Southern Living Blueprint Initiates Construction of Captivating Texas Guest Quarters
In the rolling hills of Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg, designer Marcus Mohon and his wife Autumn, co-founders of Austin-based Mohon Interiors, recently created a guest house for their family. Instead of starting from scratch, they turned to Southern Living House Plans and settled on the charming Hunting Creek Alternate (SL-987). Inspired by local history and traditional architecture, this unpretentious 1,100-square-foot cottage seamlessly blends into the area's picturesque landscape.
Fredericksburg, like many towns in the region, was formerly a farming community with a central town square, church, and small cottages for visiting families—known as "Sunday houses"—to shop and attend services. Taking a cue from these historical references, the Hunting Creek Alternate plan helped create a guest house that effortlessly fits with the area's past. To achieve the desired harmonious exterior, the couple opted for weathered cedar siding instead of traditional stone and plaster commonly found in local structures, matching the nearby primary home.
The interior of the guest house presents a unique departure from Mohon Interiors' traditional neutral color palette. Marcus, with a penchant for orange, embraced the opportunity to experiment and breathe life into the space. The living room, for instance, displays an antique orange mohair-and-leather chaise from their old home, yielding a layered yet relaxed atmosphere.
In the kitchen, Marcus opted for an affordable and unconventional solution by installing unfitted stainless steel restaurant tables as counters, adding an old black secretary for the bar, and incorporating a small range for cooking needs. The somewhat eclectic dining nook features a Saarinen tulip table as a centerpiece, while the walls are adorned with window treatments for added impact and a Welsh dresser filled with collections of vintage pewter and stoneware.
The bedroom fuses comfort with unexpected design choices, such as an oversized Empire-style sleigh bed in the small rustic cottage. The area is painted with Benjamin Moore's Racoon Fur (212-20), while Moroccan textiles wrap the nightstands to underscore the sense of refuge.
The upstairs loft adds a touch of mystery and discovery, with a design that encourages guests to immerse themselves in the cozy atmosphere. Weathered antique furnishings, colorful textiles, and art pieces complement the sunlit sleeping space, creating a versatile and inviting den.
To expand the home's living space and maximize the picturesque meadow views, the Mohons treated the porch as an extension of the interior, inviting guests for relaxed, easy entertainment. From a table and chairs to the stunning oak tree canopy overhead, the porch offers a charming retreat that extends effortlessly into the lush lawn.
The couple's new book, The Romance of Home: Houses by Mohon Interiors, highlights various projects they've completed, including this charming guest house nestled in the Texas Hill Country.
- Marcus Mohon and his wife Autumn, co-founders of Mohon Interiors, utilized Southern Living House Plans for their guest house project, choosing the Hunting Creek Alternate (SL-987) during their search.
- The Hunting Creek Alternate plan was inspired by local history and traditional architecture, helping to create a guest house that harmoniously blends into the picturesque landscape of the Texas Hill Country.
- The interior design of the guest house showcases a unique departure from Mohon Interiors' traditional neutral color palette, with Marcus embracing bold colors such as orange to breathe life into the space.
- To entertain guests and maximize the picturesque meadow views, the Mohons treated the porch as an extension of the interior, creating a charming retreat that effortlessly blends with the lush lawn and oak tree canopy.
