Originally from the Midwest and spending the last 13 years in Connecticut, the happily transplanted couple is thrilled that their new Garner Custom Home in Cordillera Ranch will keep them grounded for a long time to come.
By Julie Catalano :: Photography by Blue Bruin Photography
“Just two and a half years ago my wife was working in midtown Manhattan,” says the homeowner, who recalls what brought them to Central Texas. “She was offered a professional opportunity in San Antonio and we started looking around.”
An early house-hunting trip to the area led them to licensed real estate agent Vance Waller of Cordillera Ranch to start the lot selection process. “We loved everything about the development and the homes,” says the homeowner, “and we were fortunate enough to find a lot that we love.”
“We started this project like we start every project: boots on, survey in hand, on the site with the architectural designer,” says Trey Garner, owner of Garner Custom Homes, a Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builder, who worked with Jim Terrian of J. Terrian Designs on the home. Both firms are in Boerne. “Given the way the lot is set up, and the size of home that our clients needed, we knew we had to get creative with the vehicle entry.” The porte cochère concept unfolded quickly and was not only a distinctive design element but also a practical one, resulting in usable storage space in addition to the climate-controlled storage within the home.
Fortunately for the design team, the clients were decisive and had a clear vision of what they wanted in their 5,363-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home, with more than 1,300 square feet of patio space. “It’s just the two of us here,” says the homeowner, “but we have a large extended family. Our grand plan is to entertain family and visitors from all over the country. We look forward to their visits and acquainting them with Cordillera Ranch living.”
Once the big concepts were nailed down, the details fell easily into place, says Garner. “Architecturally, it’s somewhat difficult to describe. I like the idea that the home cannot be pigeonholed into one distinct genre. It’s modern, with a European influence, and it fits in beautifully here in the Hill Country.”
One of the joys of Hill Country living is bringing the outdoors in, and that was important to the homeowners who wanted sliding glass doors off the living area to enjoy the views of the backyard with the gorgeous infinity edge swimming pool and spa, firepit, covered patio and large deck. The welcoming area also features a masonry fireplace and outdoor kitchen perfect for hours of lively entertaining with distant views of the Hill Country.
Inside, large expanses of energy-efficient windows, many floor-to-ceiling, bring in an abundance of natural light that beautifully highlights six-inch walnut flooring throughout, set off by white baseboards that the homeowner describes as “a New England touch.” Because of the home’s orientation, the windows provide fantastic views both morning and evening. “No matter where we face,” he adds, “we get inspiring views of the sunrise at the back of the house, and from the front, we watch great Texas sunsets.”
The home has all the spaciousness and flow you would expect in a house designed for entertaining, along with stylish touches that make it equally cozy just for two. Painted throughout in crisp, clean white, the house boasts gleaming Carrera marble as an elegant backdrop in the kitchen with countertops, island and full backsplash in the iconic marble.
State-of-the-art appliances by Wolf® and Sub-Zero® round out the huge dream kitchen ready for any amount of entertaining, surrounded by expansive custom cabinetry painted white with a very cool feature: “We did inset cabinetry in the kitchen and the pantry,” says Garner, “something you don’t see a lot of down here. It’s more of an East Coast detail.” In this style, he explains, “Doors and drawers are not mounted to a face frame but set inside the face frame, leaving the surface of the cabinet flush and smooth.”
The bar is conveniently located between the dining room and kitchen, with illuminated custom cabinetry painted in dramatic black. The dining room/entry foyer features a striking starburst-style chandelier by Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort.
Carrera marble also stars in the home’s three baths in three distinctive floor patterns: one in hexagon tile, one in herringbone and the third in basket weave. The spacious master bath is essentially covered in Carrera, from the vanities to the floor to the luxurious king-size shower floor and walls. The freestanding tub is a cast iron beauty from Waterworks.
The centerpiece of the master bedroom is a masonry fireplace with cut stone surround and detailed molding. His and hers closets are beautifully functional, but the wife’s dedicated closet is enviably exquisite with custom cabinetry, ample natural light and chandelier by Oly Studio.
The powder bath, with colorfully whimsical wallpaper by Gucci®, is conveniently located between the game room and three guest suites, all with walk-in closets, en-suite baths, luxury finishes and unique lighting. The office is designed for maximum storage, with wall-to-wall, white-painted custom cabinetry and a linear fireplace to warm the space.
As the new homeowners settle in, the excitement of filling their new home with the perfect pieces builds. “We’re getting things delivered every week,” says the homeowner, who describes their furnishings as Baker® Furniture style with high-gloss mahogany appearance in credenzas, the dining room table and other pieces sprinkled throughout the house. He calls the overall design “classic and timeless.”
The couple regularly practice golf in their golf simulation room and the backyard putting green, and they enjoy the convenience of the Cordillera Ranch golf course and Clubhouse.
“This was a delightful project with awesome people,” says Garner. “Our team grew very close to these clients through the preconstruction and construction phases. We were able to live out an organizational core value of ‘we have fun’ every time we interreacted with them.”
The homeowner enthusiastically agrees. “This was our first custom build, and working with Garner Custom Homes was great, along with the overall friendliness that the Cordillera Ranch community has shown us in accepting of a couple of Yankees down here in Texas.”
Garner Custom Homes
210.493.1686
www.garnerhomes.com
