Ole Decor Winter 2011 Issue

letter from the editor Winter conjures up lots of images of snuggling, huddling, and cuddling. It may also bring thoughts of ski vacations in Colorado where drinking hot toddies in the lodge in front of a massive stone fireplace with burning wood logs is a favorite pastime.

Cuddling in front of a warm fireplace is something all of us will be able to enjoy, thanks to our winter “Product Showcase” article. We bring you hanging fireplaces, free-standing fireplaces, gas and electric fireplaces, fireplaces that are an efficient and clean heat source, fireplaces your friends will toast in front of and fireplaces your family will love to gather around.

Think about all the countertop surfaces throughout your home. That adds up to a lot of space! With a plethora of materials to choose from, and an unending choice of color, countertops should be a major concern when it comes to the overall design and planning of your space. Natural granites come in every color of the rainbow, from

green river rock with bold pattern, to muted metallic with bits of gold and delicately veined with bronze ribbons. There are also man-made “super” materials such as silestone. So durable that they won’t scratch, burn, or harbor bacteria. Bright, vivid, uniform color can make a bold statement.

There are even glass countertops and translucent quartz surfaces.

Our Fabulous Spaces, Public Places feature article is bringing you where no luxury magazine has gone before..to the offices of a McAllen air conditioning company.

We figured we would conclude our winter tour here because you are probably overheating from too much time next to the fireplace.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

website www.oledecor.com

advertising sales (956) 266 8663

email eddie@oledecor.com

address Kingfisher Gallery 1 Padre Blvd, Suite 102.

South Padre Island, TX 78597 209 N. 17th Street. Suite B. McAllen, TX 78501

mailing address P.O. Box 40101 South Padre Island, TX 78597 Printed in Mexico

Eddie and Sandy

next issue Ole Décor is going to celebrate spring by

photo collection, to the Historical Champion

making our world, or at least our valley a

Building, a trip through Bass Pro Shop is

little greener. Not in the way you might be

an adventure in combining environment,

thinking, with an energy saving product or

art, atmosphere, history and culture into a

a new use for recycled materials. No, this

unique experience beyond just a nice store.

spring we are taking “Go Green” to the next

We can’t wait to bring you there.

level, literally. Our Product Showcase is all about grass. Yes, wonderful soft, colorful, ground cover in many varieties, used in all kinds of alternative ways. Here’s a hint, “Drive-On Grass.” Now you have one more reason other than Spring Break to look forward to March.

If you are a parent, then you know how important it is to sometimes take a break from the constant needs of your children and focus on yourself for a moment. A few minutes of quiet time can recharge you and get you ready for the next round of rambunctiousness. Well we have the most

Our most exciting feature article Fabulous

ingenious idea for you to get the quiet time

Spaces, Public Places revolves around what

you need. Create an amazing kids room,

may indeed be the most hyped event to

and they’ll always want to hang out there!

take place in the lower Rio Grande Valley,

After you read our Indoor Living article on

the grand opening of the new Bass Pro

incredible kids rooms feel free to send the

Shop in Harlingen. Built with a distinct

thank you cards via email.

tradition of capturing local flavor, Bass Pro Shop has cherished landmarks and stories of old built right into the design and décor of their signature store. From the antiquated

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front cover credits ON THE COVER: Contemporary Style meets Euro Shaker. Moulding finished on stark white, while the island sports an Antique Espresso finish.

Only Kapal pg 2 can bring these contracting elements together in perfect harmony. BRAVO!

CONTENTS

54

WINTER ISSUE 2011

12 Luxury Homes A lifetime of memories returned to ashes. The second coming of a stately valley home.

20 34

50 New Products Make the swithc to electric fire!

54 Fine Art Gallery Guide 60 Sorteo Tec Lucky One Eight Seven.

60 28 Decorating With Going beneath the surface on table and countertop materials.

34 Fabulous Space Public Places Not just an office, a home, but a home away from home.

44 Indoor Outdoor Living The ultimate engine room!

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12

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luxury homes

“Let the Walls of My World All Burn Down, Just Stand Back and Wait Till the Smoke Finally Passes, And I Will Rise, From the Ashes, From the Ashes, From the Ashes, And I’ll Walk Away Stronger, I Will be Flying, Higher and Truer, Than I’ve Flown Before” – Martina McBride

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Delicate marble trim lines windows and garage door, all custom created

by Arte En Cantera p.19

RISEN ASHES from the

A lifetime of memories was reduced to ashes, fine art collections and antiques, lost forever!

The second coming of a stately valley home.

WRITTEN BY: SANDRA REYES

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Step inside and immediately your spirit floats to the far reaches of the soaring ceiling. Your eye may travel straight up and dance along the scrolling wrought iron staircase.

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T

he owners of this resplendent mansion have been through a terrible tragedy, but with fortitude and grace have emerged from the ashes of their burned home more determined than ever to rebuild, and rebuild with grandeur. Their first home went up in flames, the reason is unclear at best and may have been caused by careless welding or faulty wiring, but when the house began to smolder, it wasn’t long before the whole structure was engulfed in flames. All the owners could do at that point was thank the lord that no lives were lost, and watch as firemen tried in vain to save their home. A lifetime of memories was reduced to ashes, fine art collections lost forever, heirlooms and antiques seem to vaporize in the heat and smoke, as a heavy feeling of loss settled over the family.

Travel back in time 6 months prior to the fire.

The home was undergoing extensive remodeling and the owner of the home was very involved in the project. She was working directly with contractors, designing and planning spaces, choosing paint, fabrics, furniture and décor. Being very artistic and creative herself, she knew what she wanted and she always figured out where to go to get what

she wanted. It was during one of those hunting expeditions, hunting for the perfect wallpaper, that our owner met Nora Mar Sandoval at her design studio in McAllen. Not surprisingly the two ladies formed an instant friendship, both being so creative, artistic, and detail orientated.

