If you haven’t been out to Mueller, the 700-acre city within a city located on the site of Austin’s former airport, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Mueller is taking shape and springing to life with all of the elements that were promised.

A diverse mixed-use community with housing prices ranging from $120,000 to one million plus, upon completion, Mueller will feature 4,600 single-family and multi-family homes. The master plan also includes 140 acres of parks and green space, a hike and bike trail, an elementary school, commuter rail station, and a retail center with a theater. The Dell Children’s Medical Center and the Austin Film Studios anchor the development. Mueller will also soon welcome the Austin Children’s Shelter campus and the Austin Children’s Museum. Forward looking and ultra-green, Mueller seemed the logical spot for the 2009 Parade of Homes.

In case you missed the 2009 Parade, held May 23 to June 7, we thought we would give you, our readers, an insider’s tour of these ultra-green, ultra-urban homes custom built and designed by a group of Austin’s most exclusive home builders, architects, and interior designers. With prices starting at $1 million, the homes ranged from 3,000 to 4,500 square feet and were the first in Central Texas to earn three energy efficiency ratings. Our tour includes the award winners and some editor’s picks. We highlight the features that make each house unique and impressive. We show you the latest trends in architecture, interior design and products that made the 2009 Parade of Homes innovative and inspiring, including: retractable walls and outdoor living rooms; an acoustically perfect media room; spa-like master baths; the most modern kitchens; a rare Concetto countertop created from semi-precious geodes; an in-home refueling station to fill the tank of your energy-efficient natural gas automobile; and waterfalls, meditation spots and open-air sunset balconies with killer downtown views.

Finally we went to the ultimate experts, the builders themselves, with the question: What was the vision for your home featured in the HBA Parade of Homes, and how did you achieve your intentions? Their answers will both surprise and enlighten you taking you inside the home building and design process for conception to completion.

4229 Camacho Street
Marshall Durrett, President
Durrett Interests, LLC

We set out to create a parade home that was both noticeably livable and extremely sustainable, not just a “flash in the pan” for the parade event. Quality of execution and durability of construction were very important in our project programming, providing our homeowner with a functioning building system for years to come. From the very beginning, with site selection, we insisted on a north-facing home site that would allow for the best quality day lighting from the large front windows of the home. Our home site also allowed for the inclusion of a three-kilowatt array of solar panels on the southeast roof plane, which has already offset our electricity usage by 25%. Not only did we achieve the same 5-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building as the other parade homes, but also ours was the only home to be rated for LEED Platinum. From an interior design perspective, the most rewarding feedback we received on our home from parade-goers was constantly and consistently that it “felt like home” or “was very comfortable” right when they walked across our front door threshold. We hope our home proved that contemporary design could still be very inviting, not just minimalist.

4225 Comacho
Alan Muskin, President
The Muskin Company

Our vision was to build a sustainable mid-century modern home that took advantage of our site overlooking 30 acre Lake Park. We accomplished this by using many natural and durable materials, such as polished concrete floors, limestone counters and Douglas-fir ceilings.

Our seamless corner windows frame a beautiful view of Lake Park. A 14′ retractable door opens the family room to our steel trellised yard, bringing the outdoors in. Features of our Northeast facing yard include native landscaping and an herb garden. Our efforts were recognized by the City of Austin’s Green Building Program 5-star rating and Gold Level LEED rating.

Our inspiration for the home in the Parade was to create a warm, inviting, fun atmosphere, that had a modern feel and included the latest technology. Along with Audio Video Designs, we decided to use the automated projection screen with the hidden HD Front Projection System to incorporate that technology into a space that could serve not only as a media room, but also as a multi-purpose space. By containing all of the components for the Media Room, the whole house audio system, and the televisions around the home in the component closet of the Media Room, we were able to eliminate unsightly boxes, cables, and wires typically associated with home theater and television systems. We also installed California Audio Technology in wall speakers in the Media Room, and covered the entire wall with acoustical fabric to complete the totally hidden appearance. By installing the Crestron Control Panels and utilizing the Crestron remote controls, the end user will have access to whatever sources they deem appropriate for their viewing and listening needs throughout the house, as well as the covered patio and the Garden Roof. The Crestron Control panels have the ability to control lighting, window treatments, and HVAC in the Media Room and throughout the home. The garden roof is the most unusual feature included in this home, and I think in the entire Parade of Homes. The inspiration was to utilize rooftop space to create a living, growing garden that would serve as get-away from everyday issues. It not only creates a place for the homeowner to garden in a subdivision that offers little space in the yards below, but also serves as a space to read a book, drink a glass of wine, or gaze at the stars. The rooftop garden eliminates heat transfer from the roof, and acts as an insulator for the garage located below.

