Urban Home Austin-San Antonio April/May 2015

HOME CELEBRATING INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN AND PERSONAL STYLE

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FROM THE EDITOR Wide open spaces. The homes featured in this issue rest in areas of our beautiful Hill Country and allow the land to take center stage. There was respect for the land, with each structure maintaining a minimum presence on each site. Rolling hills, fields of tall grasses and groves of trees were factored into each design, creating a balance between nature and shelter. It’s impossible to live in these homes and not be constantly aware of your environment.

Jim Gewinner had a very specific goal in mind — there must be expansive exterior views from every room in the house. He and his wife searched for almost a year to find the perfect property with the right orientation to build on. The elevated house which sits on the rolling landscape seems to float, and the minimalist décor is punctuated with quality materials, numerous green elements and high-end finishes.

Craig McMahon took a different approach. His client’s property was covered in large oaks, none of which were to be sacrificed for a home. He designed four separate zones in order to create a 6,700-square-foot home around the trees.

Each building is linked with glass hallways and organized in such a way that guest areas can be closed off when not in use.

John Grable describes his project as common materials assembled in uncommon ways. The concrete floors and plywood walls may provide low maintenance living, but they prove that beautiful and thoughtful design can occur in the simplest of forms. Walls of glass allow the homeowners to feel like they are outside even when in, and overhangs are functional while providing interesting architectural details.

Tobin Smith’s inspiration for a home on a family ranch came not only from the landscape, but from the ruins of a nearby 1886 structure. Using rust-colored sandstone and architectural elements reminiscent of the ruin and area Mission designs, the north exterior is almost fort-like in appearance. Inside, the finishes and furnishings are modern and luxurious. However, this house was designed to be an open-air experience.

I hope this inspires you to take it outside!

Trisha Doucette

On The Cover: The most perfect plot of land was chosen specifically for this almost all-glass house, where Hill Country panoramas are visible from every room and instantly connect you to the surrounding landscape. Page 20.

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EDITOR’S ESSENTIALS 1. CHAVEZ Everything at Chavez is fabulous, from the menu to the restaurant design to the branding, but the oyster taquitos have won me over. Crispy fried oysters are dotted with a carrot habanero sauce, then cooled with an avocado crema and crunchy slaw. And during the right season, you can view the bats taking off from the South Congress Bridge! Chavez-austin.com 2. RIVER WHEY CREAMERY I was lucky enough to stumble across these gals at Pearl Farmers Market. They produce four artisanal cheeses: The Welshman is a tangy raw cow’s milk cheese made with sea salt that was harvested and processed in Wales. It was originally made by the wives of Welsh miners. Keystone is a twist on Italian farmhouse cheese, finished with a rubbing of Texas olive oil. And Caldera España is their version of cheese from northern Spain, aged for three months and then smoked over Texas pecan. Their soft cheese is called St. Clements and is seasoned with lemons, oranges and Texas honey. It’s creamy and delicious, and they suggest using it in cheesecake!

Riverwheycreamery.com 3. BENDING BRANCH WINERY This boutique winery in Comfort has 20 acres planted with 16 varietals, including Tannat, a red wine grape typically grown in Southwest France. It turns out the combined factors in our climate suit the grape just fine, and they have been recognized at the TEXSOM Wine Awards with a Best in Show for their 2012 Tannat, as well as from “Food and Wine” magazine. Bendingbranchwinery.com SOUTHERLEIGH FINE FOOD & BREWERY New to the Pearl complex and fittingly located in the original brewhouse, this is the first brewery to occupy the grounds since 2002 and the tenth largest brewpub in the country. Chef Jeff Balfour has created a menu that blends coastal classics with southern comfort food. The food and beer pairings are exciting, and you will definitely be hearing more from me about Southerleigh. Southerleigh.com urbanhomemagazine.com

2015 | VOL. 10 | NO. 2 Publisher Louis Doucette Editor Trisha Doucette Contributing Editors Catrina Kendrick – Catrina’s Ranch Interiors Contributing Writers Claudia Alarcon, Jackie Benton, Julie Catalano, Mauri Elbel, Brantley Hightower, Angela Rabke Photography Dror Baldinger, Allison Cartwright, Chris Cooper, Scott Martin, Mark Menjivar, Nick Simonite Strategic Media Placement Diane Purcell Advertising Sales Sandy Weatherford, Gerry Lair, Janis Maxymof Business Manager Vicki Schroder Design and Production Tim Shaw – The Shaw Creative Printing and Direct Mail SmithPrint Phone 512.385.4663, Austin - 210.410.0014, San Antonio Fax 830.981.8887 Address 10036 Saxet Drive / Boerne, Texas 78006 Email louisd@urbanhomemagazine.com Website www.urbanhomemagazine.com Urban Home Magazine Austin-San Antonio is published by Big City Publications, LLC. Advertising rates available upon request. All rights reserved by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent from publisher. Every effort is made to assure accuracy of the information contained herein. However, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Advertising is subject to errors, omissions and or other changes without notice. Mention of any product or service does not constitute endorsement from Urban Home Magazine. The information contained in this publication is deemed reliable from third party sources, but not guaranteed. Urban Home Magazine does not act as an agent for any of the advertisers in this publication. It is recommended that you choose a qualified remodeling, home furnishings or home improvement firm based on your own selection criteria. Urban Home Magazine, does not act as an agent for any of the realtors or builders in this publication. It is recommended that you choose a qualified realtor to assist you in your new home purchase.

Urban Home Magazine will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. All real estate advertising in Urban Home Magazine, is subject to the Fair Housing Act that states “We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation.

We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.”

© Copyright 2015 by Urban Home Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

April / May 2015

CONTENTS

cover 20 A Glass House Photography by Dror Baldinger

featured homes 28 Rio Estancia Photography by Dror Baldinger and Chris Cooper

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34 A Natural Habitat Photography by Dror Baldinger 40 At Big Tree Camp Photography by Mark Menjivar

highlights 56 Top Ten Home Security Myths: Busted!

departments

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Why This Space Works 48 Designer Spotlight: Sharon Radovich of Panache Interiors Commercial Design 52 Creating Cured Food Design 60 The New Vegetarian Fabulous Finds 62 Destination: Washington County

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Contributing Editors 58 Catrina Kendrick, Catrina’s Ranch Interiors 66 Advertiser Index

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A GLASS HOUSE

in the Hill Country

By MAURI ELBEL

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Photography by DROR BALDINGER

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People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. But bring in an architect with a passion for open design and a fearless dedication to perfection, and the result is a home that intimately connects those standing inside to the spectacular natural beauty that exists outside. urbanhomemagazine.com

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S

uch is the case with Jim Gewinner’s AIA awardwinning contemporary glass and native limestone home built on a 10-acre track of land just five miles outside of Fredericksburg. Perched weightlessly on the land, the modern, mostly-glass house rewards with stunning panoramas of the surrounding Hill Country land.

When it came time for the architect to retire, this home represented his last project and an opportunity to design something special for he and his wife. While a departure from his professional career spent designing commercial structures for the oil and gas industry at the Houston firm he founded, Energy Architecture, their modest 2,100-square-foot home does exactly what Gewinner intended: It maximizes on the rolling Hill Country views while maintaining a minimal presence on the site.

“There were two fundamental elements involved when designing this home and the evolution of the project was based on these two needs,” explains Gewinner. “The first aspect was that my wife and I love open spaces — I know that is the fashion du jour but we have always been that way. And two, we wanted a modest sized home of roughly 2,000-square-feet that would suit our needs of two bedrooms and two bathrooms.”

With a clean page to work from, Gewinner knew he would have the opportunity to stretch the design without worrying about what it would mean in the future.

