Texas Country Retreat
rural Texas
Situated on a tree-studded hilltop in rural Texas, this country retreat expands a family compound with the addition of a farmhouse that harmonizes with the existing collection of white clapboard ranch-style buildings. Drawing on the simplicity and material honesty of a traditional Texas farmhouse, the home supports an outdoor oriented lifestyle by nurturing a strong relationship to the surrounding landscape. Its placement on the steepest edge of the site preserves privacy while offering expansive views of a nearby lake and pastures. Upon approaching this country retreat, the arrival sequence encourages a leisurely stroll beneath mature live oaks leading to a welcoming porch, setting a measured and contemplative pace for the home. Inside, communal living and dining spaces occupy the first floor, with bedrooms and a sunlit sleeping porch above, providing orientation to the surrounding vistas. With variable heights, unenclosed spaces, and a plan that responds to the hilltop’s topography, this home integrates seamlessly into the landscape balancing presence, comfort, and a deep connection to the Texas countryside.
“Designed in the spirit of an old Texas farmhouse, the home embraces simplicity of form and function to support a pared-down, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.”
IN COLLABORATION WITH
Builder
RB Ratcliff & Associate
Interior design
Candra Scott & Anderson Interior Design
Photography
Paul Hester
Publication
Building on Tradition: The Work of Curtis & Windham Architects
2019 Staub Award Winner

