My Houzz: Couple Build Their Dream Modern-Farmhouse-Style Home
A Texas interior designer and her family combine reclaimed wood, polished concrete, built-ins and vintage pieces in their new house
Jamie and Brandi Hines’ home in Comfort, Texas, was a team effort. The couple acquired the land from Jamie’s mother and stepfather in late 2014. They then walked the property several times before selecting the ideal spot on which to start designing their family’s new home. Brandi, an interior designer and event designer, spent several months designing the space. Then, with help from family and a lot of sweat equity, they went to work. The result is a home that blends farmhouse roots with a modern sensibility.
Reclaimed barn wood accents on the walls and ceilings, including on the underside of the island, help give depth and warmth to each space. The couple bought the reclaimed wood from Pieces of the Past in Johnson City, Texas.
Island pendants: Gilt; faucet: Kohler; Shaws Original sink: Rohl; countertop: Carrara marble; range: FiveStar; undercounter freezer: Summit
Island pendants: Gilt; faucet: Kohler; Shaws Original sink: Rohl; countertop: Carrara marble; range: FiveStar; undercounter freezer: Summit
“It took about four to six months from conceptual design to actual working documents,” Brandi says. “I always like to draw by hand first while working in elevations to create the plan to fit the look we wanted. I used Chief Architect to make the construction documents.”
Brandi found inspiration browsing through photos of modern farmhouse designs on Houzz and looking at residential projects by San Antonio architecture firm Lake Flato. “My father also built a large part of the custom cabinetry at well below retail cost,” she says.
Brandi found inspiration browsing through photos of modern farmhouse designs on Houzz and looking at residential projects by San Antonio architecture firm Lake Flato. “My father also built a large part of the custom cabinetry at well below retail cost,” she says.
Their home’s floors are polished concrete, and the couple worked with Riverbed Concrete in Boerne, Texas, to achieve the look they wanted. “After the concrete slab is poured and before Sheetrock, they come in and cut the floors as deep as desired,” Brandi says.
Brandi’s father made the dining room table. The inset hutch was a piece that Brandi had found and brought over from her last house. She had the niche for it framed and then added Sheetrock around it.
Tangled chandelier in natural brass: Schoolhouse Electric
Brandi’s father made the dining room table. The inset hutch was a piece that Brandi had found and brought over from her last house. She had the niche for it framed and then added Sheetrock around it.
Tangled chandelier in natural brass: Schoolhouse Electric
The versatile family room features comfortable seating for watching television. Photos and mementos line the walls, and the media cabinet under the TV stores Parker’s toys, books and puzzles. Brandi did her own design hack to create the cabinet with Bestå units from Ikea.
Riad wool rug and sectional: West Elm
Riad wool rug and sectional: West Elm
This custom built-in corner banquette is a morning gathering spot where their son sits to watch cartoons.
Docksta breakfast table: Ikea
Docksta breakfast table: Ikea
Brandi found this red phone on Amazon. “Since we have to have a land line in the country to get Internet, why not make it a focal piece?” she says.
Three-year-old Parker’s bedroom features a monochrome palette with punches of color. Brandi created an accent wall using Batman wall decals from Etsy.
Bed: Amazon; cabinetry: Ikea; bedding: Target; rug: West Elm
Bed: Amazon; cabinetry: Ikea; bedding: Target; rug: West Elm
A vintage chalkboard from Red in Fredericksburg, Texas, is used to leave messages for Parker. The reclaimed wood on the accent wall is from Pieces of the Past.
The pallet daybed was a DIY project using leftover materials from deliveries during the building process. Brandi added little casters and a foam mattress.
A Teepee to Call Your Own: Land of Nod
A Teepee to Call Your Own: Land of Nod
Parker’s bathroom is one of the family’s favorite spaces in the home because it’s happy and full energy. The typographical rug adds a playful touch.
Faucet and sink: Kohler; red sconces: Schoolhouse Electric; mirror: West Elm; Mästerby stool: Ikea; bath mat: Urban Outfitters
Faucet and sink: Kohler; red sconces: Schoolhouse Electric; mirror: West Elm; Mästerby stool: Ikea; bath mat: Urban Outfitters
Colorful accessories offer a bright contrast to the classic white subway tile in the shower.
Bath mat: Urban Outfitters
Bath mat: Urban Outfitters
The couple’s master bedroom features a striking canopy bed whose frame echoes the graphic metal touches found inside and outside the home.
Architecture bed: Room & Board; pedestal nightstand: CB2; sliding barn door: Lowe’s; wall sconces: Schoolhouse Electric; porcelain keyless lights: Home Depot; Extra White wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
Architecture bed: Room & Board; pedestal nightstand: CB2; sliding barn door: Lowe’s; wall sconces: Schoolhouse Electric; porcelain keyless lights: Home Depot; Extra White wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
Two cased openings lined with closets lead to the master bathroom and provide plenty of storage.
