Mod in Ayrshire Sec 14

[aim4123]

Hello All - I am new to this forum but am SO THANKFUL I found it!!

My husband and I just moved back to Houston after living in NYC for about 6 years. We are currently renting a home in Meyerland but are looking to purchase home and have just begun our search. We're particularly interested in Mod homes. There is a home we saw yesterday in the Ayrshire Sec 14 area. I did see all the posts about the Durness home in that neighborhood and am glad to hear it will not be demo'd for a McMasion.

Anyways...I was wondering if anyone had feedback about that area, as we are not so familiar with it.

Mainly I would like to know if anyone has info about the train tracks in that area. Are they "high traffic", loud?? (N. Braeswood and Academy)

Do you think the water treatment/waste plant could create any issues??

How would you rate this area for an investment?? We are only interested in Mod and want to maintain the integrity of the home we are interested in. Are there "enough" Mod enthusiasts around to purchase a home of this style when we are ready to sell??

If we do get this house we're going to keep ALL original details with the exception of the kitchen appliances. They no longer work.

With that said

[modgirl]

This is a great neighborhood. Are you looking at the house on Solway? I know several people who live on the street. The schools are very good. Pershing just got a new building and has a lot of parent involvement. Bellaire is one of the top public high schools in the county. As far as the train goes, the neighborhood is now in the quiet zone - the trains are not allowed to blow their horns. This is a very sought after neighborhood and has seen lots of appreciation in the last few years.

[VicMan]

I believe Ayshire houses are zoned for Twain Elementary School.

They are zoned to Pershing Middle School with Pin Oak Middle School as an option and Bellaire High School.

[aim4123]

This is a great neighborhood. Are you looking at the house on Solway? I know several people who live on the street. The schools are very good. Pershing just got a new building and has a lot of parent involvement. Bellaire is one of the top public high schools in the county. As far as the train goes, the neighborhood is now in the quiet zone - the trains are not allowed to blow their horns. This is a very sought after neighborhood and has seen lots of appreciation in the last few years.

Modgirl - Thank you so much for your input. Yes, we're interested in the house on Solway. I LOVE that street!! So many well maintained mod homes. We're going to look at it again today.

[gnu]

Modgirl - Thank you so much for your input. Yes, we're interested in the house on Solway. I LOVE that street!! So many well maintained mod homes. We're going to look at it again today.

In this month's Atomic Ranch, there is a very nice Solway mod.

alsoo, if you pick up a copy of the mag, check out their GE Partio Cart

[flipper]

Great area! It was even better before Krispy Kreme closed. The values have gone insane over there. I bought a house on Lanark in november of 05 for 190k. Vacant lots are now going for 350k plus.

Is this Solway house a FSBO?

flipper

[gnu]

Great area! It was even better before Krispy Kreme closed. The values have gone insane over there. I bought a house on Lanark in november of 05 for 190k. Vacant lots are now going for 350k plus.

Is this Solway house a FSBO?

flipper

sorry...i wasn't totally clear...it's not for sale.

it just has a write up in the magazine.

[Willowisp]

Amy, who started this topic did end up buying over there. Maybe we'll get pics soon???

The "Atomic Ranch feature" house owners check this message board from time to time, I believe. One is on the board of Houston Mod. That was one of the best Atomic Ranch issues in a long time. Houston has been (and will be) well represented in Atomic Ranch.

Jason

[Dream]

That house from Houston in the new Atomic Ranch is incredible. Those guys have got amazing taste and furniture collections.

Dream

[Willowisp]

25 years of collecting MCM can do wonders! Their collection was what got me started. 2 days after we closed on our house was the 2005 RDA "modern" tour. Vanessa and I docented at 10911 Willowisp. Many of the houses on that tour were very mod but had little or no mod furniture. Then the party for the docents and tour house owners was at their house, and when we saw that house a world opened up for us and basically said "you can do this too!" They've been friends and very helpful ever since. I was very happy to see them in Atomic Ranch representing Houston.

By the way, I interviewed this owner for the Houston Mod newsletter. If you don't get that then get on the list. I believe we still have to archive the newsletter on the site...

Jason

That house from Houston in the new Atomic Ranch is incredible. Those guys have got amazing taste and furniture collections.

Dream

[aim4123]

Hello All - Yes we bought the house that was for sale on Solway. Not in Atomic Ranch though . I believe we're next door to that home if I guess who it is. Where can you buy the magazine?? I can't find it anywhere. I just signed up for a subscription but probably won't get it for another 6 weeks. Would LOVE to have a copy.

We're moving into our house May 1st. Just got some pictures from 1962 (the year it was built). I'll have to scan those and post shortly. The original owner put a little bit of an Asian spin on it.

Here are some pictures of the outside as it stands now. We're going to update landscaping as soon as we finish with some interior work. Have an open mind...HA HA

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1138.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1139.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1142.jpg

We'll be frequenting the site looking for opinions!!