Instead of just selling the sought after wallpaper to her new friend and client, Nora offered to come to the house and help in any way she could with the remodel project. Through discussions about wallpaper, the owner realized that Nora Mar was not your typical interior decorator, but so much more than that. Nora had the experience and knowledge and resources to build a home from the ground up; to begin with an empty lot, and finish with the Taj Mahal. Little did either of the women know at that time that that was exactly what was going to happen.

The fire took the whole house down, and the ground was level. Nora’s phone rang, it was her friend, and not missing a beat, the two women began to plan.

OPPOSITE: Grand foyer glistens with light and soars to the heavens. Sweeping wrought iron staircase by Veta Door p.11

ABOVE: His master bathroom is built from Mahogany, all solid wood moulding throughout the home from White River Moulding p.11

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LEFT: This kitchen may be too beautiful to cook in. Gorgeous granite countertops and all countertops throughout the home by Rio Stone p.26

RIGHT: The vaulted portico and adorned entrance to the home is punctuated by hand carved marble sculptures, columns, and limestone from Arte En Cantera p.19

Nora brought in her team, and the star player on Nora’s team is her husband J.P. Sandoval.

If Nora can imagine it, then he can build it.

There wasn’t an inch of house plan, not a cabinet, closet or drawer that J.P. couldn’t build, and for the next two years he would pour a lifetime of building experience and expertise into this home. Sometimes rebuilding what was already perfect, if the ladies changed their minds, J.P. obliged.

If a builder’s career culminates in a project of epic proportions and grandeur, then this home is J.P.’s crowning jewel. Some of the other members of Nora Mar’s team include Ricardo Azubel from Arte En Cantera in McAllen, Anna Coleman from Ferguson Enterprises in Pharr, Alan Leidner from Glassica in Mission, Carlos Sanchez from Rio Stone in McAllen, Luis Zayas from Veta Door in McAllen and Joan Johnson from White River Moulding.

As you approach the gleaming home, the intricately scrolling wrought iron gate reveals the initials of the owners in gold; a precursor to the sublime brilliance that awaits all visitors. It is as if the gate has a message, and the message is: take a deep breath, you are about to be swept off your feet.

To really appreciate the façade of the home, you are going to need a short, albeit important lesson in classic Greek architectural elements. A vaulted

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portico defines the entrance to the home.

At the apex of the arch, you’ll find the keystone.

The keystone is the wedge-shaped stone piece of the arch, which is the final piece placed during construction and locks all the stones into position, allowing the arch to bear weight. The keystone itself actually carries very little of the weight load, it more so creates the resistance for the arch.

The entablature (horizontal structure) is built above the arch, and is supported on both sides by huge columns capped with Corinthian style capitals.

The capital forms the top most member of a column, and mediates between the column and the load thrusting down upon it.

It is all going to make a lot of sense in a few more sentences, but for now, lets just follow the architectural design, and keep stacking skyward.

Upwards and onwards, we reach the pediment.

It is the architectural element found above the horizontal entablature. Usually the pediment would be in the shape of a triangle, but Nora went one step further and designed a broken segmental pediment. Simply put, instead of a triangle, Nora used a half circle shape, and instead of completing the half circle, she broke it at the top where the elephant trunks swing up toward the sky.

Not stopping there, you’ll not only see the elephant

figures, but also a gold wreathed relief sculpture of lions carved into the typanum, which is the front facing surface of the pediment. We’re almost done, now that we have arrived at the acroterion, which is the architectural ornament mounted at the apex of the pediment, and in this home, the acroterion is the massive flower bud carved out of solid marble.

The point of the lesson rests here. The crowning flower buds, each hand carved out of solid marble, weigh upwards of 600lbs each. The two flower buds mounted on top of each column flanking the entablature, had enough strength to support them, but the one on top, at the very tippy top, well that was going to be a problem. Worried about collapsing the entire façade, it was the owner of the home who came up with a solution. Nora didn’t hesitate, and the hollow flower bud was lowered into place.

It is just one example of the attention to detail that permeates every square inch of the home, and the respect of classic architectural elements that reside within.

Continuing with the façade, the home’s owners pay homage to their beloved country of India and its exotic culture. The elephants were hand carved out of travertine, from drawings given by the owners.

The symbol of the Elephant is ancient.

In India, the elephant was the mount of kings.

The elephant was a devastating weapon of war, and came to symbolize the God of the Warriors. The elephant is the totem of the greatest of warriors, denoting royalty, inner strength and nobility. Inside the elephants, you’ll find the gold crest with three lions sitting on a pedestal. The lion has become the national symbol of India, often found sitting on a base engraved with the phrase “Satyameva Jayate.”

The lions and phrase represent a powerful idea for the Indian people; “Truth Alone Triumphs” and so you understand the character and quality of this home’s family, whether you meet them or not.

LEFT: An impressive kitchen is brought to life by hand crafted leaded glass cabinets

by Glassica p.10 The kitchen back splash is a beautiful leafy design provided by Pangea p.18

RIGHT: Her master bathroom is lined with gold. 24k tile mosaics hover above a luscious granite countertop from Rio Stone p.26 Here we get a close up of the Gold and Iridescent Sicis tile available at Pangea p.18 24k gold faucets on her sink from Ferguson Enterprises p.53

The owners were very involved in designing and engineering the house. Finishing with the outside, it’s not all just about the look, the home was built to perform and last. Between the walls there is expanding foam, over 2 inches of insulation under the sheet rock, for noise reduction from room to room, fire retardant, and energy savings. There is also a concrete barrier surrounding the whole house, a full 18” wide, which was planned ahead of time to help stop termites as well.

