Chappell Hill, Texas and the KW Ranch

This is the downtown area of a little town about an hour southwest of Houston called Chappell Hill. Five years ago my husband's brother Kirk and his wife Shannon left the big city to become country folks. Now, keep in mind that Shannon was a city person to the core, someone who knows everybody who is somebody in Houston's social circles. Kirk on the other hand was a faux cowboy who liked to fish, hunt, and listen to country music. The family thought they'd last a year at most in their new country home. Now, they are so entrenched in the small town life, we'd be surprised if they moved back to the big city. Big entertainers, they host Christmas for the Webb family and a multitude of parties throughout the year. Their ranch is perfect for the throngs of people they love to have. Recently, I came to spend some time with my country family. Here's a glimpse of how they live, a combination of Kirk's love of everything western, and Shannon's love of everything French.

The entrance gate to the KW Ranch. You can almost make out their brand at the top of the gate. The Lone Star flag of Texas hangs proudly on the right.

The gravel drive, looking back towards the front gate. Live oaks overhang the sides of the drive. In the spring, the front lawn is a mass of bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas.

The first glimpse of the house. Shannon and Kirk took the home down to its studs last year. Everything in it is new: windows, doors, moldings, floor, roof, kitchen, bathrooms, and more.

The front doors are old, huge and heavy. Little windows open through iron grills. It's almost Halloween, so that's a witch hanging from the door.

The address and KW Ranch spelled out in Mexican tile.

The flagstoned front patio is a perfect place for coffee in the morning.

A fountain splashes water on the patio by the front door.

Tin mariachi men provide whimsy on the porch. Shannon and Kirk both have a great joie de vie and their ranch is a perfect example of it.

The big red barn is home to 3 horses, 3 donkeys, throngs of rabbits, and masses of chickens who aren't eaten, but are treasured for the pastel colored eggs they lay.


The stately Captain, my daughter's horse. We surprised her one Christmas with him.


Three of the friendliest donkeys you'll ever meet. They love the camera! Aren't they the cutest?


The proud roosters! So loud in the morning and mean too!


More of the Webb's sense of whimsy. Three antique outhouses lined up in the vegetable garden. If you miss a shower, they force you to use these.


My favorite spot to hide away at the KW ranch. A red swing and two chairs under a huge live oak. The dogs love to sit here with me, waiting for a bite of my morning biscotti.

This table and chair is set up by the shooting range where Kirk and the kids have target practice.

The back pasture where the horses and donkeys roam.

Of course there's a swimming pool and fountain. It gets hot during the day, but the nights are much cooler than Houston's.


A statue in a secret garden.


Kirk's hunting truck, a must for Texas hunters. They also have golf carts to ride around the property and go down to the lake and fish. My daughter Elisabeth learned to drive on their carts.


The guest house with the red door. Shannon's mother has claimed her stake here, the sign read's Dottie's Casista.


The foyer to the KW ranch house. The Spanish door and Spanish floors contrast with the gorgeous antique display case that houses a monumental collection of Rose Medallion.

The Great Room includes a living area and a dining area. This picture isn't too styled! There's a Halloween toy hiding behind the sofa and a red paper cup.

The dining area with the large table that holds throngs of Webb and Wills family members.

At every turn, there's an antique French commode with a tablescape of accessories. Antique French convex mirror above.

Another antique commode with matching convex mirror - the pair sit on each side of the large fireplace mantel.

A large antique buffet. The pair of antique rose oil paintings are my personal favorites. Antique French clock and pair of table sconces complete the vignette.

The upholstery is matching linen slipcovers. A zebra skin covers the ottoman.


Down filled cushions make this sofa a perfect place for a nap.

Antique oriental buffet juxtaposed with western chair, horns, and hide lampshades.

The linen press hides the plasma tv.


My favorite book!

Another antique French buffet with oil painting above.

The new kitchen, a little messy from breakfast. Mexican tiles line the backsplash.

Shannon and Kirk both love to cook on the large stove. Some of my best meals have been eaten here.



The kitchen window overlooks the pool and the back pasture.

The bar, an essential part of a house built for entertaining. This bar was built around the antique painted buffet.

The family room doubles as a library. It sits off the breakfast area and overlooks the backyard.

