Houzz Tour: Rustic and Eclectic Styles Mix Down on the Range
A ranch house and a pair of guest cabins deep in Texas Hill Country evoke the Wild West with a modern twist
While the exteriors were designed to look like traditional pioneer houses, the interiors are eclectic in style, with a mix of exposed materials and bold decor. “The homeowners love bold color and a mix of styles,” Kilpatrick says. “They selected most of the furnishings.”
The living room, just off the main entry hall, features a Dutch door that can be closed for privacy. The exposed ceiling joists are Douglas fir. The shiplap walls are covered in a bold shade of blue-green paint called Dark Night by Sherwin-Williams.
The living room, just off the main entry hall, features a Dutch door that can be closed for privacy. The exposed ceiling joists are Douglas fir. The shiplap walls are covered in a bold shade of blue-green paint called Dark Night by Sherwin-Williams.
The architects describe the living room’s fireplace as their interpretation of a modern inglenook, or chimney corner. The hearth is made entirely of firebrick, which can withstand extremely high temperatures. “Firebrick is usually only used in the interior of a fireplace chimney, but it’s actually a beautiful stone,” Cuppett says. The small bump-out above the fireplace is covered in lime plaster.
Trying to find a happy balance between an open kitchen and a private one, the architects left a large opening between the kitchen and living room, with built-in bookshelves on either side.
The main house features a combination of shiplap walls, ceilings and custom built-ins. “Not a single wall or ceiling in the main house is covered in drywall,” Kilpatrick says. The wood floors in the living room and kitchen are hand-scraped Douglas fir and feature a dark chocolate stain.
The main house features a combination of shiplap walls, ceilings and custom built-ins. “Not a single wall or ceiling in the main house is covered in drywall,” Kilpatrick says. The wood floors in the living room and kitchen are hand-scraped Douglas fir and feature a dark chocolate stain.
All the cabinets in the eat-in kitchen are counter-height and below. The walls and ceiling are covered in crisp white shiplap. A red six-burner gas range adds a pop of color that’s echoed in the tablecloth.
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Shop for red gas ranges on Houzz
The dining room is modeled after the interior of old pioneer houses, which often featured a central hall that served as a dining space. Glass walls and doors on both ends of the dining hall can be opened up to create an alfresco experience. The floors are an indoor-outdoor cedar decking that’s weatherproof.
“We added drainage underneath the floors, so the homeowners can actually hose down the floors if they want,” Cuppett says.
“We added drainage underneath the floors, so the homeowners can actually hose down the floors if they want,” Cuppett says.
Another burst of color is found in the butler’s pantry, directly off the dining room. Built-in shelves painted in Goldfinch by Sherwin-Williams and a retro-inspired yellow refrigerator make the space a fun spot for pouring a drink or prepping a meal. Note the bold floral wallpapered ceiling.
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Shop for yellow refrigerators
The minimalist master bedroom includes the same hand-scraped Douglas fir floors, exposed ceiling joints and white shiplap walls used in other areas of the house. The door leads to a dressing room that features more floral wallpaper on the ceiling. To the right of the dressing room is the master bathroom.
The master bath features a wet area with a claw-foot tub in front of two walls of glass overlooking the property. The floor-to-ceiling curtain is attached to a track in the ceiling that runs along three sides of the wet area. A shower head on the wall to the right of the tub (not pictured) creates the option to either take a shower or have a casual soak in the tub. The floor is covered in black ceramic penny tiles.
The two guest cabins are laid out with a large bedroom on the first floor and a lofted bedroom upstairs. The first floor features the same hand-scraped wood floors seen in the main house. Drywall makes an appearance on two of the walls on the first floor, while the wall with the large floor-to-ceiling picture window is covered in shiplap.
The lofted sleeping area features two double beds and a wood floor painted forest green. The bed wall and sloped ceiling are covered in shiplap. The wood shutters outside the window are attached to the exterior of the house and are angled to help block the sun while still allowing views of the property.
Builder: Dalgleish Construction
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Builder: Dalgleish Construction
More on Houzz
5 Vacation Homes That Live Lightly on the Land
Around the World in 12 Inspiring Vacation Homes
Shop for furniture
Find a pro for your next project
Shop for furnishings and other home products
Vacation House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Texas Hill Country west of Austin
Size: Main house is 1,984 square feet (184 square meters); two guest cabins total 900 square feet (84 square meters)
Architect: Tim Cuppett Architects
A young family that recently moved from New York to Austin, Texas, wanted a second home that was nearby geographically but miles away in personality from the suburban setting of their primary residence. Architects Tim Cuppett and Dave Kilpatrick were tasked with designing a mini compound on a 2.5-acre plot of land along the Frio River deep in the Hill Country west of Austin.
The main house, two guest cabins and barn are connected via a wood walkway that cuts through the property’s high grass and live oak trees.
The architects say the exteriors of the buildings were modeled after the region’s early pioneer houses that featured slanted rooflines and large front porches. The exteriors are covered in rough-hewn wood treated with a reactive stain that gives it a weathered look. The roofs are made of corrugated metal that also provides an aged patina. “The goal was to make the buildings look like they had been here for a long, long time,” Cuppett says.
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