Convenience Big Store: Houston builder creates his dream home

Custom builder tackles his own French Country style home in Houston

There's nothing like watching a couple walk through their dream home, every last detail, from the roof tile to the fireplace finishes in perfect order. I spent some time with Bruce and Suzanne Winfrey in their River Oaks area home, designed and finished in French country style. Suzanne has family there and they visit frequently and they often commented how nice it would be to have a slice of France in Houston. Now they've got it, and it's beautiful.

This newsletter also brings you a story about a Missouri City couple with a smaller project, turning a dated primary bathroom into a spa-like retreat. I love the way they used porcelain tile that looks like wood on the floor, walls and ceiling of the shower. In fact, it looks more like a sauna than anything else.

I also hope you'll take time to listen to our Looped In podcast, hosted by my colleagues Marissa Luck and Rebecca Schuetz. I was a recent guest on the podcast and the three of us talked about the fate of three historic River Oaks homes I've written about recently, one that was saved, one that was demolished and another newly on the market, its fate as yet unknown.

Diane Cowen, Home Design reporter

diane.cowen@houstonchronicle.com

Architecture + Design

The Houston home of Bruce and Suzanne Winfrey.

Photo by: Kerry Kirk

New River Oaks home features French country style, antique materials

Bruce and Suzanne Winfrey finally built their dream home, using a France-based architect and three containers of architectural antiques such as reclaimed wood and stone, plus lighting and fireplace surrounds.

The primary bathroom in the Houston area home of Erin Karazsia.

Photo by: Luis Rendon

Missouri City home's primary bath gets spa treatment in full makeover

Missouri City couple turns an ordinary primary bathroom into a spa-like room to make their lives easier and more relaxing.

A photo of the home at 2124 River Oaks Boulevard, designed by architect John F. Staub in 1938. The photo appeared in the 1979 book,

Photo by: University Of Texas Press

Podcast: Crane demolition of River Oaks mansion part of a pattern

In this Looped In episode, co-hosts Marissa Luck and Rebecca Schuetz talk with reporter Diane Cowen about the loss of historic homes in Houston's River Oaks.

Outdoors

Ruby-throated hummingbirds will need nectar-producing flowers plus sugar water feeders to help support their autumn migration to Mexico and Central America. Photo Credit: Kathy Adams Clark. Restricted use.

Photo by: Kathy Adams Clark, Kathy Adams Clark/KAC Productions

Time to fill the hummingbird feeder for the great fall hummer migration

For fall's massive hummingbird migration, many of the birds will fly along the Texas coast, across the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Bermuda mowed at recommended height is able to crowd out weeds.

Photo by: Courtesy Image

How to keep grass alive amid hot weather, water restrictions

Neil Sperry offers advice on ground covers, when to plant St. Augustine and recommended mowing heights.

A Good Read

Chronicle Columnist Joy Sewing's vacation included lots of summer reading with her children.

Photo by: Joy Sewing

Back to school: Add parent stress to the list

Back to school is considerably one of the most stressful times for many families. HISD changes are making is worse. Still, focus should be our kids' needs.