EXTERIOR & BACKYARD
Today is the day! It’s the final installment of #myhouse tour. Spring has sprung, at least here in Houston, so I figured it’s a great time to talk about exteriors. If you’re playing catch up, you can find the rest of the home tour in parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
EXTERIOR
When thinking about my home’s aesthetic, I wanted something that was traditional, yet updated. I also wanted to pay homage to the Historic Houston Heights and some of the surrounding architecture which is eclectic but storied. Thus, I chose a neo-Tudor-style home. Tudor style is reminiscent of English domestic architecture, specifically Medieval and post-Medieval styles from 1600-1700. However, neo-Tudor is slightly different in that it’s a more modern interpretation of this iconic style. Choosing the right materials was paramount to achieving the look. Despite being new construction, the brick is all reclaimed which adds character and patina. Some of the bricks are even stamped with the word “Houston” along with some bygone business names which give a slight nod to the city I call home. Don’t count out reclaimed pieces when you’re designing your home. There is always a time and place for antiques!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but natural light was one of the most important factors in my home’s design. To me, windows have the biggest impact on a home’s exterior. You’ll notice the bay window detail throughout the exterior of the home. The bay window details add extra natural light to flood each of those spaces. All of the windows are aluminum clad windows from Sierra Pacific. On the inside, the windows have a clear coat pine which you can customize to match interior home colors. All of the facades with windows are painted a custom Sherwin Williams color that is very close to Urbane Bronze. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to include gorgeous Bevolo gas lanterns. You’ll notice them at the front entry and in our side yard. I’m a huge fan of Bevolo and the company is iconic for their beautiful lanterns.
BACKYARD
For the backyard, we included both a sitting area and a grill with the yard situated in between. The amount of time we’ve spent in this space have been some of my best family memories to date. Moss Landscaping helped us come up with a beautiful backyard landscaping plan and really nail down our hardscapes. The yard area is covered in turf. This is very common in Texas and is great for a relatively low-maintenance yard. Now that we’ve been in the home for just short of a year, the beautiful landscaping with oak trees, lavender, holly trees which add privacy and espalier along the fence with beautiful lattice work. All of these pieces are beginning to mature and bloom beautifully.
Design Takeaway: Study, study, study! When you’re working on a new build or remodel, be sure to study as many exteriors as possible to figure out what resonates with you. Also, take notes from the architecture in the neighborhood and try to incorporate designs that complement the area.
Design Sources:
Well, that’s it for #MyHouse! Thanks so much for coming along on this journey with me. I’ve loved getting your feedback, answering questions and hopefully providing resources for your upcoming projects. Until next time!