For all the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country, some of the best attractions in the area are quite unnatural.
From an oasis of large-mouth bass to one of fine dining, from fields of miraculous wildflowers to some of the finest bed and breakfasts of the Lone Star State, it doesn’t get much better than the Highland Lakes in late spring and early summer.

Laurie and Mark Haushill carefully chose the rich stones that built their San Antonio-area home for their earthy orange, brown and gray hues.

The couple’s interior designer, Stacy Blair of Blair Designs, recalls helping the couple select the Palomino stones that adorn the walls, fireplace and patio. “We drove up to New Braunfels, and the three of us made a day of it,” she says. “We walked the rock yard in our tennis shoes.”

Throughout the adventure of building their 4,500-square-foot home that sits on a bluff along U.S. Highway 281, the Haushills realized the importance of collaborating with the professionals involved. Once their architecture firm, A-Designs by Gustavo Arredondo Inc., neared the completion of the home’s drawings, the couple worked closely with Blair to choose the materials, décor and furnishings that would create a rustic oasis. “I remember telling Stacy from the beginning that we’re not formal people and that we wanted to create a casual elegance,” Laurie Haushill says. “We like to entertain, so we wanted a very open and welcoming home for our family and friends.”