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“It was very specific,” says Gewinner. “It wasn’t done with anyone else in mind or for resale — it was purely what we wanted to do. It is a huge luxury to be able to do that without thinking about other repercussions or influences.”

The couple has always loved the idea of transparency and gravitated toward the modern aesthetic decades before it was on trend, he says. Their desire for an open floor plan, with a degree of separation for the guest bedroom, that exposes exterior urbanhomemagazine.com

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views from every space in the home was the basis for the design — a modest, minimalist structure that allows the natural environment to translate through large expanses of glass.

The project began with finding the perfect property. Because the couple wanted a spectacular view and a house that would utilize expanses of glass toward that view, the property search had to take these considerations into mind. For three quarters of a year, the couple looked at more than 80 properties searching for a site that provided the natural settings compatible with a north/south orientation in order to avoid facing the harsh Texas sun that blazes from the east and west. While property hunting was a good excuse to get out of the city and enjoy the wide open spaces afforded by the Hill Country together, the search proved more difficult than anticipated.

“We got a bit discouraged on occasion,” he recalls. “There was always one thing or another that wasn’t quite right, whether urbanhomemagazine.com

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the property was too expensive, wasn’t the right orientation or lacked the character of the Texas Hill Country. I just couldn’t find the right combination until we came to this one. And it was immediate to me. I fell in love with the site when I first saw it.”

Viewing the home now, transparency is the most defining aesthetic whether the beautiful natural setting is seen from within the house or through the house. The emphasis therefore becomes the natural setting and not the house. The selected 10-acre site provided a natural element of privacy, giving Gewinner the ability to utilize glass as the defining material. The architect also capitalized on the sloping terrain by elevating the house slightly — the elevated house, along with the raised walkway and patio that stretch from it, is what gives the house a sense of weightlessness.

“The use of the limestone core going continuously to the ground provided the sense of the house being anchored, with the remaining linear walls and columns giving a lightness below that matched the lightness of the house above,” he says.

The minimalist floor plan and restraint in use of materials distills the functionality of the house to its simple basics, he says. Additional approaches Gewinner says he took during the design phase include: placing the more utilitarian functions within a core, utilizing sun studies to determine roof overhangs, and incorporating numerous green elements ranging from triple LowE glass with thermal break mullions and radiant roof design to LED lighting and a 5 zone HVAC system. The entire site was returned to the natural grasses that existed on the property, with only a small area being landscaped with low water consumption yuccas and agaves.

Another process which proved invaluable in the design’s success was going back to early academic training. Gewinner 26

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says he built an “old school” wooden model of the home and site which revealed conditions that couldn’t be detected from the computer renderings.

“I was very glad I did that because I made about four adjustments based on what the wooden model was telling me that the computer wasn’t,” he says.

But building a home with this precision on a hilly site in the Hill Country isn’t easy. Out of necessity, Gewinner did the general contracting himself, spending nearly every single day on the site for 17 months. As the designer, the general contractor and, occasionally, acting as a subcontractor, Gewinner wore numerous hats in order to build his house the right way.

“This type of house isn’t normal for the Hill Country so I did the general contracting out of necessity,” he says. “There were elements of the construction that needed to be pretty precise such as the handrails, carriage garage doors, etc., so I put this work under my own personal efforts. This level of involvement is fairly intense, but I wanted to do it right, and fortunately since I was retired, I had the time.”

While Gewinner calls his home low-frill, there is a high level of quality evidenced throughout the design. He selected highend finishes ranging from the Calcutta Gold marble countertops and tiles to the Sub-Zero® refrigerator and Wolf® range and oven. Tastefully selected furnishings like the Eames kitchen chair and living room sofa and table from B&B Italia provide artful punctuations to the home’s minimalist decor.

But mostly, it is the feeling that the couple is rewarded with that speaks to the design’s success. Gewinner says he feels lucky to be able to wake up and go through the entire day surrounded by stunning views of the outdoors.

“With this much glass, you can’t be in the house and not be aware of the site,” he says. “The house turned out as I hoped it would. And that is a big statement. My wife and I both feel very fortunate to live here and are equally proud to share it with our family and friends. We have a wine cooler for a reason.” v ARCHITECT/CONTRACTOR Jim Gewinner, AIA 713.851.2715 | jimg@energyarch.com

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COOPER

COOPER

When architect Craig McMahon first visited his client’s 350-acre ranch property sitting on rolling Hill Country land along the Guadalupe River just 10 miles outside of Boerne, he was speechless.

“I had never seen rolling hills like this in Texas and I am from here — it was absolutely amazing,” says McMahon of the ranch fringing a quarter mile of the Guadalupe River.

“The home, although beautiful, is really second to the land.”

COOPER

RIO

ESTANCIA

By MAURI ELBEL | Photography by DROR BALDINGER AND CHRIS COOPER

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he architect’s deep respect for the spectacular site inspired the design for Rio Estancia, awarded Home of the Year in the 2014 Best in American Living Awards by the National Association of Home Builders. Taking cues from the panoramic vistas offered on the property, Rio Estancia is a commendable marriage of home and site, wrapping around its natural environment and blending tranquilly within a picturesque setting of mature oaks and rolling hills.

Embracing South American “Estancia” (ranch) fashion, urbanhomemagazine.com

McMahon organized a series of buildings that give the appearance of a ranch home that has been added to over time.

His clients, a retired couple relocating from Chicago wanting to escape the cold, became enamored with the unique nature of the Texas Hill Country surrounding San Antonio and Boerne, and envisioned a home that was more refined than rustic.

Taking an urban approach to Hill Country living, the design concept was to create a series of buildings organized to the southeast for the best orientation for the view, the sun and the URBAN HOME AUSTIN – SAN ANTONIO

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trees, all while respecting the land, says McMahon. Initially, the design began as a second home for the couple, but as time moved on, they fell in love with the opportunity and the concept evolved into a primary residence that would accommodate the couple on a full-time basis, as well as the ability to entertain their friends and extended family. Walking the property, McMahon searched for a site to build the home which wouldn’t require cutting down any of the numerous, up to 60-diameter oak trees scattered throughout the property.

“We couldn’t find a large enough building site to build one large house because there were too many trees, so we had to make the house work around the trees,” explains McMahon.

Dictated by the land, four separate zones utilize pavilion style framing elements throughout the main house, guest quarters, a carport/office and master wing. The buildings are organized behind a steel-framed entry arbor trellis which consists of weathered steel — a material that gives the appearance of wood but remains maintenance-free — and leads to the front door, 30

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a unique natural entry point that captured full vistas of the stunning landscape.

“Upon walking the property, we found this one amazing tree and wanted it to be the front door, seeing an opportunity to create a courtyard where the home itself is treated as the background,” he says of the trellis arbor and courtyard featuring a heated pool, outdoor barbecue area and fireplace.

The four-zone building program allows the owners separate spaces for living and entertaining with the ability to maintain private spaces within the main home, bedrooms and guest quarters. Designed to be a 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom house, the 6,700-square-foot property consists of versatile spaces which allow the owners to use as little or as much as they want.

The first building currently functions as the guest quarters — a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with a compact living and dining space where visitors can have a private experience without interrupting the owners. Dubbed the “ranch headquarters,” the second building serves a more utilitarian function, consisting of urbanhomemagazine.com

BALDINGER

an open carport building, two additional bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry room which now house the ranch office and exercise room with a private bathroom and steam sauna. The third building is the largest space, featuring the home’s main living, dining, kitchen and media room. As the darkest area of the house, this luxurious cave-like space is paneled in Douglas fir, inviting the owners to read or watch television before retiring to bed at night. The last building, the master suite, remains McMahon’s favorite space of the home.

“The owner said she wanted to feel like she was camping in her master bedroom with the trees growing all around it,” he explains. “It is a fish bowl. It looks like you are in nature with glass all around. The master bedroom is jaw dropping.

