Tracy and her architect selected a location for the house tucked among the graceful live oak trees, where the back of the home looks out over a field of rolling grassland and wildflowers stretching toward distant hills.
The main living space is anchored on both ends by a rammed-earth fireplace.
They chose rammed earth because the walls feel like they are part of the landscape. Part of the rich, reddish soil used to construct these walls was dug up directly from the property. The solid textured walls truly look as if they have been part of the landscape for generations, with the modern house simply built to fill in the gaps.
One of the home’s most defining features is the built-in galvanized metal silo, which houses a sophisticated antique burl wood bar.
The silo pays homage to the area’s rich agricultural roots and serves as the centerpiece of King’s entertainment oasis.
The use of warm colors and textures throughout the home softens the hard edges of the architecture. Natural fibers including wool, silk, and linen complete the “of the land and from the land” aesthetic.
Throughout the interiors, white oak flooring complements the Douglas fir wood beams that support the open concept floor plan. The kitchen features white oak ribbed cabinets, glazed tiles, and a chef’s range.
They also introduced patterned mural wallpaper in a nature motif in the primary suite to add a playful contrast to the earthen walls.
King says she’s pleasantly surprised at how well the house works for entertaining. “I recently had 40 people in the bar for a Texas watch party, more in the living room, and some on the screened-in porch. It was great to have all these different spaces where people could mingle. I wanted the house to feel welcoming to anyone who walked in. I didn’t want it to be a showcase. It’s unique, but it’s still one of those homes where people can just crash and ‘be.’”
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