Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Architecture, Interior Design, Nichols Hills, Oklahoma City Orchestra League, Oklahoma City Real Estate, Symphony Show House 2011
Growing up, I frequently attended the annual Orchestra League Symphony Showhouse, and it was inspiring to see the architecture and creativity of the designers over the years. Of particular interest to me was catching a glimpse into some of the greatest homes that Oklahoma City has to offer. Undoubtedly I feel this has helped to form my initial interest to eventual career in real estate.
As a volunteer at last year’s showhouse on Lake Overholser, I enjoyed the experience of meeting so many people and I decided I wanted to offer myself this year to help.
Thousands of volunteers come together for this one event that brings in attendance from all over the state. It’s exciting to see that everyone from schoolchildren to senior citizens come out to support.
Months of work would not have been possible without my design cochairman Karen Smith, who is an accomplished event organizer for international museums and also World Cup Soccer. As a sort of freshman to the Orchestra League, I am grateful to have been teamed up with such an accomplished Co-Chair; we have worked well together and I have learned so much from her great experience in the field.
Karen Smith, my Design Co-Chair on left and Cindy Raby, Show House Co-Chair on right.
From busted pipes and floods, to blizzards, and all the logistics and inner workings of a 15,000+ Sq. Ft. home, it has been an education to say the least!
Events such as the Preview Party, the first viewing of the empty house by the public, to the Gala Black Tie Event held prior to opening day have helped the momentum to build as we prepared to open the doors to the public. The designers this year both new and seasoned have done an outstanding job again this year in the transformation of this jaw-dropping estate.
Table Setting at Black Tie Gala
I can’t wait to tour all my friends and family through the house, enjoy lunch in the Corner Bistro and share some of the memories I’ve made while volunteering for the 2011 Symphony Show House. My membership to the Oklahoma City Orchestra League was the first step in getting involved. I hope you will join me in supporting the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and music education by attending the show house, shopping in the boutique or perhaps buying any of the many furnishings available in the home.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Architectural Style, Architecture, DIY Projects, Houzz, Interior Design, Landscape Lighting
reblogged from Pencil Shavings – Design for Life. I have been meaning to write about this great resource since I found if a couple of weeks ago, but my wife beat me to it. She says it all better than I could. If you need any ideas or inspiration for a project or update at your home, please check out Houzz…
Have you heard about Houzz? When my wife got a birthday iPad a few weeks ago, I found the Houzz app and we were both immediately hooked. And fortunately, they have a pretty fantastic site in addition to the well-designed and easy to navigate app. Houzz is like Flickr but strictly for home design – both interior and exterior. Need inspiration for your kitchen? This might be the place. Interested in only eclectic-styled living rooms? Their multiple categories can help you narrow down what it is you’re looking for. I’m pretty impressed – there’s a lot of images that I’ve seen here or there, but dozens that I’ve never found anywhere else. All in all, a great reference.
A few of my faves -
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Architecture, Home Tours, Interior Design, Lake Overholster, Oklahoma City Orchestra League, Symphony Show House 2010
A couple months back I was out for a long bike ride, there is a great route I really like that takes me around Lake Hefner and then around Wiley Post Airport to circle Lake Overholster and back again. I have always enjoyed the slow pace and sprawling homes with outstanding views of the lake on Overholster Drive. Much to my surprise and excitement I saw the sign up that one of the homes I had noticed for years was going to be the site of the 2010 Oklahoma City Orchestra League’s Symphony Designer Show House.
My wife and I have enjoyed touring previous homes but this one was of particular interest, not only because of it’s size, but it seemed to be quite the sprawling estate. I decided to research it a little more when I got home and found a registration form to volunteer on their site.
The video below gives you just a taste of what the finished product looks like. It is truly a site to see and there is something for everyone, with 7 bedrooms, 11/5 baths, 3 dining and 7 living areas its a bit overwhelming.
And yes, in case you were wondering, the home is currently for sale; asking price $1,900,000. When you consider you are getting almost 17,000 Square Feet of manicured grounds with mature trees, a pond, pool and outstanding craftmanship for just over $110 per square foot, it looks like one of the best deals around. You can see more details about this home here:
After working a couple of shifts and getting to know the house, I came to realize there is truly something for everyone in this home. With 38 rooms there is sure to be some you’ll love and some that you could live without. It has been a pleasure to see what some of the top designers from the state did to transform the space.
