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J U L Y 2 0 1 0T H E C O M P L E T E R E S O U R C E M A G A Z I N E F O R Y O U R H O M E J U L Y 2 0 1 0
D A L L A S / F O R T W O R T H
DESIGN+DECORSPECIAL ISSUE
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com2
Individuals who become temporarily disabled (ie, knee/hip surgery or a broken bone) can navigate the homewithout barriers
Homeowners can care for aging parents and their youngfamily simultaneously without having to move or endureadditional extensive remodeling
Aging homeowners can ‘age in place’ should they choose
Homeowners can comfortably entertain friends or familywith mobility limitations, such as aging parents and/orgrandparents who use wheelchairs or walkers
These features provide higher demand in resale or home rental
Certified aXess Home constructed byThomas Signature Homes in Dallas.
Ask your builder, remodeler or real estate professional for a home with
aXess HomesTM
features
aXess Homes™ is a statewide nonprofit program based at ILRU TIRR Memorial Hermannand funded by the Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities.
www.axesshomes.com
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com4
FREEreplacement of standard air filter with anyservice call!Let our operator knowyour filter size when set-ting up appointment.
Tax Credit available through Dec. 2010.See your Tax Advisor for details.
Financing Available with Approved CreditWe Service All Brands
Serving Collin County • www.FanningServices.com
F
Get Your AC System CheckedBefore Summer Arrives!
Home With a Viewa 1950s home near White Rock Lake goesSpanish modern
Summer EntertainingAt-home parties with pizzazz
20
30
06
08
10
14
16
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departments features
D A L L A S / F O R T W O R T H
July 2010 | Vo l . 9 Issue 7contents
on the coverJon and Brooke Berman transformed their 1950s homenear White Rock Lake to reflect their modern, eclecticstyle. Modern art and vibrant fabrics are carriedthroughout the home. The sofa in the formal living roomis an estate sale find that Brooke had reupholstered ina vibrant teal fabric. Centered between two lamps is apainting by local artist Mindy Collins. Photography by Terri Glanger.
PUBLISHER . . . . . . .Mike Harrison, Ph.D.ART DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . .Robert CoplinEDITORIAL INTERN . . . . .Anastasia JakseCONTRIBUTING WRITERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pamela Crawford, Amanda Flatten, . . . .Shawn Gustafson, Steve Huddleston, . . . . . . . . .Jeffrey Jacoby, Joetta MouldenACCOUNT EXECUTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tammi Greene
OFFICE MANAGER . . . . . . . Cheryl CollierPRINTING . . . . . . . . . DROR International
PUBLISHED BY MBH PUBLISHING, LLC
MBH Inc., dba Dallas/Fort Worth House &Home ("DFWH&H"), is a news magazine withemphasis on interior design and remodeling.House & Home does not knowingly acceptfalse or misleading advertising or editorialcontent, nor does H&H or its staff assumeresponsibility should such advertising or edi-torial content appear in any publication.
House & Home has not independently test-ed any services or products advertised hereinand has not verified claims made by its adver-tisers regarding those services or products.House & Home makes no warranties or repre-sentations and assumes no liability for anyclaims regarding those services or products orclaims made by advertisers. Readers areadvised to consult with the advertiser and/orother home repair and renovation profession-als regarding the suitability of an advertiser'sproducts.
No reproduction is permitted without thewritten consent of the Publisher. Copyright2010, all rights reserved. Subscriptions avail-able for home delivery at a cost of $25 peryear. P.O. Box 117023
Carrollton, TX 75011-7023972.395.3409
In This IssueA preview of our June 2010 edition.
Around TownOut and about in the Metroplex.
DIY Decorating: British AccentA budget redo brings British Colonialstyle and comfort to a homeowner’sliving room
Handbook: Your WelcomeIdeas to help you step up your home’s curb appeal
Gardening: Budget GardeningTips and tricks on upgrading youroutdoor spaces
Green House: Rainwater Harvesting
20
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Design is everywhere. Consider your morn-ing coffee stop, your commute to work,your workplace itself, the environments welive in — all represent thousands of hoursput in by many designers. We pay tributeto some of those designers this month inour annual “Design and Décor Issue.”
We also introduce you to a new column,“DIY Decorating.” Designer JoettaMoulden offers affordable tips and tech-niques to make decorating easy and practi-cal. Turn to page 10 for more information.
In our “Your Welcome” story, you willlearn about simple steps and stunningchanges for your home’s first impression.The story begins on page 14.
When Jon and Brooke Berman purchasedtheir 1950s home, it wasn’t the home itselfthey fell in love with, it was the views ofWhite Rock Lake. Their vision was totransform the home to match their mod-ern, eclectic style, and bring a Spanish feelto the exterior. The outside of the homenow has a Spanish modern vibe, completewith a courtyard and terrace on top of thegarage. Inside the home, the kitchen wasexpanded and the main rooms all have aview of the lake. Modern art and vibrantfabrics are carried throughout the home.See the completed project on Page 20.
Entertaining is fun, but can be overwhelm-ing. On Page 30, local party planners shareexpert advice on how to throw the perfectsummer party even if you have a limitedbudget. Get creative with the things youalready have in your home instead of buy-ing items you won’t use after the party.Rather than going with an over-the-toptheme for your party, integrate a signaturecolor into your décor to add a touch ofsophistication to your event. Find outabout these tips and more, as well as someunique party ideas to make sure your nextat-home event is a hit.
Enjoy the issue!
House & Home
in this issue:
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com8
around town July 2010
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 2-4, break out the picnic basket atThe Fort Worth Botanical Garden’s Old Fashioned Family FireworksPicnic. This Fort Worth family tradition is filled with patriotic songs andheart-pounding marches, and the Independence Day celebration offersone of the best fireworks displays in the area. 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.Admission is $15 in advance or $18 at the gate. Parking is $5 atFarrington Field or $10 at the Gardens. The Gardens are located at 3220Botanic Gardens Blvd., Fort Worth. Information: 817.871.7686 orwww.fwbg.org
INK inc. is on exhibit at The Holly Johnson Gallery through Aug. 15. The exhib-it features recent work by ten artists using ink as their primary medium.Admission is free. The Holly Johnson Gallery is located at 1411 Dragon Streetin Dallas’ Design District. Information: 214.369.0169 or www.hollyjohn-songallery.com
Garden Walk – Herbs is an herb garden tour where you can learn about thecommon and unusual herbs throughout the Texas Discovery Gardens in FairPark. Also learn about container herb gardening and companion planting.Taught by Dallas County Master Gardener Marian Buchanan. The event opensat 11 a.m. on July 17. Admission is free with garden admission. 3601 MartinLuther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. Information: 214.428.7476 or www.texasdiscov-erygardens.org
Constructive Spirit: Abstract Art in South and North America, 1920s–50s ison exhibit at the Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth,through Sept. 5. See the works of approximately 80 seldom-seen paintings,sculptures, prints, photographs, drawings, and films. Information:817.738.1933 or www.cartermuseum.org
B y LARA MOFFAT, MLA ADVERTOR I AL
Mulch is a MUST!What does your landscape need tohave a fighting chance during thehottest time of the year? Proper
watering, fertilization, and mulch are
vital to help your garden through the
summer months. Plus conservation
is key during our typically dry sum-
mer months and one of the simplest
yet most effective ways to save water,
time, and energy is with mulch.