Step inside and immediately your spirit floats to the far reaches of the soaring ceiling. Your eye may travel straight up the carved onyx columns, lighted from within, or maybe dance a more elegant path

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Faucets are plated in 18 carat gold, real crystals are embedded in the wallpapers, and there are nearly 20 different hardwood mouldings throughout. along the scrolling wrought iron staircase.

The light may be what you focus on, the multitudes of tiny rainbows bending through the Swarovski crystal chandeliers hanging from above. The foyer is so commanding, it’s no accident that there is an elegant sitting area built into it, there for guests to comfortably wait to be greeted by their hosts.

But in this case, it’s not a far off notion that guests would prefer to sit and contemplate the beauty that abounds.

ABOVE: Watching a movie in this theater room could be a black tie event.

The combinations of ornate solid wood mouldings are spectacular. White River Moulding p.11

RIGHT: Her master bathroom boasts a free standing claw foot tub and gold faucets from Ferguson Enterprises p.00 The back drop is made of Italian glass tiles which allow the light to dance and play giving the feel of a waterfall. Provided by Pangea p.18

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Moving through the foyer into the formal living room and dining rooms, in the old version of the house, this was the exact location of the indoor pool. It is hard to even imagine anything existing previous to what is there now, because what is there now looks and feels like it has always belonged there, in perfect harmony with all accompanying spaces.

In every inch of the home there is detail, even in the door knobs and hinges, there is art involved.

From the hand made leaded glass kitchen cabinets to hardware designed by a jewelry designer.

Faucets are plated in 18 carat gold, real crystals are embedded in the wallpapers, and there are nearly 20 different hardwood mouldings throughout the house used in countless clever combinations.

Sandalwood is the most expensive wood in the world, and you’ll find it in this home. It is a house filled with crystal chandeliers; every room has at least one. The owner always wanted to be an interior designer, and it was her vision that everything in the house had to have detail, extravagant detail. She didn’t want a big house with just walls and color, that’s not who she is, everything in the house had to have detail, she admits to being very picky on that.

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Mosaic tile imported from Italy has 24K gold pieces in it. Elaborate window treatments were designed from fabrics chosen by the owner. There is metallic paint on the walls, which depending on the light of the day, seem to change color, constantly adjusting the palette of the room. One of the children’s rooms has a fairy tale mural hand painted on the walls, a rocking elephant adorned with jewels, and a castle with crystal sconces. The master bathroom, for the man of the house, has a 24K gold toilet, built in cabinetry made from solid mahogany with hand painted vents to match the wood. A badminton court was built in the gym, fiber optics were installed in the shape of actual constellations in the ceiling of another child’s bedroom and Nora flew to California with the owner to choose rugs. Art has been shipped in from around the world, and slowly but surely the house became a home.

It took over two years, but they are happy. Fondly, the owner recants a story from the very beginning.

“I called Nora after the fire to talk about rebuilding. I had a clear vision of what I wanted and I said to Nora: Don’t cheapen me Nora, you go all the way. And Nora responded:, “You don’t have to tell me! Dale Gas!”

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Husband and Wife team, Builder Jon Paul & Designer Nora Sandoval See Opposite Page

TOP: Formal dining room used to be the site of the old indoor pool.

Custom designed etched glass door by Glassica p.10

BOTTOM: Intricate and ornate, wrought iron gate designed and hand crafted by Veta Door p.11

NEW CONSTRUCTION, REMODELING AND FLOOR PLANS COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL Nora Design Studio & Showroom 1901 W. Hackberry Ave McAllen, TX

956.664.2200

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We just don’t make beautiful countertops, we have the expertise and experience to help you select between a variety of surfaces, such as quartz, granite, and marble. Our knowledge comes from more than 9 years in business and almost 4,000 completed projects. We can answer any questions you have regarding the pros and cons of every material and its application.

“If it has to be made in stone, it has to be Rio Stone.”

2520 BEECH AVE MCALLEN | (956) 631 3332

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FALL 2011

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decorating with

Vistiendo LA

SUPERFICIE

Rio Stone ‘s countertops expert, Carlos Sanchez goes beneath the surface on the many types of materials now available, that rival the colors of even the most precious gems!

WRITTEN BY: CARLOS SANCHEZ

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V OPPOSITE: Granite is a natural, elegant, crystal-like material formed from rising lava. It’s the hardest stone found next to the diamond and is the most durable of all natural materials used for home and commercial décor.

Available at Rio Stone p.26

ABOVE: Granite CD Polished; verde with honey and terra cotta accents with a Dupont Custom edge. Crafted by Premier Granite and Marble p.52

a a construir la casa de sus sueños, o por fin decidió darle un Nuevo “look” a su casa, cualquiera que sea su caso usted comenzara con un proceso de selecciones, muy difícil para algunos sobre todo si es su primera vez o si lo hace sin la ayuda de alguien con experiencia, Pintura, ventanas, gabinetes, etcétera, etcétera. Parte de este proceso es seleccionar los recubrimientos principalmente para pisos, muros, baños y su cocina. Estas áreas de su casa representan las mejores oportunidades para vestirla y hacerla lucir, y aunque existen infinidad de materiales para este propósito, tantos que necesitaríamos todo un libro para hablar sobre ellos, en este articulo solo pretendemos orientarlos sobre las diferentes opciones que usted tiene si está pensando en piedra, hoy por hoy la opción favorita, las opciones que tenemos cuando hablamos de piedra también son extensas pero para simplificar las dividiremos de acuerdo a su oferta es decir a como se las van a presentar si usted entra a una tienda de estos materiales y no tanto a su clasificación geológica ya que no pretendemos ponerle un examen cuando termine de leer este articulo.

