A Cottage for Ryan & Carrie

Modern Ranch Retreat in East Texas

Two brothers, two sites, two cottages on an East Texas lake. Each 2,500 square feet, the homes reflect their owners and their distinct landscapes. Ryan and Carrie’s cottage sits in a post oak grove; Robby and Kelly’s occupies a gentle rise with sweeping views.

We approached the cottages by listening to the land first. Each home needed to feel related, but not identical, shaped by its site, its light, and the family who would live there.

For Ryan and Carrie’s cottage, stone-clad hip-roof volumes speak to permanence, while flat-roofed wood links carry circulation through the home. Natural light moves through the post oak grove, giving the cottage a quieter, more shaded presence.

Over time, even if roofs fade and families grow, the stone boxes will remain: a quiet record of presence and belonging.

Photography: Charles Davis Smith, FAIA

Scroll through the photos below to see Ryan and Carrie’s cottage, or click any image to view the full gallery.