Mulch comes in a variety of medi-
ums but the two best for our area are
shredded native cedar or shredded
hardwood bark.
Why mulch? Mulch provides a much
needed blanket for your garden:
keeping the soil temperatures more
even, conserving moisture, providing
a healthy environment for critters
(earthworms, bacteria and microbes),
and eventually decomposing into the
soil to provide essential organic nutri-
ents for fertility and to improve the
soil’s structure. Therefore, a layer of
2-3 inches applied at least twice a
year is a must! In areas where it may
be washed or worn away, it may be
necessary to apply more often and
with the rains we have received in the
last six months now would be a good
time to access the mulch depth
throughout your gardens.
One note of caution, too deep alayer of mulch can be detrimental.As in planting, when mulching, it is
paramount to ensure the root flare of
the plant is properly exposed.
Making certain the root flare is
uncovered is often the most proactive
care that can be provided for a plant.
This condition is often seen as a
problem in trees though other plant-
ings are affected as well. In larger
plant materials, lack of a root flare
reduces oxygen to aerial trunk tissue,
ultimately suffocating the plant.
Additionally, increased moisture caus-
es swelling and a gradual decay of
trunk tissue, stunted growth of the
trunk tissue by hiding or covering
potential injuries or problems that
could possibly be treated, and hide
girdling or encircling roots that will
choke or restrict development.
Limiting the depth of mulch based
on the plant size will guarantee the
root flare receives adequate circula-
tion while still benefiting from the
layer of natural protection.
Our summers can be brutal but witha little groundwork now, our gar-dens are able to survive and thrivein the future. By applying a moder-
ate covering of mulch, tailoring a fer-
tilization program to your soil’s
requirements and adhering to appro-
priate watering practices your garden
will weather our Texas summers. For
more information visit our website
www.moorelawnandgarden.com Tips
page for the full story on ‘Summer
Gardening . . . Texas Style’. Happy
Gardening!
Moore Lawn & Garden, Moore Life
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diy decorating
British Accent Budget redo bringsBritish Colonialstyle and comfortto a homeowner’sliving room
BY JOETTA MOULDENPHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET LENZEN
Homeowner Latrissa lovesBritish Colonial style and wantedto replace her 17-year-old leathersofa and chair with new whiteseating. She felt indecisive aboutwhether to purchase one EthanAllen Hyde sofa (or two, facingeach other) and whether to buy anew dark mirror. She also neededto know what size end tables andrug to purchase. “I wanted amore tropical look, but I wasn’tsure what would work. I wanteda warmer room…one that lookedmore ‘put together,’” she explains. beforebefore
BEFORE: Green leatherseating, a bright goldmirror and candlesticks,lack of end tables and arug and too many acces-sories kept this roomfrom being a standout.
AFTER: Simplified acces-sories, new white sofa,amail order sea grass rug,new matching leopardprint chair fromwww.ashleyhome.comand custom pillows andottoman achieve theBritish Colonial look theowner desired. Latrissapainted her existingBombay Company mirror,candlesticks and theback of the bookshelves.
While reading a “DIY Decorating” column in House & Home,Latrissa liked the fact that a tablecloth the featured homeowner had pur-chased on a trip was used as the color palette for the entire room andthat his family pieces were reupholstered and painted rather than thrownaway. The sources listed in the article were the same stores where sheshops. “I figured if his home could look that good on a budget, whycouldn’t mine?” Latrissa says with a smile.
HISTORY LESSON
Before my intern, Leigh Diamond, and I met Latrissa, we brushed up onBritish Colonial style. During the Victorian era, the imperial British hadexpanded their empire to more exotic parts of the world, from Singaporeto East Africa, from India to the British West Indies. With them theybrought their language, government, customs and, of course, their furni-ture. While the British enjoyed traveling to the distant outposts of theempire, they were often loath to forego the comforts of home.
As a result, they brought with them the sturdy furniture designs ofEngland and adapted them to the tropics using hardwoods, such as teakand mahogany, which were particularly suited to humid climates with-out warping. Along the way, they adapted Asian and African motifs intotheir traditional furniture. Native carvers added little flourishes of Asian,Caribbean or African art to the more staid British designs — a mélangeknown now as British Colonial style, easily recognized by its mix of ani-mal prints, white cotton fabrics and sturdy, yet sometimes fanciful, furni-ture.
SMART MOVES
During our meeting, Latrissa pointed out the large round mirror andcandlesticks, which she liked, but not in their gold finish. Rather thanreplace them, I recommended she paint them herself with a small jar ofbronze metallic paint (#ME 525 “English Brown”) from the ModernMasters Metallic Paint Collection found at Benjamin Moore paintstores.
Moving to the furniture arrangement, I suggested she buy just onesofa. Instead of buying twice as much very expensive fabric (directlyfrom the manufacturer) to cover a new larger chair, Latrissa could buyfar less of the manufacturer’s fabric and have my upholsterer build andcover a new custom ottoman and a pair of 22-inch down throw pillowsusing forms from Interior Fabrics. Then to tie the chairs into the sofa,she bought inexpensive animal print fabric from Interior Fabrics to makean additional throw pillow.
I then suggested she purchase a less expensive, matching leopardShowood Accent chair (from www.ashleyhome.com) to match her exist-ing one and have both chairs flank the fireplace. “I was shocked that youliked the leopard chair and suggested I buy another. Now with every-thing done, I love the balanced leopard chairs,” she admits.
