Historically and Architecturally Significant Homes in San Antonio.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

King William 2-1 Queen Anne
a sneak peek before everyone else!
Architectural Analysis
Detail

Architectural Historian Dr. Shelley Roff researches all of our listings.

The neighborhood on the west side of South Alamo street, affectionately known as "Baja King William", is home to numerous turn-of-the century small Victorian homes. 209 Cedar is a classic example of the Queen Anne style, one of the Victorian styles that became the dominant form of residential construction in the United States in this era.

Characteristic of the Queen Anne is the steeply pitched hipped roof with a dominant front-facing cross gable and the ornate gingerbread cutouts and spindlework. At 209 Cedar, gingerbread cutouts span the vergeboards of the gabled roof, and the porch structure is designed with delicate turned porch supports, a suspended frieze of spindlework, ornamental spandrels and fan brackets. The ornamental woodwork is a machine-made craft inspired by the English furniture designer, Charles Eastlake.

This romantic residential style was developed by a group of English architects led by Richard Norman Shaw who were inspired by the architecture of the medieval period. They were designing buildings in reaction to the hard, capitalist environment being created by the Industrial Revolution.

Although the style provided a romantic escape to a past era, American architects were not afraid to put modern transportation and factories to use as the Queen Anne style's popularity spread across the United States. Queen Anne became well-known in the south and west due to the publication of pattern books and the very first architectural magazine, The American Architect and Building News.

The American version of Queen Anne was even more ornamental and free-form in plan thanks to the development of balloon-frame construction in the United States. With the development of the railroads through San Antonio, one could order factory-made architectural details from new building source catalogues.

Even the entry door at 209 Cedar exhibits ornate machine-cut wood and metalwork. Entry into the house is celebrated with an extended reception hall, which leads directly to a dining room. In larger Victorian houses this space would have been the location for a grand staircase to an upper floor.

Door and window frames tend to be simple in Queen Anne houses. As typically seen in San Antonio houses of this era, carved molding with square corner blocks carved with circles is used for the house's interior frames, and transom lights appear over most doors.

The fireplace in the parlor retains its original dentiling and raised wood bead and swag ornament, and the original beadboard siding still protects the bathroom walls. To add to the charm of the house, a mid-century style stove acts as the eye-catching ornament of the bright yellow kitchen.

 src=Greetings!

Just wanted to let you know about a home in King William that's coming on the market before I put it on MLS. There's an opportunity for your friends to take a peek before the rush.

If you know of anyone hoping to move to the King William area and wants a house that's already fixed up, tricked out and ready to move in to, please forward this on to them or give us a call at 733-1928 for a peek.



Queen Anne Victorian - Great condition
Front View

Who wouldn't want to live in King William? It's a quiet little neighborhood with tree-lined streets and wonderful porches. The architecture is exquisite and since it's in the historic district, you know your neighbors will be making tasteful design choices. This home is fixed up, so the heavy lifting is done.

Read what the New York Times had to say about Southtown Living.

  • 2-and-a-half bedrooms, 1 bath - $245,500
  • Hardwood floors
  • 2 Car Attached Garage
  • Walk to Restaurants, Shops and Art Galleries
  • Fixed up and ready for move-in


  • Central Hall

    Some Southtown Attractions: Blue Star Brewing Company, Beethoven Maennerchor, Espuma, Azuca Nuevo Latino, Mad Hatters Tea, Rosario's, China Latina, Guenther House, Blue Star Arts Complex, Church Bistro & Theater, El Mirador, San Angel Folk Art



    Bedroom

    The neighborhood's architectural history, visual arts resources, and performance arts facilities are amazing. First Friday and Second Saturday Southtown Artwalk emphasize the local art resources every month.

    King William Fair is a favorite Fiesta event for many with its emphasis on local music and art.


    Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team for more information (733-1928). I won't be ready to list this on the MLS for everyone else to see until next week, so you have a brief window of opportunity to tour this home before it is released to the public.

