Getting Your Wood On

Don't judge a blog title by its figurative realm, you sick people! Not that kind of blog!

I'm talking about the literal meaning of wood. To be more specific, wood paneled walls. I'm guessing after making this clarification, you went from a warm, piqued interest to a cold shiver to the core in a matter of seconds. 

As you may have remembered from one of my past posts, Hubby and I purchased a new mid-century home. The innards of this home possesses wood paneled walls throughout 40% of it. When we first moved in, I was pretty irked by the paneling. But this house is a-m-a-z-i-n-g, otherwise.

I have run into several home decorating "advice" columns where "dated" fixtures of the home--wood paneled walls being one of many--are uncouth. Worse yet, these old retired fixtures may impede with successfully selling your home later on. I agree with tasteful updates, but trends come and go. Why are vintage items that were once thrown away, now sought after today?

With ongoing renovations in our San Antonio bungalow, I did not want to even consider any large projects at this house. The thought of tearing out all of that paneling makes me want to collapse. Besides, this paneling was true 1950s real wood. Not to be confused with the 1970s printed-on wood grain that your neighbor had in his man-cave.

Up close and personal, our wood paneled walls

The next thought that came to mind is to whitewash this stuff, as a means of lightening the room while allowing the wood grain to proudly show.

As I began to research whitewashing techniques for wood paneling online, the finished outcome began to look like lipstick on a pig. Not to be controversial, but if paneling supposedly sucks, why paint it? If you go through the trouble to mask it, just remove it. Additionally, painting paneled walls gives it a country look, and I definitely don't want to bring that look to this killer mid-century home.

Hubby and I started settling in. We plugged in some warm lighting. We purchased a new charcoal sofa and set it up. Suddenly, the paneling started to creep its way into my subconscious on a better level. 'Maybe it's not that that bad,' I thought. There is an abundance of natural lighting in this area too. 'Plain white walls would be blinding in here,' I thought again. And so begins the transformation of loving the wood.

New charcoal sofa snapped the room into shape

As we played around with some items we had, we took note that grays, neutrals and greens look terrific with wood. In fact, we have found a few other pieces of furniture that are different shades of wood, and the mixture of woods add a type of textural interest. While we are coveting the living and dining room having wood paneling, we are most likely going to tear it out of the kitchen and hallway, mainly due to low-lighting in those areas. That will come later...much, much later.

Before and after: Changing generic big box store lighting back to a period-correct vintage light. (Yes, that popcorn ceiling needs to go.)

Our first mission with the house was to tackle the awful lighting fixtures that are all over the house. The basic hardware store and colonial lighting made the wood paneling look plain icky. After scouting and finding some period-correct vintage lighting fixtures, it was amazing what transformation took place. We managed to find lots of vintage fixtures, but have not connected them all yet. More photos are forthcoming.

So I will leave it at this: Do you know how rare it is to find a home with original, non-painted wood surfaces? Although I will agree that painting wood white tends to brighten up a room, I also believe that wood brings its own vibe too. We just need to understand what kind of partner it needs to shine. Might I also add the caveat that wood paneling comes in many forms (boiserie, wainscoting, beadboard, flat paneling,) and should stay in its respective age-appropriate home.

If you have lived through the 1980s, it's likely that you now cringe at the fashion we once wore at that time. Yet, it's back full throttle on the fashion runways. Just as 80s fashion is the hottest thing since sliced bread, I surely have faith that wood paneled walls will too, come back in style. In fact, there are other believers out there. I found numerous resources and forums where folks are researching mid-century color palettes to bring out the original features of the home (read: pink tile, paneled walls, turquoise sinks.) I have actually found a few articles out there that mention that wood paneling is back in style given the retro craze.

If we embrace and understand our history, we might just come to love, maybe even enhance some features of our home that are initially under-appreciated. Through understanding the history, we can better pair it with other fabrics, textures and colors to accentuate, rather than punish original features.

Lastly, the take-home key point on wood paneling is...Lighting and color pairing are key components to living with (and loving) paneled walls!

Here are some inspirational woody interiors from the nets:

via midcenturia.com

via mid-century-home.com

via takesunset.com

via apartmenttherapy.com

This, That or the Other???