Additionally, Latrissa purchased a $49 18-inch-diameter accent tableon clearance from Bombay Company and an inexpensive 8-by-10-footsea grass rug from www.sisalrugs.com to complete her shopping home-work.
GREAT ADDITIONS
While Leigh and I were there, we noticed the paneled wall spacebetween the benches from Pilie Inc. looked a bit empty and suggestedLatrissa buy a British Colonial chest or table about 42 to 44 inches wideand 36 to 38 inches tall to place there and balance out that wall.
11
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com12
“I was receptive to everything, but wasn’t so sure Iwanted a chest there. For the past 13 years, that spot hadbeen empty,” Latrissa explains, “and I thought if I putsomething there it would look too cluttered. Turns out, theJohn-Richard Furniture Drop Leaf Table [bought fromwww.furniturelandsouth.com] is one of my favorite piecesnow, and it really adds style to the room.”
For continuity, we also suggested she paint the backwall of the bookcases the same color as the breakfast room(“Corsican Treasures #1407-300 ICI Dulux Ultra Semi-Gloss enamel) to visually tie the two rooms together. I alsoprovided her with detailed instructions for arranging herown bookcases, which she followed to the letter.
MAKEOVER COMPLETE
This project is a classic example of a one-meetingmakeover that was accomplished with just a few additionale-mails back and forth. Each week, Latrissa tackled anotherproject from her detailed instruction sheet.
Does she have any advice for those considering decorat-ing? “My advice is to wait before you buy furniture, paintor accessories,” Latrissa offers. “I almost bought too muchfurniture that was too big for my room because I did notmeasure first. By not buying a second sofa, a huge chair,new mirror and candlesticks, I saved thousands of dollars and the room functions better.”
diy decorating
before
BEFORE: The wall between the benches cried out for another table.
AFTER: A handsome, heavily carved drop leaf table from www.furniturelandsouth.com, low bowl from Z Gallerie, large lidded basket from Pier 1Imports and new custom ottoman add drama and simplicity to the room.
13
TRADE SECRETS
• To eliminate costly mis-takes, hire an objectiveprofessional to help youstay within your budget.
• For smooth color flow,repeat colors from adjoin-ing rooms using paint orfabric.
• Before you toss out per-fectly good furnishings,consider painting themfirst.
• Sometimes the mosteffective strategy is not tobuy more furniture andaccessories for yourhome, but to first rethinkthe pieces that alreadyare paid for.
Joetta Moulden offershome makeovers usingyour own home furnish-ings to create the homeyouÕve always dreamedof. Joetta believes yourpieces collected throughthe years reflect your per-sonality and can be art-fully arranged. Her abilityto focus on your personalstyle and not let her ownpreferences influence thedesign of your homemakes her unique. Seemore makeovers on herWeb site at www.shelter-style.com, e-mail her [email protected] holds a"Pages of Happiness"rating and, for the fourthconsecutive year, a“Super Service Award”presented to 5 percentof companies thatachieve and maintain asuperior rating on www.angieslist.com.
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house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com14
SIMPLE STEPS AND STUNNING CHANGES WILL YIELD SECOND GLANCES
FOR YOUR HOME’S F IRST IMPRESSION By SHAWN GUSTAFSON
Your WelcomeAny good realtor will tell you, boosting a home’s curb
appeal counts toward a lot, whether your planning to
sell or not.
“If you can elicit a reaction of ‘Wow, look at that!’ when people walk up toyour door, that’s a reflection of your pride of ownership” says VeronicaMullenix of the Veronica Mullenix Real Estate Group. “If you take care ofyour curb appeal, you’ll inspire your neighbor to do the same, which keepsproperty values up. That way, everyone wins.”
From tiny details to total transformations, making the most of yourown little slice of heaven can be as simple as focusing on a few of the fol-lowing cost-effective and fast fix-ups.
CRANK UP THE COLOR
Take a poll of home-improvement experts, and time and again, the talkturns back to color. “Paint is the biggest visual bang for your buck,” saysScott Ludwig, vice president of AMS Remodeling. “You can radicallychange the look of your home just by putting a paint job on it.”AMS president Mike Hess adds that today’s paint trends can even add colorcharacter to traditional suburban brick homes and new construction.“We’re seeing a move to tri-color paint jobs, which add a third color to win-
dows, siding trim and even gables,” he explains. An extra pop of color canalso be applied to the front door, shutters, an entryway or even the garagedoor. Tried and true favorites include red, black, or deep shades of brown orgreen.
GET A FACELIFT
Nothing welcomes like a charming home entry, so make sure yours invitesa visit. A new front door is a quick way to jazz up your entrance. From con-temporary etched glass to historic wrought iron and classic mahogany-lead-ed glass combos, there’s a door style to inject personality into every porch.
Installing shutters is another vibrant and economical way to up yourwow factor. Be sure to match your shutter selection to the style of yourhome, though, advises Stephen McNiel, president of Creative PropertyRestoration (CPR). “The plank [board and batten] shutter style you’dchoose for a stone-façade house would be totally different from the tradi-tional louver you’d put on a colonial,” he explains.
Finally, highlight your entrance with a cultured-veneer or thin-cut natu-ral stone wainscot or refaced columns, and you’ll be rockin’. RicardoEscobar, president of Escobar Company, hardscaping specialists, points outthat from flagstone to river stone to limestone, veneers offer a thinner,lighter version of the real thing — minus the extra installation cost incurredby shaping and cutting natural stone.
Add class and character to the front of your home with a few easy upgrades.Photograph from the book House Colors by Susan Hershman. Reprinted with permission of Gibbs Smith.
handbook
15
LOVE YOUR LANDSCAPE
David Morello, principal of David Morello Garden Enterprises, knows athing or two about creating one-of-a-kind curb appeal. His own yard wasfeatured in Better Homes & Gardens earlier this year. For his garden andthose of his clients, Morello likes to add a bit of the unexpected. “Waterfeatures are entertaining and popular with birds and other wildlife, andwho doesn’t like the music that water makes?” he says. He also suggestsadding a focal point, such as a sculpture, as well as a comfy bench as aseating destination with a view.
Morello also emphasizes that showcasing your yard’s beauty isn’t just aday job. “Landscape lighting prolongs your enjoyment of a garden intothe evening hours by illuminating your yard and giving you something tolook at from inside the home,” he says. Try silhouette lighting to highlightdistinctive plant shapes, or spot lighting to shed light on romantic displaysof color. Solar lanterns are also attractive day and night, and serve dualduty decorating and defining the path to your door.
