Category Archives: Real Estate News

A (Fourth) Life In Living Color- (San Antonio/Austin Summer Issue)

Posted on by

Circa 1950, a cinder block, bare bones, weekend fishing shack was erected, presumably to facilitate the shelter necessary between lengthy fishing excursions on Lake Austin. In the mid-1990’s, a young couple seeking year-round residence, and seeing an amazing setting around which to build their lives, commissioned Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA, of Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, to remodel and update the cabin, “making it a wonderful setting to enjoy lake living and entertaining.” Pfeiffer did this job so well that the home was even
featured on a popular TV show at the time called “Street Appeal.”

A decade later, Pfeiffer was called back to the home to remodel it again, this time to make it more family and kid-friendly as well as more energy efficient. Rooms were added, and the interior updated to reflect current style. Now, several years later, another family, this one with older children, has bought this home and brought it full circle, once again returning it to a weekend vacation home, albeit one with considerably more flare than the original.

When the new homeowners came to Sharon Radovich, Principal of Panache Interiors,
they had one very important goal in mind: a super FUN house “that reflected Austin’s cool vibe. The home’s layout with two separate living areas appealed to them so their kids could have their own space to hang.” The previous renovations had already transformed
this lakeside house into a mecca for entertaining, with its multiple living areas, large decks and beautiful views.

Radovich and her clients added loads of color, great art and sleeping for 15 (!) to
make this the ultimate destination for lake relaxation. The previous owners had some to do with charting the course for this newest remodel: the neutral tones they had chosen, the black stone countertops, taupe wood floors, gray cabinets, and beige and gray tiles, made a great backdrop for the vivid colors Radovich introduced into the home.

The new homeowners also bought the home semi-furnished, “with the big treasure being the 79” round glass dining table with ten green leather chairs. I needed to bring the green
and black into the great room to balance the kitchen and breakfast.” And thus began a beautiful friendship between bright greens and aqua blues and the neutral finishes that
already lived there. Radovich found a fun, floral fabric that integrated the black and green in a playful manner at Collectic Home, which she paired with a black linen fabric for the base of the sofa to add a classic look. She knew “a zebra rug would be a voguish addition,” and she had the Great Rug Company “funk it up with edge strips of green shag and black carpet.” She sourced the green glass coffee table at NEST Modern and the Collectic American Leather black recliners round out the seating. Radovich chose to paint the long wall into three colors, “visually breaking it up to bring balance to the space.” She carried the stripe theme onto the window panels, unifying and adding interest to the great room. The fabulous art in the space comes from local artists. Rebecca Bennett paints serene abstracts in vivid colors, and Radovich commissions work from her for many of her projects. The homeowner found the oversized dice painting by Carlos Ortiz at Collectic Home.

Each space in the home began to take shape following this same formula: what was great about the space already + fun additions from Radovich and the homeowners that fuse the space into a new creation. In the entry way, the front door was already orange, so Radovich “painted the towering staircase wall to match and stacked metal-rimmed mirrors on it for an inviting entrance to the home.”

At Exteriors Designer Showroom, she found a colorful Company C striped rug that she placed on the floor “to unify the orange entry and the aqua media room.” The pale aqua ottoman, tufted with orange patterned buttons, was crafted by locally-based Iron Thread Design, and the comical bulldog art was brought from the homeowner’s previous lake house.

Radovich says she “cannot help but smile the minute she walks through the orange
entry door — the space energizes me.” In the media room, the black leather sectional came with the house, and Radovich contrasted the black with bright aqua wall paint for a sense of fun.

She also added a red enamel table from 5 Elements for a pop of color in thecenter of the room. The homeowner, a realtor who according to Radovich “has a great sense of style, found the nostalgic photographic art in Houston, and the vivid daisy rug and pillows at Crate and Barrel.” In this space, they clearly created the perfect hangout for the homeowners’ college-aged children.

But at some point, everyone needs to sleep. And there is no shortage of places
to lay one’s head in this remodel. With a perfect green hue already painted on the
walls of one guest room, Radovich was able “to find a trundle, a triple bunk bed
and a chair/chaise/bed to sleep 6 in this room. The client had the quilts and polka
dot bedding to add whimsy and a bit of nostalgia.” The ‘bunk’ room is lined with
four beds draped in leopard comforters from the homeowner’s previous lake
house. Radovich added the lake home’s signature aqua tones and the homeowner
found the playful Lifesavers art.