The mud room. In the country, a mud room is essential because shoes quickly get dirty outdoors. All three of the Webb brothers have English springer spaniels from the same litter. Shannon and Kirk have four in all: Quila, Cuero, Sarita, and Quatro. Will there be a Cinco one day? Each dog has its own monogrammed bed. Quila (short for Tequila) is waiting for permission to come inside with me. Behind the dogs, you can just see the cubbies, one for each member of the human family.




OK: the actress on the left is Sarita, the grinning dog. She actually smiles like this when she greets you. The night before this picture was taken, Sarita, the grinning dog, was sprayed by a skunk. We weren't too happy about that.


Shannon's bedroom is all white linen.


Shannon's vanity area, yes another antique French buffet, antique mirror and sconces.


Shannon and Kirk's new bathroom. One half is pure Shannon: French and feminine. The other half is all Kirk: western. A crystal chandelier lights the bath area. Oriental rugs on the floor, no bathmats, of course.


The shelves over the tub. All the towels have the KW brand monogrammed on them.


The sink is inset into, yes, an anitque French buffet.

Instead of built ins or a linen closet, Shannon bought these tall cabinets to house their towels and bath essentials.

Kirk's side: the sinks were inset into this piece of Mexican style buffet.

Kirk's large shower is lined in tile from the ceiling to the floor. There are two showerheads, one is an overhead rain faucet. On the niche to the right, you can just make out the University of Texas longhorn tiles.

The guests sleep here.

Wills Webb has his pick of beds in the bunkroom.

Caroline Webb's room is all girly pink.

And lastly, Shannon's father's self portrait. J. Anthony Wills was an important portrait painter. His portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower hangs in the White House.

Shannon, as a young girl, painted by her father. This painting, and a matching one of her sister, was a surprise gift from her father to her mother. For those who know her, it's amazing Shannon could sit still long enough for her father to paint her in such life like detail.

Prints of four of J. Anthony Wills' portraits hang in the library: Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Henry Kissinger. Yes, it is safe to say, unfortunately, - these Webbs are Republicans!

Thanks for taking the tour of my brother and sister in law's ranch. I hope you enjoyed it!

A Country French House: Authentic Elements

This beautiful home pictured above is located in the French countryside. Typical of the many homes that dot the landscape, this home didn't start out this large, but has been added to over the years. The original structure most likely housed animals on the ground floor and humans on the second. This type of architecture is gaining in popularity in America. In neighborhood after neighborhood, you can find French styled houses. Usually, these homes are characterized by a stuccoed facade, arched french windows, and a high pitched roof.

Unfortunately when some Americans try to copy the architecture of the simple French country house, it usually ends up too fancy, too contrived, or too forced. The beauty of an authentic French country house lies in its simple lines, it stone facade, its charming windows, the wood or stone floor, the tiled roof, the stone fireplaces. What are the elements that make up a true French country home? Here are some of the more important elements that should be included if you are planning to create an accurate country French home:

Wood floors are an important element of the French look. Here a floor of reclaimed wood laid in a chevron pattern, is typically French.

The traditional Versailles patterned parquet wood floor.


Another floor that is popular in the French countryside is that made of terra cotta. These tiles above are laid in the running board pattern.


Here, a reclaimed limestone floor is laid in a traditional pattern.


Another terra cotta pattern. This is a popular choice in kitchens and family rooms.


No, these are not horse teeth! These are authentic roof tiles taken from a house in the French countryside. While having a roof made of tiles (new or old) is extremely expensive, nothing says authentic French more than these roof tiles.


A limestone mantelpiece. This particular mantel is actually a reproduction.


Another style of a French mantle. Note how deep it is. These types of mantles give a commanding presence to a room.

A stone mantle. Note how high it is, reaching almost to the top of the door.

A French home's foyer showing multiple important elements. A staircase made of limestone as opposed to wood. The banister is made of iron in a curved pattern to offset the straight lines of the risers. The floor is cream colored limestone with insets of black marble.

A second floor landing showing a close up of the iron banister, terra cotta tile floor, and lantern.

A typical ceiling in an older French home shows the exposed rafters. This is a true beamed ceiling, a look that is often copied. The beauty of this original ceiling would be hard to fake.

Elements in a fancier French country home: Versailles patterned wood floor, large french doors, beamed ceiling painted white. The beauty of this room is in it's contrasts: the dark painted walls against the white painted paneling; the simple white tablecloth versus the dressy crystal chandelier; the highly detailed patterned floor with the plain sisal rug.