Así que al llegar a la tienda y después del “ how can I help you ?“, que sigue ?, bueno un primer factor de decisión es el presupuesto con el que usted cuenta, comenzare por decirles que el precio de estos materiales nada tiene que ver con su calidad, es decir que el que usted pague mas no le asegura que está comprando el material más resistente o más uniforme, el precio de estos materiales depende más de factores del mercado; de que país viene, quien lo produce, si está de moda, etcétera, algunas creencias son que el mármol es más barato que el granito, que los granitos negros son los más caros, que el cuarzo es más caro que el granito y así, todo esto es parcialmente falso, la verdad es que existen granitos mas económicos que los mármoles, y que los granitos exóticos triplican y hasta cuadruplican el precio de los cuarzos más caros, así que en una escala de precios y comparando materiales que están al alcance en el mercado local el comparativo más o menos se vería así: Respecto al comparativo anterior para que usted se de una idea, entre la opción mas económica en granito a la opción mas cara en una piedra semipreciosa existe una diferencia aproximada de hasta $ 400.00 por pie cuadrado. Aunque no es

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una regla absoluta los granitos que tienen más tiempo en el Mercado son los más económicos y más caras aquellas piedras que usted ve en las revistas de decoración, las nuevas o las salvajes con grandes incrustaciones de cuarzo, también si usted está buscando una piedra natural azul se llevará una gran sorpresa ya que estas están entre las más costosas. La verdad es que los precios de las piedras básicas son bastante accesibles y en algunos casos son de la preferencia de muchos.

ABOVE: An Eco friendly surface that will add an elegant and unique touch to your space while providing a practical, low maintenance, and high resistance working space Color: Pebble by Caesarstone excusivly at EcoStone p.33

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Un segundo factor es su utilización, en la grafica anterior dividimos las piedras en 4 grupos para simplificar su clasificación; En el primer grupo incluimos los granitos ígneos y metamórficos así como las cuarcitas, para no meternos mucho en tecnicismos basta decir que estos materiales en general tienen una alta resistencia a los elementos del medio ambiente y a los ácidos y limpiadores agresivos por lo que los hacen un material de bajo mantenimiento ideal para cocinas y pisos en áreas de alto tráfico, aunque esto es verdad para la mayoría de los granitos tenga cuidado al seleccionar ciertos granitos que para mejorar su apariencia y resistencia se han tratado con resinas superficiales y colorantes, estos granitos no son la mejor opción para aplicaciones en exterior donde los rayos ultravioleta los decoloraran y en conjunto con otros elementos agrietaran su superficie.

En el segundo grupo estamos incluyendo mármoles, y piedras sedimentarias como travertinos, limestone, sandstone y ónix, el común denominador de estas piedras es su alto contenido de carbonato de calcio, lo que las hace químicamente sensibles a los ácidos, es decir que al contacto de la superficie con un liquido acido esta reaccionara químicamente perdiendo brillo, lo que se verá como una mancha.

Por experiencia se que estos materiales son del gusto de la mayoría de los compradores y sobre todo de los diseñadores ya que su apariencia y textura crea un ambiente más cálido que los granitos en los mismos niveles de precios, estas piedras aunque no son recomendables para áreas de alto uso o cocinas, las podría seleccionar siempre y cuando esté de acuerdo en que deberá presupuestar un gasto permanente en mantenimiento, en pocas palabras el que quiera azul celeste que le cueste.

El tercer grupo son las superficies de cuarzo, estas piedras son fabricadas por el hombre “engineered stones”, con un alto contenido de cuarzo lo que le da una alta dureza y resistencia, otra de sus características es la falta de porosidad por lo que a diferencia de las piedras naturales no requiere de ser sellada, si usted es una persona con un alto aprecio a la higiene esta puede ser su selección ideal, también si está buscando un “ look” moderno la superficie de cuarzo le ofrece

colores difíciles de encontrar en la naturaleza y además con la uniformidad que se requiere en un ambiente minimalista. Solo una advertencia, no seleccionar para aplicaciones en exterior ya que por su contenido de resinas y colorantes no es resistente a los rayos ultravioleta.

El cuarto grupo son las piedras semipreciosas, las cuales son otro cantar, estas piedras son “ensambladas” a partir de piedras semipreciosas o gemas, como ágata, amatista, feldspar, madera fosilizada, cuarzo en trozos, existen algunas inclusive con incrustaciones de vidrio de swarovzki y hasta con fibras ópticas para emitir su propia luz, en pocas palabras son espectaculares, si su casa se lo merece, dese este lujo, solo asegúrese de utilizarlas en áreas donde realmente pueda lucirlas.

Para finalizar permítame darle unos consejos prácticos para cuando vaya usted a seleccionar su piedra; No seleccione su piedra basándose en una pequeña muestra, se puede llevar una desagradable sorpresa. En lugar seleccione su placa de los varios proveedores en el Valle que tienen placas en existencia, Cuando vaya a hacer su selección si lo hace en un día soleado asegúrese de ir o en la mañana o entrada la tarde, además de ser extenuante el exceso de luz minimiza los colores, Si lo hace después de una lluvia tome en cuenta

que las placas se verán mas obscuras de lo que en realidad son. Cuando seleccione una placa tóquela e inspeccione la superficie, en la mayoría de los casos quien le fabrique e instale su piedra no modifica en absoluto la superficie, No olvide llevar una muestra de los colores seleccionados o posibles para sus gabinetes, paredes y pisos, y algo sumamente importante seleccione muy bien a su instalador, una mala instalación echara a perder su material, su esfuerzo y su inversión, asegúrese de contratar a alguien con experiencia y recursos que le garanticen una instalación de acuerdo a sus expectativas.