Sometimes I am amazed we had an owner who wanted us to do this the way we did, but it fits so well. Everything just fits like it should be.”

Each building is linked via air conditioned, aquarium-like glass connecting spaces which function more like galleries than urbanhomemagazine.com

hallways where the homeowners can look out and spy deer or turkey roaming the property. The transparent and open plan is complemented with large covered terraces and arbors extending the living spaces to the outside which are fanned by southeastern breezes.

Each of the buildings are clad in locally quarried Texas limestone which pay tribute to the area’s surrounding limestone cliffs — the stone walls block the north wind while large overhangs block the harsh summer sun. A gray band of Leuders limestone runs along the outside, breaking up the look of the tall walls and creating cohesion between the buildings. Exterior materials include red cedar and Oklahoma flagstone, both chosen for their durability and low-maintenance qualities, while Douglas fir dominates the interior.

The design does an excellent job at creating a shared sense of space between the home and nature.

“As in historic Texas homes of the region, the stone comes on the inside in almost all the rooms,” says McMahon. “The outside URBAN HOME AUSTIN – SAN ANTONIO

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COOPER

BALDINGER

materials wrap into the inside and the same banding follows so there is a very transparent connection to the outside.”

Building orientation, electronically controlled window and mechanical systems, geo-thermal heating and cooling systems, tankless water heaters, expanded foam insulation and reclaimed water systems are some of the green elements embraced throughout design and construction.

McMahon claims one of the design’s greatest assets is its ability to keep one foot in history while placing the other in today.

The historical approaches to building blend flawlessly with the home’s Hill Country contemporary aesthetic.

“All the overhangs were done in the old German way of building when wood was very hard to come by but they had plenty of stone,” he says. “But the clients wanted a refined nature to the look of the home, so there is a contemporary feel with this historical approach to building.”

McMahon and co-designer and -builder Billy Johnson 32

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of StudioIndustrielle had a unique opportunity to build the home once the design was complete. The architect calls this experience one of the biggest challenges and greatest opportunities of his career.

“It was the most amazing opportunity I’ve ever had in my whole life,” says McMahon of the process. “It was extremely hard to get things done to this level of expectation. It took 18 months from start to finish — probably a two year process with the barn and the roads. But it all fits together so well. I am very flattered our clients gave us the opportunity to not only design this home, but to see it through all the way to the very end.” v ARCHITECT Craig McMahon Architects. Inc. 210.710.3874 | Cmarchtx.com BUILDER StudioIndustrielle 830.228.5916 | Studioindustrielle.com urbanhomemagazine.com

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A Natural

HABITAT

By ANGELA RABKE | Photography by DROR BALDINGER

“No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill.

Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.”

– Frank Lloyd Wright

I

n the Texas Hill Country, where sweeping views and vivid sunsets abound, first instincts often point to the proverbial house on top of a hill. The owners of Brushy Top, a family getaway nestled in the Hill Country north of Blanco, were initially tempted to make the hilltop choice when conceptualizing their home, but a process of site exploration with architect John Grable led them to a different place. “As we explored, we came upon a shelf that had an entire stand of trees with waist high grass, and a great view with a natural slope,” Grable shared. Being further down the hill, Grable observed that in addition to offering plenty of natural beauty, it was a practical solution, as it would conserve resources in terms of road development and landscaping.

Resource conservation was a vital part of the program. Despite the fact that the property boasts bodies of water and stop tanks,

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sensitivity to the land was very important in planning the shelter.

“It was an interesting challenge, because of the fact that we were in a drought at the time. We knew that the aquifer was being taxed by development. One criteria was not only to live with the land but to capture rain water for landscaping.” Inspired by the natural landscaping, the clients and the architect began thinking about the habitat in terms of the trees, and observed that it was a regular gathering spot for deer and other wildlife. “At that point, we KNEW that it was the right place.”

The home, a weekend getaway for the family and their young children, had a firm budget and specific objectives. “This project was about quality over quantity. We designed the house knowing that they wanted to have something modern that was driven by the specific site,” said Grable. The clients desired a compact floor plan, a common living space, and a focus on public spaces.

A homeowner’s association had additional specific requirements, such as a rule requiring them to expand the floorplan, which was initially smaller, to 2,200-square-feet. They were also required to add a garage. In response, the plan includes a car-port which doubles as an outdoor living space; often used for family dinners, the slatted sliding barn doors open to frame the sunset, enhancing the dining experience.

Designed to be a natural escape, the family hoped for something modern that fit into a regional style, and utilized materials that were low maintenance. Concrete floors, plywood walls and a combination of Hardiplank® siding and Limestone Veneer exterior walls were incorporated in part to make things easy to clean. “The clients said that they wanted to be able to clean their house with a leaf blower and a garden hose,” smiled Grable. The plywood walls throughout the living space add a unique warmth 36

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and texture without distracting from the expansive views. “We were fortunate to work with a contractor with a number of skill sets and an open mind to the process,” Grable mentions. “That was key to the success of the project. This house is constructed of common materials but assembled in uncommon ways.” The entire process was a team effort. “The team was like a triad with the homeowner on top and the architect and contractor (Olson | Defendorf Custom Homes) underneath,” says Grable.

Concrete floors, in addition to being a low maintenance solution, invite energetic children to run (and roll) throughout the open floorplan, and the space accommodates easy transitions from indoors to out. “With their young children, they had a desire to instill the values of nature and to ground them in that particular lifestyle by having a place to go experience nature,” said Grable. As such, every aspect of the design points to the outdoors, so that even when working in the kitchen, one feels directly connected to the environment outside.

In keeping with their desire to incorporate the natural beauty of the area, the owners also requested that the common space, with family, dining, and living areas, be designed with maximized views. Sliding barn doors open off of the living room and allow the peripheral views to expand and achieve a dramatic panorama. The emphasis on view meant that the door and window package was a top tier item in the budget as well. Grable uses the example of an ocean liner wheelhouse to describe the design. “We realized the metaphor behind the feeling one got looking at the distant view that had more depth of field, with the trees in the foreground giving depth of field for the background. We thought about the wheelhouse of an ocean liner. The ocean was the movement of the tall grasses in urbanhomemagazine.com

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the breezes.” As the design process advanced, the team realized that more people might visit, and offered creative solutions to add sleeping space without compromising the commitment to communal space. “We worked out a program and made hallways into wider galleries. We envisioned incorporating bunk beds in these spaces so that the children might be part of this immediate adjacency to the public living space,” says Grable.

The focus on public space continues to play as the client hoped it would. Grable shares, “The neat thing about it is that the kids love it: they love playing inside the house as much as they do outside. They set up tents and teepees in the public space. They learned to navigate the space with running and with tricycles and it was neat because we knew we had arrived at the right solution for that type of habitat. Everyone felt at ease and the enjoyment was to hear the client say ‘we feel like even when we are inside we are enjoying the outdoors.’ The deer come at the end of the day and become friends and neighbors, and those barriers are erased.”

In one last nod to the Texas Hill Country, Grable presented the clients with a special gift. During construction, the team had not come across many American Indian artifacts. “I always look for these artifacts in the Hill Country, because it’s an indication that the site is a good habitat. I found this box of arrowheads and flint, and gave it to the owners. I asked them to take these and scatter them across their property, and challenge the children to find them, collect them and bring them to the fire pit.” With that gift — a small reminder of the past — the habitat was complete: a functional and modern home firmly rooted in its hillside landscape. v ARCHITECT John Grable Architects, Inc. 210.820.3332 | Johngrable.com BUILDER Olson | Defendorf Custom Homes 512.243.6508 | Odcustomhomes.com 38

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Nestled in the heart of a multi-generational South Texas family ranch is a compound made up of several homes, each constructed during a different era, and each serving the different branches of a large but intimate family in its own unique way. Big Tree Camp is the most recent addition to this family of homes, a contemporary icon among the mix, which includes an 1800’s farmhouse, a 1920’s bungalow and a 1960’s ranch home with an addition designed by architectural firm Ford, Powell & Carson. Architect Tobin Smith drew inspiration from the site, as well as a bit of local architecture just apart from the ranch.

