Horseshoe Bay Residence
Horseshoe Bay, TX
These empty nesters were at a crossroads in life and decided to trade in big city living. To continue serving Austin business contacts, it was necessary to keep the real estate quest to locations that were still accessible to the cities. Thanks to childhood memories of boating and water skiing, a unique property in Horseshoe Bay was the selected.
The ranch house, built in 1999, sits on 5 acres of land in a neighborhood of only 6 houses, all with 5-10 acres. Home features, land privacy, and the proximity to Lake LBJ sold them on the property, however they knew they needed a remodel to make it "home."
The house is modest, under 2,000 square feet, but the components were right for their new life with just furry dependents. The kitchen was in the most need of updating; opening it up to adjacent rooms allowed for better entertaining. Wood beams and exposed connections were extended to frame the new kitchen, making it original to the house. A custom metal hood and a unique eight-burner stove are a centerpiece of the gathering island. The refrigerator is reminiscent of a farm house icebox.
Stained concrete floors are scored to look like tile originally, so a concrete topping was added to create a monolithic first floor. The downstairs bathroom was completely gutted for new fixtures and finishes, including a wall covering with graphic scenes of their beloved Austin. Doors throughout were replaced and painted "barn red," complete with new hardware with an antique feel.
Throughout the home, there were originally seven species of wood. Exposed wood beams, columns, and the live edge base up the stairs were left untouched; other components were either replaced or stained to stop the competition of the wood tones.
The master closet was generous in size but it was awkward to travel through the closet to get to the master bathroom; custom storage units hide the chaos of clothing and created a hallway instead. Industrial wire closet fronts allow for ventilation.
The master bath's new counter and backsplash upgraded the room. Light fixtures were updated with LED throughout.
An 800 square foot covered patio was added to the back three acres , allowing this sweet couple (as well as their dogs and cats) to enjoy the peace and views of the property. Steel columns were used to combat the Texas Hill country winds, and a privacy wall doubles as a television backdrop as well as a screen from the harsh afternoon sun. A "catio" of wire fabric allows pets to enjoy the outdoors without the dangers of predators. Exposed wood rafters and string lights lend to outdoor living space for solo nights or entertaining.