4217 Camacho Street
Streetman Homes
Ryan Jackson,
Director of Sales and Marketing

We wanted to build a home that took advantage of the beautiful views available from this home site. That, coupled with the overall “Mueller Concept” of a walkable traditional neighborhood helped our decision to capture those views from outdoor living spaces. There are three outdoor living spaces on the front of the home, one large sitting porch on the first level, one large porch off the owners suite and flex room on the second floor, and a covered open air “Sunset” breezeway on the third floor. The Sunset room features 300-degree views of Mueller Lake Park, the Robert Mueller Airport former control tower and the downtown Austin skyline. In addition to the incredible outdoor living spaces already mentioned, we were able to include a living vegetable garden with a lime tree, tomato plant, and spices. In this space we were also able to include a full cooking island with GE Monogram Grill, sink and mini-fridge. If the views and outdoor cooking weren’t enough, how about bringing the outside in? Our family room combines with a courtyard via 16’ sliding doors. This courtyard features a waterfall cascading from one of two-second floor balconies. The home far exceeded our expectations in terms of design. The Parade of Homes Judges agreed awarding our home with Best Outdoor Living Space and Front Elevation.

4213 Comacho Street
Cool River Custom Homes
Glenn Reynolds, President

Our vision was to create an energy efficient Home that would accomplish 3 additional goals. The first goal was to make the home feel as inviting and warm as possible while providing a layout that was functional for everyday use. We then wanted to create a work at home space separate from the main house which will allow the homeowner to separate their work life from home life without having to commute. Last, but not least, we wanted to create a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces. The front porch has space to accommodate neighborhood street parties and features an outdoor fireplace and tv. An outdoor kitchen and alfresco dining area overlooking a courtyard and fountain off the back of the home. We added additional cedar roll up doors off the courtyard area leading into the garage to accommodate the need for extra covered space when entertaining. This area is good for setting up a pool table, table tennis or foosball. As a bonus we added a guest cottage above the garage which includes a kitchen, bathroom, closet, living area and stackable washer and dryer. With just under 3600 square feet of indoor living space, 1200 square feet of outdoor living space, a detached office, guest cottage, 2 indoor kitchens, an outdoor kitchen and incredible views of downtown from the Master bedroom and balcony, I think we achieved everything we set out to accomplish.

Make sure to check out our issue for a much more extensive photo collection of these awesome homes.

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What you’re missing in your job is purpose.

If your company were operating with a clear and present purpose, then you would be telling me how soul-satisfying your work is. You would be bragging on your participation in something bigger than yourself. You would be talking about how meaningful your work is. You wouldn’t be describing a hamster wheel and expressing the need to bail.

Of course you feel the need to bail!

In fact, Sue, you could serve as the poster girl for the 21st-century employee; there has to be a purpose to the work and organization.

“Yours is a common problem these days,” says Haley Rushing. “It’s a horrible state of business when people think they need to leave their passions at home.”

Haley is Chief Purposologist at Austin’s famed marketing/advertising firm, GSD&M Idea City.

You read right. Chief Purposologist. She’s the only one in the world, and she’s the co-author (with Roy M. Spence, Jr.) of the recently released It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For.

Haley is passionate about her own work and her purpose: helping organizations fulfill their purpose. “I want my kids to live in a world where organizations are doing the right thing. The sustainability of the planet is determined by the decisions that businesses make. In some small way, I hope I can help transform the consciousness of business leaders to create value where everyone wins.”

