Open House: Rustic Retreat - The Bend Magazine

Open House: Rustic Retreat

Outdoor living meets rustic charm, adding to the warmth, character, and soul of this gorgeous home.

By: Jaqueline Gonzalez  Photos by: Rachel Benavides

Formerly owned by Ann and Tony Jataine, founders of the Corpus Christi Produce Company, the large 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on Carmel Parkway, in the popular Lamar Park subdivision, was the perfect canvas for Robert Suggs and Russell Moody to carry out the visions of their dream home. Handmade pieces and local art by Deborah Males, Sheila Rogers, and Rita Bryant add to the unique style and vibrant color displayed throughout the home.
From the front, you are greeted by a beautifully landscaped yard, and a long concrete walkway, leading to two tall French style doors. Once inside, the illuminated colorful fused glass art piece titled “Paradisius” by Frank Thompson of Lake Charles, Louisiana, gives you a preview of the warm and inviting vibe of their home. To the right of this vibrant art piece, a walkway leads you to the kitchen and dining area, remodeled and decorated to give it that R&R (Robert and Russell) vibe.

The kitchen, a prominent feature in the home, complete with an abundance of cabinet space, granite countertops, and a small window overlooking Lamar Park, is the perfect starting place for a world of entertaining. A section of the kitchen walls were removed to clear a space that opens up towards the living area, to ensure full entertaining as parties are a plenty in this household. Just a few steps away, is the dining area, which contains Robert’s biggest purchase – a large, rustic, hand-distressed, wooden sliding barn door. The door gives the dining area a big boost of style, while complimenting the red and white walls and wall décor.

The house has a large living area, split in two by an opening, allowing for an aesthetically pleasing and inviting space for guests. The dark rustic, hand-scraped hardwood floor, which is found throughout the house, is brought to life in the living area with the contrast of the limestone fireplace, and the mesquite wood mantel handcrafted by Naves Sawmill in Kingsville. Sporadically placed lighting accents add to the comfortable feel of the area. The other half of the living space showcases brown leather and chrome Wassily chairs, complemented by a trio of photos from local artist Sheila Rogers and a vast array of colorful art and accessories.

The appeal of the master bedroom is accentuated by the ample space, enough to fit a king-sized bed along with a seating area. Robert and Russell added to their views of their dream home as they redecorated their master bathroom. What was once a basic walk-in shower, became a walk-in shower with glass “ice-mist” tiles, the bathroom walls were replaced with shiplap wood, and the granite counter top was replaced with Italian white Carrara marble, making for a picture-perfect master bathroom. The second bedroom is used as a guest bedroom, but no corner was spared in decorating to perfect the rustic country ambience.

Robert and Russell garnered most of their decorating influences by Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. Robert says, “Every episode inspires me to implement some small design element in our home.” Their love for home decorating and renovations is profoundly visible upon entry into their backyard.

Visitors are greeted with an alluring view of a botanical heaven, along with a hot tub in the far corner of the yard. Working in tandem with the garden ambience is a stamped concrete walkway that winds around the lawn, hugging the landscaping as it leads to a small patio area, creatively dubbed as the “secret garden.” With Robert and Russell’s views in mind, the secret garden was designed by Donna and Joe Mazzola with JDM Landscapes, and is the perfect space to relax and unwind after a long day.

The patio area was turned into a gorgeous outdoor room complete with a freestanding pergola, adorned with garden lighting and a patio seating arrangement. It creates the perfect space for an intimate, romantic candlelit dinner, while enjoying the soothing night sky. Connected to the secret garden, is the third bedroom, which was converted to a cozy little nook called the “garden room.” The garden room is the ideal space for relaxing with the doors open while taking in na-

ture’s sights and sounds. The garden room, located in close proximity with the secret garden, is a brilliant creation for Zen space.
Robert and Russell have created the perfect mixture of rustic and soul in order to create the per-
fect dwelling place. Needless to say, their humble abode is bursting in character and has a soul
enriched with color and art.