Visit with Drew Platt, Houston-based Realtor.
After falling in love with and living in the heart of the Heights for almost a decade, my wife and I felt it was time to experience another one of Houston’s up and coming neighborhoods. In October 2019, we purchased this 1500 square foot 1940 Tudor Revival cottage in Lindale Park. We fell in love with its charm, coziness, and outdoor living spaces. The previous owners did an excellent job of updating the home without losing the period details that lend to its historical character, such as original crystal doorknobs, telephone nook in the hallway, and original hardwood floors. It has most certainly become our refuge during this tumultuous time.
Our front room contains one of our favorite features: the fireplace. While we may only use it a few nights out of the year, we love the idea of our family and friends gathering around its hearth; especially at Christmas. Above the fireplace is one of our favorite paintings, an oil on porcelain done by Midwestern artist Paul Harney, (c1890). Notice the theme… The timepiece in the shadowbox belonged to my wife’s great-great grandfather who was the governor of Nevada. Below the fireplace is a late 18th century coal scuttle we use to hold firewood. During quarantine this has become the music room, where I listen to my father’s original 1950s McIntosh stereo in the evenings.
Kristin, my wife, refers to our dining room as the “New England” room. She used to often visit Vermont in the fall and fell in love with the history and style of the region. The antique farm table is flanked by traditional Windsor chairs with a twist; they are made of metal instead of wood. The drop-leaf table on the right wall is lovingly referred to as “the prairie table” as it literally made the trek across our country in a covered wagon with Kristin’s ancestors. On top of it sits an antique salesman’s sample of a chest of drawers. He would take this sample into general stores to show the owner a miniature version of what he was selling. The back of the built-in bookcases (originally installed to showcase china and crystal) are painted a dark olive green and the shelves are now home to part of her antique book collection and various odds and ends. We found the brass cage chandelier two years before we bought the house and fell in love with it, knowing one day we’d have the perfect room in which to hang it. While I am listening to my stereo by the fireplace, Kristin can often be found these days working on a puzzle at the table. We’re really exciting people!
This is Scarlett, our sixteen year-old son’s dog. She’s decided that she is too good for the floor and has taken over his favorite seat in the den. She’s come a long way since we rescued her off the side of the road a year ago this month. Our dogs are most definitely family members and we have been so grateful to have them by our sides while staying at home.
And this is Idgie (named after Idgie Threadgood, a character in Fried Green Tomatoes). She was rescued from a puppy mill eleven years ago. While only one-fourth the size of Scarlett; she’s the boss.
One thing I’ve been able to do during the past several weeks is spend time in the kitchen. I love to cook. I have been fortunate enough to learn from great chefs over the years and enjoy putting into practice what they have taught me. These are scones with homemade whipped cream.
Our outdoor living spaces sealed the deal for us when we bought the home. Even though we are only a few miles from downtown, we have plenty of space to relax and enjoy nature right now. And when the time is right, we can’t wait to host our first party.
Our outdoor living space flows right off of our dining room. I made the table from recycled shiplap, antique flooring, and window panes. I still do custom work when requested and Kristin helps with the design. Kristin had the idea of turning an old chicken coop into a coffee table, hence what is in front of the sectional. The patio also features a mounted television in the corner for lounging after a swim. It’s a great place to have your morning coffee and this is my workspace during morning Zoom meetings with the office.
The pool is large enough to swim laps and is flanked at one end by a fire pit and conversation area and at the other, a chiminea and seating for two for more intimate setting.
On beautiful nights our son likes to get the fire pit going and then serenade us with his guitar, featuring a line up of Tom Petty, Jimmi Hendrix, and Stone Temple Pilots.
Our backyard also features a wide variety of flowers and plants. This is our little Japanese Maple tree. We also have a grapefruit tree and two lemon trees, several hibiscus plants, hydrangeas, and ferns.
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