As major collectors of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and anything uniquely old and quirky, decorating our new 1956 home has been challenging yet fun. It's a completely different aesthetic. Imagine riding a stagecoach on the Autobahn. Not that I'm saying the stagecoach wouldn't be a cool portal for transportation, but it sure would be out of place. Same thing happens when you take gobs of early-century antiques and place it all over a mid-century home. It holds up the task of decorating, but just doesn't always look right.

Hubby has the theory that if you make a few modifications to the stagecoach, it should hold up just fine on the Autobahn. In other words, we will move all of our belongings to the mid-century home and see what might blend in, and what might be destined for the estate sale. I tend to agree that Art Deco design is compatible with Mid-Century design, and that "eclectic" is a lighthearted method of decorating...

Case in point: Here we compare a deco sofa against an atomic sofa. Pretty similar, right? Again, different aesthetic, but the lines are simple.

Deco-style sofa

Danish modern sofa

Another consideration are tchotchkes. They were plentiful (yet looked really neat) in our 1920s home. Hubby and I had many discussions whether or not to bring all the tchotchkes to our new home. As you might infer, mid-century design is typically minimal, with emphasis on the design of the home and the furniture. Tchotchkes will act as a strobe light in your face. You won't focus on a damn thing.

But again, Hubby the modifier believes that if we take it all, we can get a better feel for whether we can decorate differently. This had my head gears rotating. I thought, "if you give the tchotchkes structure, maybe we can make it work!"

Case in point: Here are a few examples where major collectors and mid-century lovin' collide. You will notice a theme of structured placement.

Mid-century odds and ends specifically placed on shelves

Ms. Lucia Eames was quite fond of tchotchkes! Note her designated place for each one on the table, and the tiki grouping untouchably behind the seating area.

Obviously, not all of our antique furniture will work out for us. The new home is expansive and some of our old furniture looked out of scale and dwarfed in some of the rooms. Some of the furniture we had brought over looked just "okay." I have always been a fan of eclectic design. I will make as much of what we already own work for us, by golly!

Here are just a few examples of eclectic design that I'm loving. A happy marriage of early and mid-century. Humor and seriousness. Structure and chaos.

Home Addict

We did it again. We have another baby. We bought a new house, (actually, it's an old house). We are living in this beautiful mid-century modern home by weekday, and by weekend, we are back at the home renovations with the 1920s stucco bungalow.

We originally intended to stay in our cool little stucco 1925 home when renovations began about five years ago (read about our journey here, here and here,) however, changes in our jobs have brought us to another city.

Once renovations and finishing touches are complete, to market it will go. Makes me sad...I miss our renovated kitchen that was tailored to my culinary whims. This house was so fun to decorate, too.

It's like sending our child off to college. You take care of it for so long, make improvements and watch it grow into something so beautiful before your eyes...and then you have to let it go. Facts of life, I suppose.

I will keep you informed as we head into this butt-kicking journey. One thing's for sure...that pendant light in our new mid-century home has to go! (Here's where it all begins...again.)

(All photos via Art and Facts)

Drunken Valentine

This is what I'm talking about...

(Idea via Mr. Kate)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mini-Travel Feature: San Antonio Pearl Brewery Complex Staycation

It's been a while since I've featured a travel posting. In fact, it's been quite some time since hubby and I have been traveling since our honeymoon in Hawaii (read about it here.) We have been all home remodeling and no play. We are fighting the dull boy/dull girl syndrome.

Today I'm featuring a newer side of our home town that we are quite impressed by. All that was required was that we venture outside of our comfy routine. How many times do we frequent the same restaurants and shops? Do you drive the same road home, without taking a new route at random? What about taking the time to read the local newspaper in a search to try something new? It's easy to be a creature of habit.

Since we have been stuck in San Antonio with a big list of to-do's, we decided to try some of the newest bars, restaurants and cafes that have popped up in the Pearl Brewery Complex of San Antonio. This complex has really made a facelift for San Antonio, in my opinion.

