712 Mariner

Built by the Couch family of Houston TX as a vacation home, and owned by that same family (estate) until purchased by Gail and Mike Threinen in 2012.

Gail and Mike fell in love with the original mid-century modern architecture, but knew they would need to modernize, update, and make energy efficient and livable this 40+ year old vacation home.  However, right from the start of the project, their goal was to not change the exterior appearance that attracted them to the home in the first place. And even before starting the Lakeway 300 project, knew these old homes, is one of the things that make this neighborhood special.

As the remodeling project started, they quickly began to run into what columnist Dave Barry refers to as “Hidden Bummer Factors”.  HBFs like, removing the old Saltillo tile and concrete base in the living room, caused the outside cantilevered decks to “sag”, or, finding the water supply line to the house, gave us the option of flushing a toilet, or taking a shower, but not both, at the same time.  However, thru the project, Gail and Mike, and their contractor,  persevered, and they are quite pleased with the final results of their modern, 1970 Old Lakeway home.

Today, the house is “brand new” on the inside, and true to the original architects design on the outside.  Other than repairing damage, the outside changes are replacing the 30 inch high metal railing around the second story deck with one that is 44” high for safety, replacing the original tar and gravel roof with standing seam metal, replacing the single panel windows and doors with thermal pane, replacing the outside stairway as the only way to get to the lower level, with an inside set of stairs and changing the exterior color from light tan to light gray.