Imagine the scene…a newly built luxury weekend getaway with views of the Frio River in the Texas Hill Country. Not only that, but it is surrounded by hills – of course – and three acres of parkland overlooking the water. looks perfect? Well, approx.
The lucky owners of the idyllic seven-bedroom property wanted to use it as a place to relax and unwind, as a place to share with their children and grandchildren. The main challenge was that the upscale interiors had to still have an accessible and informal feel – so that everyone who stayed here would feel at home.
The results really make this one of The best homes in the world. Its clever blend of modern luxuries with distinctive antiques and salvaged materials perfectly fits the brief.
The person responsible for interviewing this brief is designer Blair Burton of Blair Burton Interiors.
family living room
(Photo credit: Nick Johnson)
Living room ideas For the family room it should be flexible above all else. It is an open plan kitchen and will be available for a lot of use.
We used all velvet and durable leather. It’s a big space and we didn’t want the lighting to feel lost in there, so we hung a Paul Ferrante chandelier to make it feel intimate,” explains Blair. The idea is that if there’s only the two of you in the space, you don’t feel like you’re waiting for the rest of the party to show up. The doors between the bulkheads in The patio and this pocket of space are in the frame, so the whole area is open.
The fireplace in the family room was a great design element. There are TVs behind the antique doors above the fireplace.
The homeowners did not have the furniture to equip a second home that goes into this project. One of the main challenges was buying all the new pieces that still feel lively and collected,” explains Blair. We’ve been shopping for their furniture for three or four years. It was a labor of love. The homeowners didn’t push us to finish, they just wanted it right. Among the furnishings selected for the family room are custom sofas and wing chairs by Lee Industries, an ottoman covered in a Holly Hunt Great Plains faux leather and custom Paul Ferrante chandeliers.
kitchen
(Photo credit: Nick Johnson)
Anyone looking for it kitchen ideas You will find food for thought in this wonderful space. The rafters for the kitchen—and elsewhere in the house—were reclaimed from a 19th-century Vermont barn. “This definitely added a lot of character to the home,” says designer Blair, who also purchased an antique walnut nightstand to create the dramatic island setting space. The scenery is complemented by a wooden stool by Theodore Alexander.
“There is no gap that lights up in the house, so making sure the house is lit properly and working was an achievement,” she adds. With that in mind, I designed a pot rack, custom built by Two Hills Studio with built-in shades and pendant lights from Northeast Lantern.
Stone floors were also essential. Materials that can withstand some wear and tear are essential in this large room where you can cook, eat, and even play a game. It opens to the living room so everyone can be together in the space. You can have 25-30 people in that space and you won’t feel crowded, or you can have two and you won’t feel empty. With the size of the room, it never feels too empty or too crowded,” says Blair.
(Photo credit: Nick Johnson)
In the dining room, all of Blair’s artifact hunting and rescue really paid off. The ceiling is made of antique reclaimed floors and there is antique stone on the walls.
We searched for months for a table and finally found it from a dealer in France. The antique wooden buffet is found at the Marburger Farm Antique Show, says Blair.
dining room ideas Stealing from this smart space is worth the graceful chandeliers, which add a touch of luxury but definitely not shine—the perfect choice for this more rustic country house. Stone floors continue into the dining room, maintaining the natural, earthy textures elsewhere in the house. Notice the way a coffered ceiling adds warmth and intimacy to the space—great qualities for a dining room where you want your guests to enjoy a relaxing gathering.
closed courtyard
(Photo credit: Nick Johnson)
This patio-screened room is an extension of the family room and is an important area of this weekend home where indoor and outdoor living are combined.
This space includes a ping pong table, a seating area, and a dining table. “The fireplace was the great design element of the patio,” says Blair. ‘It’s a wood-burning fireplace made of antique stone. The balcony is at least 20 feet deep, and the Frio is always cool, so you always have a cool breeze away from the river year-round. This is the best place to be when you are there. The table and long wooden benches were from the Marburger Farm Antique Show. Chandeliers from Chateau Domingo. The clip in the background is from Anthony’s Courtyard.
entrance
(Photo credit: Nick Johnson)
You enter the house through a large front porch, and into this hallway.
hallway ideas It includes sepia reclaimed flooring used on the ceiling, which provides a good contrast to the pure white wood paneling. An attractive wooden bench adds to the warm welcome you are assured of when you step through the front door.
Steel Bridge Addition Connections For New Bedrooms
(Image credit: Piston Photography)
A glass link extension, with steel-framed glass panels, connects the original building (completed in 2013) with a newer three-bedroom addition (completed in 2015). The owners call it The Bridge, and through the full-height glass walls there are great views of the surrounding ocean and the hills beyond.
basic bedroom
(Image credit: Piston Photography)
The master bedroom, in the new bedroom suite, features timber walls and reclaimed wood beams. There are so many things to envy bedroom ideas In this space, not least are picture windows, reclaimed French limestone floors, and an (invisible) corner fireplace.
“This is the only bedroom without a loft or bunk beds as the owners wanted a private space for both,” Blair explains. ‘We put in a fireplace to make it particularly comfortable. There are no TVs in any of the bedrooms – the idea is that no one is hanging around in their room.
Guest room with mezzanine beds
(Photo credit: Nick Johnson)
All three bedrooms in the original section of the house have a king or queen size bed with a loft above with additional sleeping space. Floors and beams repaired. This was the original master bedroom in the old section of the house. The bed is by Pottery Barn, the nightlights and lamps are antiques, and the reclaimed terracotta floors are from France.
outside view
(Image credit: Piston Photography)
Even the exterior of this new building has been remedied in salvage yard. The roof was new, but the beams, columns and lintels were fixed. The entire property is a triumph of accurate and coordinated sourcing – inside and out.
Interior Design: Blair Burton Interiors
Architect: David Shiflet Shiflet Richardson Architects
Builder: Dalglish Construction Company
