Garage Door Sample

This is a sample of the garage doors without the antique hardware. It is made with antique barnwood to compliment the barnwood used in other parts of the house.

More about Windows....

"When God first breathes life into the body, it is as if the soul were a blank canvas on which nothing has been painted. From that time we are children, our souls know nothing except what we perceive by looking out through the "windows" of our senses. So we grow to adulthood believing that what we see and know through our senses is all that there is to know." From You Set My Spirit Free by David Hazard

Our windows in this house are made by Eagle Windows. The Eagle bird has keen vision, soars high in the sky where it can see in all directions ( forward, behind, side to side and above and below) and is not limited by any obstructions. The wind carries it for miles as it freely glides.

I prayer that we use these windows to see in and as well as out, that our vision is keen like the Eagle and not limited by our senses, that we can allow the wind ( Holy Spirit) to lift us so we can see for miles, flying freely with the wind at our backs. I guess I have alot of expectations about these windows, huh?

Eagle Windows

Jim Donaldson, our building supervisor, called to say that one of the workers accidently broke a window while setting the stone benches with a fork lift. We discussed how in many cases most workers would not admit they damaged something for fear they would have to pay and their earnings are so little that they can not afford the "accident". This poor Mexican stone mason admitted he broke a 700.00 window today, which could be his wage for the entire week. My heart hurt for him as he admitted he broke the window. So with little discussion I told Jim to order another window saying how surely glad I am that it was a window which can be replaced and not this poor workers leg. How grateful I feel that this man didn't injure himself or another because the window can be replaced but a body part is another problem. Accidents happen, they just do, no matter how careful, "perfect". So at the moment I am not sure exactly how I will reward this good man for admitting he broke the window. Instead my thoughts are focused on how it feels to accidently damage something like this myself... how the truth is easier to admit however how we teach people to lie or not admit their mistakes, imperfection, accidents, for they fear the consequences of their unintentional action.

If only we can realize these accidents are important moments for teaching ourselves and others, how none of these "things" are of importance but this man's heart is important...and some how my heart feels pretty good too ...imagine that!

Fritz...and our family pets

Now you ask...what does Fritz and our family pets have to do with OMESA. Everything! You see what is family with out the pets? At the moment our family has 6 pets: Fritz O'Brien, Bulliet and Maggy Snyder, Kinsey Hudnall, Trey and Gus O'Brien.

Each of these little guys/gals presents quite a challange in designing and furnishing this home. Gus is known to "mark" his way through a house with Fritz and Trey following behind. Bulliet doesn't know his strength, Maggy is still a puppy, Kinsey leaves her mark by shedding her beautiful blonde coat...so what is there to do since we love them like our children and want them with us as we relax and play?

This week I am designing a shaded dog run with doggie doors which will be connected to the barn off the west ridge. The pets will also have protection from all predators and the harsh environment outside the gates of OMESA within the walls of the courtyard. However, when we are not able to watch these precious family members, they will have the security of their own living quarters. The west ridge is one of the most beautiful views from the top the OMESA. This is where we plan to build the barn with dog runs, place our picnic tables in the grove and move the iron firepit. These dogs never had it so good!

Fabrics and Rugs Reflect the Landscape

I spent hours looking at many photos of the European Pioneers, American Indians and all the Immigrants to the Hill Country. Then I spent hours walking our property, picking up stone, arrow heads, spilt rocks, tree bark and all the natural God given materials that make up O'Mesa. As I found myself looking 360 degrees, up, down and side to side from the home site, I could see beautiful shades of sky blue, 7 shades of green, bronze and wheat colored grasses, muted brown and grey bark, wildflowers in white, yellow, purple, pink, red, blue and orange. The fabrics and rugs will be a beautiful blend of the styles of the natives people and of the God's paint brush. The colors just happen to be my favorites: sky blue, earthy brown, poppy red and cactus green.

The Hacienda view from the back of the house

Exterior Doors and Flagstone Patios

Here's a photo example of one set of our exterior doors which are made in the old style and brushed with a beautiful blue-green stain. The patio stone shown is the same Oklahoma stone that will be used on all the walkways, patios, courtyard and veranda. It's called Grey Mist. Once the chinking and stone is complete, the grey stone will pull color from the home stone and complement colors in the wood, mortar and doors.

Freezing Temperatures

Old Man Winter is here this week! In the middle of the night, the wind was howling with 60 mile an hour winds gusting, bringing freezing temperatures and sleet with snow flurries. Some of the large trees around town up-rooted including our tall Italian cedar tree in the backyard at the Travis Street house. Night time temperatures are 17 degrees. When I talked to Jim Donaldson this morning all was well at O'Mesa. Our windmill below at the cistern was damaged by the wind but otherwise all weathered the storm.

The Doors

The doors are beautiful! All 64 of them. It has been many months since we selected the doors for the interior so when they arrived today, it was very exciting to see them again. The exterior doors were purchased from Architectural Traditions and are made to look old. These copper/green/brown doors are being used in order that they fit secure and add protection from the weather. This was a decision I made for function over esthetics. The only exterior door that is antique is the front door. This door and all the interior doors were purchased from sources all over the world including Mexico, Central and South America. Our source in El Paso helped us find many of these doors. Each is unique and varies in size, color, type of wood and style. It is a challenge for the trim contractor to make door frames to fit each of these. It is also a challange to create a placement door schedule that works in the overall design plan. Because each door is different, it is important to place them in groups so they companion with one another in color and style. This is one of the design features that sets this home apart. How many times have you been in a home where every door is different yet fits the design?