Luckily, Haley found a company whose purpose aligned with her personal purpose before she nearly abandoned the marketing profession. GSD&M offered her the opportunity to use her insights into consumer motivation in a responsible, rather than exploitative, way.

“It’s hard to put kids and family on hold. If I weren’t doing something I believe in, I’d be miserable.” Employers, she says, need to “recognize that if they want people to show up for work enthusiastic and engaged, they need to give them something to be genuinely enthusiastic about—something they can believe in.”

The biggest lesson she’s learned?

“Choose your clients [or employer] wisely. You only have so much time and talent to give in this world. Don’t squander it working with people who aren’t as passionate and committed as you are. Look at every potential relationship as an opportunity for both parties to grow. Every one of my great clients has taught me as much as I’ve taught them. We get better together. So if something about a client [or employer] doesn’t feel right to you, listen to your instincts. There are too many amazing people and cool companies in the world to waste time working for those that don’t get it—and won’t ever get it.”

She could be speaking directly to you, Sue: “Listen to your instincts.” Sounds like you already know it’s time to move on. You present pretty strong evidence that your current workplace isn’t ever going to challenge you, develop you, or fulfill you. In the short term, you feel dissatisfied. In the long run, you’ll feel suffocated.

What to do? First, get clear about your own purpose, then find a compatible employer.

Haley offers this advice for women like you who are seeking a purpose-driven workplace: “Ask! If you’re wondering whether or not a company has a purpose, ask them. There is a lot of power in the question: ‘What’s your fundamental purpose in the world?’ or ‘What difference are you trying to make?’ If their answer begins and ends with ‘make money, increase revenue, maximize profit for shareholders,’ that’s a good indication that the organization isn’t purpose-driven. On the other hand, if they come to life and begin to tell you about the values that shape their culture and the difference they’re trying to make, listen up. This may be your opportunity to take up residence working for the ‘good guys.’

“The good news is that while purpose-driven organizations may have been the exception in the past, there are more and more emerging on the scene every day. You can often spot them by the enthusiasm and engagement of their employees if you interact with them as a customer. They may be the retailers that still see a steady stream of customers, while their competitors are hanging up their ‘going out of business’ sign.”

Ann Daly PhD is a life coach, keynote speaker, and author of A Year of Clarity: The Monthly Guide for Women. She helps women get clear about what they want and how to get it. Subscribe to her blog at: www.anndaly.com.

Answer :      

         Most importantly, you cannot develop your own sense of style if you follow the trends. Following a trend never gives your sense of style a chance to evolve and never makes it necessary for you to explore the under the radar possibilities.

          Keep in mind when purchasing an important piece what it looks like on you. Chandelier earrings are lovely, but they may not look good on you, or fit your lifestyle.

         Also be careful with trends in jewelry. When you purchase a piece that is marking an important occasion, like an anniversary, you don’t want to find yourself picking up the latest fashion magazine six months later only to find that your beautiful new piece is suddenly so ‘over.’

          When adding pieces to your collection, buy pieces that go together. This is not to say that you have to get the earrings that exactly match the necklace (although that is nice) but buy pieces that have the same weight and style and have the same metal and stone colors. When most women look in their closet, they will often see a lot of a few colors. We usually choose the colors we think we look best in. Jewelry is the same way – the right colored stone can be very flattering, and the wrong one not so much so. Choosing a piece that suits your skin tone, your face shape, your personality and your lifestyle insures that you will wear it often. And when you wear a piece of jewelry often, it becomes a part of your story, your legacy.

          Most of all, I truly think you should love the piece – does it exhilarate you, make you smile, intrigue and capture you? If the piece does these things, it is speaking to you and you will enjoy it for years to come. The right piece of jewelry will tell a bit about you and it can also send your love into the future.

A : The world of colored gems is vast and the correct determination of value is based on rarity and quality. Many gemstone species are available in various colors, including sapphire, tourmaline, spinel and garnet. The crystallized form of the mineral Corundum is called Sapphire or Ruby. A natural sapphire can be colorless, blue, yellow, orange, green, lavender (which is very rare) or pink, and when it is red, it is called Ruby. When the crystal is very pure it is colorless and when impurities are introduced during the growth process, colors are created. Sapphires and rubies can be very bright and are very durable. 

