2 Mule Ranch

2 Mule Ranch
Story:

It was a beautiful Spring day in a sleepy rural town. I spend my life in the suburbs so a trip to the country is a rare treat. This trip included sights, sounds & smells from a Little House on the Prairie episode including the Owner’s cattle squatting on the land. The cows thought I came to feed them so they persistently nibbled my elbow or nudged me with their nose. Trust me you’ve never been nudged until a cow nudges you. Then I noticed two mules calmly mingled in the herd. I inquired about the mules and the Owner said, “They are the live-in security team and watch over the herd”. That’s when I declared this unique place the two-mule ranch.

Location:

Poth, TX (Designed 2014; Built 2015)

Idea:

sprawling ranch

Personalized new home!

Stats:

3,015 SF; 3BR, 4BA, great room, office, pool plaza, 3-car garage, 1-story
430 SF guest home, game room, 1BA, outdoor shower, 1-story

Client’s Style:

craftsman

Services:

The Sketch, The Details, The Docs

Lifestyle Features:
  • dining bar in the kitchen to combine work & play
  • sweeping stone arch to differentiate between living & kitchen
  • modern fireplace to create a sleek look
  • recessed A/V component center for easy access, but concealed equipment
  • masonry surround to accent the cooking area
  • individual his & hers private master bath with shared shower
  • two private guest bath areas with shared tub/shower
  • holiday nook; flexible change across the seasons
  • tall glass-faced cabinets in master closet to protect & present clothing
  • mini-mud room to discard outer wear
  • beach entry pool for easy access
Environment Solutions:
  • stone & cedar finishes to portray a natural feel
  • continuous spray foam roof deck to create super-insulated enclosure
  • fiberglass-wood clad doors for durability & beauty
  • vaulted ceilings in living & bedrooms to promote natural circulation
  • plumbing in interior walls to maintain insulation continuity
  • south-facing double doors & north-facing casement windows to capture seasonal breeze
  • fire pit, pool plaza, swim-up bar for outdoor living
  • buildings organized around outdoor living to screen weather & views
  • multiple multi-zoned air handlers for controlled comfort
Community Influence
  • create wings to protect the outdoor entertainment from wind & neighbor’s view
  • stone + board & batten cedar siding to emulate “rural” buildings
  • build beyond the flood plain to avoid the seasonal creek
  • long winding driveway to provide separation from roadways & neighbors
Sketches:

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