Designed by Furman + Keil Architects, this family home sits on a working cattle ranch west of Austin, in Spicewood, Texas. At the top of the site, a large oak tree anchors the layout, while the home unfolds downhill, opening up to wide views of the surrounding hill country.
The project brings together modern living with familiar ranch elements. Details like a dog run, carport, cattle fencing, and cisterns sit alongside refined interiors and a clear architectural language. Instead of a single structure, the home is made up of multiple buildings, each positioned to respond to its place on the land.
A Material Palette Built Around Limestone
Limestone is used throughout the home as a defining material, shaping both the exterior and interior experience. Paired with a metal roof, the stone gives the buildings a strong, cohesive identity.
The use of limestone ties each structure together, from the main house to the guest house, creating a consistent look across the property while still allowing each building to stand on its own.
Where Exterior and Interior Meet
One of the most striking features is how the limestone continues inside. In the living room, a stone wall wraps around the fireplace, bringing texture and weight into the space.
Above, exposed wood trusses and purlins stretch across the ceiling, adding warmth and structure. A “cold roof” system sits above, helping regulate the interior climate while keeping the visual focus on the timber framing below.
A Kitchen with a Distinct Identity
Moving through the home, the dining area acts as a natural divider between the living room and the kitchen. The kitchen itself is designed as a painted wood-clad structure set within the larger main volume, giving it a distinct identity.
Nearby, a separate bar area is tucked into the hallway, adding another layer of function without interrupting the main spaces.
A Primary Suite With Defined Features
The primary bedroom introduces a quieter atmosphere, with a vaulted ceiling and a bed recessed directly into the wall. Wood-framed windows bring in light while maintaining the material palette seen throughout the home.
The adjoining bathroom is arranged as a walk-through space. A long wood vanity runs along one wall, paired with a built-in bathtub and a walk-in shower that includes an oversized shelving niche.
Covered Outdoor Living
Outdoor areas are designed with shelter in mind, allowing the spaces to be used in different weather conditions. Covered zones extend the living areas outward, offering places to gather, relax, and take in the surrounding views.
A Guest House by the Pool
Set near the pool, the guest house mirrors the material palette of the main home, with limestone used again on the exterior walls.
Inside, the layout is simple and functional, with an open-plan living room and kitchen, along with two bedrooms and bathrooms. It provides a separate space for visitors while staying visually connected to the rest of the property.
A Ranch Defined by Its Working Elements
Beyond the main and guest houses, the property includes features tied to its working ranch setting, including a dog run that gives the project its name.
These elements sit alongside the architecture, reinforcing the connection between the home and its purpose as a functioning ranch.
Understanding the Layout
The arrangement of the buildings becomes even clearer through the plan, which show how each structure is positioned across the site.
From the main house to the guest house and supporting elements, the plans reveal how the design balances separation and connection across the ranch.
This Spicewood ranch home brings together multiple buildings, a strong material palette, and practical ranch features into one cohesive project. With limestone running from the exterior into the interiors, and each space positioned to take advantage of the landscape, the design offers a clear vision of modern ranch living in Texas.