European Persona H

A casual elegance dominates this light and bright living room
with herringbone patterned wood floor. Slipcovered sofas in
white denim from Helen’s shop, Olivine, are functional as well
as beautiful. Renae Abbott of Shabby Slips found the antique
Spanish Colonial chairs that flank the fireplace. Shadows play
against the home’s triple-arched front entry.
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THE WOODLANDS LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2010
European Persona
THIS SINK-IN COMFORTABLE, PET-FRIENDLY ABODE
HAS THE AIR OF AN ENGLISH COUNTRY HOME
H
Helen Stroud surveys the warm, green-colored den of her Grogan’s Point
home, explaining the design concept behind it. English-born friend Sonya
Fitzpatrick, the pet psychic, perhaps summed it up best, she says. “She looks in
here and says, ‘You’re the only person I know whose home is more English
than the English!’” recalls Helen. “I’m taking it as a compliment.”
When Helen and husband, Dan, a cardiovascular surgeon, built this home
years ago they went long on space. The 10,000-square-foot house with eight
bedrooms and six fireplaces had to accommodate five children and visits
from a large extended family. Not to mention the pet-loving Stroud’s
menagerie, currently six dogs and two cats.
“I’m the oldest of eight so we have tons of family coming through and I
wanted a house big enough to have parties but yet be able to have your own
space and get away. So I went to my brother Patrick who I knew could come
up with a plan.”
Architect Patrick G. Carmody did indeed come up with a plan, one that
combined his sister’s wishes for an English country style home, combined with
a bit of homespun Louisiana. “I wanted the look of an English country home
combined with the southern feel of a Louisiana house,” explains ShreveportTEXT BY CATHY GORDON PICTURES BY BOOKWALTER PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHITECT: PATRICK G. CARMODY
BUILDER: BOB CABANISS FLOWERS BY DAVID BROWN, UPTOWN PARK
THE WOODLANDS LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2010
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The front foyer exudes European charm with black and white marble
flooring contrasting with bright yellow walls. The statutes flanking the
door hold magnolia leaves. A Steinway grand piano anchors one
end of the living room. Beyond it, a painting of one of the Stroud’s
daughters. A large den, otherwise known as “the green room,” is
the preferred hang-out when family visits. With cushy furnishings and
an assortment of antiques and sentimental objects, the space has the
definite feel of an English country home. The table, chairs and other
dining room furniture are especially sentimental, having come from
Helen’s great-grandmother. The walls are bathed in a historical blue.
“I WANTED THE LOOK OF
AN ENGLISH COUNTRY
HOME COMBINED WITH THE
SOUTHERN FEEL OF A
LOUISIANA HOUSE.”
born Helen. “I wanted it to feel old and I also thought that
being in this hot climate, it made sense to have it on an axis
so that everything lined up for views and breezes. Everything
is symmetrical. So my brother got the idea for it one day
and drew it out. I loved it!”
This home truly reflects the personality of its owners—easy,
breezy comfortable living with no serious airs of formality.
As owner of Olivine in Rice Village, a shop known for easycare, casually elegant lines, Helen has perfected the science of sink-in comfort and provincial style. It’s reflected
everywhere in this home in a bounty of eclectic, timeworn
accessories, simple textures and antiques.
The home’s relaxed environment is present from all angles
with French doors giving full visual as well as physical access
to the tremendous grounds surrounding the house. “The
relationship to the outdoors was especially important to
us,” she says. “This house is great for parties because of the
flow in and out.”
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THE WOODLANDS LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2010
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Blue and white curtains in a Les
Indiennes fabric, a farmhouse table
and bookshelves full of sentimental
knick-knacks and family pictures
make up the home’s breakfast
room. Flowers by David Brown in
Houston’s Uptown Park. Casual
details add whimsy in this informal
home, like this burlap bag slung
over a kitchen chair. Cherished
feline family member, Kaizer, rules
the roost in this house. For the
moment he’s found the perfect surface upon which to relax. A row
of antique French canisters adds
charm above the cooktop.
An expansive foyer in large black and white marble tiles (a definite ode to Europe) contrasted by cheerful yellow walls greets visitors to the home. The eye follows back to the living
room where informal slipcovered furniture in white denim mixes with antiques. Indeed, slipcovers are key to this home’s look.