And when the time comes to update that path, particularly a dilapi-dated concrete one, Ricardo Escobar recommends stepping up to naturalstone or pavers. “Paving is an art, especially when you’re working with thecolors and shapes of natural stone to make them blend into your propertyand the taste of the owner,” he says. Stamped and stained concrete walk-ways and driveways are also coming on strong, with a multitude of finish-es available — from cobblestone to brick to flagstone looks.
RIGHT: A striking, yet harmonious, three-color paint scheme on this smallhome gives huge impact from the curb. The extra-wide house numbers, whichmatch door hardware and doorbell, help tie together the horizontal accents inthe architecture, such as wide door with its unique grill, the white bands onthe columns and the large rectangular front window. For more inspiration, seeSusan Hershman’s House Colors (Gibbs Smith, 2007).
Add Drama withDetailsIf accessories make the outfit, then justimagine what they do for a home front.Flanking your doorway with new coachlanterns adds an old-world aesthetic, whileaccent lights installed at the corners of thehouse provide a striking nighttime effect,as well as extra security, says Ludwig ofAMS. Bring on the details en masse, likeupgraded house numbers, door hardware, amail slot and even a new doorbell, all in amodern matching finish. “You’ve got somany options now: antique pewter, brushednickel, oil-rubbed bronze,” adds Ludwig.“It’s a small thing, but it really does changethe look of your entry.”
Finally, encourage front-door friendshipswith a well-placed rocker or two, a cozy rat-tan settee or, if room allows, a welcomingporch swing. Include a small side table forsetting down a frosty glass of iced tea, andlay out a brand-new, oversize “Welcome”mat as a grand finale.
“When you drive by a house, everythingmatters,” concludes McNiel. “All those littledetails can really add up to a big impact.”
The Power of FlowersLandscaper David Morello’s favoriteplantings are those he describes as“hard working,” especially those that arefragrant, repeat bloomers, fruit produc-ers, drought-tolerant and/or wildlife mag-nets. Following are a few of his toppicks:
WARM-WEATHER ANNUALSColeus, Pentas, Por tulaca, Purslane,“Sweet Almond” Verbena, Zinnia
COOL-WEATHER ANNUALSAlyssum, Dianthus, Pansy, Petunia,Snapdragon, Viola
GROUND COVER Ar temisia alba, Asian Jasmine, “PinkButtons” (Polygonum capitatum)
For more great tips on Texas plantings,order The Best of Texas LandscapeGuide, a 100-page, full-color resourcepublished by The Texas Nurser y andLandscape Association. Purchase onlineat www.tnlaonline.org, or call800.880.0343.
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com16
CHEAP WEED & PEST CONTROL• Newspapers, cardboard or brown paper bags cut down on weeds until theydisintegrate. Put them on top of the soil, wet them down (so they don’t takewater out of the soil), and cover them up with mulch.
• Before applying any homemade sprays to an entire plant, test one leaf to besure the spray doesn’t hurt the plant. Spray the top and bottom of one leafand flower, and wait 24 hours. If no damage shows on the plant, spray theentire thing. Be sure to spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves.
• Soap and water works on aphids, mealybugs, mites and some scale andthrips. Mix 1 tablespoon Ivory liquid in a gallon of water.
• Slugs and snails are attracted to beer. Sink a small can in the garden(so the top is level with the soil), and fill it with beer. The slugs andsnails will drown in it.
• Salt spray works on spider mites. Mix 2 tablespoons of salt in a gallonof water.
• Make the leaves or flowers of the plant taste bad to any bug who tries to eatit. Mix some garlic cloves and hot peppers in your blender in a cup of water.
• For fungus and mildew, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 3 tablespoonsof vegetable oil in a gallon of water.
Authors: Pamela Crawford has written six gardening books and is one of the best-known container gardening experts in the country. Her work has been featured onthe cover of Better Homes and Gardens, in Southern Living and HGTVMagazine, and in more than 50 newspapers. Visit her Web site at www.easygardencolor.com. Steve Huddleston is the senior horticulturist at the Fort WorthBotanic Garden.
Budget Gardening by STEVE HUDDLESTON and PAMELA CRAWFORD
Straight from “Easy Gardens for North Central Texas” by Steve Huddlestonand Pamela Crawford, these amazing tips will save you money and still haveyour garden looking beautiful.
WAYS TO SAVE • Buy the smallest size you can. A shrub in a one-gallon pot costs about a thirdas much as the same shrub in a 3-gallon pot.
• Buy annuals in multi-packs, such as an 18 pack. The roots of the plants areabout three inches across. The same plant in a 4-inch pot is at least twice asmuch money, and it only takes about a week for the smaller plants to grow aslarge as the more expensive ones.
• Seeds are the cheapest way to buy new plants. Buy an old book from a usedbook supplier called “Park’s Success with Seeds” by Ann Reilly. It will only costa few dollars and it’s the best book for fast and easy success with seeds.
• Learn how to propagate your plants. In most instances, it’s easy. Learn howto do root cuttings, and you will have a gorgeous garden for nothing.
• Trade with your neighbors. Have everyone divide their perennials, trade witheach other at a block party, and color your neighborhood.
• Look for local gardening events. Often, home growers sell plants cheaply.
• Abandoned properties that are scheduled to be cleared can be great places tofind plants. Be sure to get permission from the owner. Check with your localcity hall to find out how to find the owner’s name.
• Space plants correctly. If you plant them too close, you waste a lot of money.For example, it takes four times as many plants for 1 foot spacing than for 2foot spacing.
SAVE MONEYON PLANTS
gardening
FAR LEFT :Save money andstill have a beauti-ful, full garden bylearning how topropagate yourplants. Garden:Mrs. Bill Taylor, Jr.
LEFT : This color-ful garden includesmany side-plantedcontainers. A goodway to get beautifulcolor in your yardand in the neighbor-hood it is to tradewith your neighbors.Have everyonedivide their perenni-als and trade witheach other at ablock party.
17
This article was excerpted from “Easy Gardens for NorthCentral Texas” by co-author Steve Huddleston and co-authorand publisher Pamela Crawford. Purchase the book at Barnes& Noble, Home Depot, the Treasure Tree gift shop,Amazon.com and many botanical gardens and bookstores.