Closet cabinetry: Ikea; hardware: Anthropologie; Plus Sign printed rug: Urban Outfitters
Closet cabinetry: Ikea; hardware: Anthropologie; Plus Sign printed rug: Urban Outfitters
The master bath is a bold mix of vintage and modern, with black accents teamed with white and brass.
The his-and-her vanities are dressers from West Elm.
Sinks: Amazon
The his-and-her vanities are dressers from West Elm.
Sinks: Amazon
The master bath also features a contemporary take on a classic tub along with an industrial-style shower enclosure. The white subway tile on the shower walls contrasts with the black hex tile on the floor.
Bathtub: Kohler; brass fixtures: Purist Collection by Kohler; custom shower surround: Trinity Glass
Bathtub: Kohler; brass fixtures: Purist Collection by Kohler; custom shower surround: Trinity Glass
Brandi’s office includes floor-to-ceiling Ikea cabinetry to hide clutter.
Lighting: Schoolhouse Electric; desk chair: Amazon; picture rail: CB2
Lighting: Schoolhouse Electric; desk chair: Amazon; picture rail: CB2
The guest bedroom has a tranquil vibe. Although the colors are neutral, the patterned rug gives the room a strong visual anchor.
Bed: Joss & Main
Bed: Joss & Main
The mix of farmhouse and contemporary elements can be seen throughout the home. Visitors enter through custom steel and glass doors. The welcoming entry is filled with lots of light and a custom table made by Jamie. On the wall are photos of the couple’s grandparents as a nod to the past.
Rug: One Kings Lane; pillow: Ikea; sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
Rug: One Kings Lane; pillow: Ikea; sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
The brass-framed mirror and sconces in this half bath are from Schoolhouse Electric.
The combination laundry room and mudroom provides a cozy sitting area for removing shoes, and a spot to hang jackets and leashes. A pegboard and some cheeky chalk keep cleaning supplies organized.
City wall hooks: Schoolhouse Electric
City wall hooks: Schoolhouse Electric
A washer and dryer finish the space, with cabinets overhead for more storage.
The Hineses were fortunate to have the help and support of family during the building process. “We have a very supportive family. We had a tremendous amount of help from my husband’s stepdad with all of the dirt work and foundation work as well as helping to shape the area around the house for landscaping,” Brandi says. Jamie’s father built the porch supports, and used his equipment and crews to do some of the site work. “The savings on these items alone helped us from having to sacrifice design and finishes we would have otherwise had to cut back on.”
The smooth 12-inch HardiePanel siding on the home is painted in Extra White by Sherwin-Williams. The casement windows and doors are from Jeld-Wen.
The smooth 12-inch HardiePanel siding on the home is painted in Extra White by Sherwin-Williams. The casement windows and doors are from Jeld-Wen.
A small pool deck includes outdoor furniture for lounging. ”The pool was a bit tricky as we wanted a pool that resembled an old water tank,” Brandi says. “After the pool was poured, we had our masonry guy come back and add the concrete smooth finish on the outside.”
Outdoor sofas and chairs: CB2
Outdoor sofas and chairs: CB2
The expansive patio runs along the back of the house.
A covered section provides relief from Texas heat.
The Hineses love to entertain around the custom fire pit. In the six months since the home’s completion, they’ve hosted an engagement party and three birthday parties.
The little side yard next to the garage is a play area for Parker.
The sides and roof of the garage are corrugated galvalume. The garage sconces are from Barn Light Electric.
The courtyard and driveway are topped with ¾-inch minus material and limestone pavers.
The driveway also features a circular fishpond made from a precast concrete water tank they found locally. “The fish we had from our previous home were in a galvanized trough. We wanted to create a watering area for the local wildlife as well as a water feature,” Brandi says.
The driveway also features a circular fishpond made from a precast concrete water tank they found locally. “The fish we had from our previous home were in a galvanized trough. We wanted to create a watering area for the local wildlife as well as a water feature,” Brandi says.
The Hineses had a custom front door unit built by Trinity Glass. The entry light fixtures are by Schoolhouse Electric.
Doorbell: Rejuvenation
Doorbell: Rejuvenation
From left, Jamie, Parker and Brandi Hines relax in one of their favorite spots — their breakfast nook.
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See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Jamie and Brandi Hines; their 3-year-old son, Parker; their Pomeranian, Jax, and border collie, Jane
Location: Comfort, Texas
Size: 2,889 square feet (268 square meters); three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 2015
Brandi found design inspiration in vintage pieces — feed-store signs and the textures in old wood and fabrics — while decorating the interior. She also was influenced by the land, and factored the needs and preferences of her 3-year-old son into the design and layout. “It was important to have a family home, a space that felt cozy and like a home you could be comfortable in, and still keep the modern elements,” she says. “It was all about blending a traditional farmhouse feel with modern elements.”
Leather sofa: Petite Lancaster Collection, Restoration Hardware; Tyler armchairs: Thrive; coffee table: West Elm