by Lori Johnston | Photography Tria Giovan
When designer Kevin Spearman and his firm acquired three lots in a walkable, urban community in The Woodlands, Texas, he immediately turned to architect Bobby McAlpine, whose work he had long admired. Spearman knew McAlpine could design a classic home that would fit in the master-planned community by Cooper Robertson & Partners yet offer some of its own unique characteristics. “I wanted somebody who saw things from a different perspective like I do,” Spearman says.
McAlpine set to work creating a U-shaped design with porches that flank the front of the home and an enclosed courtyard with a pool and dining areas. Situated to provide stunning lake views, the European-inspired cottage includes expansive windows and a steep, rolling roofline reminiscent of a gentleman’s brimmed hat. “The roof is romantic, and the house is very approachable,” says Spearman. “The front door is a side door, which creates a casual welcome as you walk in.”
Although it’s a new home, the design makes it appear as if it has been added onto over the years, which Spearman says contributes to its overall aesthetic. “This house has the character and qualities of an old home, which is hard to find these days,” he says. “The end result looks so effortless and peaceful.”
Spearman enhanced the serenity with a palette of charcoal grays and dark browns accented by lavender, which he describes as a “new neutral.” Throughout the home’s large entertaining spaces and more intimate areas, he drew from the timeless style of John Saladino, one of his favorite designers, by mixing modern furniture with English antiques. “We kept everything very understated with pieces that were interesting and eclectic yet mixed well together,” he says.
From the architecture to the decorative accents, the design and interiors achieve the approachable, livable nature that Spearman imagined for a modern family. “This is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, so the home needed to be inviting. The design encourages spending time on the front porch and talking to people who stroll by,” he says. “The whole thing is a story—the neighborhood, the lot, the house—all of it plays together.”
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