Free Home Tour Ticket for Docent Volunteers!!! / March 22, 2022 by Woodland Heights Civic Association

The tour requires a lot of willing hands to make it a success. Special thanks to all the committee chairs who have been laboring long – even longer than normal this tour, with all the virus-related delays.

SIGN UP FOR A 3 HOUR SHIFT | Afternoons of Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27

Click here to docent

You’ll be provided with a script and instructions. You will be guiding visitors through the home while sharing bullet points on history and décor. It’s a great way to support the neighborhood and meet interesting folks.

For Questions Contact Louis Moss, one of our Co-chairs | limoss@comcast.net | 713.703.1412

Seeking Volunteers for Home Tour 2020 / March 3, 2020 by Lori Bigler

The Home Tour Committee is seeking volunteers to work as docents the weekend of Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29. Docents guide tour-goers through their assigned home. Docent Shifts are three hours long; noon to three and 3 to 6. It’s very easy to do and it’s fun.

Volunteers will be given a ticket to the home tour so they can see the other homes.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Availability:

What days/times are you interested in working?

Saturday, March 28: noon - 3 pm

Saturday, March 28: 3 pm - 6 pm

Sunday, March 29: noon - 3 pm

Sunday, March 29: 3 pm - 6 pm

Preferred House (if any)

Select your preferred preferred home (if any.)

Comments or notes:

A Home Tour Highlight: 3524 Pineridge / February 28, 2020 by Lori Bigler

Clair Hedgcoxe purchased 3524 Pineridge in 2010 – her first home. Several years in, with several high-dollar projects popping up for the 1923 house, she weighed the various alternatives and decided to renovate.

“I love my location,” she said, “and I knew I wanted to add a master suite to my home. The cost of purchasing a home with those specs in my area were out of my budget. So, I instead got to build my ‘dream bungalow.’ Having lived in the house for six years prior to reno made it very easy to know how I lived in the home and how I wanted to expand the space.”

For cooking and entertaining, she created a bigger kitchen by incorporating an unused third bedroom and added access to a small courtyard.

“The kitchen is now my favorite room!” Clair says.

Why renovate vs. build a new home?
For me, it is very important to protect the city’s historic character and architectural heritage. Living in Woodland Heights provides so many examples of beautiful historic homes, and I wanted my home to represent both the past and the future of this neighborhood. Renovating allowed an opportunity to keep the integrity of the traditional craftsman-style “bones” of the home, while adding spaces the modern homeowner requires today. I hope the end result inspires others.

What was your experience?
Just like any renovation, there are always surprises when opening old walls. Behind the sheetrock in the living room revealed wallpaper from a day gone by! I did my best to keep as many original items as possible. Seventeen of the windows are original! Some concessions had to be made in the overall design to accommodate the attributes of an older home, such as lower ceiling heights, asymmetrical windows, and smaller room sizes, to name a few.

Who did you hire to do the renovation?
Lucas Craftsmanship. The whole team at Lucas was very easy to work with and great communicators. The key word is in the name – Craftsmanship! They built custom cabinetry to maximize space and keep the design aesthetic cohesive. I wanted to keep the original long-leaf yellow pine flooring throughout the home and Lucas found a source for reclaimed flooring that matched the existing flooring. It’s wonderful to work with a contractor willing to take the extra time and energy needed when renovating a 100-year-old home.

Did you use an interior designer?
Hallie Henley Design. Owner and Heights resident, Hallie Sims, is a wonderful talent and very thoughtful designer. Having a professional eye for just the right placement of light fixtures and space planning is crucial. Hallie seamlessly blends antiques with new pieces in every space she touches!

Would you do it again?
Absolutely! I enjoyed the entire process -- from working with Morningside Architects on the architectural design, to spending time with the carpenter creating custom cabinetry designs. Seeing the space transform was incredibly rewarding and I feel more connected to the house because of it. The home will always have some extra character. The floors creak. The windows rattle during big thunderstorms. The doors contract and expand. The house breathes, as if it’s just as alive as the inhabitants. And that seems fitting for a house that has seen 100 years of life in Woodland Heights!

Calling Historic Homes! / March 22, 2019 by Lori Bigler

The 2020 Woodland Heights Home Tour is a year away, and the committee is already gearing up for it. The first order of business is selecting houses for the event, which is March 28-29, 2020.

