SIMPLY CHARMING. Texas Home & Garden Market Guide September Reliant Center

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Gertrude Holmes
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H O U S T O N THE COMPLETE RESOURCE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2010 SIMPLY CHARMING A NEW TAKE ON OLD WORLD YIELDS UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE WITH SOFT SHADES AND CLASSIC

1 H O U S T O N THE COMPLETE RESOURCE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2010 SIMPLY CHARMING A NEW TAKE ON OLD WORLD YIELDS UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE WITH SOFT SHADES AND CLASSIC STYLE SMART UPGRADES FOR A KEEPER HOME CLOCK S TICKING ON TAX BREAKS DIY: DATED KITCHEN GETS A RADICAL RETHINK Texas Home & Garden Market Guide September Reliant Center

Sublime Style New construction in Tanglewood proves French and British styles can find harmony with understated elegance BY SANDRA COOK PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENNON EVETT ABOVE: Texas limestone helps define

2 Sublime Style New construction in Tanglewood proves French and British styles can find harmony with understated elegance BY SANDRA COOK PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENNON EVETT ABOVE: Texas limestone helps define the shapes that strengthen this European-inspired home s first impression. A combination of stucco and cast stone top off the exterior walls, while the slate roof, clad wood windows, metal doors and windows, and copper gutters and downspouts recall the architecture of France s Brittany coast. The metal accents are by Clyde King, of Metal Railings of America, and the driveway is Lueders limestone. Photo courtesy of Miller Dahlstrand Architects. OPPOSITE: The owner had a variety of older European pieces. He wanted a quiet feel to the house nothing too extravagant. He is a formal person who prefers a certain level of privacy and courtesy. The two scroll-back chairs were recovered with antique blue velvet. When architect Reagan Miller, AIA, of Miller Dahlstrand begins to design a home for a client, he imagines a would-be history for the home to help bring together the architectural styling and functional aspects requested by the client. Miller s design of a three-bedroom home in Tanglewood is a beautiful example of his method. For this home I wanted the design to feel like an old house that looked like it might have been updated with the metal railings at some point, says Miller. I wanted to create a fairly formal front view for the L-shaped plan, which becomes less formal toward the back of the house. 50 house& home September 2010 house andhomeonline.com

Miller started the plans for the story-and-a-half home in Tanlgewood in early 2006 and the project was completed in mid- 2008.

4 Miller started the plans for the story-and-a-half home in Tanlgewood in early 2006 and the project was completed in mid Going beyond the ordinary, Miller used European styling with distinctive French influences, more specifically Bretagne. Leuders Texas limestone dresses up the crisp edges of the front elevation, while pristine cast stone defines the formal entrance signaled by the subdued French gaslamp fixture. The slate roof gets added style from two chimneys. The L-shaped plan is set on a deep lot, which allowed for the garage to be pushed to the far back end of the house. This arrangement provided space for a generous courtyard to surround the pool and leave a proportionate amount of green space. At close to 5,000 square feet, the home is large by most standards, but does not feel cavernous, thanks to Miller s thoughtful room plan. I prefer having divisions and clear demarcations with simple room shapes, says Miller. I don t like to do a lot of gymnastics with the floor plan. FORMAL INTRODUCTIONS The French/European theme was inspired by the background and tastes of the homeowner, a welltravelled English businessman. The windows and doors are reminiscent of the older homes found in France, but are larger in scale, which Miller chose intentionally for a subtle contemporary flair. Just inside the front entrance is the large gallery. This gracious space is extended by the enchanting view of the pool and back yard. The central gallery also provides outdoor views through the study and family room to the left, ABOVE: The owner asked designer Linda Eyles to incorporate all of his antique Oriental rugs, so she made an effort to use a few casual, yet complimentary pieces in each room to tone down the formality of the rugs. This room functions beautifully both for quiet evenings or for entertaining several guests. OPPOSITE: The long entry hall gives a grand welcome, with views straight back to the pool, along with access to formal and informal rooms on the main floor. Each room has its own an intimate charm, so space feels well utilized, not wasted. 52 house& home September 2010 house andhomeonline.com

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and through the dining room to the right. Miller says he wanted to create long vistas throughout the home so the owner would feel visually connected to the entire house.