    Sincerely,


    Joe Barfield The Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty


    email: homes@joebarfield.com
    phone: 210-733-1928
    web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=bnnhfacab.0.e4fy7yaab.kg998rn6.16301&ts=S0255&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com

    A referral is when you send someone you care for to someone you trust. If there is someone you care for that may be looking for a move in the near future, please don't keep me a secret. We do things a little differently, and it works!

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    The Barfield Group of Keller Williams PO Box 90973 San Antonio TX 78209

    Friday, May 18, 2007

    Beacon Hill Dutch Colonial Revival-
    a sneak peek before everyone else!
    Architectural History
    Bannister Woodwork

    Architectural Historian
    Dr. Shelley Roff

    This classic example of the Dutch Colonial Revival from the 1920s is deserving of an owner who can appreciate a 'period' work of architecture. The Colonial Revival was the most popular American residential style from 1880 until the mid-1950s, yet San Antonio has very few authentic examples.

    In the 1920s, the original owners built this house in a new neighborhood right at San Antonio's northern city limits. A new trolley line running out to these suburbs made it possible to live on the periphery in a more rural environment and yet have a job in the downtown center.

    With three bedrooms and large living spaces, this house was intended to accommodate a large family. It is one of only two, 2-story houses on this block.

    Colonial Revival houses were larger and had many more modern conveniences than their historical colonial counterparts, including efficient indoor kitchens and plumbing. A cubbyhole was built into the kitchen wall for an ironing board, a space-saving novelty in its time.

    In contrast to the popular Victorian house, the appeal of a Colonial Revival was its simple, inexpensive form and its more open floor plan. Another factor in the style's appeal was the desire during the years following WWI to build in national rather than European styles. Looking back to our colonial ancestry evoked feelings of cultural heritage, loyalty, and a more secure future.

    Only about 10 percent of Colonial Revival houses in the United States had Dutch gambrel roofs, making our San Antonio example even more notable. This house's gambrel is in the New England style with a steeply pitched slopes and accommodating a full second story within the profile of the roof. The upper story windows project from a continuous shed dormer on the front and back of the house.

    It is also unusual that this Dutch colonial is of wood frame construction with clapboard siding, a material preference for this style usually only seen in the Northern United States. In the South, including Texas, most Colonial Revivals, and even earlier Georgians, were typically built in brick.

    The front façade of 807 Lullwood follows many typical design characteristics of the Colonial Revival style. It has a centrally positioned front door composed with sidelights; the pseudo-Palladian front portico and door are embellished with carved wood panels; and symmetrically balanced pairs of windows grace each side of the entrance.

    Both the doors and windows display classical molding. The windows do not have the expected multi-pane glazing; Rather, the windows have clear double-hung sashes, and a screen with muntins mimics the traditional appearance.

    One enters the house into a large vestibule, which is not typical of the colonial plan and should be seen as a luxury. The original owners went to great expense for the woodwork of the staircase, which, although constructed in Pine and simple in form, has an intricate detail where the fascia of the staircase and the second floor meet. The interior trim and crown molding of the ceilings, doors and windows are original, as well as the two French doors.

    On the eastern side of the house, a multi-stepped red brick chimney stands out in contrast to the white clapboards of the exterior wall. The interior fireplace has been absconded! But the abscondee was kind enough to leave behind the original wood mantel with its classical cyma molding.

    In 1924, the author of an article entitled "The Charming Dutch Colonial Type" recommended the proper type of furniture for this style of home, as well as stating that no proper colonial home would be complete without its garden. A formal garden was often accompanied with herbs and vegetables for the kitchen.

    At 807 Lullwood, remnants of a garden can be seen on the western side of the house. A small cottage (mother-in-law?) and a solid cypress barn inhabit the back yard. This barn, an antique of German design, was brought to this site in 1981 from Zarzamora Street.

     src=Greetings!

    807 W. Lullwood represents the perfect opportunity for someone who wants to buy a big home they can move into now, and then fix up as budget and time will allow. Deals like this ($124,900 for a large 3-2) are disappearing. Especially with the detached quarters and the German Hill Country Farmhouse hayloft in the back!

