0616 txhillcountry vir

MODERN MARVEL: A HILLSIDE HIDEAWAY HOME IN KERRVILLE HILL COUNTRY EXPLORER GUIDE

GreatGreatEscapeEscape

Discover Six Luxurious Hill Country Homes at the 2016Tour of Homes at Comanche Trace in Kerrville

Hill Country

www.comanchetrace.com/tour-of-homes

house&home | June 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net36

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COMANCHE TRACEWelcomes Visitors to 2016 Tour of Homes in Kerrville

e invite you to join us for the 2016 Tour of Homes at Comanche Trace presented byCentennial Bank. The event will be held over the weekends of June 24-26 and July 1-3.Our preferred builders are excited to display their craftsmanship, architectural style, anddesign. This year our Tour of Homes will feature six luxury homes. Participants in the Tourinclude BCI Homes, Chambers Design Build, Brad Moore Builders, Stavinoha Homesand White Construction. We are offering developer lot incentives now through the Tour ofHomes! Check out our website for more information about this year’s tour atwww.comanchetrace.com/tour-of-homes

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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Comanche Trace is continuing to experience growthevery year and had a record breaking 2015 year. We areexcited to have teamed with CENTURY 21 The HillsRealty to lead our sales efforts for Comanche Trace. ToniManchester and her team of REALTORS at CENTURY 21The Hills Realty have extensive knowledge of the marketplace, as well as their command of the local and Texas RealEstate Business. Toni is the broker/owner of this successfulreal estate firm, and we are proud to count her, as well asseveral of her agents, among the residents of ComancheTrace. As Comanche Trace continues to grow and develop,it is wonderful to have such an experienced team like CENTURY 21 The Hills Realty to support ComancheTrace’s buyers and sellers. It is a very exciting time for our entire community.

Comanche Trace has developed into a highly recognizedgolf course community in the Hill Country area. ComancheTrace has been named one of the Top 25 Private GolfCourses in the state and Where to Retire Magazine named50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the USA. We areproud to offer one of the most respected and well-conditioned

golf course facilities in the State. When our development iscomplete, our community will have an estimated 1,000homes. Our amenities range from a private 8-acre river parkand walking trails to a private catch and release fishing lake.As a Club, we offer a selection of memberships that havebeen carefully designed to meet individual preferences andexceed all your expectations of a private club. With severalmemberships to choose from – social to full golf- we aresure you will find exactly what you are looking for. We hostnumerous social events throughout the year that make livinga Comanche Trace an enjoyable experience.

The Hill Country, and especially Kerrville, continues togrow and evolve, and Comanche Trace is excited to be apart of this vibrant community. People from across thecountry are continuing to discover the many great benefitsthat the Hill Country lifestyle has to offer. These includenumerous wineries in the area, the City’s River Trail, SportsComplex, mild climate, and overall beautiful scenery.

All of this, combined with the amenities that ComancheTrace has to offer, will ensure the continued growth andexcellence of our community for generations to come.


AUSTINwww.austin360.com/www.austintexas.org/visit/events/It's not everyday that you come across a citythat's both lively and laid back. Both theworld capital of live music and the capital ofTexas, Austin continues to convert new resi-dents and visitors to the way of “weirdness.”Long before the capital city was chartered,people settled along the Colorado Riverbend for its beauty and bountiful resources.

EAT: There are plenty of old favorites offer-ing a quintessentially Austin eating experi-ence. A longtime cornerstone of SouthCongress Avenue, Guero’s Taco Bar hasbeen serving up delicious queso andcervezas for more than 30 years. It may notbe quite as iconic as Stubb’s, but FranklinBarbecue has, in this new era of Austin,come to define the city’s culinary scene sinceit opened in 2009.

SEE: There's so much to see in Austin, it'stough to decide what should come first. Youcould start by making the climb up the stairsat Mount Bonnell to take in an incredibleview of the city: yours for the taking. Or, youcould take to the trail around LadyBird Lake and extend your jaunt over to theboutiques on South Congress Avenue. Artlovers, and really anyone, will find somethingof interest at the Blanton Museum of Art.

