From the first time I walked through this Horseshoe Bay home, I could see what it wanted to be. It already had the bones of a warm, character-filled Spanish Revival home—especially those beautiful original Saltillo tile floors—but over time, some of that personality had gotten lost.
Our goal was never to make the house feel brand new. We wanted to uncover the character that was already there and build upon it in a way that felt natural, collected, and true to the homeowners.
And these homeowners were such a joy to work with. One of them is an artist, and she brought an incredible creative eye to the entire process. She already owned an eclectic collection of artwork, objects, books, and décor, so we had a beautiful story to work from. Her pieces helped guide so much of the design and gave every room a personality that could never have come from buying everything new.
Letting the Saltillo Tile Floors Lead the Way
One of the first decisions we made was to keep the Saltillo tile floors throughout these spaces.
They had so much warmth and variation, and replacing them would have removed one of the home’s most authentic features. They also gave us a wonderful foundation for the rest of the design. Instead of spending a large portion of the budget replacing perfectly good floors, we were able to invest in the areas that would make a much bigger difference.
I love that they aren’t perfect. Their color varies from tile to tile, and they show the marks of time and use. That is exactly what gives them their beauty.
A Kitchen That Belongs in the Home
The kitchen needed to feel more connected to the architecture and to the rest of the house. We reworked the existing cabinetry, redesigned the vent hood, and updated the countertops, backsplash, hardware, lighting, and paint.
Our clients were open to using natural materials, which is one of the biggest reasons this kitchen turned out so beautifully. We chose soapstone countertops, handmade terracotta tile, and ceramic light fixtures—all materials that have movement, texture, and natural variation.
These are the kinds of materials that continue to get better with time. The soapstone will show evidence of being used and loved. No two handmade tiles are exactly the same. Those little imperfections are what keep a room from feeling flat or overly polished.
We weren’t trying to create a kitchen that looked untouched. We wanted one that looked as though it had always belonged in this house and would only become more beautiful as the family lived in it.
From Breakfast Nook to Wine Bar
The original breakfast nook wasn’t serving the homeowners in a meaningful way, so we turned it into a dedicated wine bar and sitting area.
Now, instead of feeling like an extra space without a clear purpose, it has become a natural gathering spot between the kitchen and living room. It gives the homeowners a place to make a drink, display beautiful pieces, and enjoy time with friends and family.
It was a relatively small area within the overall remodel, but it changed the way the adjoining rooms work together. Sometimes those are my favorite transformations—the ones that make you wonder why the space wasn’t always used that way.
Adding Character to the Living Room
The fireplace was the natural focal point of the living room, but the wall around it needed more presence. We designed custom built-ins to flank the fireplace, giving the room balance and creating a place for the homeowners to display the pieces they had collected over time.
Because one of the homeowners is an artist, we didn’t have to manufacture a sense of personality. The art, books, objects, and décor already meant something. Our job was to create a beautiful backdrop for those pieces and give them room to tell their story.
We also added new paint, lighting, and woven wood shades. The shades bring in another layer of natural texture, soften the light, and work so beautifully with the earthy warmth of the Saltillo floors.
Creating a Moody, Collected Study
The study was the perfect place to do something a little moodier. We added custom built-ins and painted them a deep teal blue, giving the room a rich, enveloping feeling.
I love how the study relates to the rest of the home without repeating it. It still has the warmth and collected character found throughout the other rooms, but it has a personality all its own. Once the homeowners’ art, books, and objects were layered in, the room immediately felt established—as though it had slowly come together over many years.
Why Natural Materials Matter
This project is such a beautiful example of why natural materials matter.
Soapstone, terracotta, ceramic, unlacquered brass, woven wood, and original Saltillo tile all bring something different to a home. They aren’t perfectly uniform, and they aren’t meant to remain unchanged. They respond to light, develop patina, and become more beautiful through everyday use.
I’m so grateful these clients trusted us to embrace that. Their openness gave us the freedom to create rooms that feel relaxed, artistic, and full of soul.
In the end, this home doesn’t feel like it was completely replaced or remodeled beyond recognition. It still carries its original story—now with a few new chapters. It feels warm, layered, personal, and collected over time, which is exactly what we hoped it would become.
A Home That Reflects the People In It
This project was a true collaboration. Our clients trusted us to embrace natural materials, rich color, handmade details, and pieces that would grow more beautiful with age. Their openness allowed us to create something that feels less like a newly remodeled house and more like a home that has been thoughtfully collected over time.
The finished spaces are warm, layered, artistic, and full of life. They honor the home’s Spanish Revival roots while feeling completely personal to the family who lives there—and that is always our hope for any project we’re privileged to take part in.
