Very Private 22,000 Sq. Foot Mansion in Bryan, Texas Owned by Momentum Plaza's Lead Banker

Just the other day, I went and drove by to see if I could catch a peek of this stunning 22,365 sq. foot mansion, but the vast wooded acres and a Heaven-like gate prevented me from viewing.  Nonetheless, this very private and ornate central Texas mansion includes just under 20,000 sq. feet of living space, a shop, gazebo, pool with pool house and cabana, tennis court, vast circle driveway with fountain, porte cochere leading to motor court and multi-car garage, and what looks to be 2 monuments positioned behind the main residence.  I bet the owners of this abode are Aggies, seeing that the Texas A&M (WHOOP!) campus is merely a couple miles away!  The estate is owned by a banker whose company occupies the nearby 10-level 290,000 sq. foot Chateau styled office building dubbed Momentum Plaza, also a few miles from the home.

Pic via Google Earth

Thanks for reading,

John

Incredible 28,000 Sq. Foot River Oaks Country Club Estate in Houston, TX

Check out this incredible estate located within the prestigious River Oaks Country Club of Houston, Texas.  The 22,428 sq. foot main residence includes an 8+ car garage, porte cochere covering the main entrance, several courtyards, resort-like pool area, circle drive with fountain, 4,239 sq. foot gust quarters, 1,440 sq. foot detached 4 car garage bay, and more.  The estate is owned by a well known energy businessman.

Thanks for reading,

John

Jamie Bush & Co

I love looking at works by designers who push my boundaries. I'm quite conservative in my style so interestingly I respond well to designers who use lots of colour, great shapes, textures and patterns. One of those designers is American designer Jamie Bush. There are many homes he has designed that I love, but I'm feeling this one today ... 

Jamie designed this mid century Brentwood residence for a former studio head and her family.

I love it!

images via jamiebush&co

Travels to Sanya

While I was missing in blogger action, I had a little trip away to Sanya in China. As I'd never heard of Sanya before it wasn't as though I was taking a holiday, it was for work. Sanya is the southernmost city in China and is renowned for it's tropical climate (or as I experienced insanely hot and humid) and is a common tourist destination. It was an interesting place but there were some nice things to see whilst not lounging  by the pool sipping cocktails - ooops and working!!

 

The view from my balcony

Looking out to the beach amongst  the palm trees

 

 We spent a very hot day at the Nanshan Temple

Hot or not, it was beautiful

Eighteen Arhats - individuals who followed the Eightfold Path and attained the Four Stages of Enlightenment, and are also followers of Buddha. 

They have reached the stage of Nirvana and are free of worldly cravings.

Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya statue -  108m tall, the statue has three aspects (one facing inland while the other two faces the South China Sea. 

It represents blessing and protection by Guan Yin of China and the whole world.

Some colourful little gems in the market

We finished the trip off with a great Pirate themed party with great centre pieces such as this.

On the way home we stopped in Hong Kong for a couple of days, just for shopping no sightseeing required!!

Overall a great trip, with great people, in a location I've never been before and most likely will never go back to ...

images myfirstlittleplace

Lonny Catch up

So with my bloggy hiatus, I have not only missed out on reading my favourite blogs but also on all the addictive online interiors mags - trust me it was painful!! So I've started  to catch up and these spaces from Lonny have jumped out at me ...

images via lonny

My random things for a Friday ...

... that make me feel good

 

 When it comes to matters of the heart, being able to make a decision. 

A difficult decision that you need to tell someone but that is ultimately you know is 

the best thing for you ...

 

Having pancakes for lunch is my new thing ...

People who know you the best get you PJ's so you can stay in them all day ...

Room for today ...

... is this one. I keep looking at it an wondering why though! 

Firstly I love the height of the room and the window. The wall of portraits gives it a retro feel with furniture and accessories that compliment them prefectly.

What do you think?

image via wishyouwerehere

Two Spectacular Estates in Heath, Texas

Check out these incredible estates in Heath, Texas.  This first one is located on Myers Road.  The 10,700 sq. foot beauty boasts 3 private lakes, multi-car garage with motor court, swimming pool with cabana, barn, and several green Texas acres.

This next one is located on Smirl Drive (fun name!).  The behemoth 27,588 sq. foot mega mansion features a 3,000 sq. foot barn, private lake, and indoor swimming pool.  The original home was built in 1994 with 2009 improvements featuring over 10,000 more sq. feet of living space!  As you can see, the aerial was taken in 2009 when construction was underway on the home.  

Thanks for reading,

John

Summer House on Costa Brava

Good morning, my friends. Spanish interior designer, Marta Esteve decorated this two story home in Port Lligat on Costa Brava, in Spain. Clean lines and a contemporary look for this home with stunning views.

























Hope you enjoyed today's tour. See you soon.
All images from here.

A Little Change

I've decided its time to take a step outside of the north Texas bubble.  Luxury real estate in north Texas can only go so far; that's why North Texas Luxury will now be reporting on celebrity and luxury real estate throughout the whole state of Texas, but my base will remain in north Texas.  Simply, I'll be covering more content throughout the entire state of Texas, but will recognize north Texas as my base.  I am going to be going off to college soon (Texas A&M, GIG'EM!) and still want to blog.  Although I will be back home intermittently, it will get hard to cover stories in north Texas when I'm not even there.  Plus, I feel like it's time to branch out.

I hope all you readers understand and see this progressive step as a giant leap for mankind (space joke).

Thanks and I look forward to our future endeavors,
John

Birthday!

 Today is my birthday! I wasn't going to share it here as it can seem a bit ... I don't know what! But I decided too as this is the first birthday ever that I am away from my family. Unfortunately plans haven't worked out and I couldn't go home or they couldn't come up. But it's ok, really. I will spend today at work, which is also unsual for me as with the work I do I usually take the day off on my birthday. So instead of staying home by my lonesome I'm off to work to spend time with my newly adopted family.

I never really enjoy my birthday, and this one being my 35th is a struggle. I'm finding myself asking the same question "is my life where I wanted it to be at 35?" The answer is no, but before I get all negative and such... life may not be what I thought it would be but it's still pretty great!

But to put an smile on my face today the phone line guy turned up this morning at 8am to FINALLY get my internet all connected and running perfectly! Now that's a good start to a birthday.

What do birthday's mean for you?

images via tiedwithabouw, ladolcevita

Stunning Mediterranean Estate in north Dallas with Soccer Field, Baseball Diamond & More

A private pond, baseball diamond, 2 pools, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, soccer field, and more are all featured in this stunning Mediterranean estate on Northwest Highway in north Dallas.  Facing Northwest Highway but an address on Southbrook, the 13,556 sq. foot home includes 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 3 wet bars, and 5 fireplaces.  A putting green, go-kart course, bridge driveway, and a large open front yard can also be found within the private gates of this stunning abode.  The 2011 appraisal for this property was just over $10 million.

Pics via Google Earth

Thanks for reading,

John

Beautiful Home - Minnie Mortimer

Simple, casual and colourful is the Malibu home of Fashion Designer Minnie Mortimer, her screenwriter husband Stephen Gaghan and their 2 year old daughter, Tuesday!

 The wall of pictures looks great and makes a string impact

 I love the 70's skater photo, looks great. Looking very Lords of Dogtown!

 Oooh love the colour of the walls and the furniture combination

 I'd say this is little Tuesday's room, love a tipee

images via vogue