Photos courtesy of Texas Timber Frames and Todd Glowka Builder
How do you make a brand-new home in the heart of the Texas Hill Country look like it’s been there 100 years? With materials that have been around even longer. Such was the case with this hybrid home.
On the exterior, a combination of dry-stacked stone and 150-year-old reclaimed siding adds instant patina and classic Hill Country style. A decorative and structural combination of Douglas fir trusses, columns and awnings provided by Texas Timber Frames completes the look.
“I wanted the home to feel like a continuation of its natural setting,” explains Oscar Flores, the designer. “So we used wood, stone and other natural materials in the design to create a blending from the outside to the inside.”
Rustic elements like the massive trusses made of wood from 100-year-old barns, wood floors and a grand, two-sided stone fireplace balance the bright white kitchen and large expanses of glass. Located on a 400-acre game ranch, the house is situated such that you can see for miles in every direction so opportunities to take in the vistas were a must.
“Texas Hill Country has amazing views, so I wanted to create a space where the homeowners could enjoy it through panoramic windows, effectively surrounding themselves with nature,” Oscar says.
The wide-open living space is only interrupted by the stone fireplace that takes center stage, dividing the kitchen, dining room and living area from the trophy room. Large sliding doors lead out onto a sprawling terrace, where a variety of seating options and an outdoor kitchen double the entertaining space.
“When designing the layout, I was primarily focusing on maximizing family gathering and entertaining,” Oscar says. “I wanted to make it aesthetically pleasing, with easy flow and functional areas so that the homeowner can just relax.” Just what a home in the Hill Country should be — a rustic place to kick up your cowboy boots and unwind.
Home Details
Square Footage: 11,380Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 4 full, 4 half
Timber Provider: Texas Timber Frames Builder: Todd Glowka Builder
Designer: Oscar E Flores Design Studio