If you would like your home to be considered for the tour, please send an email to Louise Moss at limoss@comcast.net. The committee plans to visit homes in the May-June timeframe with the goal of finalizing homes by end of summer. This lets us get exterior photos done before winter and gives the homeowner plenty of time to prepare for the tour.

The tour features original homes, including those that have been updated and/or expanded. We are particularly eager to hear from you if you have a small- or mid-size house so we can feature a range of sizes and architectural styles. The tour is a major fundraiser that supports neighborhood activities and showcases Woodland Heights’ unique charm to visitors from across Houston.

LCI Brings Woodland Heights Home to Life / May 27, 2018 by Lori Bigler

Lucas Craftsmanship (LCI) has been satisfying homeowners and businesses in Houston and the surrounding areas since 1994. The family-owned company has developed numerous lasting relationships with area suppliers as well as with repeat clients. In addition to its full time skilled craftsmen, LCI has been using the same fully qualified and insured subcontracting partners since its inception. Each member of LCI shares in the firm’s work ethic and integrity, guaranteeing you “exceptional quality” and outstanding results.

Billy Lucas started the company in 1994. Born and raised in the Northeast, he has been hands on in every facet of the building trade from a very early age. Mentored by his father, Billy learned the industry, but more importantly, he absorbed his father’s values, including his work ethic and commitment to reliability, “exceptional quality,” creativity and individualized service.

Relocating to Texas in 1991, Billy was building his business in the Spring area when a local plumber hired him to build a porch for a home at Watson and Merrill. Billy immediately fell in love with the area. It featured the Craftsman-style homes that he had grown up around in northern New Jersey and knew he wanted to grow his business here. Upon completion of the porch project, Billy was awarded another project down the block. That referral led to another and another.

“Our business has been built on personal referrals,” Billy says. “That is so gratifying, but it also spurs us to go the extra mile with each new client. We know this is your dream, your home, and we want to make it special.”

Brother Dan Lucas joined LCI in 1998. Along with a degree in business, he brought expertise in in client management, and his ingenuity and insight added a new dimension to the team. Dan, a managing partner, governs the business side as well as overseeing daily operations. Mentored by his brother Billy, Dan also has become a craftsman too.

“While I enjoy the business side, I get real satisfaction by being part of the construction process itself,” Dan says. “I love getting my hands dirty, so to speak, and directly helping our clients realize their visions for their homes.”

In 2005, third brother Steven Lucas joined the family business as project manager. With a degree in communications, Steven manages the fine details of select projects, assuring daily operations run smoothly.

“Each project is different; each project is special; each project is someone’s dream,” Steven says. “That’s what makes my job so rewarding.”

The Lucas brothers care about their clients’ satisfaction, and pride themselves on living up to their father’s example as honest, hands-on men of integrity who use their knowledge and experience in the building trade to deliver “exceptional quality.”

“We were extremely happy with Lucas Craftsmanship and our major home renovation,” says satisfied couple Jennifer Schneider and Chris Pratt about their LCI experience. “For years before rebuilding our house, we watched rebuilds and new homes in the neighborhood, and LCI’s work always stood out. We felt that LCI – Billy, Danny, Steven and the entire staff – did an outstanding, and thorough job throughout the entire process of our rebuild. The communication was open and often, the quality of work was top notch, and when issues arose they were dealt with fairly and timely. We appreciate their attention to detail, delivery, and follow through on the entire project. We are very pleased with the final product, and very happy in the new house”

With this commitment to customer service and quality construction, LCI has restored life to several hundreds of homes in the Heights area in the past two decades.

Giving back to the community is an integral part of the LCI mission. Among various other charitable events and contributions, LCI has sponsored the Woodlands Heights and Houston Heights home tours in recent years, showcasing their work in more than 15 homes.

At LCI, all carpentry is done in house due to a commitment to old-world craftsmanship and high-end custom woodwork. Custom renovations, outdoor kitchens, new construction and even light commercial work, LCI is dedicated to taking what you envision and actualizing it – turning your dream into reality.

2018 Home tour delivers roaring success! / April 5, 2018 by Lori Bigler

Woodland Heights put its best foot forward, welcoming hundreds into our neighborhood to tour eight historic homes in late March. With thanks to the hard work of many volunteers, support from sponsors, the generosity of civic-minded homeowners and interest from lots of tourgoers, the tour set a fundraising record.

