Date: August 29, 2019 | Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Lauren Cerrato |
A couple in Roland builds a sophisticated country home fit for their family of five
For their third home built together, these homeowners were inspired by their location. They own a private equestrian facility in Roland, and after several years of driving back and forth between the facility and their home as needed, they decided to simplify by building on the property close to the barn and arena.
With that change came a new direction in style. “I said, If we’re going to live on a farm, I want a farmhouse,” one homeowner recalls. “I wanted it to be comfortable. I didn’t want all the rooms that we had in our last house. I wanted a big area where we could all live in the same space.” She describes her previous home as more French country and formal. Here, an open floor plan, exposed appliances, and the appearance of raw materials lend themselves to a more casual feel.
Rather than solid cedar, the contractor used faux beams by an Oregon company called Hewn Elements. “They’re real wood, but they’re hollow and about 10 times easier to install,” the homeowner says.
To make their dream home a reality, the couple called on Scott Cassidy, an architect out of Austin, Texas, and Doug Duke of Duke Custom Cabinetry to collaborate on design. “Doug is one of our best friends, and he’s done all of our cabinetry in every house,” the homeowner says. “Again, I knew I didn’t want it to be fancy—just a simple Shaker style, which has a little more of the farm feel.” She points to hidden compartments in the island as well as abundant cabinets and drawers as doing the hard work of providing concealed storage, leaving room for glass-front cabinets to display a collection of white stoneware.
A large arched doorway framed in limestone provides definition between the kitchen and living room as well as visual interest. “I like my bones very, very neutral and timeless,” the homeowner says. “With the limestone, we just wanted to add some texture.” That element of texture is also apparent in planks of cedar seen throughout the home on ceiling beams, the range hood, and an accent wall in the pantry, which is tucked behind the refrigerator. With leftover wood, she had a sliding door constructed that could block her nearby laundry room from view when guests arrive.
A walk-in pantry off the kitchen provides space for food storage and a wet bar.
Beams also provide a focal point in the master bath, which features a built-in soaking tub rather than a free-standing variety. This selection offers a place to set a magazine, glass of wine, or TV remote. Simple woven-wood shades provide added privacy as needed without obstructing the view, and a farmhouse-style chandelier, antique chair from Cobblestone & Vine, and brushed-brass fixtures complement the design.
Gilded frames displaying art by the homeowner and her mother complement Suzanne Kasler sconces over the vanity.
Design Resources
Architect Scott Cassidy, Geschke Group Architecture (Austin, Texas) Kitchen design Doug Duke, Duke Custom Cabinetry Cabinets, hardware (kitchen), and millwork Duke Custom Cabinetry Carpet and tile ProSource of Little Rock Countertops Triton Stone Fabrics and window coverings Laura’s Draperies & Blinds Fixtures Ferguson Plumbing Supply Furniture (bathroom) Cobblestone & Vine Mirrors Park Hill Home Stone Stone Works, LLC
Editor’s note: An alternate version of this story appears in the print edition.