Windows are a very important element that should be as authentic as possible. These windows open like doors as opposed to windows that raise and lower.

Typical low ceiling of many country homes restored from former animal living quarters. Often, the ceiling heights on the ground floors will be very low. Here the owners have extended the stucco to cover, not just the walls, but also the ceilings. Rooms with these types of low ceilings often have a cave like atmosphere. Terra cotta tiles are laid on the diagonal. Since these structures are made of stone, not wood, the depth of the walls can be extremely thick. The thickness can be observed where the wall meets the window. This type of wall thickness is hard to copy. There are ways to "fake" wall thickness, but the walls will never have the solid feel of real stone.

Charming bedroom: authentic elements are the stucco walls and terra cotta floors.

A typical country french house. Authentic elements to copy: wood shutters, without the typical American slats, terra cotta roof tiles, crushed limestone drive instead of concrete, absence of landscaping around the house.

Authentic French country home: french doors instead of windows, wood shutters, straight lines, terra cotta tiled roof. This home is located in the southern or Provencal part of France.


Close up view of authentic French shutters. These shutters are built to be used, and are not just for decoration. Most are painted a vibrant shade of blue.



Another blue shuttered, straight lined facade, terra cotta roof French country home. Note again, the absence of landscaping bushes surrounding the front.



Many country homes are reached by an allee of trees. What a wonderful way to reach home.

Reclaimed barn, now used as a country home. Large, crushed stone patio surrounds the house with the blue shutters and tiled roof. This home has it's stone facade exposed as opposed to stuccoed.


Here is a departure from the norm: Pale painted shutters, french windows instead of french doors. But the long, straight line of the facade gives it the distinctive country French look.


One type of a French fountain, a must in the French garden. Again, crushed limestone is used instead of pavers, tiles, or concrete.



An outdoor buffet of wine and cheese in Southern France.

Another fountain design, to be placed against a wall. This fountain is actually a reproduction, not an antique.



The fountain in a secret garden setting. When a fountain is placed in a hidden garden, the sound of the water draws you to the fountain, as opposed to seeing it first.


Here is an American "vision" of a country French home, for sale - it was advertised as a "French Beauty." With it's leather recliner, hideous book cases, wall to wall carpet, plain vanilla walls - this could be a charming room, instead it is totally uninspiring. The basic elements are there - a lovely mantel, ceiling beams, high ceilings - instead these Americans have no clue how to make their house, as advertised, a "French beauty."

Lest you think it is just Americans who can ruin a good room, take a look at this disaster. A home located in the south of France, this room has gorgeous moldings, niches, fireplace, mirror, french windows, Versailles patterned wood floor - yet it is a total disaster. A black leather sectional spars against a matching yellow leather sectional. Matching white lacquer tables finish off the less than passable decor. This room has everything going for it, yet the owners are either unaware of the room's beauty, or they happen to like tacky furniture. Either way, it's such a shame to ruin a gorgeous room that has so much potential.


Here's a French country house that DID get it right: the entry has beautiful French doors, distinctive molding above the door, terra cotta tile, painted ceiling, and a minimum of furniture and accessories.

Another country French house - here the living room is shown, appropriately casual for country living. French elements include stuccoed walls, beamed ceilings, and terra cotta tiled floors. An antique canopied daybed lends a romantic touch, as does the baby grand piano.

This country French dining room shows the essential elements: fireplace mantel, limestone floor, low stuccoed ceiling, and French windows. The fancy crystal chandelier plays against the simple chairs and rustic planters.

Here a country French house shows it's relaxed style by using cream painted antiques, rustic tables, cream colored dinnerware, and bushes instead of flowers. Though the style is comfortable, the antiques give it an air of sophistication.


Here, an American tries and succeeds in getting the country French look "right." Wood floors and stuccoed walls, along with French windows and arched doors lend important elements to the house. The furniture, though gives the true French feel to the house. The antique French settee and chairs are both painted cream, typical of the furniture found in the French countryside. The painted, oversized trumeau is the crowning touch to this living room. Hydrangeas in a patinaed green vase add the romance.

Another American house going in the right direction: French doors, wood floors, cream painted antique chairs and rustic buffet. This dining room is so relaxed and soothing, it would look totally at home on the French cote de sud.