AT BIG TREE CAMP

By ANGELA RABKE | Photography by MARK MENJIVAR

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W

e were inspired by an 1886 ruin in the nearby town of Belmont,” Smith shares. “Four generations of this family have depended on this structure to mark the final turn to the ranch. It was, and is, a reference point.”

The Belmont ruin served as a literal and figurative direction for Big Tree Camp, named for a giant oak tree that stands slightly removed from the linear oak mott that embraces the home.

In Texas, when it comes to a building’s exterior, it’s often tempting to default to limestone, but when imagining materials for this project, the same rust-colored, iron-rich sandstone (quarried in nearby Luling) used in the landmark ruin immediately came to mind. “On the ranch, you see elements of this material in porches and fireplaces. The ruts in the roads are also reddish.” Using this material, Smith developed a plan that took the walls of the ruin’s box-like structure and unfolded them to create a jogging, shield-like façade on the north side of the home, which serves as a wind break during the winter

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months. This sturdy façade, almost reminiscent of low-slung barrack structures at the nearby Missions, allows peeks of a lightweight, modern structure as you approach. “The opposing façade is lighter in nature and provides a contrast to the heavier masonry wall. In many ways, the project was about creating this wall as a sort of shield, and tucking a modern structure behind it.” Smith explains.

The idea behind the airy and open structure was a family camp. The homeowners’ primary home in Washington D.C. is beautiful and historic, but comes with limited interface with nature. The windows are painted shut, air conditioning and heating are constantly regulated, and the proximity to the city dulls their exposure to nature. “A second home is an opportunity to live differently from your normal existence. We really wanted to maximize that potential,” says Smith. “What is the antithesis of the Washington D.C. experience? A house that breathes.”

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And breathe it does: even when every door and window is closed, 45% of Big Tree Camp is an open air experience with the potential for the entire home to become a screened in porch. While there is, technically, a main entrance, each space in the home allows the opportunity to step outdoors, including bathrooms that include outdoor showers. In keeping with the idea of a camp experience, the three spaces that are designated for children and guests are treated as their own separate cabins, connected by a walkway that unifies each unit of the building, and combines the open-air experience with shelter from the elements and wildlife. Being a South Texas ranch house, the “other” front door of the home offers direct access to ranch vehicles and to a well-equipped fishing, hunting and gear room — a conduit to the many activities that happen outside of the home.

The house in many ways serves as an edge between a native grass pasture and a wooded oak mott. Living spaces borrow from the view by incorporating sweeping expanses of glass, essentially creating an environment where nature serves as the wall art. The details of the home are well executed and luxurious, but the approach is straightforward and borrows directly from the ranch environment, with the goal of bringing the homeowners and their guests closer to the nature urbanhomemagazine.com

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that surrounds them. “This house is all about maximizing the sensory experience…” says Smith, “…meaning that walking to breakfast or to dinner you are feeling the air, smelling the rain, showering under the stars and becoming integrated into the nature surrounding you. Ultimately, the house should be a tuning device: at every opportunity you are forced to encounter the outdoors; you are constantly being forced to notice. You become more aware of the lunar cycle, of when the sun rises and sets, which you may not pay attention to in your day to day life. And you can operate the house like a tool, urbanhomemagazine.com

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and calibrate it with cranks and ropes much like you do with a boat when sailing to maximize operation.”

Like every well-done project, this one was a team effort.

Smith lauds Truax Construction, the contractors for the project, for the rural pragmatism they brought. “The builders camped on the site during construction, and as a result, they really ended up with an intimate knowledge of that landscape,” he said. One particularly innovative solution that came from their camping experience was the use of large bean cans (from their campfire meals) to create the housing for the in-slab lights — a fun example of how the camp experience affected details in the home.

The history of this special place and the construction camp experience reaffirm the concept that makes Big Tree Camp exceptional — that a simple but comfortable shelter can truly serve to bring its inhabitants closer to the land around them, rather than isolating them from it. v ARCHITECT Tobin Smith Architect 210.326.6646 | Tobinsmitharchitect.com BUILDER Truax Construction, Inc. 830.980.3399 | Truaxconstructioninc.com 46

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Dawn F. Hearn, ASID, NARI, CAPS Texas Registered Interior Designer #9501

New Construction Remodeling Space Planning Consultation Furnishings Accessories

www.dawnhearn.com 512.930.0250

works WHY THIS

SPACE

By MAURI ELBEL | Photography by ALLISON CARTWRIGHT

Designer Spotlight: Sharon Radovich of Panache Interiors

This bold and beautiful collaboration between Panache Interiors and Texas Four Architects sits inside Mueller, East Austin’s former airport grounds turned master-planned, sustainable community.

Garnering a slew of awards from the country’s first “all green” Parade of Homes including Best Interior Design, it’s safe to say Sharon Radovich, owner of Panache Interiors, isn’t afraid of taking risks. From the playful graphics down to the bold palette featured throughout the home, Radovich’s highly-successful design savvy is at play. “Austin’s carefree and eco-friendly community suits my disposition well. It was fitting for Austin to host the first all green Parade of Homes.

I feel fortunate to have worked with so many architects and builders who took the initiative to bring sustainable living to the forefront not only here, but nationwide.” Implementing her signature risk-taking style and ability to stretch design boundaries with selections of color and texture, Radovich creates a brilliant balance between rich, eye-catching finishes and thoughtful simplicity. Here, the designer divulges the details behind the kitchen contained in this Parade of Homes show house she helped transform into an unforgettable show-stopper.

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Please give us the background about your role in this design project.

SR: The Homebuilders Association of Greater Austin worked with developers to host a tour of green and modern homes. This lot was owned by Streetman Homes, now Standard Pacific.

Randy Streetman contracted Texas Four Architects and Panache Interiors to collaborate on the design of the home. Michael Doty of Texas Four Architects conceived the footprint of the home and the team finessed the layout and amenities.

What was envisioned for this project? And as a green home, what were some of the specific sustainable materials implemented in the kitchen?

SR: They wanted a modern space that was well-appointed, stimulating and comfortable. We wanted to incorporate features that support aging in place as well as sustainable products. The open pantry, push latch cabinets and motion sensor lighting are a few examples. Sustainable features included the concrete island and floor, reclaimed wood table and LED lighting.

What was your inspiration behind the bold black, white and red palette?

SR: The fluid architecture of this house inspires easy entertaining. I wanted to enhance the flow with energetic graphics and a crisp color palette. My first thought was an ultramodern black and white theme, but I decided it was too stark. I kept the bright white but softened the black to gray and added red for energy. urbanhomemagazine.com

I love the modern, bold look and punchy, creative details. How do you define the aesthetic you’ve created in this space?

SR: I like to say it has panache –– defined by Webster’s as a sense or display of spirited style and self-confidence. If I had to pick a single word, it would be energetic. I believe spaces should energize and inspire you –– even restful spaces, like the spa. Thoughtful design will do that for you.

When being courageous with colors and finishes, how do you keep the look clean and visually pleasing rather than overwhelming and too busy?

SR: Less is more. Using one large accessory instead of several small pieces reduces visual clutter. Statement pieces like the island light fixture and the figurative art need negative space around them. The black cabinets with stainless steel inlays are a strong statement but a simple backdrop for the artful pendant.

The black is very bold, beyond most people’s comfort level, but needed in the open space to anchor the kitchen. I kept the island finishes neutral to avoid competing with either element.

