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    the art of the yard

    Pristine River Oaks art garden masterfully blends modern design and old-world charm

    Holly Beretto
    Jun 27, 2019 | 4:05 pm

    Refreshing the backyard is common practice in Houston. However, completely transforming the green space requires much more vision, ingenuity, and eye for design than a simple makeover. A home in River Oaks showcases such an artful evolution with its shimmering, all-white sculpture garden.

     

    To fulfill her vision, the River Oaks homeowner sought the expertise of Lanson B. Jones and Co. The landscape design company takes its inspiration from classical English, French, and Italian gardens, as well as drawing from modern, outdoor designs.

     

    Many clients might have multiple specifications they’re looking for, but this homeowner allowed the firm to bring it’s A-game however it wanted — so long as the garden was white.

     

    That level of creativity allowed the company to incorporate sculptures from the homeowner’s collection, as well as devise new ones, and put together a space that felt at once contemporary and stylish, with echoes to the old-world gardens of Italy and France.

     

    Into the mix came seasonal blossoms, custom art pieces that shared space with the client’s beloved and eclectic items, and space that flowed seamlessly from the home. Crushed limestone and gravel served as the foundation for the synthetic lawn, parts of which were raised to give it a level appearance.

     

    While the garden is clearly posh, it also allows for moments of whimsey. One of its most eye-catching aspects are two round sculptures in the shape of heads that have been reworked into a fountain.

     

    “The interplay of water is something I learned in our Italian and French gardens,” Jones tells CultureMap. “Many times water and lawn interplay with each other, and it’s kind of like they become one another, and the white moonstones where the two head sculptures are mimics water, even though there’s only a thin layer of water over them.”

     

    It took just about a year and a half to create the custom space, allowing for renovations to the front, back, and side gardens, as well as incorporating new and existing art pieces. The semi-circle shape that houses the Janus et Cie “Apple” in the back garden is echoed throughout the front of the home as well, in the front drive, flowerbeds and pattern of the trees.

     

    The semi-circle pattern throughout the property serves as a nod to the highlight of the back garden. During the course of renovations, the client remained in the home, and got a front-row seat to watch the artistry unfold around her.

     

    “She had this back screened-in porch, and she’d sit out there [watching] smiling away,” says Jones. “She was so pleased with how beautiful it was.”

     

    Beauty surely was the guiding principle for the space. Holly trees and hydrangea bring white accents to the lush green, which is also punctuated with white and light-colored stones. There’s a seating area in the garden that’s perfect for contemplating the artwork and flora.

     

    The garden has won several awards, but perhaps the biggest award of all comes to the team from the home’s owner, who is delighted every day to walk through their work.

     

    The verdant lawn with the Janus et Cie “Apple” as a focal point.

    River Oaks art garden backyard Love Where You Live
      
    Photo by Kelli Durham
    The verdant lawn with the Janus et Cie “Apple” as a focal point.
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    series/love-where-you-live-houston-2019
    news/home-design

    big little perks

    New tiny home development in Eastwood is a first for Houston

    Holly Beretto
    Oct 17, 2019 | 2:00 pm
    New tiny home development in Eastwood is a first for Houston
    Photo by Mitchell Cantu Photography
    These tiny homes are big on value.

    The tiny home trend seems here to stay. HGTV's Tiny House, Big Living has been going strong since 2014. Google "how to build a tiny house," and 377 million hits come back. There's even a digital magazine dedicated solely to the baby abodes.

     

    And while tiny homes have been available for sale in Houston before, now the Bayou City has a cluster of tiny homes on Dumble Street in Greater Eastwood. Refuge, one of Houston's leading developers, in conjunction with architecture firms Brett Zamore Design and Gibson Design, Inc., have created the mini-development of one- and two-bedroom homes, each between about 600 and 800 square feet, packed with amenities for modern living.

     

    "We've primarily seen single professionals [looking at these homes]," Jonathan Williamson of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty, the listing agent for the home at 1510 Dumble St., tells CultureMap. (The home is currently valued at $249,900.) "People are realizing they don't need so much space or stuff. Minimalism is growing in popularity. People are realizing they'd rather have money for travel and other lifestyle choices than a high mortgage."

     

    The tiny home development is the only one of its kind in Houston, according to Williamson.

     

     What to expect
    These homes have plenty to offer when it comes to lifestyle amenities. Far from being crammed or crowded, they feature open plans, ample porch and patio space. Buyers can expect beautiful finishes, modern lighting, plumbing fixtures, and appliances that include a self-cleaning induction range, tank-less water heater, and zoned Mitsubishi mini-split heating ventilation air-conditioning system.

     

    The homes also offer structural upgrades such as a standing seam galvalume metal roof and drilled bell-bottom cylindrical pier and beam foundation.

     

    "Those features mean minimal upkeep and low utility bills," says Williamson.

     

     Living large in small space
    The tiny homes are, of course, compact, but like Dr. Who's Tardis, they seem much bigger on the inside. Hardwood floors, loads of light, and exceptional use of space make them inviting and a terrific option for anyone looking to downsize, start on the property ladder, or express their love of a minimalist lifestyle.

     

    There are one- and two-floor options, and unlike some tiny homes that feature ladders to a loft space, these two-floor options have actual stairs leading to the upstairs bedroom, each of which feature a closet. Quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances are featured in the kitchens, and there's room for a stackable washer and dryer.

     

    Renderings of the community show the tiny homes with ample street parking and a community pool. Dumble Street is less than a mile from multiple coffee shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars, parks, and MetroRail lines, making it attractive to millennials, young professionals, and others who seek a walkable lifestyle. The development is minutes from downtown and University of Houston, meaning convenient access to some of the city's hubs.

     

    If there's strength in numbers, this little community should be a hit with those who seek a neighborhood vibe while maintaining their own space.

    These tiny homes are big on value.

    Houston tiny homes 1510 Dumble row houses
      
    Photo by Mitchell Cantu Photography
    These tiny homes are big on value.
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    series/love-where-you-live-houston-2019
    news/home-design
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