I’m excited to reveal my new Fastballs Farm project, a beautiful modern farmhouse in the heart of Texas. The homeowners are native Texans, and this property has been in the family since 1897. It has always been a significant part of his story, passing from his grandparents to his parents. He spent his childhood weekends on this land, working right alongside his family.

They are now carrying that legacy forward with the next generation. Today, they raise Beefmaster cattle, miniature horses, and chickens, welcoming their children and grandchildren for holidays and weekend visits. I love that a place so deeply rooted in his own childhood is now becoming that same special sanctuary for their grandchildren.

And the name? My client’s father wanted to raise cattle on the farm and purchased a Beefmaster bull from former baseball player Nolan Ryan. Since Nolan Ryan was known for his fastball, his father named the bull Fastballs. When the farm later passed to my clients, they decided to call it Fastballs Farm. I love the story behind the name because it has been part of the family and the farm for years.

This was a new build from the ground up. An older family home had been on the property and was moved years ago, and they wanted the new house to have some of the character and feeling of that original home. We were involved throughout the design process, from the interior details and finish selections to lighting, furnishings, fabrics, window treatments, artwork, and accessories.

Since we were starting with a completely new house, I knew we needed antiques, vintage pieces, and family items to add warmth and character. I didn't want it to feel like everything had been purchased at one time for a brand-new house.

The antique brass chandeliers over the kitchen island are definitely one of my favorites. We found them at Round Top from a New York dealer who had found them in a hotel built in the 1930s. They have the most beautiful patina, and I love the character they brought to the kitchen. The kitchen ceiling is high, so we needed additional chain to hang the chandeliers at the right height. We had new chain custom fabricated to match the original links and finish, and you really can't tell what is new and what is original.

One of the most treasured pieces is the photograph over the range of his father with the original Fastballs. I can't imagine anything else hanging there. It tells the story of the farm and the family. My client also has a collection of plates she found over the years or that friends and family gave her. We hung them above the kitchen window to create a gallery wall and left room for her to continue adding to the collection over time.

Another collection we wanted to find the perfect place for was her cookbooks from both her mother and her mother-in-law. The pantry wall ended up being the perfect spot, so we designed custom brass shelves to display them.

Another favorite is the antique game table in the primary bedroom. It is such a pretty piece, but I also love how they use it. It is the perfect place to have morning coffee or play cards and dominoes with their grandchildren.

They wanted the house to be open, comfortable, and inviting. They love having family and friends there, so it was important that the house work for entertaining and that the inside and outside flow together.

It is a farm, so nothing could be too precious. The house needed to be just as comfortable for the two of them as it is when the children and grandchildren are there.