My Houzz: Ranch House Gets a Craftsman Upgrade
Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, a Dallas couple reimagines their traditional ranch house
Sarah Greenman
January 10, 2016
Although Dave and Katie Shutler loved their traditional Texas ranch house for its layout and architectural elements, it never quite felt like home until they did a recent remodel. Unlike most Dallas ranch house renovations, which pack on high-end features and blow out walls to create that coveted open-concept layout, the Shutlers yearned for a more traditional and handcrafted vibe. They share an eclectic Craftsman aesthetic and take inspiration from the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. “I love the Prairie style, with wide porches,” Katie says. “There is beauty to be found in the simplest and starkest view.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Dave and Katie Shutler
Size: 3,100 square feet (288 square meters); four bedrooms, three baths
Location: Dallas
Year built: 1969
The spacious wood-paneled living room features an elegant stone hearth, vaulted ceilings, wood beams and slate floors.
Before the Shutlers moved to Dallas, they were a military family, traveling from place to place. Except for a stint on base in the Cotswolds in England, the family has lived in homes contingent upon availability rather than ideal circumstances. Katie says, “We’ve been taking ‘disadvantaged’ homes and making them our own for years.”
Who lives here: Dave and Katie Shutler
Size: 3,100 square feet (288 square meters); four bedrooms, three baths
Location: Dallas
Year built: 1969
The spacious wood-paneled living room features an elegant stone hearth, vaulted ceilings, wood beams and slate floors.
Before the Shutlers moved to Dallas, they were a military family, traveling from place to place. Except for a stint on base in the Cotswolds in England, the family has lived in homes contingent upon availability rather than ideal circumstances. Katie says, “We’ve been taking ‘disadvantaged’ homes and making them our own for years.”
The Shutlers were drawn to the home’s architectural elements as well as the rustic feel throughout. After attempting some initial changes to the house, the couple realized they needed help, and in 2012, they tapped interior designer Suzan Davidson to transform the look of their ranch house.
The couple was interested in using the home’s original layout and encouraged Davidson to adhere to the bones of the house when designing the space. Davidson kept the design focused and laid out a clear vision for the couple.
The couple was interested in using the home’s original layout and encouraged Davidson to adhere to the bones of the house when designing the space. Davidson kept the design focused and laid out a clear vision for the couple.
The built-in shelving showcases a collection of ceramic pitchers created by the couple’s son Nolan.
The Shutlers were very hands-on during the remodel, researching detail hardware to fit the Arts and Crafts period. Katie also relies heavily on her intuition when creating a space. “I am inspired by lighting and views that integrate nature with interior. I like the feel of walking by a home at night and the glow of the lights within, or sitting on our screened-in porch and hearing the birds and the sound of water moving in the pool,” she says. “I love the feel of the cool slate under my feet and looking at the hand-scraped wood floors.”
The Shutlers were very hands-on during the remodel, researching detail hardware to fit the Arts and Crafts period. Katie also relies heavily on her intuition when creating a space. “I am inspired by lighting and views that integrate nature with interior. I like the feel of walking by a home at night and the glow of the lights within, or sitting on our screened-in porch and hearing the birds and the sound of water moving in the pool,” she says. “I love the feel of the cool slate under my feet and looking at the hand-scraped wood floors.”
Dave says his aesthetic is driven by symmetry and order. “I’m definitely a details kind of person. I like things to be level and equal,” he says.
The formal dining room features beautiful Arts and Crafts pieces, an antique buffet and a Tiffany-style pendant light fixture. Katie says, “Very few pieces in our home were bought firsthand. I like Arts and Crafts, but not exclusively. I think it just grew out of the space and what we had to work with, even though this house is technically midcentury modern.”
Handcrafted wood furniture peppers the house, usually pairing with artwork and hand-thrown ceramics. The Shutlers describe their style as “earth and sky” and as heavily informed by their many travels. “Some of my favorite places on Earth are Monterey and Pacific Grove, California,” Katie says. “I also love Newport, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Breton and Nova Scotia. I also love parts of the Alps, especially Switzerland.”
A formal living room faces the front of the house, and the glow of ample natural light enhances its butter-yellow walls. The room is distinguished as much by its friendly, comfortable atmosphere as it is by its architecture, furniture and other objects. Furnishings are upholstered in patterns and colors that match those of the Arts and Crafts era. Scraped hardwood floors were a splurge but well worth it in the end.
Arts and Crafts-inspired textiles emphasize motifs from nature. The living room sofa was re-covered in a woven William Morris-style fabric. “I am definitely inspired by the eclectic, bolder, more masculine feel,” Katie says.
Arts and Crafts-inspired textiles emphasize motifs from nature. The living room sofa was re-covered in a woven William Morris-style fabric. “I am definitely inspired by the eclectic, bolder, more masculine feel,” Katie says.
A large galley kitchen sits at the center of the house and opens up to a small dining space with French doors to the back patio. The Shutlers refaced the cabinets and installed a farm sink, but generally kept the original layout of the kitchen intact.
The crowning jewel of the kitchen is a built-in hutch designed by Davidson. It features stained glass cabinet doors and a quartz countertop. Glass shelves and interior recessed lighting create a showcase for Katie’s collection of ceramic pitchers and teapots.
The master suite enjoys a view of the backyard and pool area, and features sky-blue walls and simple wood furniture. Dallas’ hot weather can last well into fall, so the couple opted for a remote air-conditioning unit that hangs above their bed. “I can’t live without my quiet, clean air at a comfortable temperature,” Katie says.
Unusual wood furnishings and accessories can be found all over the house. For instance, Dave’s home office desk is a turn-of-the-century breakfast table. And Katie replaced a standard mirror in the master bath with an exquisite hand-carved swan mirror.
The Shutlers frequently host friends and family at their home. Their guest room is well-appointed with a desk and library. A door in the far corner leads to a full bath.
“Our home is a quiet haven of renewal most of the time, and a B&B and place for hosting other times,” Katie says. “I like that it’s available for our three sons and their families should they come to visit.”
“Our home is a quiet haven of renewal most of the time, and a B&B and place for hosting other times,” Katie says. “I like that it’s available for our three sons and their families should they come to visit.”
Another bedroom is available for guests and houses some of Katie’s favorite artwork, much of which was procured during the couple’s travels.
One of Katie’s favorite spots in the house is the bench swing that hangs in the screened-in patio. “I love the quality of light and also the birdsong out there,” she says. Here, the family can enjoy the outdoors during the summer without the annoyance of mosquitoes.
The backyard boasts a beautiful pool with decorative stonework and a fountain. A gas fire pit, foreground, occupies a shaded corner.
Davidson’s design work extended to the home’s exterior. A wider front patio and a square column added on the right side of the entrance give the home a distinct Craftsman vibe.
The Arts and Crafts-style door is a new addition to the exterior. Katie, pictured at left with Dave, says, “Our home is a haven for us now.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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