Realtor Walks Across ‘Patio’ in Backyard—Then Realizes What It Really Is

This article details a recent visit to Maximo, a newly opened restaurant in the West University area of Houston, which is a new concept from Local Foods Group and occupies the former El Topo space. The visit took place on a sunny Sunday in April, characterized by pleasant weather. The author and companion, Classic Rock Bob, sought a patio dining experience after attending an open house at the Italian Cultural Community Center in Midtown. The primary focus of the review is Maximo's covered patio, its service, and the dining experience it provides. Upon arrival, the restaurant's counter-service system during daytime hours was noted, although staff promptly provided menus, set the table with plates and cloth napkins, and offered chilled water, exceeding typical expectations for a counter-service establishment. This attention to detail in service was a recurring positive theme throughout the visit. The menu, a collaboration between Local Foods culinary director Seth Siegel-Gardner and former El Topo owner Tony Luhrman, was described as small but carefully curated. The initial drink order included two Maximo margaritas, which were noted for being perfectly frozen and lime-forward, with the regular size offering better value than the larger option. The friendly and attentive staff continued to impress, with a manager explaining that the restaurant transitions to full waiter service at 5 p.m. The interior dining space was also briefly described as inviting, featuring contemporary Southwestern decor with cowboy and cowgirl artwork and burnt orange-velvet booths, complemented by large windows and an open door that create a European cafe ambiance. Food orders included queso and chips to start. The queso, despite including Fresno chiles, was found to be thin and runny, resembling a sauce rather than a dip. However, the accompanying homemade chips were praised, and a smoky, roasted tomato salsa overshadowed the queso in flavor. The main dishes arrived promptly due to the counter-service ordering system. Classic Rock Bob chose the Maximo Plate, which allowed for two tacos (crispy fish and tempura mushroom) and two sides (rice and quinoa elote kale salad). The author ordered the Barbacoa Grilled Cheese, served with a side of escabeche, a flavorful and fresh pickled vegetable mix. The barbacoa in the grilled cheese was exceptionally tender, blending well with the cheese, and even won over Classic Rock Bob, who typically dislikes beef, despite his humorous critique of the bread's butteriness and his subsequent use of the thin queso as a dip. The Tempura Mushroom taco was an innovative vegetarian option, though the fry on the Hen-of-the-Woods mushrooms was a bit heavy. The addition of tiny pickled beech mushrooms and corn nut chili crisp provided a unique flavor profile. The crispy fish taco featured a peach-colored fish, an avocado-pea puree, lime crema, pickled Fresno chiles, and radish, all encased in thick, homemade nixtamal tortillas. The rice side was acceptable but had a slight fish taste, while the quinoa elote kale salad was highlighted as a refreshing and healthy accompaniment. The article also mentions the option of pozole as a soup choice for cooler days. The patio itself received high praise for its comfort and design, featuring upholstered booths with succulent gardens and a linear cactus garden providing privacy and views of the nearby park. Fans, heaters, and decorative lighting ensure it is suitable for various conditions. A second drink, the Red Dawn cocktail made with Urapan rum and prickly pear, was considered less impressive than the margaritas due to excessive ice and a weak flavor. Despite the menu not appearing explicitly kid-friendly, the staff demonstrated flexibility by offering off-menu items like burgers or cheese quesadillas to accommodate families. Overall, the experience was positive, with unique flavors and top-notch service contributing to a successful al fresco meal, indicating that Maximo's patio is a recommended dining spot. #MaximosPatio #HoustonDining #RestaurantReview #PatioDining #LocalFoodsGroup #TexMexCuisine #WestUniversity #HoustonFoodScene

