Nestled in Dripping Springs, the gateway to the Texas Hill Country, this modern home is reached via winding dirt roads and surrounded by the homeowners’ horse stables and riding school. “The landscape offers a blend of live oaks and native cacti, embodying that quintessential Austin feel,” says interior designer Annie Downing. 

The clients—Susan and Bill McMorris—are the owners of Rio Vista Farm, one of the premier English riding barns in the area. “The couple does not have children but shares their home with Finley and Lulu, their small and spirited dogs,” Annie tells us. “They are devoted to their work, their stables, and their students. They desired a serene space to come home to after long weeks on the road, showing horses and coaching their students. They leaned toward more traditional selections to balance out the modern architecture of the home and preferred neutrals but eventually came to embrace our signature brand of color usage.”

Annie collaborated with architecture firm 787 Studio, focusing on architectural review, floor plans, selecting hard finishes throughout, choosing paint colors and bringing in wallpaper, decorative lighting, furnishings, and window treatments. Their meeting of the minds resulted in a well-balanced design that falls somewhere between modern and traditional design. “It’s bright and fresh but still embraces texture and a bit of color,” she explains. “We tapped beloved brands like O&G to bring in pieces that are technically traditional but feel ‘now.’”

From start to finish, the project took about 16 months. The clients were initially elated with the hard finishes, like the tile, stone, and hardware, but soon encountered design fatigue. “They were making countless decisions all at once, building their main home, constructing a new barn facility with arenas and stalls, and restoring a 100-year-old farmhouse,” Annie recalls. “Managing that many moving parts simultaneously meant our job was not only to guide the design but also to protect them from burnout by streamlining choices and helping them stay focused on the big picture.”

“I think it took some time but after a few months in situ, the clients began to reveal an appreciation for the soft finishes,” Annie shares. As each room was completed, the design came into focus. The result is a sanctuary that balances beauty with function.

Over time, the layers of design came into focus, offering them a sanctuary that balances beauty with function.