Home Tour Preview Party Gallery

The weekend kicked off with a sneak peek of the eight homes on tour followed by the preview party at Janeen Cook’s historic Rolle House. Close to 100 partygoers mixed and mingled in their “construction chic” garb and some dancing broke out to the toe-tapping Latin jazz of Zenteno Spirit. The delicious spread featured a wide range of nibbles, from hors d’oeuvres through desserts donated by local restaurants with beer, wine and non-alcoholic libations on tap.

Janeen led an impromptu tour of her 1910 William Wilson home that has remained in her family since its construction. A raffle with exciting prize packages raised another $1,200-plus dollars and one lucky neighbor took home the wine-and-food pairing for eight door prize donated by Kagan Cellars. The “Bob the Builder” mural painted by Hogg Middle School art students and construction props leant by neighbors Jane and Steve Ista set the theme. See the sponsor list for all who contributed to another fun preview party, with thanks to Peggy Sparks, Pat Schaper and Kim Lytle for leading the preview charge.

The next two days saw more than 800 visitors touring some or all of the eight featured homes, ranging from a 1,200-square-foot charmer now housing a family of five to the 6,600-square-foot beauty built by Woodland Heights’ founder William Wilson for his family. Some 200 docents and cashiers made the visitors feel welcome and shared the homes’ fascinating histories. Three of the homes were recently saved from the wrecking ball by homeowners with a love of the past and passion for restoration. Others had gone through earlier renovations, revisions and expansions to provide modern comforts while respecting their storied past.

The home tour chairs would like to express their sincere gratitude to all who came together to make the event such a success. The neighborhood’s largest fundraiser, proceeds will help keep our community connected and beautiful – truly “our hometown near downtown.”

Homes for the 2020 tour will be selected summer 2019 so if you would like yours to be considered, please email limoss@comcast.net.

2018 Woodland Heights Home Tour Starts This Friday! / March 20, 2018 by Lori Bigler

The neighborhood’s largest fundraiser, its biannual home tour, will be held March 23-25. This year, a total of eight historic homes, including three “teardown turnaround” specials, will open their doors to visitors.

1 - 205 Bayland: Built by Woodland Heights founder William Wilson for his own family, this 6,363-square-foot prairie style home has been lovingly restored as a neighborhood showplace. The most recent update, completed in 2017, refreshed the interior with a modern aesthetic.

2 - 3302 Beauchamp: One of the early William Wilson homes, this beauty once housed rental units in the attic. Current owners have undertaken two renovations. The latest expanded the kitchen and created a new master suite. The backyard now houses a beautiful pool area with its own kitchen, laundry and bath facilities.

3 - 1132 East 7th Street: This charming brick bungalow packs a lot into 1,200 square feet, plus attic conversion, to function well for a family of five. The 1935 house welcomes visitors with white shiplap walls and stained ceilings, original doors converted to sliders, bold wallpaper and eclectic antiques.

4 - 500 Teetshorn: Rather than building up, this home’s restorer raised the original single-story house and built a first floor beneath. The resulting home is true to its historic roots and features many period-perfect touches on both floors along with an open kitchen-family room space, high ceilings and transoms.

5 - 711 Woodland: This historic district home features a thoughtful second-story addition accessed by an open, airy stairwell with a beautiful window on the landing. Custom touches include a screened in porch off the second floor back, stained glass windows in the master and concrete floors in the mudroom/laundry area.

Teardown Turnarounds:

6 - 3005 Houston: Another original William Wilson home, this large two-story had been carved up into multiple rental spaces. Drawing upon their renovation expertise, the owners saved what they could and sourced period materials for windows, doors, floors, fixtures and stairwell. Enjoy the eclectic antique collections showcased throughout the home.

7 - 601 Woodland: Originally 1,200 square feet, this home had been much neglected before new owners saw its potential, restoring the home, adding a two-story space to the back and creating an inviting landscape for outdoor living. Making creative use of space, custom touches include a dedicated pet room for dog rescues and a wine room tucked under the stairs.

8 - 714 Woodland: Another potential teardown, the owners loved the home’s history and wide front porch, working to bring it back to life and restore it to single-family living. Check out the Brazilian antique doors guarding kitchen recesses and the original multi-paned windows throughout.

Preview Party

“Can we fix it?” Bob asks. His helpers reply, “Yes, we can!”

In salute to our teardown turnaround homes saved from the bulldozers, this year’s home tour preview party features a “Bob the Builder” theme. Don your best construction apparel (sequined tool belts, anyone?) and party at Janeen Cook’s historic William Wilson home at 530 Byrne on Friday night, March 23rd.

