This was a labor of love. Loving the area of Northern Italy, we endeavored to create all the charms of the quaint homes and villas in that region of Italy. From the smoke tainted clay tiles on the rooftops to the jagged rock walls, we wanted it all. The lot was perfect, with the building site some 100 feet higher than the street below. This reminded us of the hills of Italy with the villages and homes high on the hills for protection from the warring families in the neighboring area.
Situated some 500 feet back from the street and high on a hill, this Tuscan Villa leaves its guests breathless after seeing the view from the home. The vista across the Colorado River Valley to the north is a site to see. If you let your imagination go a little, and look across the undulating hills, you can see all the small villages in northern Italy, you must be in Tuscany. The home itself is a classic Italian country villa. Two stories with clay tile roof, Italian ironwork, stonework, limestone patios, fountains, spiral stairway to the upper loggia above one of the ground level loggias. Entering the home from the front door you immediately notice the ten foot tall mahogany doors with their glass and iron inserts. The ceilings are twelve foot high and the floors are limestone and heart of pinewood. The commercial kitchen overlooks the casual family room with its massive stone fireplace with oversized opening. Stepping into the backyard you enter a stone patio with fountain and cascading flora across a stone wall. The three car oversized garage affords the automobile aficionado more than enough room for his collection of fine transportation. The library wing of the house has a small loggia out front for those cool morning when you want to linger with your latest novel while gazing across the valley below. The downstairs bedroom can be used as a master or a guest bedroom. Once upstairs you enter a cozy family room with French doors overlooking the front of the house. The master bedroom is just perfect, with its fireplace and large loggia outside the tall French doors facing north. The loggia with its slate covered floor is just the right place for that morning coffee or late evening glass of fine Italian wine. The evenings from this loggia are magical. With the twinkling lights along the hills in the distance, the smell of the passion vine which trails itself along the walls and railings, and the cool evening breeze, it just does not get much better anywhere.

French Château

Our clients wanted all the charm of France and the formal elegance of Versailles. We accomplished that to our clients satisfaction with this very formal appearing French home. Situated along a canal off of Lake Austin, the home captures all the charms of the old and new. The exterior of the house has many interesting features, such a copper gutters, Brazilian slate roof, cut stone surrounds, dormer window, French doors, stone front porch and integral colored stucco. Once you enter the ten foot tall French doors you are immediately struck by the view through the house to the pool and canal behind the house. The foyer has soaring ceiling and a winding stairway to the upstairs. Just over your head is a massive crystal and brass chandelier, just in front of the Juliet balcony off the game room upstairs. The commercial kitchen with its granite countertops and carved stone vent over the gas cook top over look the large family room with its huge stone fireplace and massive wooden beams, all overlooking the pool and canal. The floors are rosewood and travertine stone. The bathrooms have marble or granite countertops and cabinets that look more like furniture than cabinets. The back loggia has slate flooring. a wood burning fireplace, carved stone baluster and a built in gas grill for outdoor cooking all over looking the pool and lush landscaping in the back of the house.