barton creek jan feb 11

Barton Creek’sReal Estate Report

Square FootageHow Accurate are Your Home’s Measurements?

A Decadent Dish to Surprise Your GuestsTrio’s Sweet Corn Crème Brulee

Your Interiors’ Distinctive Touch

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS.

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

A SAMPLING OF REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY IN

Barton CreekFEATURED PROPERTY

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country, Barton Creek community offers its residents a distinctive country club setting who are privileged to live in some of the finest homes and one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Austin area. As a Luxury Realtor specializing in Barton Creek properties, Stephanie has the experience and expertise to represent you to the highest degree in your next real estate transaction. Stephanie is a client-focused professional who has been rewarded as a top producer. Her proven sales record, business skills and innovative ideas enable her to assist her clients and investors in acquiring sound investments. As a long-time West Austin resident, she has an extensive knowledge of the market, neighborhoods and the area’s prestigious properties. Having earned the professional designation of Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), her knowledge and consultative approach result in outstanding service for her clients. Learn for yourself why clients return and refer to Stephanie time and time again. She looks forward to hearing from you!

8734 Chalk KnollMEDITERRANEAN DREAM | 4766 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bedrooms | 5 Baths

Visit www.8734ChalkKnoll.com for photos and detailed information on this elegant estate.

January | February 2011

85026PERMIT 1441

www.StephanieNick.com

Stephanie Nick, Realtor®

Million Dollar Guild, CLHMS

512.426.9183 [email protected]

ACTIVE LISTINGSAddress Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath List Price7936 Escala Dr. 9501 / 6 / 6-3 $3,650,500 4609 Mirador Dr. 8728 / 5 / 6-1 $3,495,000 4800 Mirador Dr. 7298 / 7 / 7-2 $2,765,000 7600 Escala Dr. 6800 / 6 / 5-2 $2,650,000 8027 Chalk Knoll Dr. 7078 / 4 / 4-3 $1,995,000 1200 Barton Creek Blvd. # 51 3694 / 4 / 4-1 $1,495,000 8501 Navidad Dr. 5146 / 4 / 4-2 $1,299,000 2909 Maravillas Loop 4163 / 4 / 3-1 $1,237,500 1200 Barton Creek Blvd. # 6 3500 / 4 / 3-1 $1,095,000 1800 Chalk Rock Cv. 5792 / 6 / 4-1 $1,000,000 8734 Chalk Knoll 4766 / 4 / 4-1 $995,000 8901 Chalk Knoll Dr. 4569 / 4 / 3-1 $895,000 1801 Chalk Rock Cv. 4982 / 4 / 4-1 $849,000 8317 Club Ridge Dr. # 102 4145 / 4 / 2-1 $749,000 9100 Calera Dr. #8 2656 / 3 / 2 $599,000

SALE PENDINGAddress Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath List Price11205 Solitary Fawn Trl. 4162 / 4 / 4 $549,000 2305 Barton Creek Blvd. # 41 2548 / 2 / 2-1 $595,000 2700 Maravillas Cv. 5423 / 5 / 5 $1,086,350

Would you like YOUR home featured on the next issue? Call me today.

SOLD Address Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath1200 Barton Creek Blvd. # 5 2926 / 3 / 2-1 2123 Wimberly Ln. 4162 / 4 / 3-1 8202 Scenic Ridge Cv. 4651 / 4 / 4 11211 Grazing Deer Trl. 4549 / 4 / 3 3012 Maravillas Loop 3980 / 4 / 4-1 1404 Club Ridge CV. 3818 / 4 / 4-1 8621 Navidad Dr. 4274 / 4 / 5-1 8625 Calera Dr. 5929 / 5 / 4-1 9005 Wimberly Cv. 8060 / 5 / 4-1 2701 Maravillas Cv. 5693 / 5 / 4-1 1200 Barton Creek Blvd. # 10 3422 / 3 / 3-1

Krupp Wine Dinner Perry’s Steakhouse and Grill, January 12th512.474.6300 | PerrysSteakhouse.comWhether you are a fan of a great glass of wine or a studying sommelier, this evening of food and wine is perfect for you. Taste the magic when you pair the perfect wine with exquisite cuisine. During this fabulous five-course tasting menu the wine geniuses at Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille will guide you through a meal to remember. There is limited seating so please reserve ahead.