The show runs through May 16th, so there is still plenty of time to get out and see it, you won’t be disappointed. Did I mention that all the furnishings, including the accessories and original artwork are available for sale during the show? From the extravagant custom pieces all the way down to the flower arrangements, they are some great pieces and some at great prices. And most of the designers are on hand daily to discuss their work.
A few shots I snapped with my phone today:
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Architectural Style, Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, Norman Real Estate, Prairie Style
Architecture buffs surely recognize the stylings of Frank Lloyd Wright, and this Norman, OK home is a prime example of the Prairie Style that got its traction thanks to his forward thinking designs and aesthetic. The style was influenced by the Arts & Crafts Style and for those seeking an alternative to the excesses of the Victorian era. This is one of the few architectural styles truly indigenous to America. Known by its low horizontal lines and open interior spaces
Features of the Prairie Style include:
- Low Pitch Roof- seemingly flat compared to other more traditional styles
- Japanese Symmetry- both on the exteriors and throughout the interior
- Deep Porches with extended overhanging eaves for cover
- Central chimney that is a focal point in the home
A few more examples of the Prairie Style
image credit EV Studio
Image Credit- Liz Gray via Frontdoor.com
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 6400 Desiree Drive, Architecture, Interior Design, Justin Voight, Luxury Homes, Norman Real Estate, Oklahoma City Real Estate, Reseth Photography
Fabulous 10 Ac Estate! Hand scraped wood, travertine & wood windows. Entertainers dream; soaring ceilings and grand entry lead to spacious living,projector w 100″ screen. Mastr boasts marble bath w/ fireplace & enormous closet. 4 bds up each w/ full bath & walk-in closet. New roof Feb. ’09 3 AC units replaced w/in last 4 yrs. Horses OK per restrictions. Outdoor living covered patio w/ surround sound & tv overlook pool. Quality craftsmanship!
A specail thanks to Reseth Photography & Justin Voight Photography for the outstanding photos on this home, you can see all the images they took for the property on my flickr site here
For more information or to help you find the home of your dreams please contact me today, you can an advanced IDX Aerial Map Based tool to search the entire MLS for the Oklahoma City Metro on my website, click below to search now.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Architecture, Nichols Hills Homes, Spanish Colonial, Stucco, Terra Cotta Tile Roof
I thought I would start off with a rare find for our architectural tour. This home is a stately interpretation of the Spanish Colonial design found in Nichols Hills, OK.
Attributes that contribute to the style:
- Terra Cotta Tile Roof
- Gleaming White Stucco Facade
- Arch Design (repeated in Garage and main entry)
- Short Overhanging Eaves
Other attributes of the style would be a semi-circular design wrapping around a pool and outdoor living space. Interiors would be easy and relaxed open spaces, great for entertaining. Nothing formal, just easy breezy with warm tones and woods.
The style draws from designs all over the Mediterranean and was popularized after the opening of the Panama Canal. The early adopters and most prominent location of this style was the city of San Diego, where the warm weather year-round lends well to open living spaces that incorporate the outdoors.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Architectural Style, Architecture, Craftsman, Georgian, Interior Design, Mediterranean, Mid-Century, Oklahoma City Real Estate, Ranch Style Homes, Tudor Style
Over the next couple of posts I want to talk about the types of architectural styles and what start a dialogue about what features speak to you in a home and which style you like the most.
There are so many styles to choose from and if you look hard enough you can find some great examples from Craftsman to Victorian, Georgian to Prairie, Mid-Century, Mediterranean, Neo-Classical, Tudor, and the ever prevalent Ranch.
Take a look at the is cool widget on Trulia. It shows the pattern of houses built over time in Oklahoma City. The time period for development sprawl in Oklahoma City is in keeping with the architecture styles that are so prevalent here.
I look forward to showing you more about the styles of homes here and helping you find the style that is just right for you. In the meantime you can wonder over to HGTV’s sister site- FrontDoor.com to take the What’s Your Architectural Personality Quiz
What are some of you favorite homes/neighborhoods around town?
