A Texas Ranch House We'd Never Want to Leave

On a remote land parcel in west-central Texas, amidst stately boulders and the sprawling expanse of Hill Country, sits a working ranch and cattle farm fondly dubbed Rockin’ 8 Ranch. Located on an impressive 350 acres, the property features a 2,700-square-foot main house with one primary bedroom suite, a detached guest house with two bedrooms, and scenic views as far as the eye can see. Set on the side of a rocky hill overlooking Jim Ned Valley, this contemporary-meets-rustic abode is nothing short of spectacular.

In fact, the geographic area offers such a compelling backdrop that it’s easy to imagine the challenge the homeowners must have had while choosing a location for their residence. “With hundreds of acres to choose from for the new home’s site, our client was particularly drawn to one area of lichen-covered sandstone boulders, dotted with post oaks and mesquites,” says Christopher Sanders, the owner and architect of Austin-based firm Sanders Architecture. “The site, on the side (not the top) of a hill, offers views of the beautiful, rugged landscape in the foreground and an expansive view to the North over fertile fields in the alluvial plain of Jim Ned Creek.”

He had us at “views of the beautiful, rugged landscape.”

Exterior Texas Ranch with pool in Brown County — This ranch house in Brown County, Texas, features locally sourced materials, impressive floor-to-ceiling windows, and memorable views. Take a look!

Almost as eye-catching as the panorama itself, the home features floor-to-ceiling windows, putting the scenery on full display. Only the office, laundry room, and dining room do not have sweeping views of the Jim Ned Valley to the North. “When considering building on the property, the owners envisioned a house where they could fully enjoy the landscape,” says Christopher.

Christopher’s clients, a couple with grown children and young grandchildren, wanted to build an inviting retreat where family and friends could feel comfortable and always welcome. Additionally, the land has been in their family for years, so it holds sentimental value. “There were existing minimal accommodations where the husband and wife had stayed when they visited,” Christopher tells us, “but our clients had long dreamt of having a ranch home on the property where they could transition from weekend stays into full-time retirement mode.”

The home’s exterior showcases tooled local sandstone and painted steel, a tribute to the area’s terrain. Wood elements also appear in sections of the facade that are less vulnerable to the sun, resulting in a warm and modern aesthetic. “When considering exterior material choices, the clients desired the building to reflect the local vernacular while being able to withstand the test of time, requiring minimal regular maintenance,” Christopher offers. “We selected local sandstone and painted steel to tolerate the harsh Central Texas sun, while we limited wood elements to areas with less direct sun exposure. The use of random ashlar masonry with rubble chinking is juxtaposed against tailored metal panels used on the exterior of the buildings.”

Front of a ranch house in Brown County, Texas. — The home’s front entryway offers a glimpse of the colossal windows that define its personality.

Exterior of home at twilight — “The pool is located in the space between the main house and the guest house,” says architect Christopher Sanders. “It is positioned to maximize the cooling effect of the southeasterly summer breezes. But beyond this central space, the clients prioritized landscape restoration with plants and grasses native to the North-Central Texas Hill Country.”

Ranch guest house with open living room — This guest house offers friends and family a tranquil respite from city life. Their pup seems to appreciate it, too! “The two-bedroom, dogtrot-style guest house is located to create a courtyard space where the pool overlooks the valley,” Christopher tells us.

The inside of the abode is equally stunning, with interior design by Britt Design Group — they outdid themselves when it comes to merging style and function. Additionally, many of the home’s design details are locally sourced, including the bar countertop and dining room table, both constructed from mesquite wood harvested from the ranch property itself. Exposed trusses in the living room stand out against vaulted ceilings, and steel is strategically placed to create thresholds between rooms. Of course, the most showstopping interior feature is the windows — grand glass walls that offer an unparalleled perspective of the valley beyond. Many of them even crank open, awning-style, to let in the breeze, sounds, and scents of Hill Country.

Rich earth tones, sporadic masculine elements, and contemporary amenities make for a space that belongs in the pages of Architectural Digest, and noteworthy lighting abounds. “Many of the light fixtures in the house were designed in collaboration with Britt Design Group,” says Christopher. “We enjoyed a great working relationship with them. These light fixtures were a real testament to this collaboration: Living Room pendants, the pendant over the bar, and the exterior steel light fixture at the front door.”

Wide angle of kitchen looking into living room at Rockin' 8 Ranch — An open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows make for a bright and airy aesthetic.

Wide angle view of the kitchen at Rockin' 8 Ranch — The kitchen is elegant and modern, with clean lines and masculine touches such as handsome woven leather stools.

Close-up of kitchen stove with wood cabinets and gold trim — A close-up of the built-in range highlights earthy colors and natural wood.

Outdoor pass-through with patio table — A notable design feature, this pass-through allows for ease of functionality for outdoor dining.

Wet bar with island and stools — “The bar features a countertop made of mesquite salvaged from the ranch and a custom concrete light fixture affixed with the ranch’s brand,” Christopher relays.

Wet bar featuring open shelving and a stone wall — A charming wet bar flanked by stone features open shelving with vignettes of greenery, favorite books, and glassware.

Dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows — “The dining room gives a feeling of connection to the outdoor courtyard space, acting as a lantern for arriving guests,” says Christopher.

Living room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows — From leather to stone and glass galore, a mixture of materials creates a dramatic effect that offers nature-inspired complexity. “Steel also was used … to craft a custom armature to hold the television in the living room,” says Christopher.

Glass windows that crank out to enjoy the outdoors — A simple mechanical gear allows this awning-style glass panel to crank open.

A view of the ranch house living room from the outside during twilight — “As a general rule, the clients embrace the ranch life and landscape,” says Christopher. Here, their living room windows are open to reveal the twilight.

The Rockin’ 8 Ranch main house only boasts one bedroom, but it’s a simple, tranquil, and comfortable oasis with plush bedding, a wall of woven baskets, and a picture window for optimal viewing day or night. Similarly, the primary bathroom features a window that runs the length of the freestanding tub, then curves around a corner to avoid breaking up the field of vision. With the outdoor scenery offering such a captivating, built-in aesthetic, the team from Britt Design Group opted to keep the master suite interior design uncomplicated. Neutral tones prevail, with splashes of color here and there for emphasis.

Master bedroom with woven baskets on the wall — Simplicity reigns in this primary bedroom suite.

Bedroom with wall of woven baskets — Earthy woven baskets and neutral tones pick up the nature theme in the master bedroom.

Freestanding tub in a bathroom with giant bay window — The attention-grabbing exterior becomes the focus of this master bathroom.

His and hers bathroom sinks — Flowers and linens offer a subtle accent for this his-and-hers sink.

Are you dreaming of a ranch with a view yet? We certainly are. Between this home’s picturesque setting, floor-to-ceiling windows, cozy-modern decor, and a bathtub we’d never want to leave — we just may have a new dream home.

Special thanks to Ryann Ford for the beautiful photography.

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A Texas Ranch House We’d Never Want to Leave

Jenna von Oy Bratcher

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