Photo by Don Hoffman Photo by Don Hoffman
than using traditional shower doors, Connie had swinging saloon doors custom-made from salvaged wood. This touch of whimsy is paired with practical elements, like built-in shelving and a skirted sink stand for out-of-sight storage. Mixing practicality with style was on the top of the Cook’s design wish list. “We have our grandchildren here often, and I did not want to worry about them leaving drinks around and dragging their wagons through the house,” explains Libby. One of the primary techniques that Connie used to keep things low-maintenance was to give new life to reclaimed and recycled wood. For example, the bar countertop in the kitchen is salvaged. Hand-hewn beams from the 1800s serve as the fireplace mantel and act as the guardrail along the staircase, accented by hand-forged iron spindles. To ensure the floors would be able to withstand the heavy traffic, Connie suggested hand-scraped hard wood floors that would conceal any signs of wear. The hardwood floors are featured throughout the first floor, while carpet is used in the home’s six bedrooms for a softer feel underfoot. In a show of typical Texas hospitality, the Cooks allowed their children to work with Connie to design their bedrooms to suit their personal taste. One room has a feminine feel with milk-washed ceilings, a chandelier, and wispy patterned curtains, while the other combines a darker palette with leather elements for a masculine, modern design. The grandchildren’s rooms are something special, too. The girls’ room is an all-pink extravaganza with Old West touches like dust-ruffles resembling petticoats and a wagon-wheel light fixture. The boys’ bedroom features shades of blue and a tree-trunk bunk bed. In a nod to the hotels of yesteryear, all of the rooms feature glass transoms above the door that can be opened with a hand crank. Each of the bedrooms features a private bath, and the bathrooms are a far cry from the wooden outhouse used in the olden days. The master and guest bathrooms feature floating whirlpool tubs or old-fashioned claw-foot tubs and what Libby calls “fancy toilets.” In the children’s bathrooms, wagon wheels on the exterior of the tub and metal wash basins make cleaning up more fun. Built-in cubbies placed beneath the sinks are great for storing toiletries in not-so-pretty bottles and containers. The home has more to offer besides the six bedrooms, sevenand-a-half bathrooms, and traditional living spaces. A study with built-in shelving maximizes storage space, and a television room
top Built-in bookshelves line a wall of the study and provide a place for books, photos, and knickknacks. bottom Each of the six bedrooms has a private bath, some of which have oldfashioned claw-foot tubs. opposite page top One of the Cook’s children selected dark, bold, and rustic elements in this guest bedroom to exudes a more masculine vibe, while another chose milk-washed ceilings, a chandelier, and wispy patterns. opposite page bottom Custom-made from salvaged wood, swinging saloon doors act as shower doors in the mudroom. The skirted sink stand adds yet another touch of the unexpected. May/June 2010 • Texas Home & Living
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