LEFT: Bergammo: A sexy, high-end boutique of designer natural stone and glass products that encapsulates the essence of Italian art, culture, and romance. Available at Gonzalez Tile p.58

RIGHT: Vetrazzo is a 100% recycled glass surface; an exquisite surface material, that is truly a work of art. This product; “Chivalry Blue”, is made of recycled Skyy Vodka bottles. Available at Rio Grande Stone Works p.48

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Home Built by: Guzman Construction

PORCELAIN TILE PORCELANITE LAMOSA CERAMIC TILE CONCRETE ROOF TILE SALTILLO TILE MARBLE TRAVERTINE HARDWOOD FLOORS CANTERA COLUMNS LIMESTONE CANTERA FOUNTAINS CANTERA MOULDING

956.581.1109 | 956.994.8550 | 956.464.5152 MISSION

EDINBURG

DONNA

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fabulous spaces public places

The new Polar Air headquarters is not just an office, it’s a home away from home. WRITTEN BY: LINDA LEWIS

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Award winning building design

by Ramiro Lucas Jr., PBD and Alex Banda, PBD of Banda Lucas Design Group p.39

T

he Polar Air building is a testament to the business acumen of Samuel and Alex Popovich. Once I had visited the building and talked with Sam, I could see immediately that he possesses the characteristics necessary for successful entrepreneurship. After learning skills in the air conditioning trade, Sam bought a van in 2001 and went into business for himself. Ten years later he owns seven trucks, and has fifteen employees that work out of his beautiful new office building.

The Polar Air office building is not just an office, it is a home away from home for Sam and his wife Alex. Entrepreneurship requires long hours and hard work, so having a pleasant homey environment eases the stress of those long hours.

From the moment Sam began describing the building, I could see that the same passion, self-discipline, work ethic and eye for detail were translated to the building project.

Many of his own design ideas are incorporated into the building.

He commissioned someone to carve the Polar Air logo and inlay it into the ceramic tiles in the reception area. He embellished the surface of the wood moldings in his office with a light caramelization by burning the surface with a torch. This gives an unusual finish that cannot be duplicated with stains.

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The beautiful stone wall framing the aquarium, and the oval reception area are all encrusted with beautiful Rusted-Stack Stone made of natural material.

These thin veneer panels are custom pre-cut and easily adhere to any surface.

Available at Southern Stone p.39

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The Polar Air building is a functional and attractive business environment and a welcome contrast to the strictly functional commercial buildings in the area.

LEFT: Polar Air owner, Sam Popovich, collaborated with local artist Gaby Rico.

The compositions were created from mixed media, particularly focusing on recyled materials that are often used in the client’s industry and line of work. They quickly capture the visitor’s eye with color and movement that evoke elegance and warmth. Artist Gaby Rico p.54

ABOVE: Floor tiles by Gold Mohawk in “Golden Prairie” (reception) and “Etruscan Gold” (bathroom) and other high quality building materials in this project are available from Materiales el Valle. p.32

Alexander I. Banda, PBD and Ramiro Lucas, Jr., PBD of Banda Lucas Design Group designed the building. They were awarded 1st Place in the category of Commercial Projects by the Texas Institute of Building Design in 2011 for this design.

Banda Lucas employed bilateral symmetry in designing the facade of the building. This is a classical technique used in architecture that creates an overall feeling of balance and stability. They then applied several different exterior structures and finishes to create visual interest.

The central architectural feature of the building is a projection to the building that extends above and in front of the main structure.

It has been clad with a high-end engineered architectural wall system.

Its gleaming metallic panels refract light differently, so the surface is constantly changing as the light changes.

The projection’s linear elements are repeated in the vertical parallel lines in the standing seam metal roof system visible on the porch roofs on either side of the projection. The linear design element is also etched into the surface of the remainder of the building, which is stuccoed.

Natural stone softens the stark linearity of the building with its uneven surfaces and modulated color. A two-level stone clad waterfall is positioned in the center of the building and stone frames

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This fully appointed kitchen is a beautiful spot to have morning coffee or lunch, and there is a small flat screen t.v. above the table to catch up on the news. the windows on either side of the porches. Attractive landscaping supports the natural stone elements and balances the contrast between the industrial and natural design elements.

The intrinsic beauty of nature is fully exploited in the reception area of the building. Upon entering the building, you see a striking curved reception counter with a stacked stone apron. Textured granite from Rio Stone is a beautiful example of nature’s artistry. Mined in Brazil, “Copper Canyon” granite has an overall caramel brown color with rust veining. It has some areas of cream and gray. The curve of the counter is mirrored in a ceiling treatment that houses task lighting.

All of the natural stone, granite and wood in the building are complemented by various wall colors in yellow, such as “Mannered Gold,” “Blonde,” and “Mesa Tan.” Wall paints are paired with a complementary textured wallpaper throughout the interior. The cool blue glow of a large salt water fish tank creates a visual contrast to all the warm colors in the room.

cabinets with “Mahogany-Red” stain The same stain is repeated in the kitchen cabinets. The color beautifully complements the granite countertops. There is a granite inset in the bar height kitchen table.

This fully appointed kitchen is a beautiful spot to have morning coffee or lunch, and there is a small flat screen t.v. above the table to catch up on the news.

The Polar Air building is a functional and attractive business environment and a welcome contrast to the strictly functional commercial buildings in the area. Sam Popovich represents a trend towards active involvement by the consumer in the creation and production of goods and services. The resulting product is a highly personalized building that is uniquely suited to the needs of the company.

A seating area is located in an alcove created by the building projection described earlier. Just in front of the sofa, you can see the Polar Air logo inlaid in the floor. The floor tiles, supplied by Materiales El Valle, are from Mohawk (color: Golden Prairie).

The artwork on either side of the alcove is another example of Sam’s artistic proclivity.

He enlisted local artist Gaby Rico to collaborate with him on several artworks. She painted backgrounds on wood panels and he cleverly designed and assembled metal pieces left over from the building construction as a three-dimensional addition to the painted panels.

The main office area is directly behind the reception desk.