[mkultra25]

Hello All - Yes we bought the house that was for sale on Solway. Not in Atomic Ranch though . I believe we're next door to that home if I guess who it is. Where can you buy the magazine?? I can't find it anywhere. I just signed up for a subscription but probably won't get it for another 6 weeks. Would LOVE to have a copy.

Issues (magazine store on Shepherd between Richmond and Alabama) always has copies. Borders probably does as well, but I can't recall for sure if I've ever seen them there.

[Willowisp]

Yeah, this house is going to look great!

I usually see Atomic Ranch and Modernism here:

http://www.metroretrofurniture.com/cgi-bin/

Modernism has a great article or 2 this go round as well.

Lucky you to have original photos! I'm waiting on those and hoping to get to scan them soon from the original owners.

Jason

Hello All - Yes we bought the house that was for sale on Solway. Not in Atomic Ranch though . I believe we're next door to that home if I guess who it is. Where can you buy the magazine?? I can't find it anywhere. I just signed up for a subscription but probably won't get it for another 6 weeks. Would LOVE to have a copy.

We're moving into our house May 1st. Just got some pictures from 1962 (the year it was built). I'll have to scan those and post shortly. The original owner put a little bit of an Asian spin on it. We'll be frequenting the site looking for opinions!!

[Shin'enKan]

It looks like you bought a real gem. I love the wood pattern on the siding and the unique front gate. Usually those things are ripped out for some "wrought'n" iron Tuscan-y thing.

Now, we need more pictures!

[aim4123]

It looks like you bought a real gem. I love the wood pattern on the siding and the unique front gate. Usually those things are ripped out for some "wrought'n" iron Tuscan-y thing.

Now, we need more pictures!

The house is in great shape. Almost like a little time warp - push button light switches and all!!! We are updating the kitchen and redoing the master bath. The hall bath is almost completely untouched and has very cool atomic tile.

The original owner lived there from 1962 and left the home to a friend when she passed. Basically nothing has been done to it since. She never had any children so it's in pretty good shape. We feel pretty lucky. Just a lot of "polishing up" to do. Here a few pics. of the interior as it is now.

Den - http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1118.jpg

We've hired John Calarco (terrazzo spec) to grind and polish the terrazzo tiles. We're going to clean the fireplace brick and may have the paneling professionally cleaned/moisturized or we may do this ourselves....depending on the quote

Atomic tile on counter in hall bath - (pic. is dark) http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1130.jpg

Kitchen - http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1120.jpg Updating appliances. Not conducive to our lifestyle but they all work expect for the dishwasher. Not sure what's wrong with it but if anyone is interested....we're going to sell all of them. She kept them up and they're really clean. We also found out the hardware in the kitchen is copper. A good cleaning and I think it will look amazing. The cabinets need a good clean and polish too!!

Anyways...that's a brief little tour. Can't wait to see what the terrazzo tile will look like after John gets a hold of it. I also think all of the paneling will make a HUGE impact when brought back to life. Any have suggestions on how to do that???

Thanks!!

[sevfiv]

Den - http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1118.jpg

Atomic tile on counter in hall bath - (pic. is dark) http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1130.jpg

Kitchen - http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1120.jpg

looks fantastic - i remember seeing some of the interior pictures from HAR which didn't seem to do it justice (maybe it was the furniture/curtain combinations...or something)

[aim4123]

looks fantastic - i remember seeing some of the interior pictures from HAR which didn't seem to do it justice (maybe it was the furniture/curtain combinations...or something)

Hahaha - Yeah the "swags" sure do throw you a bit. Those will def. come down as well most of the light fixtures except one cool one in the entry way. HAR pics. didn't do it justice.

[Willowisp]

Oh boy. We went rounds about panelling in another thread. You should paint it.

No, just kidding. I would really talk to an expert on it and see what they think. We had to tear our panelling out and put the exact same thing in its place. You may just need to put a new coat of poly urethane or sand it and restain it. Ours had been half painted. We got the paint off pretty easily but then when it was stained it didn't match the part that was never painted. If they would have told me they could get the same exact look with new panels I think I'd have just skipped all that paint stripping part. But they knew that my mantra was to keep whatever we could save.

So are you going to be able to keep that groovy atomic tile? Our bathrooms were totally shot after 50 years of abuse. I'd say our new kitschy blue and green mosaic tile is the pride of the house.

Jason

[aim4123]

Oh boy. We went rounds about panelling in another thread. You should paint it.

No, just kidding. I would really talk to an expert on it and see what they think. We had to tear our panelling out and put the exact same thing in its place. You may just need to put a new coat of poly urethane or sand it and restain it. Ours had been half painted. We got the paint off pretty easily but then when it was stained it didn't match the part that was never painted. If they would have told me they could get the same exact look with new panels I think I'd have just skipped all that paint stripping part. But they knew that my mantra was to keep whatever we could save.

So are you going to be able to keep that groovy atomic tile? Our bathrooms were totally shot after 50 years of abuse. I'd say our new kitschy blue and green mosaic tile is the pride of the house.