The hydraulic wood table adds warmth while the barstools and chandelier dazzle and delight. The same goes for the dining area –– the table and chairs have great lines but the entry wall jazzes up the open space. All these elements coming together can be tricky –– you really have to visualize layering them in your mind to be sure the elements don’t compete. Note that 80 percent of this kitchen and great room is white, black or gray. Pops of red and blue carry your eye around the space.

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adjacent table is reclaimed pecan from the Shady Grove RV Park, a quintessentially Austin-weird trailer park on Barton Springs Road, bulldozed for a controversial condo development in 2007.

Vintage Materials Supply salvaged the wood and we used it for the island table and stairs. It felt good to put a little more Austin history in this house.

Looking at this space now, what are your favorite elements?

SR: I love the energy that the bold graphics and colors convey.

Revisiting this project has been fun. Randy Streetman gave me design liberties which allowed me to experiment with the public. The style is not for everyone, but the clients it did attract are adventurous and fun to work with. Throughout the Parade of Homes and to this day, the house is referred to as “the fun red house.”

The adjacent entry and dining rooms are 80 percent red and white, which energizes you as you enter the home and converse through dinner.

Please tell us about some of your favorite finishes and furnishings you brought into this kitchen.

SR: I selected statement lighting like the Gelato Pendant for the island chandelier from Lights Fantastic. Western Stains and Concrete scored and painted the concrete floors. For the kitchen cabinets, Flat Creek Cabinets crafted the stainless steel inlays into quarter sawn oak stained black. The island counter is a polished concrete from Elements 7 Concrete Design. The 50

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What are some of the more functional aspects of this playful design?

SR: Functional favorites are the hydraulic table that can serve as a table, counter or bar. We conceived that for a kitchen remodel two years prior but the plan was never implemented. Streetman worked through the details and made it happen. Under the island, we stashed a rolling Craftsman tool chest to use for carting refreshments outside and up the elevator to the rooftop patio. There is also a motorized bug screen that can convert the space into an open air space.

From a design standpoint, why does this space work?

SR: This space is functional and accessible to all. It was strategically designed to be energetic and harmonious. It’s a happy space. v PANACHE INTERIORS 512.452.7773 | Panacheinteriors.com urbanhomemagazine.com

AWARD-WINNING INTERIOR DESIGN custom homes • lofts spec homes • commercial Stephanie J. Villavicencio, ASID Texas Registered Interior Designer

512.443.3200 www.bellavillads.com

COMMERCIAL n DESIGN

MARTIN

SIMONITE

SIMONITE

SIMONITE

CREATING CURED

L

By BRANTLEY HIGHTOWER Photography by SCOTT MARTIN AND NICK SIMONITE

ocated on the banks of the San Antonio River, The Historic Pearl Brewery has become another reason to visit the Alamo City. Over the course of the past decade, the 23 acres of the former industrial complex has been tastefully redeveloped into a pleasant mix of shops, offices, apartments and restaurants. One of the first steps taken after the brewery was decommissioned was to inventory the stock of existing buildings to identify the historic structures on site worthy of adaptive reuse. Significant buildings were preserved to act as anchors for the growing mixed-use development.

One of these historic anchors was the administration building that had served as the headquarters for the brewery since it was built in 1904. Its exterior was restored but for years the brick structure remained an empty shell. Ultimately it was decided that old administration building would become the restaurant of chef/owner Steve McHugh.

Having worked for a decade in John Besh’s New Orleans 52

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restaurant group and opening Lüke, Besh’s first restaurant outside of Louisiana, McHugh had the pedigree to create something flashy. Instead, he chose to craft something that alluded to his youth growing up in southern Wisconsin.

“I wanted the same sense of warmth and support that I remember growing up on the farm where the kitchen table was a real gathering place,” recalled McHugh. “I want people’s experience at Cured to be more than just a meal.”

Of course the success of a restaurant depends on the food, but the experience of the diner is a critical component as well.

In order to create a complete experience McHugh teamed with architect Jonathan Card of Urbanist Design in San Antonio and branding design consultant Jett Butler of FÖDA in Austin.

“We all felt the importance of respecting the existing building,” said Card, who has designed several other projects in and around the Pearl campus. For the Cured project, the design team blurred the lines that usually separated each discipline. urbanhomemagazine.com

MARTIN

Card and Butler worked closely with McHugh to develop an architecture that reflected the branding while the branding likewise was influenced by the architecture. Allowing everyone to contribute to all aspects of the developing design made it possible for the restaurant to cultivate its unique voice. “It allowed us to make bold decisions,” recalled Card.

In the end everything from the feel of the architecture to the layout of the menu act as one cohesive whole where new and old are woven together to create a composition that is somehow greater than the sum of its parts.

The first thing a visitor to Cured experiences is a sense of what was. Historically preserved by architectural firm Ford, Powell & Carson, the administration building with its classically inspired symmetrical façade sits at the end of an intimate but formal lawn. After climbing a short set of cast iron stairs and passing through its vestibule, a visitor enters the restaurant facing a large temperature and humidity-controlled charcuterie. The glass-enclosed “appliance” is placed front-andcenter and acts as a central aspect of the design. Here meats such as vealwurst, duck ham and jalapeño sausages are together cured for three to eight months in ongoing efforts by McHugh to develop new flavors derived from the preservation process. urbanhomemagazine.com

MARTIN

To either side are old hand wash stations salvaged from the brewery. These act as chilling basins for water where servers can grab a fresh flask immediately upon first meeting a dining party. The idea is to create a point of service as part of the initial visitor experience.

Behind these basins and the charcuterie, a large bar defines the central part of the restaurant with the administration’s fire-proof vault acting as an anchoring element. Dining tables are arranged between the bar and the exterior windows with a private dining area taking up the width of the rear of the restaurant.

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MARTIN

Since meals served at Cured typically feature several small plates, preserving table space became a design issue. The response was to create an extruded windowsill detail where a ledge extends along the perimeter of the restaurant. As well as providing space for water bottles or chilled water to be stored, the ledge also includes electrical outlets where patrons can recharge their electronic devices.

As part of the renovation, a glass connector piece was added to the side of the building to attach it to an adjacent new building.

This arm houses the “back-of-house” portion of the restaurant including the kitchen, restroom and other support spaces. A “Chief ’s Counter” acts as a show kitchen where McHugh can be found developing his next culinary adventure. Above this, salvaged windows separate the kitchen from the bar seating area while glazed floor elements allow patrons to see the historic foundation of the original administration building.

Salvaged elements from the Pearl’s industrial past have been incorporated throughout the restaurant, giving it a timeless feel.

This attention to detail exists even in the restrooms where old administration desks — likely used in the original building that now houses the restaurant — now serve as the vanities for the sinks.

Throughout Cured, echoes of the old are used to create a timeless vision for the future. The “XXX” brand that can be 54

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found throughout the Pearl campus is here transformed into an hourglass logo — a simple graphic symbolizing both time and care — is a fitting symbol for the restaurant. From the use of the regional ingredients, often acquired from the Farmers’ Market that occurs just outside the restaurant’s front doors, to its use of organic methods built on a foundation of handcrafted foods, Cured is about time and taking time to do things right. v RESTAURANT Cured 210.314.3929 | Curedatpearl.com ARCHITECT Urbanist Design 210.888.1172 | Urbanistdesign.com BUILDER Metropolitan Contracting Company, LLC 210.829.5542 | Metcontracting.com HISTORIC PRESERVATION Ford, Powell & Carson 210.226.1246 | Fpcarch.com BRAND DEVELOPMENT FÖDA 512.615.2776 | Fodastudio.com urbanhomemagazine.com

Christopher Voss Inc. FOURTH GENERATION IRON CRAFTSMAN Celebrating 20 Years in Business and 100 Years of Voss Family Craftsmanship.

