SPECIAL EVENTS

The 2009 Houston Heights Holiday Home Tour will be held on Friday, December 4, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 5, 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. The theme for the 2009 Houston Heights Holiday Home Tour is Home for the Holidays.

Who wouldn’t want to be home for the holidays if it could be in any one of the seven extraordinary Houston Heights homes that go on tour for Home for the Holidays, the 2009 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour, Friday and Saturday, December 4-5. The Houston Heights Association event, popular with locals as well as out-of-towners, is a great opportunity to peek inside remarkable homes that represent the architectural integrity and diversity of this eclectic neighborhood. This year’s collection includes a Queen Anne style home built in 1898, two 1920 Craftsman bungalows, a 1919 Victorian and Craftsman style abode, and three spectacular recently constructed homes.

Decked out in their finest for the holidays, the tour homes will have docents on duty to point out the rich history, architecture, distinctive features and decorations of each home.

Homes on the 2009 Tour:

 The Booth Home
1132 Rutland
Kelly & Daniel Booth

The Booth Home was originally built as a Craftsman Bungalow in 1920. The current homeowners purchased the home in 2008 after it had been remodeled in 2007 by the prior owners who added a family room and second story master suite to the original footprint of the home. Period finishes were used in the thorough and careful remodel in order to maintain the integrity of this classic Houston Heights home. A few of the remaining parts of the original structure include the pine floors and brick fireplace in the living room. The home is decorated with the homeowner’s original photography as well as several pieces of colonial reproduction furniture built by the homeowner’s great grandfather in the early to mid 1900s.

Watkins Home
816 Arlington
Roger & Catherine Watkins

The owners of this 1920s craftsman style bungalow knew immediately that this was the right house for their major project. Located on a wonderful lot and a half, this house had considerable charm and potential despite some 1960s alterations. In 2007, Heights Company Bungalow Revival began the renovation and restoration process "aimed at saving Houston's historical gems." Gilbert Perez and Ivan Lopez created a design in keeping with the period. Many of the original doors and windows were maintained, and salvaged hardwoods were used to match the original flooring. Large oak trees in the front of the home were spared by Hurricane Ike and continue to serve as a sanctuary for herons to nest. Renovations on this labor of love have been completed, but the house and gardens continue to be a work in progress.

The Sanchez Home
832 Allston
Eddie & Elizabeth Sanchez

Preserving the original charm of this 1919 bungalow is what inspired Eddie and Elizabeth Sanchez to selffinance the pristine restoration of their Victorian and Elizabeth 501 Bungalow Craftsman style home. It is a work in progress with each phase slowly bringing the home back to original, while incorporating functional aspects for modern day living. The history of this home begins outside where fence pickets were individually recreated by hand. Historic Houston supplied old hand-blown wavy glass to replace cracked windows. Inside features the original clawfoot tub, restored to its relaxing glory and moved to the new upstairs bathroom which was added when the attic was finished to accommodate a third bedroom. This home is a labor of love and Eddie and Elizabeth are looking forward to beginning the next restoration phase, perhaps with insight from you for how to complete their wish list for original materials and finishes!

Fort Robert
713 Waverly
Robert Coreale

Tucked behind the wooden gates and brightly colored stucco wall of Fort Robert lies a serene, Spanish inspired enclave. Born of the owner’s own vision, the home was designed by Joe Milton of Milton Architects and construction was completed in 2002. The 2009 remodel was designed by Heights resident Michael Dreef, AIA. This special hacienda welcomes you with 26’ ceilings with beams of reclaimed wood from Wisconsin, polished concrete and blue/green washed pine flooring, slate countertops, 3” thick doors, cherry cabinetry and copper thresholds. The walls come to life featuring woven rugs and the works of local artists including Cisco Tucker Kolkmeier and Wendy Wagner, and the owner’s bicycles constitute a noteworthy collection on their own. Robert’s unique style is evident in the holiday trimmings chosen to compliment the home. Sweeping views of the Heights await those who choose to relax in the breezy second-story outdoor terrace. Overlooking the pool and soothed by the rustling of the wind in the Giant Japanese Timber bamboo, the peacefulness and privacy of this stunning home is truly something to behold.