PLAY: At cocktail hour, check out the quirkycompound of watering holes around RaineyStreet. Lots of big names come to play ACLLive at the Moody Center, but a visit toAustin would not be complete without a tripto the decidedly smaller, longstanding beaconof bluegrass, the Continental Club.

BANDERAwww.banderatex.com/www.banderacowboycapital.com/Austin may have the market cornered onmusic, but Bandera takes the brisket in allthings buckaroo. Located just northwest ofSan Antonio, the Cowboy Capital of theWorld is a very doable one-tank drivefrom Houston.EAT: For morning caffeination, head toDogLeg Cafe and imbibe in a warm cup ofJoe and one of many pastries. At lunchtime,Old Spanish Trail has a cowboy vibe and amenu to match with offerings like theChuckwagon Breakfast and the RanchhouseHamburger Steak. Or, you might grab a biteat the Backyard Bistro, which offers aneclectic menu of American and Mexicancuisines.

SEE: A trip to Bandera is about spendingtime out on the range, but even the burliestbuckaroos have to stock up on provisions.Taking an amble down Historic MainStreet is nice any day of the week, but onSaturday afternoon, you're likely to comeacross cowboys, steers, horses, and wagons atthe weekly event celebrating cowboy culture.Either way, be sure to stop in at BanderaGeneral Store, and ladies will love Thelmaand Louize, a chic-country boutique withlots of fabulous finds. Also in town, TheFrontier Times Museum features a 40,000-piece collection of old west, pioneer, and pre-historic artifacts.

PLAY: Dip an oar, or a toe, into the MedinaRiver with rentals available at Medina RiverCompany. If you’re water-shy, Hike LostMaples or learn about dinosaurs and animalsat the Bandera Natural History Museum.At the end of a long day, grab a cold one,

prop your feet up, and let nature entertainyou. As the stars light up the sky, break outyour boots and dance the night away at 11thStreet Cowboy Bar or Chikin Coop.

COMFORTwww.comfortchamber.com/It’s all in the name— Comfort is a placeyou go when you’re looking to escape themaddening pace of city life. But, there’smore to this little Texas town than justlazy days. Settled by a group of Germanimmigrants who called themselvesFreethinkers, the town of Comfort haslong been a haven for artists and cre-atives.

EAT: Stop by for a sandwich at High’sCafe or head over to Comfort Pizza fordelicious wood-fired pizzas served out ofa 1920s gas station. New to Comfort isCeslie’s Texas Café, featuring wholesomemeals and lively music. 814 A TexasBistro is on the swankier end of the spec-trum, offering the gourmand’s take onTexas cuisine.

SEE: There are two wineries, BendingBranch and Singing Water Vineyards,very close by, Buckhorn Golf Course,river access, biking and hiking trails, a battunnel and scenic hill country drives.

PLAY: Rent a colorful cruiser from outfront of Comfort Pizza and pedal thestreets of Comfort. Nestled among centu-ry old buildings, you will find intriguingplaces to shop: The Elephant Story,Miss Giddy’s, Huckleberrys,Intermezzo Gallery, and ElizabethDaniel Boutique to name a few, alongwith several antique stores. At the end ofthe day, drop by the tasting room at HillCountry Distillers on Front Street for alittle bit of cactus moonshine.

When Visiting the Texas Hill Country….Compiled by Marsha Canright

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DRIPPING SPRINGSwww.cityofdrippingsprings.com/http://drippingspringstx.org/

It’s hard to believe the quiet Central Texascommunity of Dripping Springs is only 25minutes from the sights and sounds of theTexas capital. Come for the views and thewildlife sightings and stay for the barbecueand the spirits. Yes, creeks and spring-fedpools aren’t the only things dripping inDripping Springs, they’re also known for bothvodka and wine.

EAT: It’s worth a trip to the DuchmanFamily Winery and its adjoining restaurant,Trattoria Lisina, which serves creative mod-ern Italian food alongside their label’sTexas wines. For more casual fare, head overto The Barber Shop Brewpub or the CreekRoad Café, which has delicious lunch anddinner menus.