The event will feature delicious hors d’oeuvres donated by local restaurants, wine and beer, and dancing to Zenteno Spirit’s Latin jazz. All ticket holders are eligible for the door prize drawing, a wine tasting for 10 generously donated by Kagan Cellars. Raffle items include Astros tickets, a weekend getaway, “Raid the Cellar” (remaining wine and beer) and many more prizes. Space is limited so get your tickets early!

Party-goers also get an advance peak at the tour homes, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, with wine and cheese at each stop. Home tour tickets are valid all weekend.

Avoid the Lines!

New this year is a Friday night preview home tour-only ticket for $50. This allows you to tour and enjoy wine and cheese at each of the eight homes, but doesn’t include the party. Great for busy schedules! Note that while homeowners may be present at some of the homes, the Friday night preview is designed for viewing at your own pace without docents on hand to share insights as you go.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are still needed to serve as docents for the homes and cashiers at the ticket booth. A three-hour shift gets you a free home tour ticket! Plus it is a great way to meet new neighbors. To volunteer, please email limoss@comcast.net. Please indicate if you have a
preference for time slot and/or area (particular home or cashier), and we will try and accommodate.

Thanks to our Sponsors

The home tour committee is proud to report record-setting sponsor support for this year’s home tour and hopes to set a ticket-sales record as well, with our extra homes on offer. Many thanks to the generous neighborhood businesses who are underwriting this year’s tour and preview party.

Banner
Morningside Architects

Door Hanger
Lucas Craftsmanship, Inc.

Homes
Sara Black Team, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Anderson Properties
Kay Harden, Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
Grogan Building Supply Co. and JELD-WEN Windows & Doors (2 homes)
Lucas Craftsmanship, Inc.
Yvonne Meyer, Karen Stowers, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty, and Renovative Thinking
Melissa Kubala, Boulevard Realty, and The Modern Bungalow Co.
Mary Wassef, Circa Real Estate LLC & FW Heritage, LLC

Tickets
Boulevard Realty

Ticket Booth
Elizabeth Smith, The Mortgage Group

Brochure
Greenwood King Properties, Brigette Larson & Caroline Schlemmer
Bodensteiner Service Inc.
Four Square Design Studio
Hirsch & Westheimer PC
Master Car Care & Collison
Nick’s Plumbing & Sewer Service Inc.
Linda Hulsey & Steve Ciapi, Coldwell Banker United, Realtors

Floral
Athas Florist
Darlene’s Flower and Gift Shop
Gaye Jackson’s Flowers in the Heights
J.A. Polito III and Scherry Lindley
Kroger on Studemont
Nuvo Builders
Picked Flower Co.

Friends of Woodland Heights
Jane & Steve Ista
Nuvo Builders

In-Kind
BlueTileProject.com
Crowley Signs & Graphics
LP Printing
Pennebaker

‘Bob the Builder’ Preview Party
Special thanks to Janeen Cook

General Contractors
Mary & Nelson Curl
Greystar
Montalbano Lumber

Subcontractors
The Contemporary Craftsman
Gina Lesch
McIntyre + Robinowitz Architects PLLC
Semmler Pollard Properties

Vendors
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Deborah Markey
Ista Construction
Hogg Middle School, Kati Ozanic’s class

Suppliers
Alexander Valley, Arnold Gilberg
Alice Blue
Andy's Home Café
B B's
Becker Vineyards
Bellagreen
Roland Chavez
DaCapo’s Pastry Café
Fusion Taco
Ginger & Fork
Good Dog
Hughie's Heights
Kroger on Studemont
Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Los Pinos Wines
French’s Gourmet Bakery
Pinkerton’s BBQ
Red Dive Dessert
Sonoma Wine Bar & Restaurant, Heights
Peggy Sparks, Realtor, Semmler Pollard Properties
Sprouts Farmers Market
Town in City Brewing

Door Prize
Emily Trout & Mark Ellenberger, Kagan Cellars

Raffle
Berryhill Baja Grill
Bojangles Music School
Buchanan's Native Plants
CAMBRIA
C&D Hardware
Citizen Pilates
Eclectic Home
Gridiron Cookers
Joshua's Native Plants & Garden
Lin Chong
Mila Nelson, Satori Salon
Natran, LLC
Polish Parker and Roe
Richard Hall
Tacos a Go-Go

Lucas Craftsmanship, Inc.