Looking through the windowed partition that separates the reception area from the main office, you will see an eye-catching bank of

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FAR LEFT: The kitchen and front office countertops are originals designed by nature. This “copper canyon” granite and other beautiful works of nature are from Rio Stone p.26

FAR RIGHT: The beautiful outdoor water feature is made of all natural Rusted-Stack Stone material. Available at Southern Stone p.39

E

nhance Landscape Beauty & Value

Patios • Retaining Walls • Driveways • Pool Decks • Walkways • Entrances 1100 E. Expressway, 83 Donna, TX. 956.464.5979 800.408.5979 www.southernnaturalstone.com © 2011 by Pavestone Company. All Rights reserved.

, Creating Beautiful Landscapes ™, and Venetion Stone are trademarks of the Pavestone Company.

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Kitchens

Free Estimates

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Bathrooms

Entertainment Centers Contemporary Doors

Bernardo Guerrero 956 345 6700

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indoor outdoor living

Design an attractive and livable garage so it becomes more than just a parking space.

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L

ook at any home improvement publication today, and you’ll find great ideas for optimizing and personalizing that valuable square footage in your home known as the garage. There are a multitude of products available for corralling and organizing all the items traditionally stored in a garage such as sports equipment, tools, home renovation supplies and lawn equipment. The days of simple shelving and peg boards are in the past.

Today’s garage is as much a fashion statement as a place to house one’s car.

general public to stack cars, snowmobiles, jet skis, boats, lawn equipment and more. It only takes a few seconds to lift a car or lawnmower up in the air for storage. The manufacturer of one brand states that their model can be installed by the average guy in 3-4 hours.

Manual platform lifts are also available for overhead storage.

Place seasonal items like Christmas decorations, coolers and camping equipment completely out of the way when not in use. These platforms also have optional accessories like hooks for bikes and ladders, work lights, extension cord holders and more.

Designs are often geared towards the garage’s primary function: automobile storage, but it can also be based upon secondary functions that reflect your personal preferences and style. The primary goal for a garage make-over is to make it a functional space you will enjoy spending time in. When you consider that homeowners enter their homes through their garages, doesn’t it make sense that it should be as beautiful and welcoming as the interior of your home?

Another way to utilize vertical wall space and keep sports equipment corralled and easy to find is to purchase racks specifically designed to house them. Product specific racks are available for bikes, fishing rods, bats and balls, lawn and garden tools, skis, sports boards and golf bags. Children will be more likely to put sports equipment away and you’ll spend less time searching for items when they are needed.

Are you ready to design your dream garage? Start by determining how you would like to use your garage in addition to storing your vehicles. Would you like to use it it primarily for storage, a workshop, laundry room, party room, work-out room, game room, gardening center, teen lounge, garage band, or craft room? List the functions you want to fulfill and you’re on your way. Here are some things you will have to consider.

Don’t forget the garage door. Picture yourself pulling up in front of your house. What is the first thing you see? If you’re like most Americans, it’s your garage door. For the majority of homes built after the 1950s, the garage door is THE focal point of the house. In most cases, the garage door accounts for 30% of the visible area. Your curb appeal may begin and end with this one feature. If you are adding heating and air conditioning to your garage, you may need to have an insulated door for energy efficiency.

Make a visual statement with a new garage floor. There are a number of solutions for people who want good looking, custom garage floors.

Covering your floor with an epoxy is a durable and cost effective alternative. Regular floor paints don’t stand up to hot tires. Epoxy, if applied correctly, will stand up to hot tires and a lot of other things.

If your garage has oil staining, expect to spend some time and money cleaning that up... possibly even bead-blasting or grinding depending on the severity. Once completed, epoxy floors are relatively easy to keep clean and can be made skid resistant.

Free up valuable floor space by utilizing the vertical space in your garage. Commercial grade hydraulic lifts are now available to the

Think of the interior side of your garage door as a blank canvas for painting in a solid color or a flashy design. The cabinets, floors and walls will all require color decisions. Use the colors of your vehicles as a starting point for paint colors, because they are a integral part of the space. If you are not confident selecting colors, paint stores have color schemes you can follow. Select a primary color and two secondary colors to add interest. Keep these colors in mind when you select decorative accessories for the room. This will give the room a cohesive look.

Use these tips as a starting point for transforming your garage into a multi-functional, well-organized, and attractive addition to your home.

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OH KAY S! uptown on tenth 956-686-1264 • 4300 N. 10th St., McAllen

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new products

turnmeon

T

hroughout history, the hearth, or fireplace, was the center of the home. We no longer rely solely upon the fireplace for warmth and light, but our desire to bask in the warmth and glow of a fireplace remains undiminished.

Electric fireplace sales are increasing as built-in fireplaces in new homes are declining. From 1995 to 2009, there was a 13% reduction in the number of new homes built without a fireplace.

Since people still crave the feeling of “home” that a fireplace provides, electric fireplaces have filled that niche.

Janeth Guajardo, of Royal Enterprises, advises that the affordability, versatility, size and portability of electric fireplaces make them suitable for home or apartment. They can be inserted into a traditional brick and mortar surround, placed within an entertainment unit, hung on a wall, or placed in a corner. It’s your choice! Arranging or rearranging a room is a snap when you have a free standing or wall mounted electric fireplace. All you need is an electric outlet.

Yosemite offers a wide variety of contemporary and traditional styles in electric ­fireplaces.

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Remote controls for adjusting the heat and flame are standard on all units, and some models have side speakers with a USB port for MP3 and Flash players, for a complete sensory experience.

Yosemite’s electric fireplaces come equipped with state of the art flame technology. Stationary and rotating reflective materials create a realistic flame that continually changes patterns, and creates a crackling fire sound.

Electric fireplaces are economical, clean and safe.