In the master bedroom, Radovich wanted to give the homeowners a restful
place to retreat. That first meant extending the wall between the sofa in the great
room and the master bedroom, which originally did not go all the way to the
ceiling. Rob Mall Construction raised this wall to the ceiling, eliminating the issue of
sound transfer from the great room. Then Radovich set about making the space
a haven for tranquility. She “specified a tall Nathan Anthony headboard and
upholstered it in textured linen with sketchy gray circles. The organic cotton
duvet from Restoration Hardware is accented with a rectangular Ankasa Ikat
linen pillow from Wildflower.” She used “the cobalt blue in the accent pillow to
anchor the bed, and finished the room with a neutral chair and window panels,
whitewashed end tables and a grey rug for a relaxed atmosphere. The crystals on the
lamps add a romantic tone.” The deeper hues evoke a sense of calm, successfully
giving the parents the respite they will most likely need from all of the young
people visiting each weekend.

The art in each space is certainly conversation-worthy, none more so than the absolutely fabulous longhorn painting in the hallway off of the great room. Radovich spotted the longhorn at Art City Austin for a Wimberley ranch project, and at the same event selected a colorful cow for this lake house. But when she showed the cow to the homeowner,
she “wasn’t enthusiastic, and said ‘if it were only a Longhorn, I might be interested.’” So Radovich showed her the image of the longhorn painting she had placed in the ranch project and the homeowner “was immediately enamored by it.” They commissioned the Atlanta artist, who uses a technique of applying paint and wax over photographs to give it a unique depth, to paint a slightly different longhorn for the lake house. And now said longhorn holds court amongst a bevy of beautifully-unique pieces of pop art in the home.
When asked what factors are key when designing a lake house vacation home, Radovich replies that one should always “keep it simple. Make it uncluttered and restful. Have amenities that make you feel pampered…whether that is luxury linens, the New York Times, or simply a cold beer.” She also adds that materials should be durable and easy to maintain, after all, a vacation home should be all about the vacation!

Barley & Pfeiffer Architects
512.476.8580 Barleypfeiffer.com

Panache Interiors
512.452.7773 Panacheinteriors.com

Rob Mall Construction/Mall Custom Cabinets
512.970.1054 Robmallconstruction.com

To view this article, or similar articles visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com or click here

Twitt

Casa De Corazon- Austin/San Antonio (Summer 2012 Issue)

Posted on by

Written by Sharla Bell
Photography by Coles Hairston

With two unique directives, a retired chemical engineer and his wife, a high school teacher, challenged Winn Wittman, of Winn Wittman Architecture, to design their dream retirement home: “I want the house to look like the bones of the earth,” and “I want curves — I don’t want to live in a box — I’m going to be buried in one.” The finished creation, built on the couple’s 85-acre ranch in Lampasas, Texas, an Casa de Corazon hour northwest of Austin, more than meets these expectations with a beautiful, functional and totally original, master-planned space. That it manages to look organic and modern whilst bearing an uncanny resemblance to the rib cage of some prehistoric creature speaks to the vision of the clients and the talent of the architect.

Wittman believes in a thoroughly collaborative process when designing a home; he truly wants the homeowner to be involved every step of the way. When this couple met with Wittman, they brought a small tinfoil model with a swooping roof and explained their desire
for the house to look like ‘the bones of the earth.’ According to Wittman, “This was a very powerful metaphor for me as an architect, and we had lots of fun with it. In the end, that’s where the curved beams which start at the wall and form the roof structure came from.”

These curved beams, which were fabricated off site and erected in one day, not only give the house great character, but they are also energy efficient. When the curved beams go inside the home they transition from steel to a laminated wood beam, achieving a ‘thermal break’ so the heat of the exterior is not transmitted to the interior through the steel beam.

Although the beams are the dominant stylistic feature of the home and give it a rather modern look, the home also pays homage to the Texas ranch house. “We wanted the home to relate to the landscape, the context and the architectural vernacular style of the area. We wanted to re-interpret the Texas ranch house in a 21st century form.” To that end, the home is low flung with a simple dog run design, and the team selected chopped limestone and stucco for the façade, and zinc-coated sheet metal for the roof. The couple’s grown children come to visit often, so they needed a two-bedroom guest house, slightly removed from the main structure, connected by the covered breezeway.

Wittman and his clients also considered how the house would work with the expansive landscape. Located on 85 acres and essentially “off the grid, we had to be really sensitive to orientation and we wanted to take advantage of views. The location of the house was carefully selected to do both.” The main windows face north, which is best for sun and for views of the beautifully-rugged terrain. And because of its remote location, rainwater collection is also necessary.

