Six beautiful homes, including restored or renovated historic and recently constructed properties, were featured on the 2016 Houston Heights Association Spring Home & Garden Tour. This year’s theme, Harmony: Blending Past & Present, the selected homes highlight the positive changes to the Houston Heights neighborhood and represent a diverse mix of architectural styles and inviting gardens.
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Having lived in West Houston for 25 years, Mickey and Nicolle Ryan had no idea how much the Heights had to offer until they purchased this dilapidated bungalow in a foreclosure sale as an investment property. During their initial renovation, they fell in love with the chickens next door, restaurants, parks, and shopping. Ultimately, they decided to renovate the bungalow for themselves and never looked back. The smart remodel maintains the “Heightsy” bungalow appeal with historical aspects and charm but provides them the modern day conveniences they desired. The home is truly as charming as its homeowners. -
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It’s no surprise that Pierre Alexandre and Sean Clarry fell in love with this amazing house from afar, while living in Amsterdam, as the home is an entertainer’s dream. Pierre, who has 18 years of international experience in musical theater, often hosts events using the home’s natural stage. The contemporary home features a pink meditation room with a secret entryway to the guest “Winter Bedroom.” Brazilian cherry oak floors, four wood-burning fireplaces, and iridescent lighting will wow. Architecturally, the bold rooftop steeple harmonizes this contemporary masterpiece with many Houston Heights Victorian homes. This stunning home is as vibrant as its owners and luscious garden. A show-stopper. -
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This country Victorian with its dominant tower is the only spec house built by the Omaha and South Texas Land Company, the original developers of Houston Heights. The architectural designs came from the then-innovative George Barber House Plans Catalogue and combines the Queen Anne and Stick styles. Surviving Barber houses can be found throughout the country, but this is one of only two in Houston. In 1974 Bart Truxillo purchased the house and started its restoration. It features its original floor plan, a converted basement living space, library tower, an added green house, pool and deck, garden maze, and koi pond. This Houston Landmark is in the protected Houston Heights East Historic District and is recorded on the National Register of Historic Places and the ASID Significant Interiors Survey -
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Having previously lived in a 1920’s bungalow that they loved, Michelle & Aaron Scheffler strived to achieve a “patina” in constructing their new farmhouse-style home. The front elevation showcases divided light windows, a custom front door, and a standing seam metal roof. Michelle and Aaron took a hands-on approach throughout the building and design process, choosing mixed metals in the kitchen, bold wall-papering, and a traditional, monochromatic exterior paint color inspired by a couple of their favorite Heights homes. In keeping with the spirit of an older home, the Schefflers wanted clearly defined spaces which they achieved while still accommodating the modern lifestyle of their young family. The home is refined and beautiful, filled with interesting art and traditional furnishings which provide warmth and old-world charm. The home owners take great joy in tending to the gardens surrounding the home, which are filled with Southern staples like gardenias and camellias. -
Homeowners Sapna and Anu Mehta wanted to build a home that fit in the Craftsman style of the neighborhood with an interior design that suited their personal modern style. Extensive travel and family roots in India, East Africa, and now Texas truly make this new Craftsman style home reflect the past. After living in apartments in New York City, they deem it luxurious to have space to enjoy their meaningful art and mementos from travel. Sapna and Anu also maintain a keen sense of responsible sourcing and were as “green” as possible in choosing materials for the construction such as utilizing reclaimed Texas wood, New Living VOC-free paint and stain, and environmentally sustainable Caesarstone countertops. -
This modest Asian bungalow was built in 1910 and acquired by Zeke and Kate Smith in 2014. These native Houstonians had lived in a historic area of Washington D.C. from 2010 to 2013. When they moved back to Houston, they looked for a similar neighborhood to put down roots. Houston Heights stole their hearts immediately; its sense of history and community, proximity to downtown, access to running/biking trails, and walkability to neighborhood attractions fit their needs precisely. While the exterior of the home had been recently renovated and landscaped, the interior needed attention. The homeowners renovated the kitchen, updated the guest bath, replaced some rotted subflooring and installed bamboo floors throughout the home to replace a hodgepodge of different flooring. Many of the furnishings and decorations are Balinese-inspired to honor the home’s Asian architecture. They have made this small house into a cozy home for themselves and their infant son.