A couple’s retreat built with native stone
Texas limestone and sandstone bring rustic charm to a private residence designed for homeowners who love to travel and entertain
“[My client was] an executive from an international firm and his wife who dreamed of living on a small golf course lot in Austin,” the architect explained. “They wanted to achieve a comfortable feel — a balance of wood and stone with the use of warm colors.”
Among the design objectives for the new residence was the importance that the building materials required little maintenance. “Llano sandstone from the nearby Highland Lakes area, aluminum clad windows and a clay tile roof were chosen as the exterior building materials,” said Lott. “Wood plantation shutters were installed for privacy along the golf course.”
The home’s entire exterior facade is constructed with Llano sandstone. The golden and rust-colored hues of the stone give the residence a warm and welcoming effect. Moreover, the rough-cut solid look of the stone provides a sense of permanence and nicely complements the natural surroundings. Because the Llano sandstone has a lot of natural color variation to it, mock-ups were done prior to installation for the owners and architect to approve.
In addition to exterior walls, the local sandstone forms a series of archways on the veranda, where the homeowners and their guests can sit, relax and dine. “The veranda sandstone arches are repeated in the dining room — creating an intimate dining experience,” explained Lott. “Flagstone-shaped Lueders limestone flooring flows from the interior out to the veranda and down the stairs — eliminating the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.”
The interior also features a fireplace wall built of Llano sandstone, which is paired with wooden beams and the flagstone flooring. The combination of materials — along with the open floor plan — creates an inviting atmosphere with country elegance that is ideal for entertaining.
“The client’s reaction was fabulous after the house was completed,” said Lott, adding that construction time took between 14 to 16 months.
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