210.843.4332 www.christophervoss.com

TOP TEN

HOME SECURITY MYTHS:

!

D E T US

I

B

t’s the classic American Dream: You work hard to provide a nice living for yourself and your family, with a nice home in a good neighborhood and nice furnishings.

So, asks security and surveillance professional John Dyess, why don’t homeowners take the extra step to protect their possessions and more importantly, themselves and their families with a home security system?

“There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the home security system industry that have been around for years,” says Dyess, CEO and owner of Dyezz Surveillance and Security, Inc. “Some of these myths were never true, and others haven’t kept up with the new technologies we have in place to protect you, your loved ones and your possessions. And then, of course, it’s the old story of you don’t think you need it until after an event has occurred, and then it’s too late.”

The obvious reason for installing a home security system is the protection it offers from intruders. But, says Dyess, security systems feature new technologies that allow homeowners a variety of other security and convenience options, such as fire protection, carbon monoxide poisoning alerts, remote home monitoring, emergency services access, reducing energy consumption and more.

And yet, says Dyess, some homeowners still have doubts about securing their homes with an affordable security system that can be easily and quickly customized to suit their particular needs and lifestyles. “I see clients all the time who tell me, ‘I can’t have home security because of this or that.’ And I want to set the record straight.”

MYTH #1: A home security system is extremely unreliable.

Phone cables can be cut, electricity can go out, and then there’s no way to monitor activity around my home.

Dyess: Not anymore — older security systems could be unreliable as a result of someone easily cutting a telephone line or disconnecting a main power supply. Now, however, the majority of current security and surveillance systems have “multiple layers” of security, not just one. For example, most systems now have infrared and motion detectors that can pick 56

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By JACK

IE BENT

ON

up body heat and very importantly, motion/movement, without resulting in a fake alarm call. Windows and doors have “trigger sensors” installed that transmit signals to a control panel via radio waves, completely eliminating the disarming of an alarm or security system by simply cutting a wire.

MYTH #2: There’s always a delay between when the security system is tripped and when the security company is notified.

Dyess: The customer would be able to decide how much of a time delay there would be before a security system is tripped and when the security company is notified. It can be as quickly as a few seconds.

MYTH #3: Having a home security system doesn’t make any difference to a burglar canvassing a neighborhood and looking for a home to break into.

Dyess: That’s a great definition of a burglar — they can canvass a neighborhood and be on the lookout for an easy break-in, but even if they attempted to do so, the loud alarm a home security system emits would make it extremely difficult, time-wise, for a burglar to break in and look for valuables to take.

MYTH #4: Having a home security system doesn’t make any difference to home insurance rates.

Dyess: Actually, most home insurance companies offer anywhere from a 2% to 15% discount on home insurance if they provide the insurance company with a certificate provided by a security alarm company.

MYTH #5: I have visitors and family always stopping by. I can’t have a home security system because the alarm notifications go straight to a dispatcher at a call center, and I want to be in control of if/when the police are sent to my home.

Dyess: The customer can require that they be notified by the call center prior to the center contacting/dispatching the police. urbanhomemagazine.com

MYTH #6: Home security systems are only good as home theft prevention, nothing more.

Dyess: Even if that were true, what’s wrong with not allowing or having a thief being able to take their time searching through someone’s home looking for valuables or even worse, family members?

MYTH #7: I live in a safe neighborhood, with a neighborhood watch. I don’t need a home security system.

Dyess: A neighborhood watch strategy to prevent possible break-ins is a good program. Obviously, the success of these programs relies on not only the number of individuals being on the lookout for possible burglars but also the time they would have available to provide neighborhood surveillance.

There are articles in newspapers and magazines that state that security/surveillance signs and stickers posted on an individual’s lawn, doors, windows, etc., do in fact prevent burglars from attempting to break in and instead look for homes or businesses that don’t have these articles.

MYTH #8: I have a couple of cats and a dog. I’m sure they’re going to trip the system constantly and set off false alarms.

Dyess: The customer can request a “pet-immune motion detection system.” This would prevent a pet weighing between 60 to 80 pounds from tripping the system. Also, a customer can request that a surveillance company add “glass breaks” to door and window contacts and not motion detectors.

MYTH #9: My giant 120-lb. lab/pitbull dog mix is security enough for me. I don’t need a modern home security system.

Dyess: True enough! That said, however, some burglars are desperate or malicious enough to carry a handgun, knife or mace with an intent of harming a pet or homeowner.

MYTH #10: There’s no way I can afford a home security system.

Dyess: Historically, the cost of a home security and/or surveillance system continues to decrease as a result of the transition from a hardware to a software approach to equipment, parts, connections, etc. Also, all home security systems are configured to a customer’s actual security/surveillance needs, i.e., only that equipment and those parts that would be required to provide basic services would be installed.

“The best thing you can provide for yourself and your loved ones is knowing that you’re protecting yourselves from a variety of life and property-threatening scenarios. There may be a significant negative impact without a system in place to quickly respond,” says Dyess. “I know we’re in the security and surveillance business, but I think of ourselves as being in the peace-of-mind business. It’s knowing that you’ve provided for the protection of your loved ones’ well-being.” v DYEZZ SURVEILLANCE AND SECURITY, INC. 800.370.2762 | Dyezz.com Austin: 512.331.2788 San Antonio: 210.265.8596

DECORATOR’S ADVICE

SPRUCING UP FOR SPRING

By Catrina Kendrick, Catrina’s Ranch Interiors

I Cabinets + Countertops

704 N. Lamar, Austin 512.344.9160

www.topskb.com

t’s hard to believe that spring is here at last! I thought that warmer days would never get here. It wouldn’t be the first time that I filled my truck with plants and then lost them in a final spring frost. I am determined to open the windows and air out my house, make new patio cushions for my pool furniture, get some gardening done and repaint the deck. Yes, my list may seem long but the outdoor projects are ongoing and never ending.

What I am really excited about are my indoor projects. After being cooped up all winter it has come to my attention that my home needs a bit of a facelift. At 62 I could probably use one, too, but that will have to wait! My money is going to new travertine floors in my kitchen and new granite in my bathrooms. The molded fake counters and sinks in my 23-year-old house have got to go! Don’t get me wrong, I love my house. But I have spent years updating appliances, drapery, furniture and rugs. I have ripped down wallpaper and faux painted. I have changed out fans and light fixtures, but something is still missing. Ever feel that way? It’s always worse after a long, cold winter of being indoors.

My house seems too dark to me. Chocolate leather furniture with axis hide throw pillows feels like winter. Simply putting up the fur pillows and making new light fabric pillows will be a good and inexpensive start. I may follow up with some fresh spring florals. Improvements like that are affordable and easy to store until fall when you want to create that warm, cozy feeling again. I am thinking of bringing in lighter lamps as well. Again, I can change them back to the darker ones in the fall.

In my master bedroom I am working on a lighter weight set of bedding in colors that I can leave on through the summer.

That will be a nice change and reasonable to do. My husband will appreciate a set with fewer pillows. Every night when he helps move my 12 decorative pillows, he will look at me, sigh, and ask “really?” I just tell him that it’s a “chic-thing” and go about stacking them neatly out of the way. As fast as I can, I may add.

So, take a look around your house. See what you can put away until fall and add a few spring and summer items that will make you feel like everything is fresh and new again. It’s amazing how the smallest changes can make us feel so good! v

As ever, we are here to help. Catrina’s Ranch Interiors is full of new ideas, fabrics, bedding sets and accessories to help you with your spring spruce-up. Come see us. We are in Boerne and it’s definitely worth the drive! Call us at 830.755.6355 / 210.535.3070, or visit us on the web at Catrinasranchinteriors.com.

