Single Woman's House In The City

Seven years ago I made a big life change. Sweeping out the vestiges of my old existence, I sold the Houston penthouse I lived in for the last several years and moved from a high-rise to a single family house–one with slightly more square footage–only divided vertically upon three floors. For years, as features editor at a design magazine, I wrote about lots of beautifully built homes with interiors designed by decorators with pedigree. After searching inside the loop for a new construction abode–one I could still tweak a bit– I met the creators of Ava Custom Homes. Stepping into one of their beautiful spaces I knew I had found the place I could forge a fresh start. Inspired by their tasteful selections (read: herringbone Carrara marble on the kitchen backsplash with generous Carrara topped island, smooth level 5 walls (I loathe any hint of texture), solid core doors, custom wrought iron stair railings, reclaimed Chicago brick, a grand 12-foot ceiling in the open concept living room/kitchen/dining, and classic black and white master bath suite with a luxurious bathtub), I made my offer. Since settling in, I’ve been obsessed with ticking down my to-do list of interior (and exterior) projects to make this place my very own. Custom window shades and linen curtains, check. Grass cloth paper in the master and raffia in my guest room, check, check. A magnificent crafted floor to ceiling bookcase for my hundreds of books (not to mention a place to hide my television) by the talented team at Chavez Carpentry, check. Custom sofa, twin headboards, and refashioning the upholstery on nearly everything else, check, check, check! Did I mention my yard, tiny though it is? Steve Henry, principal of Gregory Henry Landscapes, took the lead on my small parcel of land (along with my neighbors to the right and the left of me), to create a stunning, cohesive design out-of-doors replete with a trio of trees, fragrant jasmine climbing the fence and hedges of boxwood I simply adore. In the years to come while I fill my walls as I stumble across art that compels me and bring home mementos of my travels, what will never change is the joy I have welcoming friends and family through that entry. Now, won’t you come in, sit down, and have a drink?