Yosemite electric fireplaces heat 220 sq. ft. of space, making them capable of heating an average size room or supplementing your primary heat source. A running fireplace costs an average of approximately $0.28 an hour. If you turn on the glow without the heat, the cost is equivalent to running two 40 watt light bulbs.

You’ll never have to clean up wood ashes, worry about chimney fires or gas leaks with an electric fireplace. It is an eco-friendly choice because there are no combustion byproducts to pollute the environment. Freestanding models have a built-in safety feature that turns them off if they tip over.

Janeth Guajardo, of Royal Enterprises, your local representative for Yosemite electric fireplaces, will help you create your own warm and cozy home.

SEE OPPOSITE PAGE:

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Let us orchestrate your dream.

For the perfect products for your kitchen or bath, stop by a Ferguson showroom. It’s where you’ll find the largest range of quality brands, a symphony of ideas, and trained consultants to help orchestrate your dream. With showrooms from coast to coast, come see why Ferguson is recommended by professional contractors and designers everywhere.

APPLIANCES

plumbing

Pharr:

fErguson.com

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

705 E Expwy 83

FIXTURES

lighting

(956) 283-0137 ©2011 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

fine art GABY RICO www.gabyrico.com

(956) 207 0932 Mi intención es expresarme a través de colores, formas, espacios, texturas y lineas en movimiento, atreviendome a explorar la diversidad de posibles combinaciones, creando un ambiente visual armonioso. Disfruto creando composiciones llenas de significado personal, involucrando desde estados de ánimo, gusto, emociones, ideas, fotografías, sueños y realidades. Amo las técnicas mixtas, ya que se sienten mas libres y mantienen interés en diferentes perspectivas.

En esta ocasión les presento un par de retratos contemporáneos, con colores brillantes y una técnica muy relajada. Representando la época venturosa, fresca y feliz que concierne a la infancia. “Jesse” (40x30 plg). Acrilico sobre tela.”Marcelo” (40x30 plg). Acrilico sobre tela.

THE FINE ART OF LARRY HAINES PORT ISABEL

(956) 943 1785 Larry’s original paintings are in oil, pastel or watercolor. His subjects include wildlife of the Texas ranch country, the coast and its sport fish. He also does commission paintings and murals.

Giclée prints are available on watercolor paper or canvas. The canvas prints can be made in custom sizes. His work has been collected worldwide, commissioned by many publications, and exhibited in fine galleries throughout the country. His art can be viewed at www.saltyflyshop.com. Contact him at The Shop in Port Isabel.

GALLERY 218 HARLINGEN

(956) 457 9401 The Art of Roel Flores Roel Flores, the 69-year-old musician turned artist, spent the first part of his life in the cotton fields of California and Texas. His array of artwork includes everything from landscapes to portraits of conjunto legends like Oscar Hernandez, Esteban Jordan, Pedro Ayala and Benny Layton. His work has been showcased all over the state in the Texas Folklife traveling exhibit and in the Smithsonian Institute’s permanent collection.

Although Flores has the skills of a veteran artist, surprisingly, he only began painting in his early 50’s. Who knew that old unwanted art supplies would help Roel discover his biggest talent.

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gallery guide ARTLINE AMERICA, INC. & MASTERPIECE CAFÉ MCALLEN

(956) 630 0076 Enter into a unique blend of art and food when you visit Artline America in McAllen. For twenty-five years, Artline has been McAllen’s premier source for custom picture framing and custom framed artwork. Tucked within Artline you will also find the Masterpiece Café, a jewel among McAllen’s casual dining eateries and the perfect intimate spot for a birthday gathering, a small meeting or a good chat. Whether its original art, prints, photos, documents, mirrors, sports memorabilia or valued family mementos, Artline’s expert framers utilize the latest framing techniques and have the largest selection of frames to preserve and showcase your objects d’ art..

S. KLEIN GALLERIES MCALLEN

(956) 686 0632 S. Klein Galleries opened its doors at 521 N. Main St. in Mcallen 28 years ago, offering a full range of framing supplies. Mr. Klein’s 50 plus years of experience and his background as a trained artist, give him the expertise to provide a superior service, ensuring that you receive a beautifully crafted product.

Sylvia and Stuart frame original artwork, posters, prints, diplomas, quinceañera photos, and anything else that requires framing. They also stretch canvases and sell note and greeting cards, prints and posters. Personalized service is their trademark, and anyone who walks through their doors can be sure that their framed product meets their requirements and their expectations.

HOUSE OF FRAMES QUALITY CUSTOM & CONSERVATION FRAMING HARLINGEN

(956) 423 8282 At House of Frames, we are here to serve you! Owner, Peggy Allen and staff, Julianna, Margaret, Alice and Reed have the experience needed for today’s “cutting edge” framing with a combined total of 96 years in the framing industry. We specialize in framing that accents the unique qualities of each individual piece using the best affordable designs. With conservation always in mind, we offer top preservation products and framing methods. Our goal is to give you a finished product that you simply “love” and that will also stand the test of time.

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t abl e t o ps • c omme rc i a l doors • co unte r to p s • g la s s r a ils • s ho we r s c re e ns • mi r ro r s 807 W. Price Rd. #6 Brownsville, TX (956) 546-8400 www.werglass.com

ALL CREDIT CARDS EXCEPTED

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Energy Solutions 50% Spray Foam Insulation

Energy Savings Up to

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Better Air Quality Healthier Environment Fire Resistant Improves Pest Control

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(956) 203-5785 56 olé decor WINTER 2011

BORDERSbyDESIGN www.BordersByDesign.net | 956 259 8012

We carry a full range of decorative concrete applications to fit any budget, installed by

South Texas’ Premier Custom Stamped & Stained Concrete Company.

• No need to tear out your old concrete (Don’t Remove it, Improve it!)

factory-trained & licensed, quality-minded

• Easy maintenance

professionals.