This article details a budget-friendly backyard makeover project undertaken by the Brownstone Boys, following their major house renovation. With a budget of $2,500, they transformed their urban backyard into a multi-functional space designed for both relaxation and social gatherings, particularly relevant given the increased importance of outdoor spaces during pandemic precautions. The renovation involved significant manual labor, including jackhammering concrete, relocating soil, and carrying numerous bags of sand, gravel, and excess soil. The tour of the newly renovated backyard begins with an 18-by-8-foot steel deck, constructed from steel and concrete to comply with NYC building codes for property line-to-property line structures. This deck serves primarily as an area for cooking and al fresco dining, featuring a grill and an expandable round table, with sun yellow chairs adding a pop of color. Descending from the deck, the hardscape includes a pea gravel and bluestone patio. The bluestone was salvaged from various parts of the yard, and the pea gravel was used to evoke a Mediterranean garden aesthetic. This patio area is designated for relaxing seating and a fire pit, offering a more comfortable and immersive experience amidst the surrounding plantings. A 24-inch planter box, painted matte black to match the deck, spans most of the yard's width between the patio and the building. This planter serves to introduce varying heights in the garden's design and create a private space for the tenant. Beyond the patio, the back half of the yard features a newly seeded lawn. Overcoming initial doubts, the homeowners meticulously cared for the lawn for five weeks, watering it three times daily, using a special dog-friendly and drought-resistant grass seed mix (PT Lawn Seed #769) suitable for areas with limited direct sunlight. This approach proved to be a cost-effective alternative to sod, resulting in a vibrant green lawn. Additional relaxing spots in the backyard include a hammock and two Adirondack chairs placed on the grass. The perimeter of the yard is adorned with shade-tolerant plants, selected with the help of a Brooklyn garden designer. The plant selection includes Bugloss, Hardy Geranium, Ghost Ferns, Ostrich Ferns, Echinacea, Butterfly Bushes, and two Ruby Falls, sourced from wholesale suppliers, with the expectation that they will grow to fill the space and create a lush environment. The ambiance is further enhanced by two 60-foot strings of lights stretching from the house to the back of the yard. The total project cost amounted to approximately $2,600, slightly exceeding the initial budget but significantly less than professional quotes. The homeowners express great satisfaction with the outcome, having actively participated in the transformation and now thoroughly enjoying their revitalized outdoor space. #BackyardMakeover #UrbanGardening #DIYRenovation #OutdoorLiving #GardenDesign #BudgetRenovation #BrownstoneBoys #BedStuy #Hardscaping

When preparing a home for sale, various factors contribute to its market appeal, including curb appeal, living room staging, and kitchen upgrades. However, the backyard often gets overlooked, and its design can significantly impact a home's saleability. Paul Herskovitz, founder and CEO of Discount Lots, emphasizes that an overly unique or poorly maintained backyard can deter potential buyers, advising a simple, adaptable, and well-kept design to allow prospective homeowners to envision their own lifestyle in the space. Real estate experts identify specific backyard design choices that can hinder a home sale, offering insights on what to avoid and how to enhance a backyard's attractiveness. One significant deterrent is the presence of swimming pools. Unless located in a hot climate where pools are highly desired, Sebastian Frey, a broker associate at Compass Silicon Valley, notes that pools can be difficult to sell. They consume valuable space, incur high maintenance and operational costs, use substantial water, and pose safety risks, especially for young children. Phil Green, CEO of I Buy SD, suggests a shift towards plunge pools or lounge pools as alternatives that offer aquatic enjoyment without the extensive commitment of a full-sized pool. Removing a pool can cost upwards of $5,000, which buyers often factor into their offer or decision-making. Similarly, large water features like koi ponds, artificial streams, waterfalls, and ornate fountains can be off-putting. Frey explains that these features, while aesthetically pleasing, also occupy considerable space, demand maintenance, and offer limited utility. Buyers typically prefer low-maintenance options, such as native or drought-tolerant landscaping that requires minimal attention and irrigation. Smaller, less permanent water features like bird baths with small fountains or mini standalone ponds, which can be easily removed, are recommended for homeowners who wish to enjoy water elements without alienating future buyers. Sports courts, including basketball or tennis courts, are another feature that rarely adds value for most buyers. Frey describes them as unattractive concrete or asphalt slabs that cover desirable green space. For those who desire a home sports area, temporary solutions like interlocking rubber tiles are suggested, as they can be disassembled and removed before selling. Overly personalized backyards also pose a challenge, as buyers struggle to envision themselves in a space that strongly reflects the current owner's eccentric tastes. Carissa Kristoff, a realtor at C Kappa Corp/Berkshire Hathaway HS Select