House with Two Courtyards

Notice the brick paver driveway and the attractive garage door. Antique shutters surround the front window, while an old bench sits out front. I love the copper gutters!   To the right is the side garden which leads to the hidden front door.

Now that the West University Home Tour benefiting WU Elementary is over, for those who don’t live in Houston, homeowner Heidi Dugan is graciously letting us see these pictures of her beautiful house first published in Houston House and Home magazine. Dugan is a well known real estate agent in Houston, working for Greenwood King. She built this house several years ago using inspiration she got after traveling to France and Italy. The house is filled with antique architectural elements brought over from Europe which give the house its special feel.    Interior Designer Ginger Barber sourced old and antique beams, flooring, shutters, and furniture from Houston dealers and also directly from Europe.    While the house itself is outstanding, the outdoors really set it apart. There are two courtyards – one for dining and one that surrounds a small swimming pool.   The front door, with its side entrance, is reached through antique iron gates, creating a third outdoor space.

The side garden behind a wood and iron door, leads to the front door. The pergola gives this space a room like feel.

In this picture of the foyer, you can see the iron railing on the gracefully curved staircase. Antique trumeau and candlesticks sit on a French console.

The living room, across form the entry, faces out to the front yard seen through the large arched window. Linen was used for the curtains and slipcovers.   The contemporary coffee table is juxtaposed against a trio of antique chairs. Notice the gorgeous ceiling beams that came from France. The rug is the only bright pattern found downstairs which is mostly cream, ivory, and white.

The dining room has a beyond fabulous antique French chandelier. The table is Italian and the fabric on the chairs is Fortuny. Just gorgeous!

In the kitchen, antique beams were used for the crown molding. The island is an antique shop counter. The countertops are 17th century stones! Amazing!    The floor is Portuguese tile.

Slipcovers and seagrass, a popular Houston look which Ginger Barber helped define.   The star of the family room is the 17th century mantel.   The antique beams found throughout are from Chateau Domingue.   Out the doors is the “swimming pool courtyard” – one of two courtyards found on the property.

In the powder room, a stone trough becomes the sink. The trumeau and sconces are both French antiques.

The upstairs landing features a vignette with an antique console and a pair of balustrade lamps. What a great idea – blow up one family picture instead of having framed pictures spread throughout. Love that!

Heidi’s bedroom is all linen in beiges and sages.   Hey - that rhymes!   The desk is an antique. Notice the pair of lamps taken from old vases.   I love the slipcovered bench at the end of the bed and the candelabra in the corner. The ceiling is vaulted and lined with beams.

The dining courtyard features a large limestone table and a mirror made out of an 19th century zinc French window.   The landscaping is all green, mostly from box, bamboo, and vines.

The same space – here you can see the 18th century fountain set up on a wall made of 19th century stone blocks.   I really love the pair of stone columns and finial.    So pretty!

The second courtyard, off the family room, is where the swimming pool is. To one side is a draped pergola that creates an outside room.

Without the pet dog, you can see the courtyard better.   I love the table and the draped banquette under the pergola.

Heidi Dugan, an real estate expert on West University and surrounding neighborhoods, works at Greenwood King and can be reached HERE. To read more about this house see the article in Houston House and Home HERE. All these beautiful photographs were taken by Miro Dvorscak. Visit his web site HERE.

The builders were Overstreet Builders. Helping with the plans was architect Travis Mattingly. Ginger Barber did the interiors and Thompson Hanson did the landscaping.

If you are going to be in Houston this weekend, its Urban Market time again! For more information, go HERE.