Garnets are also available in a wide variety of colors. Most people think of garnet as a burgundy/red color, yet the rarest are green or orange. Orange garnets are called Spessartite or Mandarin Garnet and most green garnets are Tsavorite. Tsavorites can seldom be found in sizes larger than five carats and Spessartites are rarely found in sizes larger than eight carats. Both Spessartites and Tsavorites are rare, beautiful and valuable. was in a jewelry store last week and saw what they called a ‘Fancy Yellow Sapphire’. They also told me that sapphires can be many colors. Is this true and how do I determine value?” 

Spinel is also an exceptionally beautiful and brilliant gemstone. It is naturally created in every color of the rainbow, including black, and is almost as hard as sapphire. Because it is extremely beautiful and durable but less well known, its cost is less than sapphire, making it an exceptional value. Though many colored gems are rare, the absolute rarest of all are colored diamonds. For every 100,000 carats of ‘white’ diamonds mined, there is but one carat of natural colored diamond found. Colored diamonds come in every shade of every color in the color spectrum. To put in perspective the value of a colored diamond, recently a 6.04 ct. vivid blue diamond ring sold at auction for $7.98 million dollars, making it $1.03 million per carat. 

The beauty and value of any gemstone is determined not only by the eye of the beholder, but also its color saturation, its clarity and last but definitely not least, is the cut of the gem. The cut can make or break the beauty of any gem and this is where the “X factor” of the human comes in. In the hands of a master gem cutter, the value of any gem can be greatly enhanced. 

It is difficult to include all the important factors involved in gemstone evaluation in one short answer. I would advise anyone interested in the purchase of a gem of importance to consult with a trusted and knowledgeable professional. 

Zoltan David – Designer / Master Goldsmith 
www.zoltandavid.com

A:There’s a lot of information—and misinformation—going around about the upcoming “digital TV transition”. So let’s set the record straight.

First, a brief synopsis of what’s going on. For the last 70-something years, TV signals have been broadcast in an analog fashion using the NTSC standard, which takes a lot of radio frequency (RF) bandwidth. During television’s infancy, there was almost unlimited bandwidth, so this wasn’t a problem. But as new RF-based electronics like CB radios, walkie-talkies, portable phones, cell phones, Bluetooth devices, wireless networks, satellite TV and even the new digital TV channels, have been added over the years, this bandwidth has become, shall we say, constrained.

With digital television using the new ATSC standard though, the same, and in fact much more, information can be sent in a fraction of the bandwidth the analog equivalent would take. So the government wants to reclaim some of the bandwidth currently allocated to analog television so that it can relicense the frequencies.

They’ve hired Bob Barker to remind you that, along with helping to control the pet population by spaying or neutering your pet, February 17, 2009 is the end of the line for analog broadcasts.

I stress the word “broadcast”, though, because this is where people are getting confused. Just because the airwaves are no longer carrying analog TV signals, this does NOT mean that your old television is useless. Probably 99% of the readership of this magazine has either cable through Time Warner, satellite through DirecTV® or Dish Network®, or IP-based TV through AT&T’s U-verse®. And for all TVs hooked up to any of these subscription-based services, you’ll continue to be able to watch TV. Even on the TVs that are hooked up to basic cable without a converter box, at least for now, you’re good to go.

The issue for most of us arises with the TVs we watch in the garage, or in the kitchen, where we didn’t think to put in a cable or internet outlet. And that’s where the government has your back, Kwan. If you go to www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx, they will send you $40-off coupons for up to two analog TVs you own. Using this coupon, you can purchase an “ATSC Converter”, which usually costs around $60 before coupon. It will use your trusty rabbit ear antennas to tune in the “new-TV-ese” and, well, convert it, to “old-TV-ese”. It takes about a month for the coupon to arrive, and it’s only good for three months, so you’ll want to get going on that.

Tom Wilkinson is a home theater enthusiast, and is owner of Xpress Home Theaters. You can reach him at tom@xpresshometheaters.com or at 512.217.6668.