6 and through the dining room to the right. Miller says he wanted to create long vistas throughout the home so the owner would feel visually connected to the entire house. The arched doorways that frame the gallery are the homes big moments, says Miller who worked hard to design a home that would exude an easy elegance without excessive flourishes. The goal was not to look overdone. Linda Eyles, ASID, came on board after architecture design was complete. Linda did well with her interior design, says Miller of the undeniably tasteful décor by Linda Eyles. I wanted to create a quiet house with simple lines so that furnishings could do the talking. The owner had a variety of older European pieces, says Eyles. He wanted a quiet feel to the house nothing too extravagant. He is a formal guy who maintains a certain level of privacy and courtesy. The owner works long hours and travels often, so he wanted a quiet retreat. Overall the house is quite serene and evokes the sense that it is all one, uncluttered library. I worked with many of the existing furnishings, Eyles explains. He wanted to cull out some of his lesser pieces, so I kept and sought out additional items that were worthy of the home s design. Using his entire collection of antique Oriental rugs was required. I worked hard to tone them town, so they would feel less formal. ABOVE: Simple styling in the Kitchen offers an efficient layout with a small island. The large refrigerator, sink and range create the standard work triangle. Beyond this view, a telephone desk and appliance garage help keep the white Carrara marble countertops clutter-free. Light fixture from Circa Lighting; tile from Walker Zanger. OPPOSITE: The spacious home flows beautifully with the grand central gallery and double-height stair hall connecting almost every room. Each of the elegant archways offers a soothing vista of the next room, while oversized lantern fixtures and metal railings lend an indoor courtyard feel. Limestone floor tile from Walker Zanger. 54 house& home September 2010 house andhomeonline.com

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It was important that visual flow drew you in. There needed to be a pretty vignette through each archway. This was essential throughout the first floor it was something I always had to think about.

8 It was important that visual flow drew you in. There needed to be a pretty vignette through each archway. This was essential throughout the first floor it was something I always had to think about. Linda Eyles ABOVE: Morning light flows in through windows of the master bath, which won a 2009 ASID design award. Miller describes it as a room that happens to be a bathroom. The shower and toilet are discreetly tucked away from the general floor space, while the mirrors and the cabinetry have a furniture-like appearance. OPPOSITE: The pool is aligned with the axis of living room, so it lines up perfectly with the home s exterior. The exposed rafter tails and cedar columns on the porch provide a casual mood to the back of the house, while the grass at the edges of the pool recalls American country estates of the 1920s. MAKING CONNECTIONS One of the first archways on the large central gallery leads to the equally grand stair hall, a stunning introduction to the second floor of the house, includes the three bedrooms. The hall spaces feature oversized outdoor gaslamp-style fixtures, which lend a casual charm to these formal areas. It was important that visual flow drew you in, says Eyles. There needed to be a pretty vignette through each archway. This was essential throughout the first floor it was something I always had to think about. The result is a home that looks like a European country estate that features a comfortable, human scale. The kitchen, which connects to the living room through the two hall spaces, features a clean, quiet color palette. Neutral walls and a soft sage on the wood-paneled cabinets allow the English Country references to shine through, such as the light fixture and simple detailing on the white Carrara marble behind the cooktop. In the dining room, sturdy furnishings are paired with deep earth tones for a formal, yet masculine look. Dinner guests enjoy views of the front yard, while a charming wine room connects the dining room to the kitchen. With its barrel-vaulted ceiling and nice cabinetry, the wine room is so much more special than a butler s pantry, says architect Miller. It also works well as a gathering space for dinner parties. OUTSIDE INTEREST Miller says he strives to make the most of urban lots. There s honestly more thought given to the house in relation to the yard than to the interior space plan, says Miller. It was important to have the scale of the yard fit the back of the house. The various elements are utilized in to fit the proportions of the house. The columns on the porch are sturdy wood timbers, which complement the layers of stone that wrap the first level. At the top of the porch, the exposed rafter tails testify to the robust roof structure. DRAWN TO ARCHITECTURE For some reason I thought I wanted to be an architect in 7th grade, says Miller. What I enjoy is working with people it s so people-oriented and I enjoy the problem solving with proportion and courtesy to the owners needs. I know it s a privilege to be able to build a house. For me, there s a lot of care and thoughtfulness involved. I enjoy that process. 56 house& home September 2010 house andhomeonline.com

resources ARCHITECT Reagan Miller, AIA Miller Dahlstrand 3801 Kirby Dr #240 Houston, TX 77098 713.520.7180 millerdahlstrand.com INTERIORS Linda Eyles Design, ASID 402 East 8th St.

9 resources ARCHITECT Reagan Miller, AIA Miller Dahlstrand 3801 Kirby Dr #240 Houston, TX millerdahlstrand.com INTERIORS Linda Eyles Design, ASID 402 East 8th St. Houston, TX (713) cell: 713/ lindaeylesdesign.com EXTERIOR STONE Alamo Stone alamostonecompany.com CAST STONE Stone Cast Inc houstonstonecast.com SLATE ROOF Seguro Contracting Company segurocontracting.com STEEL WINDOWS AND DOORS Clyde King, Metal Railing of America WOOD WINDOWS Bob Petersma at Grand Openings, Inc. Product: Kolbe Windows CABINETRY Jesse Vasquez, Vasquez Woodmasters, Inc vasquezwoodmasters.com PLUMBING AND HARDWARE Mindy Carter, Elegant Additions, Inc elegantadditions.net LIMESTONE PAVING Lueders Limestone luederslimestone.com

PLANNING MAKES PERFECT

PLANNING MAKES PERFECT This traditional dining room with soaring ceilings and panelled walls is ideal for hosting large family gatherings. OPPOSITE: Layering patterns adds to the elegant, soothing palette in the living room.