According to interior designer Debbie Baxter, building a new home is more fun and less stress to accomplish when the homeowners choose a team comprised of an architect skilled in their desired style, a top-tier general contractor with a seasoned superintendent and an interior designer with a depth of experience in regional design. Such was the case when these homeowners chose the dream team of architect Mac Chesney of Chesney Morales Partners, Mauze Construction Corporation as the contractor and senior designer Jackie Newsome of Baxter Design Group as project designer for this Hill Country farmhouse.
The homeowners desired a casual, comfortable interior with a definite nod to the natural materials typical of the region and style. The home site is full of native live oaks, mesquite and indigenous shrubbery. Cows graze at the property line daily, and it is not uncommon to see a variety of other animals around.
After sharing their love of the German farmhouses scattered throughout the Hill Country to their architect and interior design teams for inspiration, the result was a three-bedroom, two-story farmhouse with a master suite and two guest rooms, one of which serves as a home office. There is also a complete guest suite, accessible from the garage for privacy. Landscaping is true to the natural elements, including the pool area which was added during construction.
“The owners had a definite vision for each of the main rooms,” said Debbie. “She brought excellent concept photos to our very first meeting, which proved to be the jumping off points. She wanted a white kitchen with white marble countertops, but with touches of natural wood to bring in warmth. There was a family chest they wanted incorporated into their master closet, and we designed the functional space around it.”
The design team selected all the architectural finish materials and presented to the homeowners for their approval. The homeowners also collaborated in selecting the hand-hewn, reclaimed wooden floor planks to be used throughout the home. “Our scaled elevations, overlaid on the architectural plans, helped the owners visualize how these materials would be used,” explained Debbie. “They were excited when we suggested a custom driftwood mantel for the fireplace as well as the antique reproduction sink vanities in the guest baths. They preferred a more contemporary vanity for their master bath, and we made that work within the context of the home style by employing reclaimed wood paneling for the walls.”
While the architectural style reflects a classic farmhouse, the interior furnishings are modern, for an Old World meets New World aesthetic. The homeowners’ vintage pieces are interspersed throughout, creating a sense of history in the interiors. “We used as many of the homeowners’ existing pieces as they wanted, and it was successful,” said Debbie. “They were very receptive to our guidance, and if we felt a piece would not fit, they honored our professional opinions. As the building process progressed, they realized we were assets to them, and the trust factor grew even stronger.”
Baxter Design Group
210-828-4696 | BaxterDesignGroup.com
Chesney Morales Partners
210-828-9481 | ChesneyMorales.com
Mauze Construction Corporation
210-826-1813