What to do this weekend....?

Well Houston Press Artopia of course!  Come play with the hippest of the stylish hipsters this Saturday at Winter Street Studios for an evening of of culture, fashion, art, music and food. Enjoy three musical performances, two fashion shows, live performance art and works from over 25 local artists. Whew! 

Artopia will also feature the 5th annual Houston Press Mastermind Awards where a $2,000 grant will be awarded to three progressive individuals or small organizations that have made an impact in the local art community.

Ticket prices include complimentary food, wine, cocktail and beer sampling.

AND...

Since all of you are so incredibly fabulous, use the promotional code ART2013 and receive $20 off General admission tickets (Reg. $55- with the discount $35)

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit Houston PBS!

The party will continue even after Artopia is over at the official Artopia After Party at Hughes Hangar, where guest will enjoy an aerialist and a fire dancer!  How cool is that?

See you there chic friends!

Encore for Jason Wu

Very excited for Jason Wu this morning. Can you imagine if you were chosen to be worn by the First Lady for two consecutive inaugural balls? What did you guys think of Michelle's choice of gown last night??

Interview with Kevin Clark

©Richard Leo Johnson

Well happy Monday friends! As you may have seen last week, Kevin Clark, co-author of Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House is coming to Mecox Gardens this Wednesday, January 23rd.  Lucky for us, he took the time to give us a little interview about the book, and how it relates to Houstonians.  Thanks Kevin!  Here you go...

When you come to Houston, TX, what angle will you be taking with the crowd here to engage their interest?

My visit to Houston is a sort-of “coming home” in itself. With my wife born and raised in Houston and my mother from Beaumont, I’ve often referred to myself as “half-Texan”. In all seriousness, Houston has been home to some incredibly talented traditional architects, including John Staub and Birdsall Briscoe. It is a great city with some beautiful neighborhoods and a lot of historic character that should be celebrated and improved upon. My hope is to introduce Historical Concepts and Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House to the area and engage those who appreciate authenticity and detail, and value quality over quantity.

Is there a part of the world where the Southern vernacular can't be translated?

Certainly there are many common elements of a southern home that would not be applicable in other regions. For example, the classic deep porch, while ideal in the South for combating harsh summer sun, would not necessarily be a fit in a northern setting where sun capture is critical for warmth throughout the year.
That said, the idea of ‘coming home’ really speaks to our design philosophy and our desire to create homes that feel rooted in the past. This approach transcends region, and because of our focus on authenticity rather than a particular genre or style, clients are now hiring us to design homes throughout the country. We’ve worked in many locations outside the south - Maine, The Hamptons, Texas, Montana, and even in the Caribbean. We are not trying to bring “southern” architecture to the world, but instead we are translating the ideas behind some of these homes beyond the southeast.

While there may not be a universal style seen throughout our homes, I would say there is a commonality among our clients. Many come to us to because they desire something handcrafted and well detailed, and comfortable yet sophisticated. More often than not, our clients tell us that the most important thing is that we design a home that “looks like it belongs”. That missive allows us to dive into the traditions of each locale to create architecture that feels authentic to its place, nestles well on its site and satisfies our clients’ vision.

Houston is known for knocking down the old to build new. Do you have any thoughts on how we can preserve older constructions (though we don't have many left), while also satisfying the need to build bigger/better/newer?

Houston is not alone. Unfortunately, many towns – big and small – are facing the same challenges. These towns have existing neighborhoods with incredible character which are a big draw to buyers; however the homes, typically from the early to mid-20th century, do not accommodate today’s lifestyle. As older homes can have inherent issues, the result tends to be people tearing down the old homes and replacing them with builder plans which are more suitable for suburban locations, and often lack the architectural character.

A few years back Atlanta put a brief moratorium on building permits because of this “McMansion” problem. In my opinion “no progress” is not the correct answer. Instead, I think communities that value their historic roots can come together and promote appropriate infill development. This can be done through pattern books that codify the architectural character of the existing homes and create a guide for new development to follow. There is no reason a new home cannot feel every bit as good as an older home, it simply takes an attention to detail, proportion and massing.
In addition, the scale is tipped in favor of tearing down old homes (it’s cheaper to start from scratch and no value is put on the existing homes). To level the playing field, cities could offer tax incentives for people who restore an older home, or at least retain the majority of its character. One town passed a law that if you purchased a home in a historic neighborhood and rehabbed it, your property taxes would freeze for 10 years. There is also a sustainability aspect to using existing structures, called “embodied energy,” which is completely lost in a teardown.

For those who don't know a ton about architecture (myself included), what can we learn or take away from Coming Home?

In my opinion, many people are drawn to southern architecture because of the familiarity and sense of warmth that it conveys. That feeling is what so many of our clients really want to capture – whether building in the South, or elsewhere. This attention to precedent and detail, while blending the old with the new, can be applied to any project, no matter the size and style. From the Greek Revival mansion to the small vernacular cottage, comfortable, well-crafted spaces can be created by incorporating local traditions, and the character that historic precedent provides. This study allows us to create a sense of place and authenticity no matter where we are working, and that makes residents and visitors alike feel as if they are in fact “coming home”.

Coming Home Book Signing with Kevin Clark

Book Signing Event to Take Place at Mecox Gardens, with Kevin Clark of Historical Concepts

Renowned architect Kevin Clark will be signing purchased copies of his firm’s new book entitled, Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House at Mecox Gardens on January 23rd from 5-7 p.m.

Clark will answer attendee questions about how to continue Texas architectural traditions, while simultaneously designing and building homes that accommodate the needs of today’s 21st century homeowners. He will also answer questions about how Historical Concepts’ partners collaborated to co-author the awe-inspiring coffee table and gift-oriented book. Attendance will be free for the public, and books may be purchased on site to be signed upon request. 

Each home or building pictured and described in the book showcases meticulously designed exteriors and interiors with unified elements, resulting in a display of homes that are aesthetically pleasing from all vantage points and floor plans that reflect the various homeowners’ lifestyles. The firm’s partners co-authored the book to feature residences, buildings and neighborhoods that were designed by drawing on the South’s thematic style. Each chapter provides a look at homes or communities that pay homage to America’s architectural heritage.

For nearly thirty years, Historical Concepts has designed country houses, mountain retreats, and coastal cottages that showcase the South’s deep sense of place. Whether drawing from the refined residences of Charleston and Savannah; the rural farmhouses and rustic cabins in the Blue Ridge Mountains; or historic houses throughout the South, the firm specializes in award-winning, regional architecture and design. The homes featured in the book capture the spirit and essence of southern-style. Beautifully photographed, it enlightens readers with a wide range of design inspiration, beautiful homes that represent today’s relaxed lifestyle, and insight about blending elements of Classical design with southern charm. Event details are as follows:

Mecox Gardens, 3912 Westheimer Road 

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, from 5-7:30 p.m.

Photo credit: Richard Leo Johnson 

Tootsies consolidation sale!

To kick-off the New Year, Tootsies is hosting its famous annual consolidation sale, offering up to 70 percent off designer collections, dresses, contemporary, sportswear, shoes, accessories and handbags for four days only! From Thursday, January 17 - Sunday, January 20, don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to find must-have items at low prices.

Tickled?

Everybody's beloved (or dreaded) holiday is a mere weeks away!  To get inspired and in the mood for luuuuve, might I recommend one of my newest boards?  I promise it will tickle your fancy:)

Happy New Year!!

Finally back to blogging after being out and about traveling for the past few weeks. Boy, how I've missed you! Happy New Year chic friends, and I hope your 2013 is full of sparkle:)
xoxo
B