Archive for January, 2009

Georgetown B&B is luxuriously homey

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

This weekend, a friend of mine got married. On Sunday, the day after her wedding, she invited a few guests to a private brunch at the San Gabriel House bed and breakfast, which is on University Avenue (aka Highway 29) across from Southwestern University. I had planned to walk, but a carload full of wedding gifts from the reception gave me a good excuse to avoid the cold.

The San Gabriel House is stunning. The historic home was built in 1908 by the Belford Lumber Company, although it’s not classified as being in what is now known as the Belford Historic District of Georgetown. Dark wooden beams criss-cross the high ceiling to add architectural detail. Original artwork graces a lovely wooden easel, and beautiful hand-knotted Persian carpets are placed strategically on the warm wood floors. In the front parlor, a particularly intricate carpet draws the eye. You can tell the owners have an eye for quality, and a great appreciation for the arts and crafts.

The large covered front porch welcomes guests, who enter through leaded glass doors. The doors and windows make magical little rainbows inside when the sun hits them just right. I saw lots of those little rainbows as we ate our delicious meal. The food was fantastic, and if I weren’t trying to stick to my New Year’s resolution, I would’ve eaten way too much. On the sideboard, our hosts placed eggs, ham, scones and other baked goods, and then they brought each guest an individual warm fruit compote. It was a very special meal in beautiful surroundings.

The San Gabriel House bed & breakfast has five guest rooms, each with its own separate bath. In addition, the property boasts a separate carriage house. Truly high class. I’d be proud to recommend this b & b to my guests.

Green building practices update former hotel on Main Street

Monday, January 5th, 2009

As an Old Town resident, I take full and frequent advantage of my proximity to the square by walking the historic streets of Georgetown. My husband and I love to stroll together to the square. It’s fun to see all the homes being fixed up. Most people who move to Old Town do so because they love the sense of time and place that we get here, which is unlike anything you’ll find in a more modern subdivision. Some of the lots are kind of wonky - oddly shaped, homes built just a few feet from the curb - and this unevenness adds to the appeal. Nothing “cookie cutter” about the Old Town character.
The square and the blocks surrounding it enhance this historical character. Georgetown as a community values beautiful architecture. At 1008 S. Main Street, an intriguing renovation is taking place. I’ve been watching it for a couple of months now, and I finally got around to visiting the website the developers have created. 1008 South Main Street, Georgetown Texas
The former Sherman Hotel will soon be an office building. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful place to work? A block away from Dos Salsas restaurant, and two blocks from everything the square has to offer. (When my husband and I were looking for a home, we specifically wanted to be within walking distance to Dos Salsas. It’s that good!) Ordinarily, parking can be an issue in Old Town, but the building looks like it will have ample parking right beside it.
The renovation has been designed by local architect J. Bryant Boyd. According to the website, the developers are using green building practices. The greenest thing they could have done was to renovate the building that’s there, rather than tearing down and building a new one, so they’re already way ahead of the curve. As the Georgetown Heritage Society said with the theme for their recent Holiday Home Tour, “There is no greener home than an existing home,” which holds true for commercial properties, as well.

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