    You get to know about it before I put it on MLS. There's an opportunity for your friends to take a peek before the rush.

    Please feel free to forward it on to anyone you might know who is looking for a large 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Beacon Hill. It's large and hasn't been "messed up." They can give us a call at 733-1928 for a peek.



    Beacon Hill Dutch Colonial Revival
    Front

    I love coming across large old homes that haven't been too updated. I haven't seen many Dutch Colonial Revivals in San Antonio, and this one is pretty darn neat. It has a formal dining room, seperate family room and parlor, plus some of the fullest molding and trim I have encountered in a long time.

  • 3 bedrooms, 2 baths - $124,900
  • Hardwood floors
  • Large Backyard and detached detached quarters
  • 1,900 square feet
  • 2-story Cypress garage / workshop - solid!
  • Saturday Farmer's Market within walking
    + 2 Neighborhood Veggie Co-ops


  • Dining Room

    I mentioned above that this house hasn't been messed with too much. It will need some work. There are some beautiful refinished floors. Some floors, are painted, but that's how the beautiful floors looked before they were refinished.

    Also, there is an amazing chimney. You'll have to see it for yourself. But there isn't a fireplace insert. Currently I have an altar set up in there. I think it looks great, and who needs a fireplace anyway?



    Cypress Farmhouse

    Walk to Chris Madrid's, Blanco Cafe or Casbeers and other nei ghborhood businesses.


    Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team for more information (733-1928). I won't be ready to list this on the MLS for everyone else to see until next week, so you have a brief window of opportunity to tour this home before it is released to the public. Of course, we can also work with your Realtor.

    Sincerely,


    Joe Barfield The Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty


    email: joe@joebarfield.com
    phone: 210-733-1928
    web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=rhota4bab.0.e4fy7yaab.kg998rn6.16301&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com

    A referral is when you send someone you care for to someone you trust. If there is someone you care for that may be looking for a move in the near future, please don't keep me a secret. We do things a little differently, and it works!

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    Forward email


    Joe Barfield PO Box 90973 San Antonio TX 78209

    Tuesday, May 15, 2007






















    Beacon Hill Craftsman Bungalow -
    Fully updated and renovated!














    Architectural History
    Trim


    Architectural Historian
    Dr. Shelley Roff



    Forty years or so ago, a young boy planted the acorn of a Robledo Oak in a metal paint can and then planted this can in his neighbor's front yard. Defying all laws of nature, the acorn sprouted into the magnificent tree that shelters the front porch of 1025 West Mulberry.


    The upper ring of the paint can sprouted from the ground along with the sapling and hugged the young tree as it grew. According to neighborhood legend, one day the metal ring just simply blew away with the wind.



    Shady porches are one of Craftsman bungalow homes' most inviting features. The simple clean lines of this 1920's bungalow are enhanced by the porch's rubble stone piers that uphold the outreaching eave and dormer of the roof.



    Exposed rafters and extensive trimwork and molding were typical of the 1920s and 30s era bungalows. The stepped form of the red brickwork of the exterior chimney and the boxed-out dining room buffet add architectural character to the side of the house.



    Young couples in San Antonio in the 1920s ordered this type of home from a catalog. Companies like Sears and Roebuck, Aladdin Homes and Edward E. Sweet sold homes through a mail-order service. The lumber with all of its wonderful molding and picturesque details would arrive on pallets in two railroad boxcars.


    The houses came complete with electric and gaslight fixtures, however the plumbing and heating had to be contracted separately. The prospective homeowner would hire a builder to put the kit together. The house was originally much smaller in plan than it is today; the outline of its former exterior wall can be seen at the front porch.


    In the living room, the brick fireplace is ornamented with a repeating triangular shifting-brick motif. Neatly tucked to each side of the fireplace are bookshelves which were once enclosed with beveled glass doors. These doors and the original beveled glass French doors between the living and dining areas were long ago sold off by a previous owner.


