A Timber Home in Texas Hill Country

A ranch-style home brings a touch of “feel good” living to central Texas.

Photos courtesy of Texas Timber Frames

The home’s abundance of windows exude a warm glow from the inside out, while the perfect blend of wood and stone keep the interior spaces feeling cozy and comfortable.

Tucked into the rolling hills of central Texas, you’ll find this one-level, ranch-style abode. Or then again, maybe you won’t. Intentionally positioned on the property to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, the home, that was designed by the team at Texas Timber Frames of Boerne, Texas, is somewhat of a hidden gem, perched perfectly on the land.

“The home really was perfectly sited to take advantage of the hill country views and prevailing breezes for enhanced outdoor living,” explains Ray Tonjes who was the builder on the project. The whole house is very high-performance and was built to be “net zero energy ready’ with the addition of a modest amount of solar panels, Tonjes says. Increased energy efficiency was achieved from the structural frame and structural insulated panels (SIPs) used on the roof.

“Every detail that went into this home just makes it feel good.” The couple that is reaping the benefits of this 3,500-square-foot “feel good” abode is a pair of semi-retired empty nesters that use the house as a weekend getaway. “The house features three bedrooms and six baths,” says Tonjes, “so the sprawling space is perfect for escaping the city and enjoying the natural beauty of Texas.”

What makes it the best

The ranch-style design means the home offers plenty of space, but still feels intimate thanks to lower ceilings and smaller room dimensions.
Honey-hued timbers bring a warm feel to the home’s interior, and pair perfectly with the natural palette used on the outside of the house.
Windows line the perimeter of the home, ushering in plenty of natural light and taking advantage of passive solar gain on the property.