You see, locals never care to go to the downtown Riverwalk. Indeed it is a gorgeous part of the city, however, I find that many of the restaurants and bars leave much to be desired and take a big hit on your wallet. And where else is there to go in the city that doesn't include the typical Tex-Mex and hamburger fare? The Pearl Brewery Complex has satisfied a much-needed culinary and visually-pleasing desire. If you are going to empty your wallet, you might as well have enjoyed the process!

(photo via atpearl.com)

First of all, you may ask where the heck is the Pearl Brewery Complex? To explain, the Pearl Brewery is pretty close to downtown.  The "Pearl" is actually located off of the Riverwalk extension,(a.k.a. the "Museum Reach.") There is plenty of parking on site or you can walk and/or take the River Taxi from downtown.

The Pearl Complex has quite a history and the restoration of the buildings have been top-notch. I give the developers two-thumbs up for providing modern services to a sleepy city all while keeping its historical elements. Not too many cities nor developers achieve both.

1) The Granary Cue and Brew 

(photo via thegranarysa.com)

Although I'm from Texas, I've never been a huge barbeque lover. But the Granary had me at hello with "handcrafted brew" so naturally, I had to stop in. Housed snugly inside a late-1800s home at the Pearl Complex (read of its interesting history here,) you immediately feel at home.

(photo via Art and Facts)

We partook in a shared 3-course meal that was decadent on so many levels. We started off with the Texas Toast. Sounds pretty generic but oh no buddy...this will rock your world. This heavenly appetizer is comprised of toasted buttermilk bread, and on the side, a large dollop of barbeque butter with fresh cracked pepper to smear all over that bread. Barbeque butter can best be described as the brainchild of the juiciest drippings from slow smoked meat and sweet honey butter. We stuffed our faces with delight by the time I realized that I wanted to document this wonder.

We shared our "main" dish and dessert, both eloquently described below with photos. Need not say more...

(photos via Art and Facts)

2) The Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden

I loved what I saw when I walked into this restaurant. The interior encompassed the love of historic preservation that the Pearl stands for. The Boiler House actually occupies the former "boiler house," which powered the Pearl Brewery more than 100 years ago. You will actually get to see two of these enormous boilers inside the restaurant, behind the bar area. Hence the name. 

(photo via boilerhousesa.com)

Now, if you like to try as many items an eatery can offer, this is the place for you. The Boiler House offers small plates with big flavor. It doesn't stop there. You can pair your small plates with a wide variety of beer and wine. Talk about mix and match heaven. If you thought that was as good as it could get...there's more! All items on the menu are transported from local farms and markets. Supporting a local economy while eating amazing food = Bingo!

(photos via boilerhousesa.com)

These are just a few teasers from the menu. You will have to try it yourself to understand the gastronomic fun I had while visiting the Boiler House. 

3) La Gloria
La Gloria was one of the first restaurants that went in at the Pearl Complex. Needless to say, this one has been one of our routine spots to nosh. The owners of this little place coin their fare as "street foods of interior Mexico." That's right boys and girls...this is not your typical run-of-the-mill Tex-Mex. Their platform is on small plates, but you get unique gourmet traditional Mexican food. Doesn't hurt that the chef is a successful CIA grad and has been featured in many travel magazines...

(photo via atpearl.com)

The vibe is terrific--there are murals, metal sculptures and a view of the river. The patio is quite the cozy retreat. Surrounded by metal sculptures and an open lawn, La Gloria is one of the few restaurants in San Antonio where you can be as dressed up or as dressed down, bring the kids or bring the dog...just come as you are.

(photo via atpearl.com)

Hubby and I like to try new plates each time we visit, with the only constant being a refreshing Mojito (or two)! Never have we been disappointed. If you want something very unique to Texas/San Antonio, you definitely have to give La Gloria a try. Salivating yet???

(photos via atpearl.com and seriouseats.com)

4) Blue Box Cocktails and Spirits
Stuffed after all that amazing food and want a digestif? Or...would you like to start here for an aperitif before picking your restaurant of choice? We have the place for you! And again, located centrally amongst the Pearl Complex!

(photo via yelp.com)

Handcrafted drinks prepared by a trained mixologist are making a comeback everywhere and boy...was I happy to see a bar like this make its way to San Antonio! This bar gets pretty busy late at night so if you want more of a relaxed feel, I recommend you visit early. 