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400 LOCATIONS
THROUGHOUT
THE METROPLEX
Simplifying Green forHomeowners
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You can now listen to KSKY at:92.9 FM in Dallas 95.5 FM in Arlington99.9 FM in Fort Worth
www.housetalktoday.com
with Chris Miles
A HOME WITH A VIEW
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“The house wasn’t really our taste, so we wanted to bring out our char-acter in the house while not compromising any of the views,” Brooke says.
“It was important to us that the neighbors felt like we were enhancingthe community,” Jon adds.
The Bermans chose W2 Studio (214.328.2448, www.w2-studio.com)to design and remodel their home. “We knew W2 Studio could bring ourvision to life and come up with a design keeping the respect for the neigh-borhood in mind,” Brooke says.
B Y A M A N D A F L A T T E N • P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y T E R R I G L A N G E R
ABOVE: The terrace on top of the newly built two-car garage takes full advantage of thelake view. The façade of the home, formerly brick with a shingle roof, was given a Spanishmodern makeover featuring stucco and a vintage Spanish tile roof.
A 1950S HOME NEAR WHITE ROCK
LAKE GOES SPANISH MODERN
Jon and Brooke Berman started out their married lifein their first home in North Dallas in 2003, but theysoon realized the area wasn’t for them. Both had previ-ously lived in the Lakewood area years before and missed the smalltown atmosphere, the community feel and the unique homes inthe East Dallas neighborhood. Brooke started looking online athomes for sale in the area and found one that boasted great viewsof White Rock Lake. They took a tour of the home, originallybuilt in 1953. As soon as they walked inside, it was love at firstsight, with the views that is.
OPPOSITE: A stunning architectural detail upon entering the home, the staircase consists ofa steel frame, wood stairs and sandblasted glass panels. The antique Tibetan hope chest waspurchased in New Mexico. “We are fairly modern people,” says Brooke, “but we also havethis old world, eclectic part of us, as well.”
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ABOVE: Jon and Brooke wanted an open concept for the main floor to takeadvantage of the lake views. The living room has an eclectic collection of artand furniture, including a teal sofa from an estate sale, a tiki chair found oneBay and corner stools covered in zebra fabric on either side of the fireplacepurchased in New Mexico. On the far wall is a painting by local artistMindy Collins. “I love sitting in the formal living area because I can seepretty much every aspect of the house,” Brooke says. “I can see the lake, mykitchen and the play room down the hall.”
BIG CHANGES
In the beginning, the house had two main problem areas. The garage andkitchen were too small to function properly. When the couple first contactedRyan Williams, co-owner of W2 Studio, they wanted to focus on these twoareas, as well as select new finishes for the bathrooms throughout the home.However, as the couple and Williams began to make plans, the project grewinto a full-scale remodel.
A new two-car garage, complete with a rooftop terrace with a view of thelake, was built into the slope on the front corner of the property.
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The exterior of the home received a major facelift. The original homehad a brick façade with a shingle roof. Owners in 2001 added a secondstory and tried to match the original brick, while also bringing in stoneand stucco. The Bermans wanted a more cohesive look. They modeledthe exterior after The Hotel San José in Austin. “The hotel is stucco and ithas been transformed into a modern, urban oasis,” Brooke says. “We triedto pull that look into our house. Our look is Spanish modern.”
The outdoor space in the front of the house now has a stucco wallthat surrounds an inviting courtyard. The vintage Spanish tile roof blends
nicely with other Spanish style homes throughout the historic neighbor-hood. “In Lakewood, a lot of the older homes have a Spanish directionand large entry courtyards, so we took that setup, modernized it and tookadvantage of the property’s views,” Williams says.
While the couple enjoys modern design, Brooke says she and Jon alsoappreciate old world style, which can be seen in the two 100-year-oldpure teak entry doors from Afghanistan purchased in New Mexico.
Inside, a dramatic transformation took place. A small, closed offkitchen was opened up and now includes a mix of dark painted cabinets
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com24
ABOVE: The dining room, featuring floor to ceiling windows with views of WhiteRock Lake, has a semiformal look, including a white chandelier and round table.“The round table from Crate & Barrel just fit the space perfectly,” Brooke says.
OPPOSITE: Concrete countertops, a glass backsplash, and a mix of painted cab-inets and natural pecan wood cabinets set the organic, yet modern tone for thekitchen, which is open to the living area and dining room.
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and pecan cabinets on the island, a glassbacksplash and concrete countertops. Thekitchen is open to the formal living roomand dining room with wall-to-wall win-dows facing the lake.
A large sunken den replaced the spacepreviously inhabited by the too-smallgarage. This opened up the entire den,which now has soaring windows thathighlight amazing pool and lake views.
Previously, an upstairs bedroom/office could only be accessed from outside.The Bermans joined the rooms togetherfrom the inside and cut off the exterioraccess. The remodeled floor now includesthe master bedroom, a guest room, a babyroom for the couple’s 2 1/2-year-old daugh-ter, a room for Jon’s 11-year-old son and amusic room. The master bath also wascompletely reconfigured, and a vaulted ceil-ing was added to the master bedroom.“The master felt boxed in and smallbefore,” Brooke says. “Now with the vault-ed ceiling, the room seems enormous andwe still have the views.”
INTERIOR DESIGN AND ART
Jon, who is in the oil and gas business,and Brooke, who has an interior designbackground, wanted natural materials toplay an important role in the home’sinterior design. Light wood floors runthroughout the home.
Each bathroom has its own special look.On the main floor, the powder bathroomfeatures a floating natural pecan wood vani-ty with a striking red vessel sink. The roomhas dramatic black wallpaper with a boldbotanical pattern in silver.
The upstairs bathrooms feature unpol-ished marble countertops. Another high-light in the guest bath is river rock floor-ing. In the master bath, Carrara marblecan be found on the floors, countertopsand in the shower. All the marble isaccented by Ann Sacks tile. A soaking tubwith mood lighting enhancers adds to thespa-like feel of the room.
In the master bedroom, Brooke wantedto use wallpaper. Designer Katy Wallis withFaulkner Design helped her created thelook she wanted in this space. Robin eggblue grass cloth wallpaper with white tulipsencircles the room. Gray fabric with pops ofbright pink color was used on accent pil-lows (brilliant against a white tuft com-forter) and on the large custom bench atthe foot of the bed. White mirrored night-stands flank the bed. A white custom desk
ABOVE: In the large master bedroom is a white custom desk that faces a large window with a view of the lake. OPPOSITE: During remodeling,a small garage space was turnedinto a sunken den with amazingwindows that highlight the pooland lake views.
