I’m back from the holidays and a little posting break.  Here’s a nice listing to start 2009 – a 1911 home in Fredericksburg with a modern addition.  It has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in 2,576 sqft.  The Realtor doesn’t list the architect, any guesses?  The remodel has similar features to this Mell Lawrence design. 

216 Ufer, Fredericksburg, TX

 

Listing courtesy of Donna McMahon – Coldwell Banker.

Way behind on my posting - here’s a quick one that may be helpful for holiday shopping and/or holiday exchanging next week:

Last week there was a neat story in the LA Times about a shopping trip to discount store Big Lots with designer Philippe Starck:

Thrifty shopping with Philippe Starck

Lots of practical advice and examples of design on a tight budget, here’s a good quote:

“You must be very rigorous,” he says, sifting through discounted wares in search of the gems. “Try to find the essence, the most iconic or simple representation of a thing. Look for the bowl that looks most like a bowl. That means we must avoid colors and patterns, and everything that can be trendy.”

Share your ‘discount design’ tips in the comments!

via Dwell Blog.

A final reminder about the East Austin Studio Tour this weekend:

I think the image says it all.  Here is a link for full details:

East Austin Studio Tour 2008

For more info, Austinist has done a series of posts this week about artists on the tour.

I’m excited to see my friend Kollin Baker on the tour.  Kollin is an amazing craftsman who specializes in concrete.  His ceramic work is very cool.  We have hired him to stain our floors and for concrete countertops, and have never been disappointed.  Check out Kollin’s site here:  Absolute Concrete

There are a couple of interesting housing-related articles in the Statesman today.  First, an article about how green features are being used to help sell homes in a tough market.  Here is a snippet:

Hybrid homes become a selling tool

First came the push for fuel-efficient cars. Are fuel-efficient houses next?

As builders look for ways to move homes in a lousy market, they’re increasingly taking their cue from carmakers and turning toward energy efficiency as a selling tool…

Several Austin projects are mentioned (in addition to other areas).  A referenced study suggests that builders feel that ‘green’ homes are easier to market.  I’ve talked to a few Austin builders who agree with this sentiment.  The bottom line – the market is driving builders to implement energy efficient features.  See the full article here: Austin American Statesman – Hybrid homes become a selling tool

The other article (from the Wall Street Journal) talks about the growing popularity of “Design-Build” firms.  Rather than hiring Architect A for design and Builder B for construction – more firms are offering both services.  Here is a snippet:

When the architect is also the contractor

… This architect-as-contractor model, called design-build, had already been gaining new traction at the highest echelons of the housing market, as clients seek ways to execute cutting-edge designs without the headaches often associated with such construction. Membership in the American Institute of Architects’ design-build community has nearly tripled over the past five years, and teachers at several architecture programs across the Midwest report that enrollment in design-build classes has doubled…

Here is a link to the full text – definitely worth a read: Austin American Statesman – When the architect is also the contractor.  The article does a great job of covering the benefits to the client and the firm – as well as several examples.  I had no idea the AIA banned this practice until 1979!  As far as this trend – Austin has our share of great design-build firms like Cottam-Hargrave, KRDB, Clayton-Levy-Little have built amazing projects around town.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  We’re still awaiting internet service at the house so my usual late-night writing sessions are harder to pull off.  I have kept the Modern Home list up to date, and I’ll get back on a posting schedule soon.

In the meantime – here’s a fun event for tomorrow night:

The event is Thursday, November 6th, at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Doors open at 7pm and admission is $5 to non-members.

Mell Lawrence has a lot of great work in and around town.  It should be an excellent presentation and I believe the last of the season, so don’t miss out!

Hopefully many of you were able to partake in this years Austin AIA Homes Tour.  I thoroughly enjoyed it – there were so many great designs and details.

Of course I really liked my friend Nana’s house.  It feels very warm and comfortable, I love the colors and materials, and the way the home wraps the beautiful oak tree.  Checkout Nana’s website http://www.9squarestudio.com.  Here are a few photos:

I also really enjoyed the ClaytonLevyLittle project near Lake Austin.  It was a very impressive remodel that opened the home to the lake view while providing a lot of neat spaces.  I really liked the large open kitchen and upstairs office/sitting area.  Unfortunately there aren’t too many images of this home.  Here is the one from the program:

Others I liked (in brief) – The Studio Robins Dempsey home was a cool urban retreat – lots of high windows and a great interior courtyard.  The AlterStudio remodel was a nice combination of the original home’s facade and a very modern addition.  The Hugh Jefferson Randolph project had a lot of neat details and materials – I really liked the landscaping as well.

Of course, I liked a lot about most of the homes on the tour.  I could go on… But what did you think?  Which were your favorite designs and details?  Share in the comments!

A nice metrohouse is on the market in Central Austin: 5301 McCandless - $349,000

Here are some photos from the listing agent:

Here is a link with full details: 5301 McCandless - $349,000

Listing Courtesy of Joe Bryson