The Cordillera Ranch home of Richard & Kristin Martin started with a dream of a clean-lined contemporary design that capitalized on Hill Country views across a negative edge pool. This home would be an escape from their busy Houston lives, a place for family and kids to gather and recreate…and in Richard’s case, yet another opportunity to play golf at one of the premier courses in the country. 
The immediate challenge for the project was that the long vistas lie to the north, on a north facing lot – thereby mandating that the pool be in the front yard. Through the course of wonderful collaborative efforts (see Wikipedia’s “charrette”), an entry courtyard and central pool was developed, with Great Room, Kitchen, Dining, Office and Master Bedroom overlooking the cool body of water to the tree-filled horizon beyond. Sleeping quarters were generously separated such that residents and guests each have their private retreat, with gathering and entertaining occurring in the Great Room, Kitchen, Dining and common living areas. Rather than conceal his wine collection, Richard opted to display it as a work of art – resulting in an illuminated glass paneled, climatized cellar opening from the west end of the Dining Room.
Throughout the selection process, the Martin’s showed their appetite for creativity, experimentation, and richness of character. The culmination of this appetite is seen in the use of an eclectic mix of finishes and materials to include stone, reclaimed long leaf pine beams, reclaimed flooring and millwork, acid stained/stripped/waxed concrete floors, concrete and honed granite countertops, raw metal patina iron embellishments, Carrera marble, imported plumbing fixtures, custom fabricated light fixtures, and a beautiful custom fabricated zinc-finished Kitchen vent hood. A mix of mortared and dry-stacked crème and Lueders limestone walls anchor the centrally located see-thru fireplace – and tie the interior and exterior to the native surroundings and landscape.
At Great Homes, we intentionally have no particular style that defines. Our goal is to draw out and enhance the style of our client, and execute with excellence. With expanded relationships comes increased accountability, the opportunity to communicate, the ability to empathize and the hope for like-minded goals. The ultimate goal of which is an increased focus on value, creativity and satisfaction of investment. We attempt to understand the needs, desires, and way of prioritizing so that we accentuate the client’s personality – not our own – and do so with a collection of professionals, experts and artisans worthy of the investment.
