Showhouse Spotlight
2021 House Beautiful Whole Home
Eight of the country's top design firms transform a Craftsman-inspired farmhouse in Fredericksburg, Texas—in record time.
Construction by Agave Custom Homes | Photography by Visual Comfort
To bring to life the magazine's fourth annual Whole Home, the House Beautiful team headed to tiny Fredericksburg, Texas, where they partnered with local builder Tyler O'Brien of Agave Custom Homes as well as eight of the country's top design firms, tasking them with the Texas-sized job of constructing, designing, and furnishing this contemporary Hill Country farmhouse in just four months—in the middle of a pandemic. The resulting home is a testament to their collective creativity, drive and design power. From the homey eat-in-kitchen to the bold, jewel-toned media room to the killer outdoor entertaining complex, which takes full advantage of the rolling Texas landscape, the stunning single-story stone farmhouse redefines the modern home ideal. The single-story Craftsman-inspired farmhouse pictured above is rooted in the surrounding Hill Country landscape, and expansive outdoor entertaining spaces invite homeowners and guests to live life outside, where cattle roam as part of the agri-neighborhood's sustainable mission.
Melange Small Elongated Pendant by Kelly Wearstler | Interior Design by Emilie Munroe | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Melange Small Elongated Pendant by Kelly Wearstler | Interior Design by Emilie Munroe | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
The Entryway
Together with the ombre wall coverings by Phillip Jeffries, raspberry-colored love seat, striking black botanical prints, and a quartet of Kelly Wearstler's Melange Small Elongated Pendants, this charming entryway by designer Emilie Monroe makes an unforgettable first impression.
Dessau 46 Floor Lamp by Sean Lavin | Interior Design by Emilie Munroe | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Mara Grande Chandelier by Sean Lavin | Interior Design by Emilie Munroe | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Interior Design by Emilie Munroe | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
The Landing Zone
San Francisco-based designer Emilie Monroe of Studio Monroe brought bold splashes of color to this oversized living room, which stretches from the front door to the back, grounding the room's bright accents with inky blue walls and a charcoal floor-to-ceiling fireplace to lend the large space a cozier atmosphere. The Mara Grande Chandelier by Sean Lavin adds an eye-catching sculptural element, drawing your gaze up toward the vaulted ceilings.
Smith Medium Table Lamp by Christopher Spitzmiller; Cosima Chandelier by AERIN | Interior Design by Toledo Geller |Â Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Moresby Floor Lamp by AERIN | Interior Design by Toledo Geller |Â Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Moresby Floor Lamp by AERIN | Interior Design by Toledo Geller |Â Photography by Visual Comfort
The Owner's Retreat
“It’s like you’re on safari. This is not what we expected in Texas,” Virginia Toledo, co-founder of the New Jersey-based design firm Toledo Geller, tells House Beautiful of the surrounding Hill Country landscape. Inspired by the view, Toledo and her design partner Jessica Geller added lots of textural elements to the home's main bedroom and pulled the inviting color palette straight from land—dusty roses, mustards, warm browns the color of Texas pecan wood, and creamy whites. The Moresby Floor Lamp and Cosima Chandelier (both by AERIN) keep the space feeling fresh and contemporary.
Markos Grande Flush Mount by Alexa Hampton; Gale Library Wall Light by Thomas O'Brien | Interior Design by French & French Interiors | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Hargett Bridge Arm Floor Lamp by J. Randall Powers; | Interior Design by French & French Interiors | Photography by Aaron Dougherty
The Jewel Box
Matt and Heather French of French & French Interiors in Santa Fe make the most of the small footprint in the media room/guest room, adding a canopied trundle bed and plenty of cleverly concealed storage to allow the room to serve dual purposes. Vibrant textiles in a mix of interesting textures, bright jewel-tones, and sophisticated light fixtures like the Markos Grande Flush Mount by Alexa Hampton and pair of Hargett Bridge Arm Floor Lamps by J. Randall Powers make the space feel worldly but welcoming—an extra special oasis for friends and family.
