Elizabeth Baird Brown, AIA, and Royce H. Flournoy had already teamed up on several projects when Flournoy approached Baird about designing his personal home. The President of Texas Construction Company, Flournoy wanted to build a home whose style and scale would fit into the fabric of his neighborhood, have “an open and airy feel to it,” and include outdoor spaces that would feel like “an extension to the indoor spaces.” As an added challenge, the project needed to stick to a strict budget. Baird, Principal and Founder of Elizabeth Baird Architecture, was remodeling several craftsman homes and was familiar with their charms and their less desirable traits. Here’s how she created a modern design that doesn’t lose sight of its roots.

After living in the home for several years, Flournoy reports the “windows and natural light” are what he loves most — “It’s a very bright and happy home.”