Lullwood

The clients and I met in 2014 when they purchased my family home in French Place.  Fast forward to 2020, much like we had been 6 years prior, they had two young boys, had outgrown their space and were ready to move to a forever home. They sought out looking for a home with a large yard on a quiet street located close to the children’s hospital where the client worked. They took a chance and wrote the owners of houses that fit the bill and they lucked out when this owner responded.

The original house had undergone some strange remodels over the years and needed a full overhaul. Although efficiency was key, some additional square footage was needed; this included some bump-outs to accommodate an enlarged primary suite, flex room, and second kids’ bedroom.  Flipping the original dining and kitchen functions allowed them to maximize views of the backyard and pool (with safety being a concern considering their young children). Accommodating space for a playroom/den in a location that was easy for the owners to peak in on kids while using the kitchen was critical. Although the children take over the space during the day, the den’s location away from the bedrooms enables them to use it as their tv room in the evening.  While one is a doctor, the other works from home; carving out a space for her office was critical. We achieved this by creating a galley style office right off the kitchen with views of the front yard.

Although the three young boys currently share two bedrooms, the clients (who discovered they were pregnant with their youngest son mid construction) were relieved to have included the flex room with an en suite bath which could easily function as a 4th bedroom if the boys decide they want their individual spaces. Visual and physical connection throughout the common areas was paramount and enabled them to utilize every part of the house leaving no wasted space.  Although the original house had 8’ ceilings, we took advantage of adding dormers and raised rooflines wherever possible to add volume to the interior where it mattered most. The other programming they requested was a mother in law suite for grandmothers to use when they frequently came for visits from out of state.  The suite is detached from the main house and opens to the backyard; it is connected to the garage and carport and is accessible via breezeway.

Rarely does a remodel project of this magnitude go off without a hitch and this home was no exception.  Although one of the post oak trees that had grown over the house was removed for safety concerns before the project began, a few more significant oaks died mid construction as a result of the extreme temperature swings central Texas had experienced over the last several years.  After attempting to save them and ultimately grieving their loss, my clients chose to use the salvaged timbers for an outdoor bench and some other furniture pieces and fill in with native landscape that quickly matured.

Completed in 2023.

Contractor: Paul Streeter, Camelot Homes

Interiors: Ann Edgerton, Ann Edgerton Studio

Landscape: Frances Peterson, LOAM Design (plantings) & Cameron Campbell (concept)

Photography: Molly Culver