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com26
faces a large window with a view ofthe lake.
The formal living room has alively color palette, starting with theteal fabric on the sofa. “The sofa isan estate sale find, but it had terriblefabric,” Brooke says. “I really startedfalling in love with teal and aqua andblue velvets and plush blue textiles. Iwanted to bring those colors intoupholstery somewhere in the house,so this fabric was the perfect color.The color set the tone for the room’scolor palette. I consider it the center-piece of the room.”
Unique color is also seenthroughout the house in special artpieces. The Bermans, who own alocal art gallery, showcase manyworks by local artists who haveexhibited at their gallery throughoutthe home. “One of the ironies is, weput in so many windows to capturethe lake view that we hardly haveany place for art,” Jon says.
In the entry, a chocolate brownwall provides the perfect backdropfor a large commissioned painting bylocal artist Tamara White. Above thefireplace in the living room isBrooke’s prized screen print byBrazilian artist Beatriz Milhaze. Apainting by local artist Mindy Collinspicks up on the vibrant color palettein this room. “The Turkish suzanihanging on the wall in the den is myprized textile piece,” Brooke says.
HOME AT LAST
Brooke says she loves the fact thatthere is no wasted space in the houseand that every room is put to gooduse. “The way everything has turnedout has completely exceeded myvision,” she says. “It seems like every-thing that I have been collecting overthe years just fell into place here.Here everything has life and it’s justwhere it should be.”
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RIGHT: Designer Katy Walliswith Faulkner Design helpedBrooke with the design of themaster bedroom. Robin egg bluegrass cloth wallpaper with whitetulips that seem to jump off thewalls creates the perfect backdropfor the room. A custom benchwith unique fabric sits at the footof the bed. Reupholstered in pinkfabric is a wingback chair from aSwiss Avenue estate.
“It seems like every-
thing that I have been
collecting over the years
just fell into place here.
Here everything has life
and it’s just where it
should be.”
—Brooke Berman
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SUMMER ENTERTAININGAT-HOME PARTIESWITH PIZZAZZBy AMANDA FLATTEN
There is something about summertime
that gets us in the party mood. While eco-
nomic reasons may be keeping you home
instead of taking that tropical vacation this
year, staying at home this summer doesn’t
have to be boring. More and more home-
owners are thinking of unique ways to
entertain at home. We asked local expert
party planners for tips to make your next at-
home party a smash.
TIP 1: USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVEGet creative when hosting a party in your home. “Youdon’t have to go out and buy a bunch of things that youwon’t use later,” says Executive Event Planner TamaraHarris, owner of Eventfully U, a full-service event plan-ning firm. “Look around your house to see what you
ABOVE: Throw a cozy backyard get-together in your outdoor living room. With a com-plete kitchen outdoors, you won’t have to leave your guests for one moment. This spacewas created by Bonick Landscaping. Photo by Sara Donaldson
BELOW: An outdoor, at-home event can be classy and elegant with crisp white linensand place settings by Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists.
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already have and make the party a reflection ofyour style. For example, you can use a wall mirroras a serving piece.”
For those things you do need to buy, you don’thave to break the bank. “Go bargain shopping,”Harris says. “You can find great items at discountstores, such as Big Lots, Ross, Dollar Tree and theclearance section at Pier 1.”
TIP 2: PICK A SIGNATURE COLORRather than choosing a theme, such asHawaiian or Western, Harris suggests choos-ing a signature color when preparing for anupscale event. “Be careful not to carry atheme too far,” Harris says. “If you have aluau theme, choose a color and integrate itinto table linens and décor.”
Jay Cooper, director of marketing for Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists, says during summerparties, turquoise tablecloths and napkins arepopular, especially with Caribbean themedevents. “Orange and lime works well if you areserving a Mexican menu,” he says.
When entertaining indoors or outdoors, make the dinner table more interesting with a variety of chair styles, as shown here by Tara Wilson Events.
Lend your dinner party a French Bistrofeel and let guests get a sneak peek atwhat’s for dinner with a menu board.Photo courtesy Tara Wilson Events
Event Specialist Tara Wilson prepares the tablebefore a dinner party. Wilson says you shouldmake or preassemble as much of your meal inadvance as possible to cut down on stressbefore the big event.
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TIP 3: MANAGE YOUR TIMEPlan ahead, and don’t wait until the day before a party to go shopping.“Pick up décor, tables, chairs, and order food at least a week beforeyour party to reduce stress,” Harris says.
Make or preassemble as much of your meal in advance as possible,says local event planner Tara Wilson, owner of Tara Wilson Events.“Many sauces, dressings and dry ingredients can be mixed hours oreven days ahead of time. Staying ahead of the curve will help youenjoy your party.”
Even if you are grilling out, Harris suggests grilling before theguests arrive and keeping the food warm in the oven so you canenjoy yourself and prevent guests’ clothing from smelling like bar-becue smoke.
TIP 4: MASTER THE BUFFETThere is no need for a structured dinner in the heat of summer. Abuffet is very cost effective, and it doesn’t need to be boring.“Presentation is everything,” Harris says. “Set food up on elevatedplatters and get creative. If you have a tight budget, you could go toHome Depot and get 12 by 12 tiles or a marble slab, wrap in clearplastic wrap and use as a serving piece.”
Skip the formal din-ner and have asmashing cocktailparty outdoors,complete with appe-tizers, specialtydrinks and cocktailtables. Photo cour-tesy Ducky-Bob’sEvent Specialists
Skip the e-vites andmail a hand-writtennote to invite yourguests to yourparty. From Nest,the Bell’InvitoStudio collection isthe per fect partyinvitation for sum-mer.
If you don’t have matching stemware and place settings for the special evening you have planned at home, Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists can pro-vide dishes, glasses, linens, chairs and also deliver it all to your home so you don’t have to worry about anything except entertaining your guests.
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If you don’t have all the serving pieces you need for your buffet,Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists has a number of serving and buffetoptions, from silver to white china patterns to pewter. “Make yourbuffet interesting by using an assortment of different materials in thesame shape or all one material in different shapes,” Cooper says.
TIP 5: ADD CANDLELIGHT & FLOWERS“Candlelight enhances and adds elegance to any event,” Harris says.
If you are hosting a party outdoors at night, add floating candles tothe pool to create an enchanting atmosphere. Place clusters of candlesrather than one on a table. Harris says citronella candles now come insophisticated containers, providing the beautiful glow of candlelightwhile keeping the insects at bay. “You can get great citronella candlesfrom Pier 1 for around $5,” Harris adds.
