by Jessie Lin
The Woman’s Club of Bryan will host its annual House and Garden Tour in April. The service organization’s signature fundraiser provides outreach within the community. It is never too early to plan to attend. The 2013 theme “Distinctive Homes with a Different Palette” will be carried out in the three elegant homes in well-known Bryan/ College Station neighborhoods. Tickets to the April 10 tour and luncheon are available for pre-purchase.
The Stribling Home
5306 Jupiter Hills, Pebble Creek, College Station
The Striblings’ youngest son Michael, who appeared on the famed HGTV program’s 2008 “Design Star”, designed the home owned by Linda and Danny Stribling. Built by Clay Kolby and known for its bold, elegant décor, the house contains various unusual pieces selected by Michael for his parents’ house. The house features clean, straight lines and a transitional style throughout, combining elements of contemporary and traditional furniture, materials, fabrics and finishes.
Linda’s dream kitchen is the center of the house, opening onto the living area, so the whole family can stay truly connected. You’ll find a large island, countertops of leathered granite with a cracked edge, and genuine Honduran mahogany cabinets. Part of the kitchen, the casual dining area includes a round wood table with metal base, along with touches of the same stacked stone found on the home’s exterior.
The media room, also knows as the "Grandkids' Room," is a fun area for watching movies and playing games.
The four built-in bunk beds give each child a unique and comfortable place to sleep.
The Surovik Home
3231 Walnut Creek Court, Traditions, Bryan
Belonging to Bob Surovik, this home epitomizes understated elegance. Built by Larry Marriott in 2008, the home was designed by Bob’s son, Wade Surovik, the current resident. As you tour the house, you’ll realize Wade loves antiques and auctions. In the formal dining room, the china cabinet contains beautiful green Majolica Wedgwood, Staffordshire from the 19th century and Mrs. Surovik’s white Montclair bridal china. A highlight of the kitchen is the large and special collection of Majolica. Most pieces are from England.
The master bedroom is decorated with various English prints. The best piece in the house is the Scottish antique chest seen in the bedroom, and Wade chose to paint this room a warmer color than the rest of the home.
The playroom, at the top of the strairs, contains a 1940's pool table and amusing animal prints from England over the sofa. The first upstairs bedroom has unique bird prints, also from England. The second upstairs bedroom has lamps from Mrs. Surovik's home and nightstands that belonged to Wade's grandmother.
In addition to the delightful decorations, the study is full of Aggie memorabilia and awards, including Bob’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. Surovik is a past chairman of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees.
The Wood Home
3207 Walnut Creek Court, Traditions, Bryan
Woman’s Club member Sissy Wood and her husband Pat have opened their intimately elegant Traditions home for the tour. Built in 2006 by Darrell Bairrington, visitors always comment on the heirlooms and treasures displaying their family's interests.
The formal dining room boasts a 19th century chandelier from Louisiana which belonged to Pat’s parents and arrived in a barrel in 1944 as well as a large mirror from a Louisiana plantation which hung in Sissy's parents' home.
The living room and Great Room feature a Trumeau mirror, a wonderful collection of Limoges pill boxes, a captain’s desk with beautiful marquetry from a Dutch ship, and several Jacob Petit perfume bottles from Paris, all of which have entertained the Woods’ guests through the years. Sissy’s pride and joy is the Louis XV chair, a 35th birthday gift, which not only became Sissy’s favorite piece but also opened her mind to antiques.
The master bath is a perfect example of the home’s intimate elegance: two small chairs in front of the bathtub are from England. These low seats, called “Slipper Chairs,” were designed for women to sit and put on their shoes.
IF YOU GO
The Woman’s Club annual House & Garden Tour is Wednesday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. House & Garden Tour is the major fundraiser for The Woman’s Club of Bryan and is used in local outreach to the community. A luncheon at the Woman’s Club, 1200 Carter Creek Parkway in Bryan, will be held on the day of the tour from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Luncheon tickets must be purchased separately from tour tickets.
Tickets for touring the three houses are $15 and can be purchased by contacting Club Director Betty Davis at (979) 822-5019 or by emailing womansclubbcs@verizon.net. Luncheon reservations are $15 per person, available by calling Sandra Petty at (979) 775-2449 before April 3.