SEE: History buffs will appreciate TheHomestead at the Dripping Springs, a triadof historical buildings on downtown’s MercerSt. Olive enthusiasts will find more thanenough to satisfy their palates at Texas HillCountry Olive Company, Texas’ onlyorganic olive orchard, which has a beautifultasting room for olive oils, balsamic vinegarsand wines. If you're a music lover, head onover to Texas Hill Country Guitars, a shopthat specializes in handcrafted electric andacoustic instruments. Naturalists who haven’tyet been introduced to the haunting naturalbeauty of Hamilton Pool should pack theirswimwear and take a dip (parks.traviscoun-tytx.gov/find-a-park/hamiltonpool).

PLAY: There are lots of places to experiencethe Central Texas booze culture in andaround Dripping Springs. The SeptemberDripping with Taste festival features

local and other Texas wine, beer, distilled spir-its, Hill Country food, artisans and music.But, any time of year, you can explore thelocal establishments in town. When you’reready for a cerveza, stop by Twisted XBrewery, which serves up Tex-Mex style craftbeers. Wine lovers will delight in the offeringsat Hawk’s Shadow Winery & Vineyards,where handcrafted wines from the limestonecellar are served with a side of breathtakingcountry views.

One of the hippest spots in town is theBell Springs Winery & Sidecar TastingRoom, a Prohibitionstyle tasting room inheart of downtown historical district.

JOHNSON CITYwww.johnsoncitytx.org/Johnson City has long been known as the

boyhood home of Lyndon B. Johnson andthe last stoplight in route to taste the best HillCountry wine. However, after a leisurely strollaround the courthouse square and neighbor-ing streets, visitors can seek refuge in anunhurried, charming town with an emergingcultural uniqueness all of its own.

EAT: At breakfast time, roll on over toRolling In Thyme and Dough, which putsout scratch pastries and sandwiches from arenovated 1920s bungalow. Later on, kickyour boots up at Pecan Street BrewingCompany or East Main Grill for craft brews,Hill Country wine and hearty American dish-es.

SEE: While strolling around the courthousesquare, it’s hard to miss the abundance of his-torical markers—the James Polk Building, theBlanco County Courthouse and the 1894Blanco County Jail—which tell the story ofBlanco County & Johnson City, which goesall the way back to 1858. One of Main

Street’s most beautiful is the barn-house redWithers & Spaulding building. Built in 1893,the wood structure originallyserved as a dry goods store and was fullyrestored by The National Park Service toshowcase the building’s history.

After grabbing a hot cup of Joe from theBlack Spur Coffee & Emporium, headnorth to the courthouse and through theNugent Avenue Arts District. Thisemerging cultural arts scene includes A SmithGallery, Taste Wine Art and Lee CasbeerGallery. The welcoming trioregularly showcases exhibits by local andnationally renowned artists as well as regularreceptions. Fine art, painting, drawing, sculp-ture, jewelry, photography and more can beenjoyed along two city blocks with a glass ofwine in hand.

PLAY: Looking to spend a day in the greatoutdoors? Pedernales Falls State Park,Bamberger Preserve, LCRA River Park are agreat start. If it’s shopping you want, the localselection of stores offers everything fromantiques to handmade artisan goods. Stop bylocal favorites Stidham Outfitters & CustomLeather, Echo, Vintage 205, Rustik byChoice, Black Spur Emporium, Texcetera,Gypsy Lady, The Old Lumberyard, JunqueDynasty, Pieces of the Past, Nest andWhittington’s Jerky.

HELOTESwww.helotes-tx.gov/If the Hill Country were a family, Heloteswould be the younger sibling— determinedto be seen as an individual in spite of the factthat it sits in the shadow of San Antonio. But,that’s not because it’s a bedroom community.Though it was only incorporated in 1981, thiseasygoing small town was once a stagecoachstop between San Antonio and Bandera, andhas been on maps for much longer.

EAT: Helotes’ name was derived from theSpanish word meaning “ear of corn”, butthere’s a lot more on local menus than justmaize. Bobby J’s Old FashionedHamburgers, a casual counter-serviceestablishment with cool toppings and coldbeer. For fancier fare, put on your Sundaybest and head over to the Moss Inn, a quin-tessentially romantic restaurant with a wine listas long as its history— that opened in 1929.A stop by Gable’s Ice Cream Sliders is amust.