Push Pull Open Close The Mobile Decorative Hardware Store

“WE BRING THE SHOWROOM TO YOU ” To set an appointment call 512.694.7762 or jonathan.hiebert@pushpullopenclose.com

FOOD n DESIGN

THE NEW

VEGETARIAN

By CLAUDIA ALARCON

GARDNER

Many people have the misconception that vegetarian, or plant-based cuisine, has to be bland and boring. We live in such a meat-centric culture that the thought of eating an entire meal without animal protein sounds impossible and unappealing.

The fact is, plant-based cuisine offers great benefits to your health and to the environment, and in the right hands, it can be delicious and satisfying. You don’t have to be a full-time vegetarian to explore what is fast becoming a national trend.

GREEN

GARDNER

GREEN

GREEN VEGETARIAN CUISINE Eatatgreen.com Green Downtown at Pearl Brewery, 200 E. Grayson, 210.320.5865 Green at Alon, 10003 NW Military, 210.233.1249 Photography by Hilmy Productions

Chef Mike Behrend has a long history in the San Antonio restaurant scene. Alongside his mother Luann Singleton, he owned and operated Lulu’s Bakery and Café for 15 years. Then, in 2006, they sold the café to begin construction on Green. “Our idea, back in 2007, was to open the first vegetarian restaurant in San Antonio, introducing the many benefits of a plant-based diet to this community. I think we have been successful in providing great tasting food and exceptional service,” says the chef, who became a vegetarian in 2005. The menu at Green features affordable vegetarian comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nothing is too fancy or complicated — guests can choose vegetarian versions of familiar dishes like the avocado eggs benedict, sample international flavors with the Mediterranean bowl, or enjoy original creations like the cauliflower “hot wings.”

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GREEN

urbanhomemagazine.com

GREEN GREEN

“When we first opened, not too many people were open to the idea of a plant-based diet. I like to think that we have helped to enlighten the community a little. Including our three locations, San Antonio now has six vegetarian restaurants.

San Antonio’s food culture is now thriving, and I believe that there is still room for growth in this category.” In 2010, Mike’s brother Chris joined the team, enabling them to open new locations. Currently, Green has two locations in San Antonio and one in Houston, and they also own and operate Earth Burger Stand, serving 100% plant-based fast food. The team plans on expanding a little more in San Antonio, as well as in other markets in Texas.

Green garnered even more attention with the move of their original location to the Pearl complex. “The owners and developers of the Pearl were loyal customers at our old location,” says the chef. “When they approached us about the move, we were very excited. The Pearl is a wonderful property, and their vision is very much aligned with ours.

This move has allowed us to reach many more people than we could at our old location.

We have also exposed the community to a greener way to operate a restaurant through practices such as recycling, using biodegradables and water conservation,” he adds. Green has a recycling dumpster for cardboard, serves fair trade organic coffee and free range eggs, uses biodegradable packaging when possible, and will eventually install a cistern to capture rainwater for landscape maintenance.

GARDNER Gardner-austin.com 1914 E. 6th Street, 512.354.1480 Photography by Kate LeSueur

After the wild success of Austin’s Contigo, co-owner Ben Edgerton and Executive Chef Andrew Wiseheart opened Gardner last fall as a venue to showcase a mostly plant-based menu that emphasizes quality urbanhomemagazine.com

ingredients, straightforwardly prepared yet artistically presented.

“My dishes are inspired by a lot of different factors, but some of the most important are the weather, the seasons, and dietary restrictions and preferences of guests that will be dining with us,” says Wiseheart. Items on the menu are simply described, for example, “Cabbage, striped bass, jalapeno, marjoram.” The main component is a large wedge of grilled cabbage, served over a light fish broth, simply seasoned with the chiles and herbs. The flavors and textures are complex and rich, yet the preparation is so simple. Wiseheart’s menu changes often, depending on ingredient availability. “Since all plants are seasonal, each dish only has a certain small window to be available, and constant creativity is needed to develop more dishes,” he explains. And although preparations are simple, they are labor intensive.

“Since the shelf life of plants is shorter, there’s a need for constant prepping,” adds the chef.

Wiseheart and team, which includes Chef de Cuisine Andrew Francisco, strive to stay innovative with creations such as the kale “chicharrones,” and incorporating meat as a seasoning rather than as a main ingredient to give dishes depth. “We have made something called “pork salt,” which is diced, dry-cured pork shoulder that is frozen with liquid nitrogen, turned into a powder in a blender and dehydrated.

We used this to season lots of different vegetables. We also do a dry-cured beef lardo, sliced thin and draped over vegetables, then melted to impart flavor.”

To match the cuisine, Gardner features a one-of-akind cocktail program that maintains a strong focus on raw culinary ingredients and kitchen techniques. Mixologist Erin Murtagh carefully crafts the drinks so they pair with the food, like wine and beer would, without using any “secondary spirits” to preserve the flavors of the fresh ingredients. Like the food items, cocktails are seasonal and simply described by their components. A stunning example is Gin, concocted with freshly-pressed beet juice, house-made celery bitters, blood orange marinated overnight in sugar and zest and apple cider vinegar steeped with pink peppercorns. The result balances sweet, savory, spicy and bitter masterfully, and boasts a lovely color reminiscent of a spring garden.

Inspired by the cream sauce featured on a popular gnocchi dish, Vodka combines freshpressed ginger, elderflower, coriander seed and a touch of whey that adds a refreshing GARDNER creaminess. v URBAN HOME AUSTIN – SAN ANTONIO

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FABULOUS n FINDS

DESTINATION:

WASHINGTON COUNTY

By JULIE CATALANO

BRENHAM

BRENHAM

FESTIVAL INSTITUTE

THE INN AT DOS BRISAS

Named for the father of our country, Washington County is a top destination for history buffs, antique hunters, music lovers and wildflower enthusiasts. Small towns with evocative names like Independence, Mount Vernon and William Penn dot the rolling landscape in southeast Central Texas, and the county seat of Brenham draws visitors to its historic downtown. Visit a working ranch, attend a worldrenowned concert series, or enjoy a quiet stroll through a history-making spot by the Brazos River — none other than the birthplace of the Lone Star State itself.

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2015 ROUND TOP MUSIC FESTIVAL May 31-July 15 Round Top Festivalhill.org Photography courtesy of Round Top Festival Institute Every summer, the tiny town of Round Top turns into a classical music Mecca that draws audiences from all over Texas and beyond with

URBAN HOME AUSTIN – SAN ANTONIO

the Round Top Music Festival, an internationally acclaimed gathering of renowned conductors, esteemed faculty and brilliant young talent.

Celebrating its 45th year, the Round Top Festival Institute will once again host a dazzling array of more than 30 concerts from May 31July 15, 2015 featuring a diverse repertoire from ancient to 21st century music.

Internationally acclaimed concert pianist, urbanhomemagazine.com

founder and artistic director James Dick can hardly believe this signature Texas event he created in 1971 has spanned almost five decades, but the success of his brainchild is indisputable. In addition to the physical growth of the Festival Institute campus to a 200-acre haven of gardens, historic buildings, library and museum collections, Dick is both proud and happy to witness the growth by leaps and bounds of the Festival Institute’s reputation, putting it on par with legendary music festivals at Tanglewood and Aspen. Of the 700 applications the Festival Institute received this year, about 98 were accepted to study and perform.

They’ve also made full use of social media, he says, adding that their YouTube channel has more than a half million views. Still, there’s no substitute for the real thing, and that includes the experience of attending performances in what is unquestionably one of the most architecturally and acoustically perfect venues anywhere — the magnificent 1,000-seat Round Top Concert Hall.