Your ACCA contractor of choice is the professional who understands the building science of your home and applies the design principles contained in the ACCA design manuals and practices.

Winter Humidification
Relative humidity (RH) is the percent of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture this air can hold at the same condition. Warm air will hold more moisture than cold air, and as cold ventilation air mechanically or naturally (by infiltration) enters your home, it can be drier than the driest desert and seriously lower the humidity levels in your home. The psychrometrics of air show us that at 70 degrees F air can hold about 12 times as much moisture as 10 degrees F air, and when 10 degrees F outside air is heated to 70 degrees F the humidity level goes from 70 percent to 7 percent. Normal household functions (such as cooking, showering and laundry) also have an impact on the relative humidity within your home and hence on your comfort.

The effects of bacteria, viruses, fungi, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma, and ozone production can be minimized by higher humidity levels. Studies have shown that wintertime operation at 68 degrees F / 60 percent RH provides the same level of occupant comfort as does 72 degrees F / 30 percent RH; so lower utility bills also results with the addition of moisture to your home.

Automatic, computer-controlled humidifiers can control the right humidity levels in your home, providing enough moisture for a healthy comfortable home within the limits to prevent window and cold surface condensation.

1. Get In Shape:
It doesn’t matter if you have lost your job recently or if you are safe and secure. The New Year is a great time to look back at your previous year, evaluate wins and losses and get your resume in shape. Having a strategically-written resume is essential to being prepared when opportunity knocks. So, give your brain and typing fingers a workout and get your job tools fit.

2. Become More Flexible:
Today’s job market is an opportunity for you to take a take a leap in a new, growing industry such as government, technology, health care or education. If your current industry isn’t looking like it has a bright future, be flexible. Some strategic planning can help you market your talents to a new area. Take time to examine your transferable skills and match them with available opportunities.

3. Train to Build Strength:
Professional development is the fuel for advancing your career. Look online for workshops, conferences and continuing education classes to help you strengthen your weaker areas. If you’re looking to make an industry or career transition, examine job descriptions to see what competency gaps you may need to fill with formal training. Professional development is also an amazing way to inspire you. If you’ve felt a general loss of excitement, a workshop presenting new ideas can give you a tremendous boost.

4. Connect with People:
Here at the Ginac Group, we can’t emphasize this enough. Building and maintaining your network is the best way to find out about career opportunities. Some statistics show that nearly 60% of available jobs are not posted online. The only way to find out about these is through people you know. Your network can be made up of friends, former and current work colleagues, your family and even your dentist. Take stock of who you know and connect with them this year to keep your relationship from dissolving.

5. Reduce Stress:
The New Year is also a good time to examine if your job is working for you. Is the level of stress you’re feeling the right amount for you? Do you have the kind of work/life balance you want? If you’re stressed and unhappy with your job, you should consider talking to a professional career consultant to see what other options are available. A Professional Career Architect, like the ones employed at our firm, can make sure you make a seamless transition into a more fulfilling career.

Your ACCA contractor of choice is the professional who udnerstands the building science of your home and applies the design principles contained in the ACCA design manuals and practices.

Winter Humidifcation

Relative Humidity (RH) is the percent of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture this air can hold at the same condition. Warm air will hold more moisture than cold air, and as cold ventilation air mechanically or naturally (by infiltration) enters your home , it can be drier than the driest desert and seriously lower the humidity levels in your home. The psychrometrics of air show us that at 70 degrees F air can hold 12 times as much moisture as 10 degrees F air, and when 10 degrees F outside air is heated to 70 degrees F the humidity level goes from 70 percent to 7 percent. Normal household functions (such as cooking, showering and laundry) also have an impact on the relative humidity within your home and hence on your comfort. 

The effects of bacteria, viruses, fungi, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma and ozone production can be minimized by higher humidity levels. Studies have shown that wintertime operation at 68 degrees F / 60 percent RH provides the same level of occupant comfort as does 72 degrees F / 30 percent RH; so lower utility bills also result with the addition of moisture to your home.

Austomatic, computer controlled humidifiers can control the right humidity levels in your home, providing enough moisture for a healthy comfortable home within the limits to prevent window and cold surface condensation.