Yale Street 713-861-3335 • www.heightsantiques.com

For over 30 years DRAMATIKA has been Houston’s premiere destination for quality custom framing and a unique selection of greeting cards and gifts!

331 W. 19th St. • 713-868-5050

Jewelry Glassware Lighting Furniture Vintage Toys Home Décor & More Open Daily from 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

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Tradition comes home in these three photos (to left and above) -- with designs By Design Interiors (www.bydesigninteriors.com).

Use small pieces of transparent tape to attach each of the snowflakes, at various heights, to several lengths of the fishing line. Helpful hint: Measure the distance between the inside top of the window frame and the inside bottom of the window frame to determine the correct length of fishing line.

By Design Interiors. Photos by Brad Carr.

66 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

From The Lettered Cottage: www.theletteredcottage.net

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TURN THOSE CUTE LITTLE PUMPKINS INTO BOWLS! Half-Baked Harvest (www.halfbakedharvest.com)— A blog by Tieghan Gerard who has been reading food blogs since the age of 13.

“I began cooking at the age of 15. At first my dad and I took turns making dishes. But now, it’s my domain; I not only make all meals there but stock it as well. And when I say stock the kitchen I mean it. Five picky brothers, a little sister and two busy parents all make up my family.”

She came up with the name “Half Baked Harvest” as a name to expresses the crazy environment in which she cooks. The word “harvest” offers a calming influence for her and conjures visions of healthy food.

ROASTED GARLIC SAGE PESTO PUMPKIN SOUP WITH SPICY FRIED PUMPKIN SEEDS Cook time: 1 hour Serving Size: 4

Roasted garlic sage pesto soup from the blog, www.halfbakedharvest.com

Ingredients 1 large sugar or pie pumpkin, cut in half, and remove and reserve seeds (plus 4 small ones if you are making the pumpkin bowls) 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 small shallots, chopped 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup coconut milk + 1 cup water (or 2 cups water) 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more or less to your liking) 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes Sage Pesto 1 head garlic (or you may sub 1 clove raw garlic) 1 cup fresh parsley 1/2 cup fresh sage 1/4 cup shelled pistachios 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (if you do not like blue cheese sub feta or parmesan) 1/4 teaspoon pepper Fried Pumpkin Seeds

68 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Daughters of the British Empireee

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spoon of olive oil on top the garlic cloves and cover with foil. Roast both the pumpkin and garlic together on the same baking sheet for 45 minutes, or until the pumpkin is fork tender and the garlic golden brown and soft. Remove from the oven and allow everything to Instructions cool five minutes.

Preheat the oven to Photo courtesy of www.gaiahealthblog.com Squeeze garlic out 400 degrees F. of the paper skin into a small bowl and mash well with a Cut your pumpkin in half or into fourths and reserve fork, set aside. the pumpkin seeds for later. Place the pumpkin on a bakGrab the pumpkin and add it to a food processor (or ing sheet and rub the pumpkin with 1 tablespoon olive oil mash extremely well) and puree with 1 cup of the chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Chop off the top porbroth, puree until completely smooth. tion of the garlic head to reveal cloves. Peel any excess Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the butter paper/skin off from the bulb of garlic. Pour about a tea1 tablespoon coconut milk 1 tablespoon flour Reserved pumpkin seeds from above 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon pepper Lots of salt to your tasting

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Photo courtesy of thechocolatemuffintree.blogspot.com

and shallots. Saute the the shallots until soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the thyme and cook another 30 seconds. Add the pumpkin puree, remaining chicken, coconut milk, water, cayenne, nutmeg, maple syrup and crushed red pepper. Bring the soup to a low simmer and simmer 15-20 minutes.

While the soup cooks make the pesto. Add the roasted garlic, parsley, sage and pistachios to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and then stream in the olive oil.

72 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

Add the cheese and pulse a few more time until combined.

Season with salt and pepper.

To fry the pumpkin seeds. Add the reserved pumpkin seeds to a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon coconut milk and 1 tablespoon flour. In a small bowl combine the chipotle chili powder, pepper and brown sugar. Place a skillet on the stove top and set to medium heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pumpkin seeds into the pan, but be careful! Stir the pumpkin seeds around in the skillet with a spoon or spatula continuously until they expand and start to brown. Once the seeds are browned, remove from the skillet and place on a paper towel to drain. Toss with the chili powder and a good pinch of salt. Taste and season accordingly.

To assemble the soup, ladle the soup into bowls (or your roasted pumpkins) and top each bowl with a dollop of pesto, a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds and if desired drizzle with coconut milk. Start slurpin!

To make the roasted pumpkin soup bowls. Remove the tops of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds. Rub the insides of the pumpkins with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes or just until soft to touch but not falling in.

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DESIGNER PROFILE

Sharon Sudbury Staley, FASID

www.sharonstaleyinteriors.com

Custom mosaic on a back wall of a bath.

Pool bath with a white bubble theme and lapis sink.