Jason

I thought about painting it all sage green.....JUST KIDDING!!! Yeah...maybe we'll get an expert to look at it first. It's actually in really good shape. It just needs some MAJOR moisturizing. I don't think they ever oiled it. The breakfast room may need some sanding. A few really good scratches in there!!

YES, we are definitley going to keep the Atomic tile. It's in pristine condition. I'm very excited about that!!!!

The master bath on the other hand...YIKES. It's not very nice. Dusty rose 4x4's, peach tile floor and sink and dark brown tiles on the shower floor. We're going with a funky" little mosaic as well. Hakatai makes it. I think it will be nice, bright and clean when all is said and done.

[Willowisp]

Sounds very familiar... Hakatai was our brand as well. Sometimes I think a solid might have been a better choice for a "serious MCM" but on the other hand, it is fun having the multi-color stuff. I'll have to upload a picture of it later. I don't have anything in photobucket of the finished bathroom.

There's a lot more grout to clean with the mosaic though and junk ends up in those little cracks if you're not careful, think stomping roaches junk, ok, TMI. Takes some good cleaning to get rid of...

Jason

The master bath on the other hand...YIKES. It's not very nice. Dusty rose 4x4's, peach tile floor and sink and dark brown tiles on the shower floor. We're going with a funky" little mosaic as well. Hakatai makes it. I think it will be nice, bright and clean when all is said and done.

[ArchitectureEnthusiast]

Hi, just was catching up on the threads! We just moved into our Lars Bang MCM in Ayrshire--we're still doing some finish work...but at least we're here! Amy, I used John Calarco also & he did an awesome job on my terrazzo. We had panelling issues as well. We had mahogany panelling which had ambered & lost its luster. We had one wall of panelling that was partially rotten due to expsoure to moisture & it proceeded to buckle at the seams when we raised the foundation. Also, I wanted the panelling to be a little less yellow & a little more brown in color. This is what worked for us: we kept all the panelling we could, we replaced the one wall with new Mahogany, then we had a stain specialist come in. Ramone did a 2 step process & had it all finished in less than 2 days. He first applied a coating to the new panelling to match the amber color of the old panelling, then he applied another coat to all the panelling (and some cabinetry & doors) to bring it all to the same color. He then applied some type of poly or lacquer to protect the wood & give it luster (not shine). I am very pleased with how it turned out! I will post pics soon...my camera was stolen from my car...Also, since we're neighbors, you are welcome to drop in & see. Good luck! I can put you in touch with Ramone if you like. Also, if you need to do some work on your kitchen cabinets, try Watco. It's a wood rejuvenation product that can work wonders.

[aim4123]

Hi, just was catching up on the threads! We just moved into our Lars Bang MCM in Ayrshire--we're still doing some finish work...but at least we're here! Amy, I used John Calarco also & he did an awesome job on my terrazzo. We had panelling issues as well. We had mahogany panelling which had ambered & lost its luster. We had one wall of panelling that was partially rotten due to expsoure to moisture & it proceeded to buckle at the seams when we raised the foundation. Also, I wanted the panelling to be a little less yellow & a little more brown in color. This is what worked for us: we kept all the panelling we could, we replaced the one wall with new Mahogany, then we had a stain specialist come in. Ramone did a 2 step process & had it all finished in less than 2 days. He first applied a coating to the new panelling to match the amber color of the old panelling, then he applied another coat to all the panelling (and some cabinetry & doors) to bring it all to the same color. He then applied some type of poly or lacquer to protect the wood & give it luster (not shine). I am very pleased with how it turned out! I will post pics soon...my camera was stolen from my car...Also, since we're neighbors, you are welcome to drop in & see. Good luck! I can put you in touch with Ramone if you like. Also, if you need to do some work on your kitchen cabinets, try Watco. It's a wood rejuvenation product that can work wonders.

Thanks for the info. It seems that we're going thru some of the same things. I can thankfully say we didn't have any foundation issues which is pretty astounding for that area and age of the home. I would love to speak to you offline and get the number to your wood guy....maybe even come by and see his work if you don't mind.

[NenaE]

Hello All - Yes we bought the house that was for sale on Solway. Not in Atomic Ranch though . I believe we're next door to that home if I guess who it is. Where can you buy the magazine?? I can't find it anywhere. I just signed up for a subscription but probably won't get it for another 6 weeks. Would LOVE to have a copy.

We're moving into our house May 1st. Just got some pictures from 1962 (the year it was built). I'll have to scan those and post shortly. The original owner put a little bit of an Asian spin on it.

Here are some pictures of the outside as it stands now. We're going to update landscaping as soon as we finish with some interior work. Have an open mind...HA HA

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1138.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1139.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/ai...se/IMG_1142.jpg

We'll be frequenting the site looking for opinions!!

wow, that woodwork on the house front is nice, haven't seen that much in this city...very "tiki". And that fence brickwork is great, very 1960's. Love the homes and landscapes with Asian touches.