Properties, and Herskovitz advise opting for neutral, versatile designs with soft landscaping and simple patio furniture to allow buyers to project their own styles onto the space. Excessive hardscaping, such as large expanses of concrete or pavers, can make a backyard feel uninviting and limit a buyer's options. Larry Shinbaum, a real estate agent and broker at Luxuri International, recommends a balanced approach between hardscape and landscape, ensuring ample green space. Softening hardscape features with flowers or shrubs can also create a more appealing transition. Michael McGuirk, a licensed real estate agent with Sotheby's International Realty, highlights the importance of a well-defined and healthy lawn, noting that a small play area with grass or soft mulch can attract families. Large children's play equipment can also deter buyers due to significant removal costs, which include disassembly, hauling, and rejuvenating the underlying dead grass. Homeowners are advised to budget for removal before listing their home. Permanent structures that dominate the yard, such as giant gazebos or custom fire pits, also reduce a backyard's appeal by limiting usable green space. Shinbaum suggests versatile features like well-placed pergolas or portable fire pits, which enhance the yard without dictating its layout. High-maintenance plants and gardens can be a turn-off, as buyers often perceive them as a new full-time job or an added expense. McGuirk recommends low-maintenance options like perennial plants and native species, which thrive in the local climate with minimal intervention. Finally, expansive outdoor kitchens with all the amenities, while enjoyable for the current owner, can be seen as overkill by buyers. McGuirk advises a simpler outdoor kitchen or built-in barbecue with a designated dining area, allowing buyers to adapt the space to their preferences rather than feeling constrained by an overly elaborate setup. #BackyardDesign #HomeSelling #RealEstateTips #LandscapeDesign #HomeValue #CurbAppeal #OutdoorLiving #HomeImprovement #PropertyMarket

The growing population of domestic cats in the United States, currently estimated at 94 million, poses significant ecological challenges, particularly to bird populations. Unrestrained owned cats and feral cat colonies are responsible for an estimated 2.4 billion bird deaths annually in the U.S., making feline predation the leading human-related cause of bird mortality. Beyond direct predation, outdoor cats can also act as vectors for diseases and disrupt ecosystems globally. Additionally, allowing cats outdoors exposes them to various dangers, including predation by larger animals, ingestion of poisons, contracting feline diseases, and automobile accidents. To address these dual concerns of wildlife conservation and pet safety, the concept of a 'catio' has emerged as a viable solution. A catio, or 'cat patio,' is an outdoor enclosure designed to provide cats with a safe and stimulating environment while preventing them from harming wildlife or encountering outdoor hazards. These structures allow cats to experience the benefits of outdoor living—such as exercise, fresh air, and enrichment—without the associated risks to themselves or the ecosystem. Catios can be customized in numerous ways to fit different spaces, budgets, and aesthetic preferences. They can range from simple, inexpensive, cat-only enclosures to more elaborate structures integrated with existing patios, allowing both cats and humans to share the outdoor space. Access to catios can be facilitated through windows, doors, wall cuts, or even tunnels, or cats can be carried to freestanding units. The design possibilities for catios are extensive, limited only by creativity and safety considerations. Popular features incorporated into catios often include ramps, cat trees, and natural elements like boulders for climbing, as well as water features such as fountains. Perches provide elevated viewpoints for cats, satisfying their natural instincts. For human companions, lounge chairs can be added, enabling them to relax with their feline friends in the shared outdoor space. Organizations like Portland Audubon’s ‘Cats Safe At Home’ campaign offer valuable resources and design ideas for individuals interested in building their own catios. The widespread adoption of catios could significantly reduce the impact of domestic cats on bird populations and other wildlife, contributing to biodiversity conservation. Concurrently, it enhances the welfare and longevity of pet cats by protecting them from the numerous dangers of the outdoors. By offering a secure outdoor environment, catios represent a harmonious solution that benefits cats, wildlife, and their human owners, promoting responsible pet ownership and ecological stewardship. #Catio #CatSafety #WildlifeConservation #BirdProtection #PetEnclosures #SustainablePetOwnership #FelineWelfare