From Devastation to Dream Home: Houston Couple Rebuilds After Hurricane Ike
When Hurricane Ike ravaged Houston, it left a path of destruction, including a massive pine tree that split the Jafarnia family's 1947 ranch house in two. Instead of despair, the Jafarnias saw an opportunity to create their ideal living space, transforming a devastating event into a chance to build their dream home.
Key Takeaways
- A direct hit from Hurricane Ike destroyed the Jafarnia family's original home.
- The couple seized the opportunity to build a larger, more functional dream house.
- The new home emphasizes open design, abundant natural light, and dedicated spaces for family and entertaining.
- The design successfully blends youthful contemporary aesthetics with timeless antique elements.
A New Beginning
Ally and Korsh Jafarnia, along with their three children, were already feeling cramped in their 1947 ranch house when Hurricane Ike struck. The storm's fury brought down 21 trees on their property, with one particularly large pine crashing through the center of their home, effectively splitting it in half. This unexpected destruction, however, became the catalyst for a long-held desire to rebuild.
"When we first bought this property, we always thought, 'Well, someday we're going to tear it down and rebuild,'" Ally Jafarnia shared. "It just happened a little sooner than we anticipated."
Designing the Dream
The Jafarnias moved in with family, demolished the damaged structure, and collaborated with architect Ken Newberry to design a spacious six-bedroom, 7,400-square-foot home. A primary goal was to create a more open and functional layout, minimizing hallways and maximizing natural light and space. "Another big thing I wanted was lots of windows," Ally Jafarnia stated. "Our old house was so dark - we want this to be bright and open."
The family room exemplifies this open-concept design, featuring a wall of glass that slides open to seamlessly connect the interior with the back patio and pool area. The use of limestone tile flooring both inside and out further blurs the lines between living spaces. The kitchen is equally bright and airy, boasting high ceilings, large windows, and Calacatta marble countertops and backsplash.
Spaces for Entertaining and Family
The front of the house is dedicated to more formal living and dining areas, combined into a single, elegant room that flows into a large wet bar, creating an ideal space for hosting guests. "The way we entertain, this is so much better," Ally Jafarnia noted about the architect's suggestion to combine these spaces.
Each of the Jafarnia children received their own private bedroom and bathroom. The master suite is located upstairs, intentionally close to the children's rooms. The interior design, overseen by Houston designer Katie Scott, strikes a balance between youthful contemporary style and sophisticated touches. Each child's room was personalized to their tastes, with one daughter opting for a pink-themed room enhanced by geometric wallpaper, and the younger daughter enjoying an elegant black-and-white space accented with purple. Scott's approach involved blending colorful art with modern decor, thoughtfully incorporating at least one antique piece in each major room to add warmth and character, creating a look she described as "dressy-casual."
Outdoor Oasis
The property also features extensive outdoor amenities, including a pool, an outdoor kitchen, a tennis court, and a batting cage for their son, Jonathon, who is passionate about baseball. Despite its size, the Jafarnias emphasize that "there really is no dead space," as they utilize every area of their meticulously designed home, which took two years to build.
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