(photo via Art and Facts)

You can order that old fashioned favorite or you can try any of their special concoctions listed on the blackboard. We tried a couple of blackboard items and enjoyed the complex flavors. Perfect ending to a perfect evening.

(photo via Art and Facts)

4) Green Vegetarian Cuisine

The vegetarians and vegans of the world need not feel left out. Green has moved their first of two locations out at the Pearl Complex. In a city full of tortillas, meat and grease, I have to say that Green is my savior. They offer what most don't--healthy food. But wait...it's TASTY healthy food!

(photo via tripadvisor.com)

Hubby and I stopped by with dog in tow for a random Sunday brunch. We sat outside in the partial sun on a gorgeous day. Architecturally speaking, this place is something to check out. We were admiring the steel beams and modern garden surrounding the courtyard. Since this location recently opened, we were even more impressed how cleverly they finished out this corner spot at the Pearl Complex.

(photo via sacurrent.com)

Now, on to the food. We have dined at Green's first original location on Flores Street many times. They have a great assortment of vegetarian food. Green is one of the few places that hubby and I can settle on. I get my vegetarian fix and hubby can find something that is comfort food, yet healthy. When we went to the Pearl location, it was the first time we dined from their breakfast menu. Boy was I blown away! I highly recommend the Avocado Eggs Benedict. I intended to photograph the beautiful plate, but I devoured it before it crossed my mind.

5) The Luxury

If you are venturing away from downtown on the Riverwalk toward the Pearl Complex and find that you are too tired to go any further, (or don't feel like a big production of a dinner,) I must recommend The Luxury.

(photo via khou.com)

In all honesty, San Antonio can be a little slow on the pickup compared to the rest of the nation. Case in point: funky and diverse mobile food establishments just started becoming plentiful in the San Antonio metroplex. The rest of the nation kicked off that trend a decade ago. I was waiting patiently until The Luxury finally opened this year (two years behind schedule.) Why the baited breath? Famous local chef Andrew Weissman was behind this gig and they set up two cargo shipping containers (one serves food, the other serves beverages.) They stringed lights overhead, and built unique tables and benches in a sort of communal style right next to the river. Killer outdoor vibe.

(photo via yelp.com)

The menu in itself is a challenge. It was quite difficult in making a decision of what to eat at shipping container #1. I decided on the Crispy Fish Bahn Mi and hubby ordered the Lamb Souvlaki sandwich. The Kale Salad will be shared. (In the end, I hogged up the salad!)

(photo via yelp.com)

A wild animal toy was given to us after we ordered. This is the best idea I've ever seen for a food marker. When we took our friends--at a later time--who have kiddos, the children were thoroughly entertained until the food arrived. We ventured to shipping container #2, where you will find an excellent array of brew and wine choices. Tasty adult beverage...check!

(photos via yelp.com)

Above are similar representations of what we ate. We tend to eat there at night which is difficult to photograph. (...And yes, I ate everything before the thought of photographing the food crossed my mind. Noticing a trend?..) All of their cuisine is out of this world! The flavors are quite interesting. Best described as a fusion of African, Thai and anywhere in between fresh and savory, there is nothing quite like this place. The meats were melt-in-your-mouth intense. Fried items were perfectly crispy. Salads had satisfied the tangy/sweet/salty/green flavors that I love so much. I'm addicted.

(photo via yelp.com)

You can stay as long as you want. The Luxury has a Bocce court. And if you are a doodler like hubby and I, they leave colored chalk laying around in buckets for you to doodle to your hearts content on their metal benches and posts. We had a nice time. Unlike most of the restaurants that Weissman operates in town, it was inexpensive, outdoors, low-key, TASTY, and allowed us to play a little!

(photo via Art and Facts)

6) There's More!

There are more divine places within the Pearl Brewery Complex that are not featured here. We simply haven't been able to try them all. As of late, additional eateries and cafes are opening up within and around the complex off of Broadway Avenue. We continue to keep our eyes open for more goodies as we 'staycation' in San Antonio. Hope that if you visit San Antonio, you give these places a try. You won't be disappointed.