Peter and I love to travel and are influenced by nature, primitive cultures and simple living. We tend to gravitate toward a lifestyle that seamlessly connects indoor living to the outdoors. A nap on the front porch, cooking a meal on the back patio or watching the sunrise from the bathtub of our master bathroom; we created this home to operate from the inside out and back again. The countryside here is raw and unforgiving, it's beauty lies in the most basic of elements, the sun, wind, rain and the occasional snow. There is even a place in our home that you can stand and see out the window in all four directions, North, South, East and West.
The interior of our home pays homage to our travels to Africa, Asia, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico and Europe. I'm not sure if modern eclecticism is a thing but that's pretty much what we have here. I like to imagine that if Nancy Meyers (i.e., Somethings Gotta Give, The Holiday, It's Complicated, Father Of The Bride and Parent Trap) were to make a movie about a quirky blended family set in Texas, this would be the perfect place.
Touches of gold and brass throughout represent my childhood, my mother's love for classic Williamsburg style and the home I grew up in. Items from my mother and grandmother's home such as brass candlesticks, an ornate brass mirror, a statue of St. Frances, add warmth and history to our minimal space. I just love the juxtaposition between the traditional details and natural textiles, bold patterns and earthy hues to create a sort of casual elegance.
This kitchen is our happy place and this window is where it all began. Before we had even decided where we would settle after his (Pete) retirement from the military, the one thing we knew for sure was that we would have a huge window over the kitchen sink to watch the world go by while we washed dishes together. Peter and I both love to cook, entertain, experiment with recipes and host Tequila tastings. Living so far from town forces us to eat at home and there is no take out for at least twenty five miles. We are an almost fully sustainable farm out here so there is absolutely no excuse not to put this workhorse of a kitchen to use everyday.
The exterior of the house has Spanish and German influence, but really, we intended for it to resemble an organic limestone structure that appears to have just risen from the earth it stands on, giving this beautiful land all the credit. We have given ourselves over to a slower way of life here and our dwelling reflects that.
This house, the home Peter and I built together, is so much more than a place that holds our stuff and keeps us warm and dry, it represents the past, the present, a future, our faith, hope and love. We live each day here, chasing the simple ebb and flow, the rise and set of the sun and moon and the change of seasons. The farm that this home sits on holds a deep and beautiful history of Peter's family that we hope to preserve for generations to come. I am fortunate enough and eternally grateful to be a small piece of the big puzzle that will continue a legacy that was built on a firm foundation of faith and family. This truly is God's country and we intend to keep it that way.
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