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SEE: It may be small—fewer than 10,000people live there— but Helotes has boomedover the past few decades and boasts a fewcan’t miss Hill Country sights. The epicenterof Helotes is Old Town, which grew uparound the homestead of Arnold Gugger,who built his limestone residence and gener-al store in 1881, both of which are stillstanding today. Sixty years later, John T.Floore, then the manager of the MajesticTheater in San Antonio, put his name andhis money on a venture that might haveseemed more than a little out there: he builta honkeytonk on a patch of land way northof town. John T. Floore Country Store hassince become an icon, having hosted thelikes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, andPatsy Cline.

PLAY: With its wide Texas sky, the land-scape around Helotes feels never-ending, andespecially so with a bird’s eye view. HelotesHill Country Ziplines gives adventures visi-tors just this opportunity. If you prefer yourfeet on the ground, go for a hike or a bikethrough nearby Government Canyon, aspaghetti bowl of trails more than 40 mileslong. After a long day, hop on over to theHelotes Creek Winery for a glass ofBlackberry Merlot.

KINGSLANDwww.kingslandchamber.org/www.kingsland-tx.com/On the shores of Lake LBJ, the tiny town ofKingsland is the ideal getaway for water sportenthusiasts or those who want to kick backin a rocking chair and take in the lake views.

EAT: If you don’t scare too easy, havebreakfast or lunch at Grand Central Cafe,which operates out of the actual house wherethe original Texas ChainsawMassacre was filmed, which was moved toKingsland in 1998.

SEE: Bluebonnets and wildflowers bloomin Kingsland during the spring months,making it a popular tourist attraction. Justdown the road from downtown Kingsland,The Inks Dam National Fish Hatcheryand the Nightengale ArchaeologicalCenter, which has thousands of artifactsfrom the area’s earlier inhabitants.

PLAY: If you’re looking to hit the links,Kingsland boasts two top-tier golf courses.

But there are also three state parks withineasy driving distance: Inks Lake State Park,Longhorn Cavern State Park, andEnchanted Rock State Natural Area. Thelocal favorite for swimming holes is The Slabon the Llano River.

KERRVILLEwww.kerrvilletexascvb.com/EAT: At lunchtime, you’ll enjoy the historicambiance from inside the restored 1890Weston Building while you enjoy a sandwichor a salad at Francisco’s. When it’s time towind down, celebrate with a meal and a glassof wine at Grape Juice.

SEE: Kerrville plays host to a variety ofannual events and activities that are perfectfor the whole family. See some of Kerrville’sfinest homes on the Tour of Homes byComanche Trace (www.comanchetrace.com/tour-of-homes or see Page 36 for info).

There’s also plenty of shopping—whetheryou’re looking for hidden treasures in a two-story antique shop or for something that willchannel your inner Will Rodgers.

Pay a visit to The Museum of WesternArt at 1550 Bandera Highway. It’s anopportunity to relive Western heritagethrough great Western art. Open 10 a.m. to4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

PLAY: Being built on the banks of theGuadalupe River is just one of the manythings that makes Kerrville a unique destina-tion. If you’re planning on exploring byboat, stop by Kerrville Kayak and Canoeto rent gear.

UVALDEwww.visituvalde.com/index.htmlFor a town with such a rural backdrop,Uvalde has born an impressive number ofnotable Texans including MatthewMcConaughey and Dale Evans. They evenhave something resembling a walk of fame— plaques lining the outside of downtown’sJaney Slaughter Briscoe Grand OperaHouse.

Nicknamed the Crossroads of America,because of its proximity to two of the longesthighways in America, it could also be saidthat Uvalde’s identity is at a crossroads—somewhere between Old West and 20th cen-tury.

EAT: Start your day off with a full breakfastat Sunrise Cafe on Main Street. For lunchon the go, swing by Live Oak Drive Thrufor Tex-Mex that’s as quick as it is tasty.Later, if you’re in the mood for ‘cue, meetyour meat craving at Evett’s.

SEE: Experience the uniqueness of Uvalde'stown square on Four Square Fridays… .Uvalde has a bevy of museums worth brows-ing. Collected by former Governor and Mrs.Dolph Briscoe, the Briscoe Art andAntique Collection has everything fromwestern oils to bronzes, and includes worksby Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Remington,Warren, Wood, and Salinas. Housed in anoriginal Garner Army Air Field hanger, theAviation Museum at Garner Field is dedi-cated to preserving local and regional avia-tion history.

