A few miles west of Austin, in the hilly grasslands of central Texas, Harper Smith and Cameron Duddy stumbled into a storybook.
They hadn't been looking for a major move, but they had been using a real estate app at home in Topanga, CA, and a funny thing happened.
On a getaway to Austin (and) Harper's first time in Texas), "We landed, and I got a random notification that this house, one that looked like my favorite childhood book, was on the market," she says. It felt like a sign, and they bought it the next day.
They had a hunch that living a quieter life would feed their spirits and fire their creativity, so the couple loaded up their lives and their potbellied pig, Pepper, and moved to the country.
Harper says her husband, an award-winning video music director from Northern California, makes an unlikely cowboy. But his second career, as the bassist for the country band Midland, earned him his Texas credentials. Harper works on both coasts as a fashion and celebrity photographer and video director.
They craved a more peaceful life, and this rural retreat held promise.
But peace didn't come right away. The house needed an update. Harper built layered mood boards to guide what she calls a "big modification" project.
Her goals included opening rooms, adding tons of glass, and removing all signs of the varnished oak woodwork with its telltale yellow finish. Demo revealed mold in the walls, so they had to pull apart a lot more of the house than planned. "As the dominoes fell, I had to rethink my vision," she says.
Esta historia es de la edición September 2024 de Better Homes & Gardens US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 2024 de Better Homes & Gardens US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
TIMELESS CHARACTER
Well-worn finishes and upcycled materials mix with muted colors and rich textures to elevate wintry icons into instant heirlooms.
Natural DELIGHTS
Modern interpretations of evergreens and mistletoe imbue spaces with cozy warmth and textural impact. Use fabric, wood, yarn, and wool felt to assemble holiday decor with farmhouse-friendly appeal.
THE bright side OF THE season
Let your decor shout with joy. Vivid colors highlight seasonal favorites, bringing lively energy and unexpected excitement to Christmas trees, tabletops, and packages.
WARM WISHES
It's the most wonderful time of year to hunker down and experiment with cozy fabric, felt, trim, yarn, and more. No sewing required!
ARCTIC playmates
A pink-cheeked snowman scouts the landscape with furry friends to explore cold-weather joys. Paint, glitter, and greenery customize the clay crew.
Peppermint WITH A Twist
Sweet as candy, these decorative dynamos inject texture and whimsy using red-and-white stripes and swirls. Complete each eye-catcher using simple techniques and a few standard materials.
Winter IN THE Forest
Burnished gold, mossy green, fiery red, and burnt orange celebrate the season's glories. Create a woodland utopia filled with cheeky mushrooms, tiny birds, and chic trees.
Make it THE MOST magical time OF THE Year
Fairies cavort. Snowmen sled. Wreaths welcome. Holly dresses place settings. Clues to the season scatter mesmerizing intrigue on doors, trees, tables, and walls.
Enthralled WITH FALL
When crisp coolness fills the air, warm colors and haunting characters cast an enchanting spell. Use felt, faux suede, burlap, and other comforting textural materials to whip up a cozy collection of delights.
READY, SET, FUN!
Skip the hassle of gathering supplies. These DIY kits put everything you need into one convenient package.