“I love the look, plus it just makes sense for the pets,” says Helen, an avid animal lover
who has been known to rescue more than a few. “I don’t want anything formal and I
wanted something that you would not feel like killing a dog or child over if it gets ruined. So
I love white denim. There has been all sorts of stuff spilled on it; there has been mud on it. But
you just put it in the washer and dryer and then pop it back on. You might have paw prints on
them one day, but the next they’re squeaky clean.”
A beautiful French empire buffet from Helen’s grandmother shares space in the living
room with a pair of Spanish Colonial chairs found by Renae Abbott of Shabby Slips. The
chairs flank a fireplace topped with a mirror that elegantly reflects a pair of high-ceiling
chandeliers. At the other end of this space, a Steinway grand piano.
The living room’s wood floor is done in a herringbone pattern to bring interest and texture
to the space. “Patrick suggested it so the room wouldn’t look like a bowling alley!” Helen says,
laughing. “It is a rather long room.”
The expansive dining room is especially sentimental, adorned in an oversized table,
chairs and buffet inherited from Helen’s great-grandmother. Her great-grandmother’s husband founded Bruce’s Foods in 1928. Today the New Iberia based company is one of the
largest privately owned food manufacturers in the U.S. “There’s lots of history in here,” says
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THE WOODLANDS LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2010
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The décor is undeniably English in this blue and white den
off of the kitchen and breakfast area. The children’s chairs
add whimsy and function. “We pull them up and use them
as ottomans or to put drinks on,” says Helen. “Cute and
useful.” An upstairs bedroom filled with antiques is a
vision in white. These pet-loving homeowners have
treats on hand from Craves Cupcakes in Houston’s
Uptown Park—delectable cupcakes topped with a dog on
a medallion.
Helen of the room, outfitted in historically inspired blue walls.
The kitchen is undeniably English with a butcher block island
and blue and white accents. A charming breakfast room with
farmhouse table is swathed in vibrant, airy Les Indiennes curtains
from Helen’s shop. A smaller den that mimics this blue and white
English sentiment sits to the side of this space, outfitted in a cushy,
quilt-covered sofa. Down the hallway exists entry to an abovegarage space, replete with three bedrooms and three baths.
On the opposite side of the downstairs is the master suite with sitting area, outfitted in an early Louisiana antique bed that
belonged to Helen’s grandmother. Elegant Bella Notte linens
grace the bed. “I love them! You just whip them off and wash. So
nice to have washable linens.”
Upstairs the home’s symmetrical elements are obvious with two
bedrooms on either side of the staircase. One daughter’s room is
On the opposite side of the downstairs is the master suite with sitting area, outfitted
in an early Louisiana antique bed that belonged to Helen’s grandmother.
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THE WOODLANDS LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2010
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also home to a trio of birds who have the perfect pampered
view of the front yard from their perch in a window-side cage.
The room itself is one of dreamy white understated elegance in
comfy bedding and timeworn antiques.
“The green room,” the large den so-called for its historical
green floor-to-ceiling bookcases and walls, is family central,
especially during holidays. A comfortable, velvet slipcovered
sofa gives off the English vibe here with a collection of chairs in
interesting fabrics flanking the fireplace. All manner of sentimental knick-knacks and pictures inhabit the bookshelves.
Family portraits adorn the walls. “I got that sofa from an antique
junk store and had it redone,” Helen recalls. “This is my snuggle-up, warm, cozy room. Everyone winds up in here.”
A screened-in porch off of this space provides excellent views
of the backyard with pool. “One of Dan’s favorite spots.”
It seems there are lots of favorite spots in this house. “It’s been
a great place for family gatherings and we definitely don’t lack
for space. But wherever you go, you’re likely to run across a dog
or two,” she quips. “I definitely believe that a happy home has
animals in it!”
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THE WOODLANDS LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2010
A table of spring flowers overlooks the pool. The house is situated on an
oversized wooded lot. The home with more than 10,000 square feet
has massive curbside appeal. It has the look and feel of an English country home. An early Louisiana-style antique bed inherited from Helen’s
grandmother shares space with a delightful chaise in the master bedroom. Luxurious, washable Bella Notte linens from Helen’s shop, Olivine,
grace the bed.
THE WOODLANDS LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2010
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