If you know me in real life or if you knew me through my old blog you'll probably remember my "House in the 'Hood" series. In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, that series started from my obsession with local real estate - specifically in my neighborhood. I would cull through real estate listings daily then find my favorite for the week then chat about what I liked and how I'd use the space if it were mine or what I'd do differently if I were able to make changes. Because that's how I roll...I love houses and turning houses into homes for both myself and my family and for other busy families and professionals. It became a very popular series and I actually had sweet readers who would send me alerts when they saw new homes come on the market for me to feature. Sadly I shut that blog down a few years ago but I've had the hankering to bring this series back, so let's get this party started again. Without further ado, my most recent favorite house in the 'hood...
I know, right? This house has major curb appeal. Immediately my eye goes to the black steel windows and that front door!!! This door definitely fits the style of the house but if this were my house personally, first thing I'd do is cover it up...why? This house sits at one of the busiest corners in our neighborhood and right across from a popular shopping enclave called Rice Village. Personally I'd be paranoid with all kinds of cars and pedestrians going by. Just saying. I'd do custom drapes that would stack back fully to the right of the door to let the door shine during the day but cover it at night.
Upon entering, to your left is a formal living room or study featuring built-in shelving with art lighting, and a marble open gas fireplace. Note the custom sliding glass door to the covered patio. They staged it as a study...
At some point they changed their staging furniture....I prefer the Bernhardt desk above but wanted to include the version below so that you could see the shelves to the left of the fireplace...
I love the floor to ceiling window in the formal dining room and wouldn't do window coverings to let the light pour in. According to the listing this is a built-in storage buffet and designer light fixture. I can't say I'm in love with the light fixture but again it works with the house. I'd live with it for a while before I switched it out.
Looking towards the opposite direction you'll see the dining room is wide open to the living room and steps away from the wet bar. I have to say I don't mind the light fixture as much now that I've seen it up close...
I'm so used to hardwood floors that I'm not sure how I'd feel about having stone floors throughout. These do look lovely though.
And another view of the room, looking into the back garden. The listing notes that the glass doors are fully retractable. If you love to entertain, this is the house for you.
Get ready for the backyard. It's a stunner...I have to say I never thought I'd want a pool but seeing this...I'm already picking out patio furniture in my head for the porte cochere to the right of the pool.
It's steamy and sultry here during the summer but I think I could get used to being out here. The listing calls this a summer kitchen (its hard to see it but there's an outdoor grill area back right corner). Also digging the long linear gas fire pit. Brilliant move to open the space at the top of this wall to let air circulate...that along with ceiling fan I think would make this a great year round hang out. Though some guys reading this are probably thinking they'd need a bigger TV.
Back inside...it took me until this view back towards the wet bar to really appreciate the ceiling detail...
I love the simplicity of the bar area...clean lines and plenty of cabinet storage. Perfection.
Speaking of perfection, take a look at this kitchen...
I'm currently working on a kitchen project with similar coloring but a style we're calling Scan{danavian)-Asian.
I love the symmetry, I cannot lie, but there's one exception. Do you see it or is it just my OCD kicking in??
No one is going to be looking at that (except other OCD's like me). No, they'll be looking at the Signature Kitchen Suite appliance package that includes an automated 48-inch Dual-Fuel Pro Range with Sous Vide, gas and induction burners. I'd have to up my cooking game in this kitchen.
I love the pantry pull out drawers....
But the best thing about this kitchen? Wait for it...wait for it...well, dang it, you can't see it in this view but the listing notes that there are two full size side-by-side wine refrigerators by Signature Kitchen Suite. Two wine fridges? I call that double happiness in my house.
Turn around from this spot and you'll see the bright breakfast area...
And another unexpected bonus...an additional office space is located off the breakfast room and features a built-in desk and storage closet (sadly no photo).
Ok, I don't mean to be ugly but I'm not a fan of the downstairs powder room...
I love the tile and the faucet, and I think the waterfall edge sink is cool but let's face it - moms with little kids, you know what I'm about to say...splash back. No bueno. I'd rethink the sink and console if I had littles and lived here.
I love having a mudroom with storage....personally I would think about a different color for the built ins. Feels a little heavy in here to me but again it does work with the house but I think you could have some fun here.
Upstairs though there's nothing heavy about this space at the top of the landing...
I love these game room built-in shelves and the contrast between the white walls and the stain on the white oak wood floors.
Again notice the ceiling detail....
This primary bedroom is a great size, but I'm not a fan of the window size personally. (Sorry I'm always thinking about privacy).
I'll admit that I didn't expect the barn door in the breakfast nook to that additional office, and here again I didn't expect to see a barn door up in the primary bedroom, but here we are...
I love the curbless entry for the shower, especially for continuity of the flooring throughout the space.
How do you feel about floating vanities?
I like the look but the practical part of me foresees dust balls collecting underneath. I would have liked another row of drawers personally. I love the flat front drawers and the long linear finger pulls.
Because everything is bigger in Texas, there's not one, but two closets in this primary suite.
Closet one includes a makeup vanity and shelving for extra storage, ie shoes or purses ;) That window is great for natural light and makeup application as well!
The secondary bedrooms are nothing to sneeze at either.
especially with an ensuite like this...
Not sure I would have taken this floor tile into the closet but that's just me.
Here is another secondary...
and its ensuite...note the straight herringbone pattern in the subway tile in the mirror reflection. Such a great way to use a simple but classic material like subway tile and kick it up a notch.
I love the electrical placement on the baseboards.
Another simple, classic en suite for this bedroom...
They repeated the white subway tile but chose to use a classic offset brickwork pattern. I do wish builders would stop putting windows in showers. But at least this one has opaque glass and it's higher than most I've seen.
Here's their laundry room - get your pin finger ready! I LOVE the built in flat drying rack.
This is a tricked out utility laundry room to say the least. That's right - beverage cooler, plenty of cabinets for storage and a built-in steamer and dry cleaner...
When laundry is done, you'd find me here...every. single. day.
Happily, this one is pending sale. I think the new owners will be very happy here indeed.
What do you think about resurrecting this series? Real estate is such a big topic these days, so there's no shortage of homes to feature. If you have one you'd love to see featured, feel free to leave a comment below!
All photos via the best real estate listing service I've ever perused, har.com