The large butterfly roof slopes toward a central gutter, which directs rainwater to an underground cistern. The roof structure is also filled with six inches of soy-based foam which provides great insulation from the Texas sun. Between the thermal break in the beams, the insulation and the orientation, this house was built smart, with electric bills averaging about $80 per month.

With the curving beams and the swooping roof, Wittman clearly took to heart the edict that the couple ‘did not want to live in a box.’ But for all of the exterior’s curvaceous appeal,the interior is a study in clean lines and modern charm.

Simple, efficient and quite elegant, the main living space has an open design that belies the home’s relatively small size of 2,000-square-feet. Wittman called on Lytle Pressley of Lytle Pressley Contemporary to help furnish the home. According to Pressley, “The goal was to integrate the connected open areas into a seamless whole. Thereby, the kitchen, dining and seating areas flow harmoniously with one another. My job was simply to create a backdrop to the architecture that doesn’t compete with Winn’s vision.” To achieve this goal, they selected a neutral palette of grays, black and white.

Wittman then consulted with Emily Basham-Hoelscher of Urbanspace Interiors to help him bring some color, pattern and energy into the spaces; in Basham-Hoelsher’s words, the home “needed a little moxie. We wanted to infuse the space with just a bit of pattern and bright color, but in small bursts and spaced throughout so that it encourages your eyes to move around and take in the full space. This was accomplished with pillows and bedding from Missoni Home, along with a selection of different vases and sculptural pieces.”

Like Pressley, Basham-Hoelscher was concerned with giving the unique architecture its due. “The challenge was riding the line of enough color and pattern, and too much of it. In such a neutral space, and a space where the view to the outside and the architectural details are the major focal points, you have to have just enough accessories to add life but not too many to compete and feel out of place.”

While a neutral palette governs the main living space, the homeowners selected a riot of blue for the curvilinear bathroom that is tucked in the center of the home. When asked about the round motif in the room, Wittman explained, “The clients are very partial to curves, and in fact, selected our firm because we love curves, too. They would have had more curves, but the budget, structure and functionality didn’t really permit this, so we went all-out in the bathroom.” The round shower, spa tub, sinks, and even the accessories, attest to this fact.

That the homeowners love curves is also evident in the pool they designed with help from both Wittman and Ocean Quest Pools. Wittman explains, “The curved, negative edge is a big part of the drama of the pool when viewed from the home.” The pool is also a great place to take advantage of views. “Standing by the pool and looking out at the landscape, as framed by the steel arches, is a favorite spot of mine. There is something about the rhythm of the arches which is both contemporary and very classical,” adds Wittman.

An added bonus to the home is that it is incredibly fire resistant. “The home is primarily steel, with a steel covered roof, eaves and soffit, and the walls are glass and limestone
masonry—all very fire resistant as compared to conventional wood construction,” explains Wittman.

Locals driving by will often slow down to look at the home, which has earned a few nicknames, including ‘butterfly house’ and ‘casa de corazon’ (heart house). This writer prefers the latter. It seems only fitting that nestled inside the steel rib cage that was at the heart of this dream also lies the heart of the home.

Winn Wittman Architecture
512.630.2724 Winnwittman.com

Lights Fantastic
512.452.9511 Lightsfantastic.com

Lytle Pressley Contemporary
512.917.6369 Lytlepressley.com

Ocean Quest Pools by Lew Akins
254.933.8370 Lewakins.com

Rex Keele Construction, Inc.
512.556.6251

Urbanspace Interiors
512.476.0014 Urbanspaceinteriors.com

To view this article or more from Urban Home Austin/San Antonio please visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com or click here

 

Twitt

The Castle in Cotswold- Rosewood in Charlotte,NC

Posted on by

When Simon Burgess mentioned to his cab driver that he was planning a move to Charlotte from his native England, the cabbie said, “Then let me drive you by the most beautiful place to live in this city.” A few minutes later they pulled up to the entrance of Rosewood.  Even before going inside, Mr. Burgess asked the driver to pick up his wife, Carol, who was shopping at nearby SouthPark Mall.

“You have to see this!” Simon remembers telling Carol on the phone. And that was the beginning and end of their search for a home in the Queen City.

“It looked like a castle from the road and the roses were in full bloom,” says Carol. “We fell in love at first sight and love it even more the longer we’ve been here.”

Rosewood seems to have cast a similar spell on all of its residents, whether they’ve moved to the luxury condominiums from across town or across the country. There are families, couples and and single residents. Some have chosen to downsize their responsibilities and live here because of the low-maintenance lifestyle that makes it easy to pick up and travel for work or pleasure.  Citing the open floorplans, wide terraces and gourmet kitchens, others enjoy the ease of entertaining family and friends.  All revel in the sheer beauty of it.  This is a close-knit community of friends connected by a sense of place.