    The square single-pane pocket windows above each bookcase slide upwards into the wall, operated with the aide of its original weight and pulley system. The dining room built-in buffet was considered in its time to be an ingenious space-saver, and it is nicely paired with wide-framed windows.


    The present owner has renovated the house to make it comfortable for a contemporary lifestyle, yet has done this with sensitivity to its historical details. He has restored the interior trim and the craftsman crown molding at the ceiling and repeated these details in the newly renovated bedrooms and bathrooms of the house. Ample closet space and an accessible kitchen would not have been part of the original bungalow design, however will certainly be appreciated by any new owner.




     src=Greetings!

    Just wanted to let you know about an incredible home that's coming on the market. You get to know about it before I put it on MLS. There's an opportunity for your friends to take a peek before the rush.


    Please feel free to forward it on to anyone you might know who is looking for a large 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Beacon Hill with central air and all the modern amenities. They can give us a call at 733-1928 for a peek.



















    Beacon Hill Craftsman Bungalow
    Front


    I am in shock at how well Doug has renovated this home. It already had a phenomenal rock porch and a lot of neat features, but Doug has gone above above and beyond in the personal attention to detail he has brought to this home.




  • 3 bedrooms, 2 baths - $199,900

  • Hardwood floors

  • Detached quarters

  • 1,6081 square feet + solid porch

  • Tons of Updates & Improvements - Full list below





















  • Fireplace


    Beacon Hill is near and dear to me since I first moved in to the nieghborhood back in 2001. There is a wonderful array of architectural styles with the bungalow reigning as the predominant style. The neighbors are the finest I have ever experienced.



    Beacon Hill is wonderful in that you are 8 minutes from downtown, a dash to Trinity University or SAC, and I-10 or Fredricksburg Road can zip you up to USAA, The Med Center, or UTSA (downtown or 1604). Brackenridge Park beckons to the East while Woodlawn Lake is a skip to the West. What a great location!



    You have San Antonio's top three burgers within a half mile, including Chris Madrid's, Casbeers and The Cove. The Cove and Casbeers each serve Topo Chico (!!) and vie for the title of Best Live Music Venue from the Express News and the San Antonio Current every year.





















    Improvements and Updates
    Dining Room


    I just got this list from the seller. Impressive!



  • Leveled foundation, installed new cedar posts on new concrete pads.

  • Painted exterior of house.

  • All trim (doorways, crown molding and baseboards) was removed and refinished or replaced with new.

  • Crown molding added in master bedroom

  • All interior walls and ceilings were skim coated and painted.

  • Added 2 feet to the kitchen and doubled the number of cabinets and added the island.

  • New kitchen sink, dishwasher, microwave and stove, new countertop

  • Tiled kitchen, master bath, master closet and second bath.

  • Canned lights added in kitchen and master bath.

  • New wood floors in bedrooms two and three.

  • Existing wood floors were stripped, stained and three coats of polyurethane were applied.

  • Bathrooms and walk-in closets were reconfigured for better space utilization.

  • Both baths have new tubs, plastered shower and commodes and have new vanities and sinks.

  • Added laundry room with cabinets.

  • New light fixtures in all the rooms except bedrooms two and three.

  • New front and back doors, all new interior doors.

  • Landscaped front yard

  • Hot water heater and roof are four years old.

  • Wiring updated four years ago.








  • Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call us for more information (733-1928). I won't be ready to list this on the MLS for everyone else to see until next week, so you have a brief window of opportunity to tour this home before it is released to the public. Of course, we can also work with your Realtor.


    Sincerely,


    Joe Barfield
    The Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty




    email: joe@joebarfield.com

    phone: 210-733-1928

    web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=s7ts74bab.0.e4fy7yaab.kg998rn6.16301&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com

    A referral is when you send someone you care for to someone you trust. If there is someone you care for that may be looking for a move in the near future, please don't keep me a secret. We do things a little differently, and it works!

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    Forward email


    Joe Barfield PO Box 90973 San Antonio TX 78209
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