Fresh flowers are perfect for any occasion. “Flowers should be freshand brought in the evening before the dinner party,” Wilson says. Filla vase with beautiful garden flowers, or create a cluster of small budvases with single stems to add a refreshing touch to the table.
TIP 6: BRING THE INDOORS OUTSIDEShare all your best with guests, even when dining outdoors. Pairindoor dining chairs with your rustic outdoor table. Use your specialcrystal pitcher to serve a fruity drink, silver platters to serve food andmetal bowls for fresh fruit.
TIP 7: ADD A PERSONAL TOUCHForgo the e-vites. “For a dinner party it is appropriate to mail a hand-written note to invite your guests,” Wilson says. “You want yourguests to feel special and pampered. Receiving an invitation throughthe mail lets your guests know to expect something different, some-thing more than pizza and beer.”
TIP 8: STAY COOL OUTSIDEOvercome the summer heat. “For a backyard soiree rent small fanswith misters,” suggests Wilson. “Place them behind shrubs andpotted plants to reduce their visibility and add a soft ‘wind in thetrees’ effect.”
TIP 9: HAVE A DISASTER PLANInevitably, something will go wrong at the last minute, so you mustbe prepared. “Disaster can strike when you least expect it,” Wilsonsays. “Should you burn the main course or leave a key ingredient outof your world famous dessert, make certain you have a backup plan.Mixed nuts and gourmet cheeses, simple pasta dishes and decorativecookies all can be life savers. Keep the pantry stocked with a few ofthese items and you’ll never be caught off guard.”
TIP 10: GET EXPERT ADVICEIf you can’t afford to hire a party planner for your event, consider aconsultation. “We can give you ideas, tips and tools to pull off theevent on your own,” Harris says.
resources
small party ideasWINE PAIRING EVENT Similar to a Pampered Chef par ty, host a Wine Pairing par ty. Aspecialist will bring dif ferent types of wines to your home andteach your guests how to pair dif ferent wines with dif ferent typesof foods. “This is a ver y elegant par ty, and you learn dif ferenttechniques of wine tasting,” says Executive Event Planner TamaraHarris, owner of Eventfully U. Harris recommends WineShop AtHome (www.wineshopathome.com) as a local resource.
If you want to go it alone, ask guests to bring dif ferent bottlesof wine and dif ferent types of cheese so you can create your ownpairings.
MOJITOS AND MEXICAN For small girlfriend get-togethers, have a Mojitos and Mexican foodpar ty. Ever yone can bring a dif ferent Mexican dish and experimentwith various mojito recipes. Tr y this same concept with any num-ber of food and drink items.
COOKING CLASS Hire a chef to come to your home to teach a group of friends howto prepare a few special dishes. This is a great way for ever yoneto get involved in making the meal for the evening, and yourguests will walk away with cooking tips from a professional chef.
HOMEMADE ICE CREAM PARTY Few things are more refreshing than homemade ice cream. Of ferguests a variety of toppings, or to spice things up a bit, “of ferguests liquors as an alternative to traditional toppings and ser vein chilled antique brandy glasses,” suggests Tara Wilson, owner ofTara Wilson Events. “For par ty favors, give each guest the recipefor your homemade ice cream as well as the main ingredientsneeded so they can make it for themselves at home.”
EVENTFULLY U214.747.8222www.eventfullyu.com
TARA WILSON EVENTS817.764.2601www.tarawilson.com
DUCKY-BOB’S EVENTSPECIALISTS3200 Belmeade Dr., Ste. 130Carrollton972.381.8000www.duckybobs.com
Use your best platters and serving pieces no matter if your event isindoors or outside. Appetizers and bite-sized treats are great to serve atany party. Photo courtesy Tara Wilson Events
house& home | Ju l y 2010 | house and home on l ine . com34
Benjamin Franklin wrote, “When the well is dry, we know the worth ofwater.” Of course, modernity has rendered the old water well something ofa relic in our urbanized cityscapes and suburbanized lawnscapes. For mostcontemporary urbanites, water is something that flows from the tap oncommand rather than a living substance divined from the ground or cap-tured from the sky. However, as population grows and water supplyshrinks, a consciousness for conservation is emerging, particularly here inthe parched Southwest. With Texas in the throes of yet another water-restricted summer and drought conditions across much of the state, it isworth musing on “the worth of water” and one way we might rediscoverour ability to literally catch the rain.
AN ANCIENT SOLUTION FOR A MODERN CONCERNThroughout history, human beings have inhabited dry lands where duststorms outnumber rain storms for vast stretches of the calendar. While theseancient peoples didn’t worry about ozone alert days or peak oil or offshoregeologic carbon sequestration engineering, water use was a constant concern— often a matter of life and death. As a result, enterprising civilizations fromearly Jordan in the Middle East to prehistoric Navajo in the American West
have used rain collection systems to conserve precious water resources.Evidence exists that rainwater cisterns were in use as many as 5,000 years ago.Now, amid the asphalt and concrete deserts of the 21st century metropolis, weare witnessing a renaissance of this ancient technology. As our own waterusage becomes an ever-growing concern, rainwater harvesting becomes anever-growing solution.
RAINWATER HARVESTING 101Rainwater harvesting consists of two key elements: rainwater and a method ofcapture. The former is beyond your control. The latter, however, provides anabundance of options ranging from the simple Jordanian cistern to trucks fullof dirt needed to completely overhaul your landscape. Most rainwater harvest-ing systems use a catchment area (usually a rooftop), a conveyance system(such as guttering), storage containers (barrels or cisterns) and a distributionmethod (a simple spigot or a more elaborate drip irrigation hose leading to thevegetable garden). Other systems use landscaping such as berms and swales todirect the rain toward greenery and away from concrete.
A common rainwater harvesting setup takes advantage of your home’sexisting architecture. When it rains, water rolls down the roof into the gut-ters, which in turn carry the rainwater to a downspout where it can bediverted into a rain barrel or cistern. Gravity does the work while you reapthe benefits. The only equipment you need to purchase is a special down-spout diverter and the container. Most experts also recommend a roof wash-er to flush away the first few gallons, which carry most of the dust and otherrooftop contaminants, allowing fresh water to collect in the barrel or cistern.Additionally, leaf guards for the guttering will help prevent clogs. Afterinstallation, this simple system can collect tens of thousands of gallons peryear. What’s more, unlike municipal water from the tap, rainwater is free ofchlorine (and of cost) and can be used to water the flowers, wash theclothes, create a beautiful rain garden or, with the right filtration and purifi-cation systems, to make lemonade. (A word of caution: I like lemonade asmuch as the next guy, but I urge you to do your research before drinkingharvested rainwater — rooftop shingles can contain toxic glue or asbestos,gutters can contain lead solder, and birds and squirrels are not potty-trained.Your body will thank you for your diligence.)
NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING …… you should consult an expert (or at least a Web site) before setting up yourrainwater harvesting system. Beth Mortensen owns and operates Catch theRain, a local company specializing in helping homeowners implement resi-dential rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems through professional con-sultation and a proven product line. You can purchase products online andfind more information on how to get this chief rainmaker’s expert advice atwww.catchtherain.com.
As a bonus, when you purchase equipment designed for rainwater harvest-ing you’ll be eligible for a sales tax exemption. To divine everything you everwanted to know about water conservation and rainwater harvesting, go to theextremely thorough guide at www.harvestH2O.com. With a little research anda little work, you can conserve water and money even as you drench thedahlias and saturate the snapdragons.
Jeffrey Jacoby is program director for Texas Campaign for the Environment, a grassrootsnonprofit working locally and statewide to press for sustainable waste and recyclingpolicies. Call 214.599.7840 or visit www.texasenvironment.org.
By J EFFREY JACOBYgreen house
Rainwater Harvesting in the Concrete Desert
This sturdy olive container enjoys its second life as a 60-gallon rain barrelfrom Catch the Rain (www.catchtherain.com). The barrel stands 39 inchestall and 24 inches wide and weighs 20 pounds when empty. It costs$139.95 and comes with an overflow fitting, drain plug, screw-on cover,screen and a threaded spigot for easy hose attachment. Link multiple bar-rels together with a simple, short length of 3/4-inch garden hose.
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By LARA MOFFAT, MLA ADVERTOR I AL
How To Get A Healthy Lawn
Texans just love their lawns! But growing a healthy lawn is not as easy as onemay initially think. Knowing the following key items will help you takeyour turf from a water and chemical-guzzling entity to a healthy and envi-ronmental-friendly amenity.
WATERINGUnfortunately irrigation systems cannot be set once a season and left to runwithout modifications. At certain times of the year, this area receives sub-stantial rain and at other times almost nothing. Therefore it is essential tomonitor your landscape. This winter, for example, most homes in DFW didnot need any supplemental watering; whereas now in the heat of the sum-mer homeowners must water. Generally, the understood rule is to give yourlawn one inch of water per week, though more precisely water enough sothat the soil is moist to a depth of six inches. A recommended wateringschedule for the summer will usually be three days a week for beds and turf.Remember, it is always better to water less frequently and more deeply thanto water every day. Also, the best time to start watering is early! 5 a.m. isideal. To determine the correct amount of time to irrigate with your system,check out http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/answers4you/irrigation.htm.
MOWINGMowing established lawns on a regular basis is a must. Industry standardsadvise removing no more than 1/3 of the blade length each cut to keep yourlawn lush. When it comes to mowing frequency, it will vary from type totype and week to week based off of a mixture of cultural practices and weath-er conditions. In our area, most homes have either St. Augustine orBermuda. Remembering the 1/3 rule, Bermuda, the sun lover, should be
mown to 1 ?” when it reaches a height of 2 ?”. St. Augustine, our all purposegrass, is ideally cut at 3” down to 2”. For best results, remember to keepblades sharp which will reduce plant injury and help prevent disease. If at allpossible hold off mowing after a rain, waiting untill the grass is dry.
FERTILIZATIONWe recommend organic fertilizers since they naturally improve the healthand productivity of the soil which in turn benefits the plants on multiple lev-els. Furthermore, organics are safer for our families, pets, and the overallenvironment. Our defense is a proprietary product, Moore Life EnhancedCompost Tea. Compost tea is a highly concentrated microbial liquid fertiliz-er produced by extracting beneficial microbes from compost. What sets oursapart is the specially blended tea using a high-quality, microbial rich compostalong with liquid molasses and fish hydrolysis. These additives assist in feed-ing the diverse population of both bacteria and fungi in our soils needed forhealthy plants.
By “putting the life back in the soil,” soil tilth is improved and thusincreases root growth which ultimately results in reduced water usage. Plusyou can “Feel free to walk barefoot on the grass. It’s been treated organically!”
The Moore Companies offer an array of horticulturally correct services includinglandscape maintenance, organic plant health care practices, and proactive treecare. We adhere to the most current standards as established by the Tree CareIndustry Association (TCIA), the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) while providing our clientswith superior customer service. For more information visit www.moorelawnandgarden.com
AA WWeeeekkeenndd AAwwaayy iiss cclloosseerr tthhaann yyoouu mmiigghhtt tthhiinnkk..SSttaarrtt YYoouurr AAddvveennttuurree aatt GGrraappee CCrreeeekk RRaanncchh..
GRAPECREEK
RANCH
Weekday Special: $85 per night for 1 to 2 people or $99 per night for up to 4 people*
Regularly $155 per night for 4 people
Weekend Special: $150 per night for up to 4 people**Regularly $185 per night
*Sunday-Thursday only. Minimum 2 night stay **Friday-Saturday only. Minimum 2 night stay. Offers valid through August 31st.
CABINS FEATURE:• Separate bedroom with queen bed• A loft with 2 twin mattresses
(Additional mattresses available)• Completely furnished kitchen with
a stovetop, coffee maker and large refrigerator
• Full bath with tub/shower• Central air/heat• 2 TVs• Covered porch with table
and chairs• Beautiful landscaping
BED� BREAKFASTThe Grape Creek Ranch is located on the beautiful banks of Grape Creek, just 9 milesfrom historic Fredericksburg. This serene bedand breakfast features four newly constructedluxury family cabins perfect for a peaceful getaway for family, friends or even corporateretreats. Each morning a fresh breakfast isdelivered to your door. Just steps from yourcabin enjoy the Grape Creek Trail, tour thehistoric Lower South Grape School, pick yourown peaches in the orchard (seasonal) andenjoy a bonfire under the Hill Country stars.
Nitzan and Etty Mendelbaum10279 East Hwy 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624
830-997-7478 • 713-443-2534
www.grapecreekranch.com
Special Summer Rates
GreatEscapes