George Straight and Reba McIntyreFrank Erwin Center, January 14th512.471.7744 | UTErwinCenter.comDon’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind concert featuring some of country music’s biggest superstars. Performing some of their latest hits such as Straight’s Breaths You Take and the upbeat Turn on the Radio by McIntyre, this is sure to be a great show. Plus, enjoy the opening act Lee Ann Womack as she kick-starts the toe-tapping evening!

Thai Favorites: Vegetarian Cooking ClassThai Fresh, January 18th512.494.6436 | Thai-Fresh.comIn the need for a few new recipes to add to your repertoire? Ever conquered the delicious dishes of the Orient? Learn to create mouth-watering Thai favorites, vegetarian style. These classes are small and hands-on for that extra help and attention. Some dishes you will learn are the Pai Thai with Tofu as well as the Sticky Rice and Mango. Now you’ll be sure to impress your next dinner guests!

La SylphideThe Long Center, February 11th – 13th512.457.5100 | BalletAustin.orgAs one of the oldest romantic ballets, La Sylphide captures the heart of audiences everywhere. The ballet tells the tale of a young Scotsman who is enchanted by a mystical fairy the night before his wedding. Through dance and the accompaniment of the Austin Symphony, the story unravels to his uncertainty toward what love is worth, and at what cost.

Paramount Break-A-Leg 5KDowntown Austin, February 20th512.472.5470 | AustinTheatre.orgCan you run in a Marilyn Monroe wig? Able to walk as The Godfather? This fun course makes its way through Downtown Austin with participants dressed up as their favorite stage or film star all in support of the Paramount Theatre. Stay a while after the race and enjoy the live entertainment and refreshments.

Rooftop Architecture Film Series: Koolhaas HouselifeArthouse, February 24th512.453.5312 | ArthouseTexas.orgMix and mingle with other art and design lovers during Arthouse’s rooftop discussions and film viewings. You will compare and contrast between the new architecture of Arthouse with the monthly films. February’s selection, Koolhaas Houselife, showcases one of the architectural masterpieces of current times, The House of Bordeaux.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2011

SWEET CORN CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Featuring Trio at Four Seasons Hotel

512.685.8300 | TrioRestaurantAustin.com

INGREDIENTS

METHOD Sauté onion and garlic in extra virgin olive oil. Add frozen corn, 4 oz. butter, and two quarts of cream and bring to a simmer. Season with Tabasco and thyme, and blend until smooth. Roast fresh corn, remove the husk and cut off kernels. Cook in white wine and 4 oz. butter until soft and all liquid has evaporated. Whisk 1 cup of the warm cream-corn mixture into the egg yolks, then add them back to the rest of the cream mix and whisk thoroughly. Fold in the fresh corn mixture. Spoon into crème brûlée dishes, top with sugar and caramelize.

Serves 2

Your homebuilder said you have 4500 square feet, county tax records say 4200 square feet and the appraiser says it’s actually 4700. What’s going on here? Many people are surprised to know that calculating square footage is more of an opinion than an exact science. That’s why different sources might come up with differing amounts. The concept seems simple enough. How can you go wrong with a measuring tape and a calculator? The answer is that there is not a consistent practice of measuring. Most real estate appraisers measure the exterior of the home to calculate the gross living area. However, since they are measuring from the exterior, the calculation includes the space taken up by the exterior walls, wood siding, stucco and/or stone. For instance, a space of 20 ft. x 50 ft. would be 1000 square feet. But if the walls

are five-inches thick, that’s actually only 942 square feet of livable space. And, that gross footage also includes closets, interior walls, and stairwells. To complicate the matter further, a two-story home has an entire other floor of exterior walls that are considered part of its square footage. A square footage calculation might be made from another source based on interior dimensions. Room dimensions are generally measured from wall to wall. Others might measure not just room dimensions, but the actual floor space. Further, if there are extensive built-in bookshelves or cabinets, that can make a notable difference. What about that large kitchen island? It’s not walkable floor space, but rather like a piece of furniture. Does that square footage count? In 1996, the American Standards Institute approved a voluntary standard for calculating the square footage of a home.