• Added value and curb appeal

We do stamped concrete on the pour or over

• Great for all climates

existing concrete and offer free estimates!

• Exceptional durability

We are Texas’ source for Decorative Stamped

• Oil, Rust & Mildew Resistant

and Stained Concrete.

• Large color selection • Colors will not fade

Features & Benefits • Beautifies your driveway, walkway, patio

• Make your customers home or business be

the envy of their area

or pool deck to a unique new look

STAMPED CONCRETE CONCRETE OVERLAY

IN AND OUTDOOR ACID STAIN EPOXY FLOOR COATINGS PATIO EXTENSIONS DRIVEWAYS GARAGE COLOR FLAKES & STAIN CONCRETE SEAL & RESTORE Copyright © 2011, BORDERS BY DESIGN DECORATIVE CONCRETE, All rights reserved.

whole home systems integration: lights, climate, drapes & shades control We install: home theaters | full home audio and video | conference rooms | smart class rooms | intercom systems | structured wiring

(956) 627 0726

| av-sec.com

Urth-Glass is a high-grade, environmentally forthcoming building material for countertops, bar tops, vanities, cladding and paneling. It can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications. Urth-Glass is resistant to weathering and it is made from inorganic materials. Urth-Glass is produced of 99% fused recycled glass and is resin free. This product is easy to clean and 100% non-porous.

Tile | Saltillo | Linoleum | Carpet | Laminate | Hardwood | Glass Tile | Travertine | Travertine Borders | Slate | Marble | Onyx | Granite | Quartz | Butcher Block | Sinks

36293 ST. HWY. 100, LOS FRESNOS, TEXAS 78566 | TEL: (956) 233 8690

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sorteo tec

LUCKY ONE

EIGHT

SEVEN

Una obra de arte en toda la extensi贸n de la palabra. El Sorteo Tec se prepara para cambiarle la vida a alguien con su mas prestigiado galard贸n.

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MEZCLA PERFECTA DE PIEDRAS Y MADERAS EN LAS DIFERENTES ÁREAS, LOGRAN UN RESULTADO EXQUISITO A LA VISTA Y SOBRE TODO AL DISFRUTE

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a residencia del Sorteo Tradicional número 187 está diseñada por el arquitecto ERNESTO VELA, destacado arquitecto por la funcionalidad, estética y originalidad de sus proyectos.

El arquitecto VELA acostumbra el uso de materiales tradicionales para lograr un concepto contemporáneo, usted podrá apreciar el uso de maderas y mármol estratégicamente colocados en los espacios de esta residencia.

El diseño arquitectónico ofrece espacios amplios, con interiores libres de obstáculos para integrar mejor las aéreas sociales, logrando mayor calidez y comunicación.

La distribución de la casa cuenta con antecomedor, sala de televisión, sala de cine, comedor, cocina, sala principal, recámara para jones, recámara para jovencitas y una increíble recámara principal y terraza con alberca.

La fachada principal te recibe con una imponente puerta de madera digna de una residencia inspirada en materiales naturales y eco amigables.

La amplitud de sus espacios cumple el propósito de capturar escenarios naturales como el jardín principal y sus jardines interiores, todos estratégicamente colocados, para rodear el casa de un ambiente natural y relajante.

Los ambientes de la residencia fusionan gran capacidad de tránsito, propiciando una magnífica sensación de amplitud, la residencia goza de gran luminosidad gracias a sus enormes ventanales.

La decoración simple de líneas contemporáneas, realza los espacios arquitectónicos y enmarcan la sobriedad y elegancia de una residencia llena de lujo y distinción.

La decoración de la casa fue realizada por el arquitecto RODOLFO SAVIÑON, reconocido por su estilo único y detallista. Este renombrado arquitecto supo armonizar su diseño orgánico con el concepto arquitectónico de Vela.

Es fácil apreciar la sutil decoración de materiales naturales perfectamente integrados con el concepto arquitectónico.

El diseñador utiliza principalmente piezas étnicas de gran valor artístico y manufactura, estos elementos embellecen y complementan gratamente cada espacio, logrando áreas con mucha personalidad.

La paleta de colores seleccionada por el arquitecto SAVIÑON recrea espacios limpios, cálidos y frescos; en caso específico de las recámaras se recrean ambientes únicos que invitan al descanso y relajación.

La residencia cuenta con iluminación dirigida y tecnología de punta, para brindar espacios funcionales e inteligentes.

La residencia cumple con todas las expectativas de una casa millonaria, llena de lujo y distinción, ojalá pueda darse la oportunidad de visitarla y apreciar su diseño en vivo.

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The 187 ° Sorta Tec Residence, is located in San Pedro Garza Garcia. Its modern style and imposing marble walls with steel beams create an elegant and timeless atmosphere.

Thanks to its functional and strategically designed spaces you can enjoy the natural scenery of beautiful gardens and the Sierra Madre mountains.

The design wasv v based on simple and contemporary decor, that enhance the architectural distribution and help integrate social areas.

The residence is full of fine details, you can appreciate special decoration made with natural materials, these pieces bring balance and personality to every room.

The residence is fully equipped with decorative beams and advanced technology. Every room includes all natural materials for a fresher and eco friendly infrastructure.

Both elegant and sober this Residence merges a unique design with ethnic influence.

This spectacular top prize is worth US $ 2,907,549 includes US $ 148,098 in bank cashier’s check a luxurious Audi A4 and Audi Q5 Luxury, both 2012 models.

The second award is for a beautiful home located in Zapopan, Jalisco, including an additional US $ 4,813 in bank cashier’s check, an incredible Audi A4 Trendy, model 2012.

As an attractive third prize, an impressive apartment on the beach, with your choice of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur or Cancun Quintana Roo worth US $ 318,412.

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