Situated at the corner of Providence and Sharon Amity roads in the Cotswold neighborhood, Rosewood is convenient to every imaginable convenience, to fine shopping and dining, and to the office towers and cultural and sporting venues of Uptown Charlotte. The setting is expansive and estate-like, with formal gardens and, of course, lovingly tended roses. The exterior has a timeless, European-style appeal that wraps around homes of great elegance.

The fitness center is a favorite amenity, along with the pool, tennis courts, walking trails, round-the-clock security and a business center. But the social heartbeat of Rosewood is the gourmet coffee bar just off the reception area where a full-time concierge helps tend to daily details.

Matt and Cindy Ritola moved to Rosewood from south Florida three years ago, choosing to imbue their home with warm, sun-drenched colors.  The atmosphere is bright and airy, radiating happiness with modern art gracing the walls. They spend as much time as possible with the balcony doors open and light streaming in, which is most of the time thanks to Charlotte’s year-round mild weather. Matt was drawn to the level of craftsmanship that went into building the homes of Rosewood: the wide moldings, rich hardwoods, exquisite details. Cindy is just minutes from work at SouthPark.

As intriguingly castle-like as it is from the curb, it’s only upon venturing inside that the true worth of Rosewood can be appreciated. Homes and penthouses are available.  A model is open with tours by appointment. Spring is the ideal time to stop and smell the roses.

Model home now open! To find out more about Rosewood Condos, visit www.rosewoodcondos.com or contact Kathy Landgraff, onsite sales consultant, at 704-366-7862. Homes priced from the low $500s.

To view more articles visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com or click here

Twitt

Charlotte’s New Bright Spot- Brightwalk (Charlotte, NC)

Posted on by

“What makes the master plan of this evolving community unique is its emphasis on nature and the pursuit of a healthy, balanced and full life. The 100-acre Brightwalk footprint has an extensive parks and trail system which will link to the Irwin Creek Greenway and Carolina Thread Trail.”

Creativity rules at a new neighborhood just a mile from Uptown Charlotte. It’s called Brightwalk and has been crafted with heart, soul and extreme common sense by some of the region’s brightest thinkers and doers in real estate development, landscape architecture, and urban planning. The homes are designed for today’s new economy where “supersize” has given way to a quest for “just-the-right-size”. Construction has begun, with a model set to open in April.

What makes the masterplan of this evolving community unique is its emphasis on nature and the pursuit of a full, balanced and healthy life. The 100-acre Brightwalk footprint has an extensive parks and trail system which will link to the Irwin Creek Greenway and Carolina Thread Trail. Walking, running and cycling trails, pocket parks, a progressive new child development center and an aquatic center are also part of the mix.

Brightwalk anchors Charlotte’s North End along the “Applied Innovation Corridor” as designated in the 2020 Vision Plan for Center City. In addition to its park-centric setting, innovative aspects of Brightwalk include the community’s plan for public art in numerous bright spots” and a bike loop being developed in conjunction with the Charlotte cycling community. Connection to transit, the nearby NC Music Factory and the many restaurants, professional sports and cultural happenings of Uptown Charlotte are other benefits of the Brightwalk setting.

The homes at Brightwalk will be built by Standard Pacific Homes, an accomplished national builder with a reputation for quality design and customer service. Construction fulfills the green vision of the community with styling and materials that are energy efficient and enduring. Single-family homes start in the low $160s and come with nine-foot ceilings on the main level, granite countertops and James Hardie color-plus siding. Townhomes will have similar finishes and will range from the $120s to $150s initially.

Brightwalk’s homes have been specially designed for the community and will meet the latest Energy Star 3.0 requirements. “The designs reflect the demands of in-town buyers for homes that are open, livable and practical,” says Elliot Mann, Charlotte division president for Standard Pacific Homes. “There’s a very fresh, new urban appeal to the architecture.”

Brightwalk is a perfect environment for anyone who wants to live in a spirit of creativity and well-being. It’s for people who want something more in a less-than-perfect economic reality. More affordable, with less financial pressure. Less upkeep and more joy. More free time for playing in the park, hiking and cycling, tending the garden and turning neighbors into friends. Brightwalk is for living on purpose.

For more information, please visit www.brightwalkcharlotte.com or call them at 704-591-0239. You can also view their article on www.urbanhomemagazine.com or click here.

Twitt