Not everyone uses these standards, but before they were drafted, there was a higher incidence of different computing methods. Some counted vaulted ceilings as living space, some doubled the downstairs area for two-story homes. Others included balconies, porches and fireplaces as living space. This is one of the reasons that county tax records can be so different; even more so in older homes, where improvements and additions might have been made over the years and not recorded. So how do you know what your home’s square footage is? Or that of a home that you would like to buy? There are some companies out there that you can hire to verify

a home’s square footage. Your Realtor can aid you in finding a resource. That’s a good option if you see several conflicting reports on the same home, or if the square footage advertised just doesn’t seem to “add up.” As far as buying a home, perhaps it’s good advice to not get too caught up in the square footage number. Sometimes a 4500 square foot home flows better and appears bigger than a 5000 square foot home. Buy a property because you love it and it feels like home, no matter if the numbers might be “off.”

Looking to add a distinctive touch to your home? It’s time to step it up a notch with that ultimate designer touch: A hand-painted relief, a hand-painted finished wall, or a textured ceiling to make your home truly unique. But when it comes to custom interior finishes, it seems there are infinite possibilities. How can you narrow down what type of design you want in your home? The first thing to remember, says Mary Senders, co-owner of In Your Space Arts, is that the architecture of your home usually drives the overall inspiration. “It’s hard to create a Mediterranean-style home in a craftsman bungalow.” Next, look around your space and find places where an artist might lend a personal touch. You’d be surprised—you don’t necessarily need a monumental space for such a project. “The main thing we look for is an architectural element,” says Senders, whose group of artisans are trained and expected to be well-versed in architecture, design styles, and color so they can guide the client in the selections. “Our finishes really accentuate the unique architecture of a space. It can be a groin or inset ceiling, or an overall wash of color to richen the paint finish. It doesn’t need to be a huge

space – small hallway niches are great places for unique finishes and color. Powder bathrooms are also confined spaces where you can add a special finish. We also can update the finishes on cabinets to update an older look by adding depth and richness.” Luckily, if you turn to the craftsmen and artists of In Your Space Art, you’re putting your home in the hands of true professionals. “We use artisan techniques that attempt to recreate and rebuild authentic finishes,” explains Senders. “We use products created from natural elements to imitate how the finish would have originally been created. We avoid using faux products because they limit the ability of the artist to adjust colors and finishes on site.” The artists even make

their own plasters, bricks, and metal powders to gain more control of the products, colors, and overall finish. “Clients who are looking for authenticity and artistry are appreciative of our artisan techniques.” No doubt, the other most important factor is color. “Usually we spend a lot of time working with the designer or client on the right color for the space,” says Senders, who co-owns the design firm with creative director Danny Phillips. “It is a combination of the existing colors in the home—floors, tile, furnishings—and their personal preference.” Some questions the artists of In Your Space may ask: What colors are you attracted to? What colors do you like to be surrounded by? (Hint: Your clothing colors often give a clue!)

“We discern features in the style of the home, natural elements, and the ambiance or ‘feel’ that someone is looking for,” she continues. “Sometimes people want a formal, polished look and other times they want a relaxed, comfortable space.” Of course, your inspiration can come from anywhere. “Some [of our clients] find inspiration from their travels,” adds Senders, adding that every client is different. “We worked on a home recently where the client had spent months in Venice, Italy to replicate the architecture, finishes, and colors for her waterfront home.” But you don’t need to have traveled to get design ideas. “Sometimes the inspiration is a favorite piece of art or painting.” Gleaning ideas from current trends is also a good approach. Popular hues and trends right now include cleaner, fresher colors with a hint of earth tones. “Grey is the new brown,” says Senders. “Many paints, fabrics and woods are including a touch of grey to add that sharp, clean feel. We are also seeing a big increase in antique cabinets: Old World finishes with multiple layers of paint. Accent finishes are still popular and we still see Old World and classic finishes in the popular Mediterranean-style homes.” For more information on In Your Space Art, and to see photos of their gorgeous work as well as videos of the team in action, visit InYourSpaceArt.com.

2 onions8 garlic cloves2 bags frozen corn12 ears fresh corn8 oz. butter2 qts. cream1/2 qt. white wine

6 egg yolksextra virgin olive oilsalt and pepperthymeTabascogranulated sugar