PLAY: Garner State Park is ideal for fami-lies looking to spend the day tubing, swim-ming or fishing and also for passionate birdwatchers on the look out for large flocks ofwild turkeys, fleet-footed roadrunners, andrare golden-cheeked warblers, which maketheir nest in the Hill Country.

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Carefully curated collection of antique & vintage furniture,

housewares, crystal, china, jewelry – fun, funky, & fabulous finds!

CATHERINE’S ANTIQUES

512-970-8125 Antique Markeplace

5806 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 512-452-1000

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Round Top Antique ShowFall 2016, Warrenton, TX


This is the long-awaited dream house for builder MikeStavinoha (Stavinoha Custom Homes) and his wife, Stacy, aCentury 21 real estate agent. The couple built the house in2013.

Two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows frame a sweepingview of the pastoral hill country, the wide, blue Texas sky, andto the southeast, a verdant private golf course.

Stavinoha designed the house himself and sited the struc-ture to create a panoramic vista in every room.

“It’s a place of peace and natural beauty. You feel like youare outside, even when you are inside,” Stacy Stavinoha says.

Built on three quarters of an acre, the single story house iscomposed of natural materials so it blends with the exteriorlandscape and reflects the beauty of the hill country.

“This is our oasis. It is quiet and we see all types ofwildlife: blackbuck antelope, axis and white tail deer, red fox,and all kinds of birds,” she adds.

At the end of a slate stone sidewalk is a broad front porch

uilt of carved Leuders limestone, rough-hewn cypress, and stucco, the hill country homerises on a lofty incline overlooking the Comanche Trace, south of Kerrville. B

By Marsha Canright

The house is built of natural materials to blend in with the setting.

Dream House Frames Hill Country Vistas

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that welcomes visitors. Abundant natural light fills the open concept living space

with its 12-foot ceilings. A wall-size stone fireplace anchorsthe central area, and a woven Turkish rug brings in vibrantcolors: orange, blue and brown.

The structure contains 3,700 square feet of living space,including a master suite with an exercise room and two guestbedrooms with their own spa baths joined with a private den.

The master bath is lined in earth-colored Travertine mar-ble and features his and her walk-in closets, a walk-in showerand a garden tub. A laundry room is attached to the mastercloset.

Almost every room in the home enjoys a panaromic view of the countryside.

Stacy Stavinoha says her favorite spot is here on the enclosed porch that features a stone fireplace -- perfect for chilly evenings.

Kitchen cabinets are made from rifted white oak.

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Comanche Trace is the remnant of an ancient Native American trail used by Apache, Comanche and Kiowa tribes who hunted in the region. Dartpoints, arrow points, fist axes, knives, scrapers and other tools made by early native tribes are found throughout the county. Other remnants left by the

early residents of the area are burned rock mounds.

Mike Stavinoha has a large home office with built-in shelves,and a wide view of the golf course.

The décor is contemporary country and was created with assis-tance from interior designer Eileen Phillips.

To give the house a serene, contemporary look, the Stavinohaschose light maple wood floors throughout and painted interiorwalls in soft grays and browns. The interior four-panel doors aremade of alder.

“Our kitchen is a cook’s dream with its oversized island,Thermador professional appliances, a large porcelain sink, and

beautiful rifted white oak cabinetry,” Stacy Stavinoha says.The kitchen counters are made of a granite called crème of

valentine. One of Stacy Stavinoha’s favorite places in the house is the

back patio with its outdoor stone fireplace, cypress flooring andprivate garden.

“It’s the most comfortable place you can imagine and perfectfor entertaining,” she says.

Exterior landscaping is the natural countryside – beautiful, easyto maintain, and best for water conservation.

The master suite also enjoys access to the outdoors.

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This is what we call Hill Country living.

When you’re ready to get started on your custom home in the Austin or Hill Country area, give us a call. Our team will create a beautiful custom home that you’ll never want to leave.

See more of our work on the Hill Country Parade of Homes Tour512.745.7241 www.showcasebuilders.com Showroom - 1111 E. Polk St., Burnet, TX 78611

50 house&home | June 2016 | www.houstonhouseandhome.net

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0616 txhillcountry vir