The Pumpkin House (pictured above)
1648 Harvard
Bill and Amydell Beardshall

The "Pumpkin House", a Queen Anne's Victorian rendition, is maintained in the Northern tradition of "painted ladies". The home was built in 1991 by Steve Watters, one of the pioneers of the Houston Heights revival, with input from Steven Carruba of SC Designs. The placement and design of this home was meant to contrast and complement its neighbor at 1801 Harvard (one of the oldest Victorian homes in the Heights and maintained in the Southern tradition). The Pumpkin House showcases intricate trim and woodwork and seven distinct colors, which are typical of the painted lady style. Lovers of Victorian homes will be especially delighted by the repetition of beautiful stained glass, period lighting, inlaid flooring and carved mantels, all wonderful backdrops to the multiple Christmas trees on display. The owners, the Beardshalls, have a special place in their hearts for New Orleans and have recently added a "New Orleans" style brick privacy fence, flagstone patio, gas lamps and outdoor fireplace to remind them of their time spent in the Crescent City.

The Longstreth Maloney Home
537 Cortlandt
Paul Longstreth & Marilyn Maloney

When the owners moved from New Orleans in early 2005, they did not expect to find a home reminiscent of their hometown. However, though less than 10 years old, this Victorian-styled home has the appearance of an old New Orleans dwelling. The open downstairs plan is perfect for entertaining. Featuring an impressive banister and stained glass windows salvaged from historic homes, the home offers an appropriate setting for the French antiques, art, and other possessions the owners have inherited and acquired. The French doors at the rear open upon a true French Quarter-style patio that the owners enjoy from the broad veranda. The owners’ children are accomplished jazz musicians from New Orleans, and the influence of New Orleans, music, and French culture can be seen throughout the home and holiday décor.

The Otto House
835 Rutland
Mark & Linda Gonzales

Now 111 years old, the “Otto House”, a Queen Anne style home, was designed by William A. Otto and built in 1898. Mark and Linda Gonzales purchased the house for the bargain price of $9,000.00 in 1971 from the original owner, Maria C. Lucas. Although the home has undergone many renovations since then, the Gonzales’ have remained faithful to the original design. The Otto House, the first to have indoor plumbing west of Heights Boulevard, showcases original flooring, molding, hardware and lighting fixtures throughout the front of the house. Mark, an experienced renovator, maintained the integrity of the original home and neighborhood by using locally reclaimed materials, even flooring salvaged roadside after Tropical Storm Allison! Until recently, the home, listed on the National Registry, displayed a 100 year old live oak tree in the front yard. The tree, itself listed in the National Tree Registry, survived many hurricanes until succumbing to the fierce winds of Hurricane Ike. Mark and Linda, local business owners, enjoy displaying various Christmas decorations they have collected throughout their many happy years together.

Three buses will operate during the tour on Friday and Saturday. Patrons may board the buses at stops located at each home and at the Fire Station.

For more information, call the Houston Heights Association at 713-861-4002 and select option 7 or e-mail holidaytour@houstonheights.org.

Visit our Web site for updates: www.houstonheights.org.

ALSO HAPPENING IN THE HEIGHTS:

Mistletoe Madness will be in full swing on Saturday, noon – 6:00 p.m., and visitors are encouraged to come early, browse, shop and enjoy the local restaurants. www.heightsmistletoemadness.com . Check out Heights First Saturday, featuring merchants on Yale, 6th (White Oak), 11th and 19th Streets and surrounding area. Pet Adoptions on Heights Boulevard will also be available. www.heightsfirstsaturday.com.

Free Holiday Photos
Reliant Energy will sponsor a Holiday Photo Booth on Saturday, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Heights Fire Station where tour ticket holders can get their photos taken, for free, and then access them online. Three background choices will be offered.

Proceeds from the Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour are used to maintain Marmion Park, Donovan Park, and the Heights Boulevard esplanade park. Among its many missions, the Houston Heights Association operates and maintains the historic Heights Fire Station at 12th and Yale, supports local schools with grants, scholarships and projects, and fills hundreds of food baskets around the holidays for the needy.

This year’s Platinum Sponsors are KBR, Republic Services, and San Jacinto Stone Co.

The HOUSTON HEIGHTS is the fabulous and festive destination choice of the season!