The successful practice of Dr. Karen Hasty, partner with Dr. Nancy Rector-Finney at Four Seasons OB/GYN, is sometimes off the chart, but nothing keeps her grounded more than her three sons and the nurturing environment that she has created for them in their Alamo Heights home. It is there that she is all Mom. Moving into their spacious home just over 
five years ago, and working with interior designer Mary McNelis, the doctor ordered only cosmetic changes. Hardwood floors were darkened, walls were given a spectrum of fresh paint colors with dominant tones of whites and grays, and new
furnishings were carefully selected. Modern and functional, the groupings were chosen to keep up with the active lifestyle of sons Benjamin, age 14; Ethan, age 11; and Owen, who is 7 years old. “Mary is great,” explains Karen. “She will mix an expensive piece with wonderful finds from Home Goods that are stylish and hold up to active family life.”
“I wanted it to be a real family home for Karen and the boys,” said Mary about her choices. An oval island in the kitchen anchors the open living spaces between the kitchen, family room, dining area and comfortable living and entertaining space. Large expanses of glass and sliding doors bring the outside into focus. There, an inviting swimming pool beckons outdoor recreation. Taking advantage of a school break, son Ethan began to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the kitchen island, grabbing bread from the pantry. Spreading a thin layer of the gooey goodness on a piece of bread, Ethan finished his project with a little help from mom. Taking the knife and scooping a big blob of jelly, she said, “That’s a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Why don’t you make one for your brother?” Ethan grabbed some more bread and stated that was a good idea, as his mother extolled the virtues of her rustic dining table and benches that were picked up by Mary on a buying trip to New York. “I really love the big table,” says Karen. “It brings all the boys together for meals and gives me time to spend with them.” Ethan enthusiastically piped in, “That’s every mom’s dream for what they want kids to be like.”
With a penchant for exercise, Karen insists that friends believe she selected her home because it was equal distance from the three spots where she frequently works out. Physical activity runs in the family. As a double amputee, Benjamin had just finished attending his first track meet, where he ran an eight-minute mile on prosthetics. Brother Ethan ran with him. “I was so proud of Benjamin,” exclaims Karen. Owen plays ice hockey and “has had a stick in his hands since he was 2,” mused Karen. With her boyfriend, his two children and her three sons, Karen spends weekends at home in the pool, giving the trampoline a serious workout and grilling outdoors. That’s the kind of house calls this doctor enjoys.
BY JOHN BLOODSWORTH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL RENDON