“It’s like sitting inside a glorious instrument,” he says, “and hearing that sound whether it’s orchestral or choral.” Dick says he gets outstanding feedback from visiting conductors who have played some of the greatest venues in the world. “It truly stands out as one-of-a-kind. It was built urbanhomemagazine.com

and fashioned by hand, the wood cut either with a knife or router, every inch of it.” If you miss the summer series, you can make plans for the April to August series which can include everything from western music to the holiday favorite The Nutcracker ballet.

Visitors are enthralled not only with the concert hall but also the ambiance of the grounds, with one of the highlights being the 1883 Edythe Bates Old Chapel. The various flora are also popular, most notably the McAshan Herb Gardens, along with herbs, medicinal plants, roses and more. Year-round events at the Festival Institute include forums in theater, museums, poetry and herbs.

Growing up in Kansas, James Dick says he’s always loved nature. “I even sold vegetables door to door so I know the value of land and how precious it is. I wanted a place that the public could enjoy as a green space. Over the years we have planted 24,000 trees.” He delights in the surroundings and hopes that audiences do, too. “Where else can you picnic on real grass under glorious live oaks and then walk a few feet into a concert hall of such magnificence?” No place but Round Top. v For program and ticket info, Festivalhill.org, 979.249.3129 URBAN HOME AUSTIN – SAN ANTONIO

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PLENTY TO SEE, DO, BUY AND TRY,

SO STAY AND PLAY FOR AWHILE: WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS STATE HISTORIC SITE, WASHINGTON, BIRTHPLACE Photography courtesy of Brenham/Washington County Chamber and Convention & Visitors Bureau

On March 2, 1836, a group of Texas delegates met at a hall by the Brazos River, declared independence from Mexico and a republic was born. The aptly-named Washington-on-theBrazos is a significant and popular spot that draws nature lovers, birdwatchers, picnickers and anybody interested in standing at the spot where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. Expert and knowledgeable guides make history come alive as they take visitors through what led up to that historic event. The award-winning Star of the Republic Museum showcases a fascinating collection of cultural artifacts from 1836 to 1846. Don’t leave without driving over to Barrington Living History Farm where the original restored home of Anson Jones — the last president of the Republic of Texas — features costumed interpreters of life on a 19th century farm. Admission fee: Combo tickets are available for Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Farm.

BRENHAM, VISITBRENHAMTEXAS.COM Antique Rose Emporium photo by Mike Shoup The county seat of Washington County, Brenham makes an ideal base from which to explore the nearby sights. The charming Ant Street Inn (antstreetinn.com) is a longtime favorite in the heart of downtown. Stop at Must Be Heaven (mustbeheaven. com) for freshmade soups, sandwiches and pie straight from the

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pastry gods. Ranch Interiors (ranchinteriorstx.com) specializes in custom ranch, modern, Western and transitional design. And no visit to Brenham is complete without a trip to the enchanting Antique Rose Emporium (antiqueroseemporium.com), where “Rose Rustler” and owner Mike Shoup will regale with tales of “rescued” roses from days gone by.

TEXAS RANCH LIFE, CHAPPELL HILL, TEXASRANCHLIFE.COM No drugstore cowboys here — this is the real deal. Warm and welcoming owners John and Taunia Elick have preserved a working ranch and opened it to visitors looking for an authentic ranch experience. Nine historic Texas homes from the 1800s were saved from demolition, carefully moved to the ranch, and restored and decorated with antiques, rugs and unique Texas furnishings to serve as well-appointed residences for overnight guests (the largest sleep up to 10 or 13). Activities are extra and include day fishing, mountain biking, skeet shooting and open range horseback riding for all skill levels, undoubtedly one of the most popular pastimes on the 1,800-acre ranch that features one of the largest covered horse arenas in the state. Six organic gardens supply the kitchen with fresh produce. A nice down-home touch is the “meet the horses” section on their website, with notes from the ranch hands, pictures of the nursery, the moms and horses in training.

THE INN AT DOS BRISAS, WASHINGTON, DOSBRISAS.COM Photography courtesy of The Inn at Dos Brisas Luxury to the max. There’s no other way to describe what began as a ranch retreat and grew into the ultimate indulgent (and ultra-romantic) stay. The only Forbes five-star restaurant in the state is here, with a 7,000-bottle wine cellar that earned “Wine Spectator” magazine’s Best of Award of Excellence. An eight-course grand tasting menu is served on custom Bernardaud china in an elegant but relaxed dining room in the main building.

The inn touts its 42 acres (out of 300 total) of organic farms that produce vegetables, herbs and fruit that turn up on both your plate and in creative cocktails. Accommodations are off-thechart gorgeous — nine individual haciendas and casitas feature overstuffed leather chairs, stone fireplaces, steam showers, luxe linens, private patios and golf carts should you need to get to the infinity pool, tennis courts or to take a cooking or wine class.

Golf privileges are available at nearby clubs. Better yet, stay “home” and have an in-room massage.

For more info, Visitbrenhamtexas.com.

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A DV E RT I S E R I N D E X

AUDIO VIDEO

HOME BUILDERS

Bjorn’s www.bjorns.com 210.828.3237

Foursquare Builders www.foursquarebuilders.com 512.944.4520

Parrish and Company www.parrishandcompany.com Round Rock: 512.835.0937 San Antonio: 830.980.9595

CLOSET DESIGN

Texas Timber Frames www.texastimberframes.com 877.680.1680

TOPS Kitchens & Baths www.topskb.com 512.344.9160

California Closet of the Texas Hill Country Austin: 512.441.6061 www.californiaclosets.com/austin San Antonio: 210.829.1991 www.californiaclosets.com/san-antonio

CUSTOM CABINETRY & DESIGN

HOME REMODELING

LIGHTING

Cross Construction www.cross-tx.com 210.826.7200

Lights Fantastic www.lightsfantastic.com 512.452.9511

Swanx www.swanxcabinetry.com 512.809.6226

Realty Restoration www.realtyrestoration.com 512.454.1661

CUSTOM METAL WORK

David Wilkes Builders www.davidwilkesbuilders.com 512.328.9888

Christopher Voss Inc. – Fourth Generation Iron Craftsman www.christophervoss.com 210.843.4332

FURNITURE & DESIGN Catrina’s Ranch Interiors www.catrinasranchinteriors.com 830.755.6355 / 210.535.3070 Copenhagen Contemporary Furniture & Accessories www.copenhagenliving.com Austin: 512.451.1233 San Antonio: 210.545.4366

INTERIOR DESIGN Bella Villa Design www.bellavillads.com 512.443.3200 Dawn Hearn Interior Design www.dawnhearn.com 512.930.0250 Panache Interiors www.panacheinteriors.com 512.452.7773

OUTDOOR LIVING Big Grass www.biggrassliving.com 210.735.7999 Cozy Outdoor Escapes www.cozyoutdoorescapes.com 210.276.0734 Timber Town www.timbertownaustin.com 512.528.8112

POOLS Artesian Pools www.artesianpoolstx.com 210.251.3211

GLASS & WINDOWS

KITCHEN & BATH

Liquid Assets www.liquidassets-pools.com Austin: 512.444.5444 San Antonio: 210.680.7665

Anchor Ventana www.ventanaman.com 512.388.9400

Bain Ultra www.bainultra.com 800.463.2187

WINDOW COVERINGS & AWNINGS

BMC Window Center www.buildwithbmc.com Austin: 512.977.7440 San Antonio: 210.494.8889

Cosentino Center Austin www.northamericacosentinocenter.com 512.386.7791

HARDWARE Push Pull Open Close www.pushpullopenclose.com 512.694.7762

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URBAN HOME AUSTIN – SAN ANTONIO

Kiva Kitchen & Bath www.kivahome.com Austin: 512.454.4526 San Antonio: 210.826.9652

Austintatious Blinds and Shutters www.austintatiousblinds.com 512.608.0302 Texas Sun & Shade www.txsunandshade.com 512.402.0990

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