Houston Symphony League Bay Area

17th Annual Home Tour

A Day by the Bay

Click Here to Order Tickets On-Line

April 7-8, 2018 (Noon - 5:00 PM)

Tour of four homes in the Clear Lake Area

 

The Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s 17th Annual Day by the Bay Home Tour is Saturday and Sunday, April 7-8, from noon - 5 pm both days. Tickets are $20 online or at the doors of the homes or at the following merchants:

  Adelaide's (14870 Space Center Blvd., Houston)
  Annette's Emporium (501 E. Main St., League City)
  Arlan's (4614 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook)
  Casanova's Downfall (4630 NASA Pkwy., Seabrook)
  Clothes Horse Boutique (809 E. Main St., League City)
  NASA Postal (957 E. NASA Pkwy., Houston)
  Upper Bay Frame and Gallery (2450 E. Main St., League City)
 

A pre-tour party will be held on Friday, April 6 with tickets at $75/person— each ticket includes the pre-tour party and all the homes. There are four homes on the tour.

The Houston Symphony League Bay Area's Home Tour offers diversity in style, era of design, and decor from a Historic League City home built of wood salvaged from the 1900 hurricane and reminiscent of the Victorian era to two homes with interesting histories that are almost 10,000 sq. ft. fronting on Galveston Bay in Seabrook. The home in Bay Oaks is unique with its terrazzo tiles, faux marble brick and tromp l'oeil finishes on walls and cabinetry.



 

Pre-tour Party Home (3011 Scenic Elm, Houston)

A pre-tour party will kick-off the home tour on Friday, April 6 (6:30 pm-8:30 pm).  Tickets are $75 per person, which includes the tour. 

Tuscan architectural detail is the prominent feature of this home which was completed in 2012 after the original home on this property was removed. As you enter the house at the Grand Entry, it is highlighted by the artistic-colored hand-blown glass grand chandelier which is suspended from the 24-foot ceiling. The chandelier has 452 pieces. The owner’s love of stone is evident in the marble floors and 15 different types of cabinet surfaces throughout the house including granites, labradorites and marbles.

Other unique surprises throughout the house are a petrified wood object d’art in the Master Bathroom which includes nautilus fossils, a Wine Cellar with a prison door from a 19th century Pennsylvania prison that has double set lock and key, 19th century church doors that lead to the master bed room, a mezzanine level that houses a grand piano, 18th century corbels from Portugal, an 18th century Trumeau from Italy in the family room, and an original kinetic sculpture by Andrew Carson that sits on a pedestal in the backyard pool.

The beautiful dark woodwork throughout the home carries the Tuscan theme through the entire house. It is an exquisite yet practical living and entertaining space for the owner’s family and guests.

 

Tour Homes

(Click on Address to see map, click on picture to enlarge photograph)

#1 Seabrook (633 Quintana Roo Place, Seabrook): Situated directly on Galveston Bay, the home has over 8500 square feet of living space on three levels and its own beach and wetlands. A covered patio area adds an additional 1500 square feet. An optimum use of space, the home can accommodate large gatherings and up to 30 overnight guests yet provides an intimate feel for the owners. The owner/designer describes the décor as “transitional”—a successful, harmonious blend of vintage, traditional, and contemporary with a deliberate use of watery colors in the custom furniture.

The owners purchased the property in 2008 which included a 1903 clapboard structure. Since renovation and updates of the structure would make the size of the home greatly diminished, the owners donated it to Historic Houston who dismantled it board by board. The new home was completed in 2010; however, it burned to the ground in 2013 as the result of an electrical fire. The home was rebuilt, incorporating new requirements such as breakaway walls, and a 5’ elevation of the guest wing. It was completed in 2016.

There are three living levels plus the ground level. Flooring is job-finished quarter-sawed oak laid in a square pattern to accentuate the grain, and the coffered ceiling exactly mimics the floor. A full chef’s kitchen and “family room” are adjacent to a media room. Many art pieces, lights, and statuary throughout the home are from travels, and some are made by local artists, as well as grandchildren who frequent the home. The master bedroom hosts a custom-made four-poster bed blending various styles. Faced with a door exiting to a balcony, the designer owner created a furniture look by adding mirror and molding. The master bath has his and her sinks and dressing areas. The owners share a large office/library with its own balcony.

The second floor includes a workout room, wet bar and bedroom. Two sets of stairs lead to the 3rd floor where a children’s den and additional bedrooms with private baths accommodate overnight guests. There is a children’s bunkroom for the seven “grands”.

#2 Seabrook (629 Bay Vista, Seabrook): Nicknamed “Star Haven,” this contemporary home is in a tranquil setting, surrounded by lush foliage and faces Galveston Bay with sweeping views of Seabrook and Kemah. It was love at first sight when the current owners first saw this home and they were accepted by the original owner as buyers.

Every detail of the house was built to be sturdy and the home has survived Hurricanes Ike and Harvey with only minimal damage to the long pier. Every window has hurricane shutters which can be automatically lowered as needed.

Upon entering the home, the visitor is greeted with an 8-foot blown glass chandelier that was assembled from over 300 pieces. The owners love art glass and have many beautiful blown glass pieces throughout the house, including a chandelier in the dining room with large purple globes resembling a bunch of grapes. The tranquil sea foam green and beige palate is carried throughout the entire house. Two large built-in aquariums continue the sea theme. The wooden pelicans throughout the house reflect the owner’s roots in Louisiana.

The owners have traveled to 180 countries and the upstairs has artifacts from their travels. Statues from Namibia, figurines from Hong Kong, an Egyptian painting, and a digeridoo from New Zealand are just some of their treasures. A photo gallery chronicles their travels from the North Pole to Antarctica.

 

#3 League City  (720 3rd Street, League City): From the street this home in Historic League City might remind you of a “painted lady” home in cities like San Francisco because of the soft light green exterior with cream colored “gingerbread” railings around the two levels; the railings curve around the corner toward the back. Bright pink accents the doors and some of the windows. Set under the beautiful shade trees, the home was built of cypress about 1907 from lumber salvaged from the 1900 hurricane when there were no trees on the flat plain.

The original owner was the stationmaster in League City who became a lawyer. Now this unique house belongs to the Victorian Lady who is known for her Victorian dress, manners, style, vintage furniture pieces, and classes concerning the Victorian era, as well as her work with the Historical Society in League City. Expect to see docents in the dress of that era at the house. Take a step back in time to reminisce about living in the early 19th century.

#4 Bay Oaks (2527 Bay Winds Court, Houston): The fountain and courtyard at the entrance to this home in Bay Oaks are reminiscent of an Italian villa. The dramatic metal chandelier in the grand foyer fits the Italian architecture as do the terrazzo tiles, arched entrance ways, faux marble and brick and tromp l’oeil finishes on the walls.

To the left of the entrance is a stunning copy of a tapestry that now hangs in the Cluny Museum of Tapestry in Paris. It depicts a lady, a lion and a unicorn and is one of only six tapestries with unicorns. Next to the tapestry is the study with a tranquil green palate and landscape works of art. The lion fresco on the wall ties in with the nearby tapestry. A main floor powder room has a fun, whimsical Parisian theme.