Holborn Large Lantern by Chapman and Myers; Modern Library Sconce by Thomas O'Brien | Interior Design by Sabbe Interiors | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Edmund Flush Mount by Chapman & Myers | Interior Design by Sabbe Interior Design | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Swivel Head Wall Lamp by Studio VC | Interior Design by Sabbe Interior Design | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
The Gathering Room
“My grandmother had a dining table in the middle of her kitchen, and we sat there for hours and experienced life together,” Stephanie Sabbe of Sabbe Interior Design tells House Beautiful about the decision to skip the kitchen island in favor of this homey eat-in-kitchen complete with a dining table that seats six and a pair of comfy upholstered chairs. But the custom wood range and Holborn Large Lantern by Chapman and Myers are the real scene stealers. An adjacent butler's pantry, featuring Circa's Edmund Flush Mount, and a tucked-away recipe desk allow you to hide the kitchen mess as soon as guests arrive.
Franca Double Library Wall Light by AERIN | Interior Design by Laura Hodges Studio | Photography by Visual Comfort
Bistro Medium Chandelier by Ian K. Fowler; Marella Accent Lamp by AERIN; Franca Double Library Wall Light by AERIN | Interior Design by Laura Hodges Studio | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Franca Double Library Wall Light by AERIN | Interior Design by Laura Hodges Studio | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
The Flex Space
The home office took on a whole new importance in 2020, which inspired the Baltimore-based designer Laura Hodges of Laura Hodges Studio to create this calming biophilic space that's full of plants and natural materials. Even the home gym corner of the office is free of bulky pieces like treadmills and stationary bikes. Instead, Hodges installed beautiful low-tech exercise equipment. Circa's Bistro Chandelier by Ian K. Fowler and Franca Wall Light by AERIN keeps with the room's contemporary, clean-lined vibe.
Nuance Short Sconce by Kelly Wearstler | Interior Design by Jean Liu Designs | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Strada Ring Chandelier by Kelly Wearstler | Interior Design by Jean Liu Designs | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Interior Design by Jean Liu Designs | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
The Tasting Room
To celebrate Fredericksburg's burgeoning wine scene, the Dallas-based designer Jean Liu of Jean Liu Designs created this swanky, sophisticated home bar, which spills out onto an open-air breezeway for al fresco cocktails and casual dinners. Kelly Wearstler's Strada Ring Chandelier gives the breezeway a punch of glamour.
Design by L.H. Designs | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Limoges Grande Pendant by Suzanne Kasler | Design by L.H. Designs | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Design by L.H. Designs | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Maverick 60" Ceiling Fan by Monte Carlo; Ash 12 Outdoor Wall Sconce by Sean Lavin; Fresno Long Wall Sconce by Champan & Myers | Design by L.H. Designs | Photography by Visual Comfort
The Party Plaza
With a firepit built for company, an open-air kitchen and dining room, a game lawn, lounge, and even an outdoor shower, this party plaza dreamed up by Linda Hayslett of L.H. Designs is the ultimate entertaining space, encouraging everyday outdoor living. Suzanne Kasler's Limoges Grande Pendants complete the outdoor kitchen's casual cool look.
Launceton Large Two Tiered Chandelier by Chapman & Myers | Interior Design by Mikel Welch | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Interior Design by Mikel Welch | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
The Hideout
“This is where the owners go to detach from the rest of the home," New York designer Mikel Welch tells House Beautiful. The cozy, cave-like owner's den Welch designed off of the main bedroom is awash in peaceful neutrals and soothing textures with plenty of places to curl up with a good book or a cup of tea. And Chapman & Myers' Launceton Large Two Tiered Chandelier lends the room immediate character.
Hendricks Large Globe Pendant by Ralph Lauren | Interior Design by Sabbe Interior Design | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Interior Design by Sabbe Interior Design | Photography by Stephen Karlisch
The Workshop
Saffron-yellow cabinets and millwork paired with Morris & Co.'s iconic Marigold print wallpaper in soft blues and whites recall the surrounding Hill Country landscape giving this all-purpose utility room—equal parts laundry room, mud room, pet washing station, gift-wrapping workshop, and storage—timeless appeal. For the chic multi-purpose space, designer Stephanie Sabbe chose Circa's classically handsome Hendricks Large Globe Pendant by Ralph Lauren.