Growing up in the industry, Sharon Sudbury Staley shares the same passion for exquisite furniture as her father, who was president of the Furniture Association.

A Houstonian, she lived in both Meyerland and Bellaire, and she

Custom lighting with Venetian plaster in burgandy.

and feel like. They just do not know how to achieve that on their own. We are very aware of budgets and always try to get the best values for the products and services we suggest. My most challenging installation was a ranch that had a short deadline, and when we arrived a week before, there was no working plumbing or air conditioning. It was a miracle that job got installed – but thanks to my staff and a very hard working crew from Thompson delivery, it happened.

also attended Bellaire High School.

Where did you get your early training as a designer?

My father owned three furniture stores in Houston, and I worked for him until he retired. I had signed a lease to open a furniture store on Westheimer only to find out that they were starting to widen the street. Mary Ann Bryan (Bryan Design Associates) offered me a job, and my first project was the Houstonian Hotel. She was the first President of ASID in Houston. I had the opportunity to work with many great designers while at her firm, and we are all still active in the design community.

What is your most memorable or challenging job?

I think every job creates memories. Some are more challenging than others. Designers are problem solvers, so I try to listen to clients’ needs, wants and desires. I think clients have a vision of what they want their home to look

74 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

What do you suggest for the holidays?

Make it memorable. Families are all about memories at the holiday time. My parents died several years ago, and the kids/grandkids did not want to change those memories and/or traditions. I was really surprised how much we all cared — even down to the food that as prepared.

What is your own style?

My home is comprised of pretty eclectics. I just want it comfortable and inviting for my family and friends What do you do when not working?

I love being with “GIGI’s kids. That consist of my grandchildren, my neighbors’ kids and several very special children who are near and dear to my heart. They are my light of my world. I feel singly blessed to have them in my life.

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75

GARDENING

Celosia Cristata

Alyssum and Cyclamen

Autumn is Really Springtime for Gardeners

BY LINDA B. GAY, HORTICULTURIST, THE ARBOR GATE NURSERY

The cooler days of fall represent a physical and emotional renewal for people, animals, and plants. The summer heat wave has broken, and now we welcome shorter days and longer nights. This is the season that signals to Houston gardeners that it’s time to get back into the garden.

Fall is spring in Texas, yet we rarely feel the cool temperatures initiated by the autumn equinox. Weather is crazy and unpredictable here on the Gulf Coast. We can experience swings of a high 98 degrees to a low 28 degrees – all with in a 24-hour period. Now that is crazy! So forget about the “hardening off” process and purchase some lightweight frost cloth to throw over the young tender plants when the blue northerner blows through.

Cool weather plants like cool temperatures: 60-degree days and 50-degree nights. Planting pansies and other cool-weather crops while temperatures are in the 80s and 90s will only frustrate you as they stop flowering and go to seed to because of the heat.

One of the biggest decisions of fall gardeners is when to start planting — and as most experienced gardeners have learned, it is best to put in some transition plants that bloom in warm/cool temperatures but die with that first hard freeze. First frost can occur in mid-October, November, or December. After a hard freeze, it is safer to start planting more of the cool weather plants.

Annual flowers that transition between summer and winter are Cocks comb (Celosia), Marigolds, Petunias, and Geraniums. A hard

Larkspur

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76 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

freeze will wipe out the Celosia and Marigolds, but you should cover your Petunias and Geraniums on those frosty nights. Using a frost cloth will make it 8 to 9 degrees warmer while also keeping frost off leaves and blooms.

Protect your tropical plants growing in the ground by reducing the water in those areas. The cool temperatures slow down tropical plant growth so they don’t need as much. Your tropical plant roots will be healthier growing in a drier soil and good healthy roots ensure the plant will return the next year. Cold, wet soil on tropical plant roots will certainly end its life.

When consistently cold weather moves in along with the rain, turn off your irrigation clocks. The winter rains are enough to keep your landscape watered. This is not the case with winter growing vegetables, herbs, and flower gardens. Newly planted gardens will need your hands-on watering and nurturing to get established.

Last and certainly not least, we cannot forget about the soil, we do not call it dirt. Dirt is what you track in the house on your shoes and soil grows plants. As gardeners, we need to treat the soil with the same care and respect as we treat the plants we put into the soil.

The SOIL is ALIVE with “lifeforms” — microbes, worms, fungi, bacteria and oxygen — that work together to develop a needed, viable soil. To grow these soil lifeforms, we need to feed them with organics instead of synthetics. Organics will ensure the long-term health of the soil, thus growing the lifeforms it supports.

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Plants for best winter and spring blooms: Sunny Locations (not a tree or building in sight) Dianthus, Snapdragons, Violas, Alyssum, Columbine, Larkspur, Poppies, Narcissus, Snowdrops Shade Locations (1/2 day sun) (Cyclamen, German Primrose) Violas (Johnny Jump Up) Cabbage, Kale, Swiss Chard Need more information?

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82 house& home | November 2015 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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