Possum Kingdom Realm

Photography by Blake Marvin
From the covered stone porch that runs the length of the home, the De Santis family enjoys a magnificent view of Possum Kingdom Lake. Historically, classic Texas ranch homes had a similar design.

As the scorching summer sun sinks low in the Texas sky, a curious transformation takes place along the shores of Possum Kingdom Lake. Like embers, the last shafts of sunlight splinter across the sky then fall to earth in golden pools of light. Moments later, shadows emerge from hiding, creeping silently across the ground to snuff out the luminous landscape. Darkness, thick and black, lays claim to the night.

“The climate here is as unforgiving as it is magnificent,” says Texas architect Nunzio De Santis. Standing on the broad stone porch, he gazes across the neatly manicured lawn to the native shrubs and gnarled evergreens beyond. “This land — so rugged, so honest — demands respect.”

Nunzio and his wife, Sheila, wanted to build a retreat for their family and friends relatively close to their Dallas home, yet remote-feeling with a distinctly different environment. The couple found what they were looking for at The Ranch on Possum Kingdom, a private gated community about an hour and a half west of Fort Worth. A working cattle ranch for a near-century, the development offers more than 1,000 acres of common ranch land, as well as an equestrian center and first-class marina on the lake. “Our daughter, Emily, loves to ride horses, and our son, Marc Jacob, is into water sports, so this was perfect for them,” Sheila says.

Known for its deep, clear blue waters, Possum Kingdom Lake is also notable for its name. The lake was created when the Brazos River was dammed in the 1930s, and the name was coined by a local fur trader who first dubbed the area “possum kingdom” because the fertile hills and valleys were a prime source of possum hides. But for Nunzio, it was the rawness of the land, not the abundant marsupials, that captured his heart.

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“The landscape here is very rugged, primitive, and beautiful,” he says, a note of reverence in his voice. “Texas is harsh and horizontal. The weather is extreme. Rain, hail, wind, bone-chillingcold, searing heat — it can be beautiful but hard to live in.” Determined to honor the landscape through his architecture, Nunzio turned to Texas ranch homes from the 1850s, whichwere characterized by rectangular shapes segmented into separate gathering areas. Similarly, the De Santis’ Possum Kingdom retreat is long and linear, with massive limestone walls along the south and west to keep the sun and heat at bay and expansive windowsframing dramatic views of the lake to the north and east. “The lake is something magical to us; it’s why we’re here,” Nunzio says.

Inside, the core of the home is broken into engaging living spaces through the artful placement of native oak timbers and quarried limestone. “The materials are true to the area and repeat from space to space, so the language of the home remains consistent throughout,” Nunzio says. Vertical timbers are evenly spaced around the periphery of the massive great room, giving direction and purpose to the space. “Inside the timbers is where people engage; outside the timbers is where people move from space to space,” Nunzio explains. “Like columns, the placement of the timbers implies there’s a room within a room.”

Anchored between the great room and formal dining area is an enormous stone fireplace with a see-through hearth. “The fireplace is the soul and heart of a home,” Nunzio says. “We wanted ours to be one-of-a-kind.” Locally quarried, with flecks of gold, brown, and burnt orange, the rock was broken — not cut — into large, rough pieces then stacked to create a rustic mosaic that changes color throughout the day with the sun’s movement.

Centered above the great room, a custom chandelier brings scale and intimacy to the space. Hand-forged with heavy metal rings and candle-like lights, the chandelier harkens back to thedays of the cowboy. “Like Texas, it’s massive and simple; it’s part of the jewelry of the space,” Nunzio says. “At night, you can almost imagine there are stars in the room.”

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For a family who loves spending time outdoors, creating a seamless flow between the interior and exterior was essential. “We wanted a variety of outdoor living spaces where we could entertain and enjoy the environment year-round,” Nunzio says. One such gathering space is the stone courtyard located off the foyer opposite the great room. Protected on two sides by the home and screened by lush vegetation, the patio serves as a tranquil retreat. Another favorite outdoor area is the large stone porch that runs the length of the home. In true Texas tradition, the entire porch is covered to protect against sun, rain, and wind. At the far end stands a massive rock fireplace.

“The fireplace is our soul mate,” says Nunzio. “It warms us, provides light and comfort, and is an integral part of the foundation of this outdoor living area.” For Sheila, this is the part of the home where memories are made. “We love to gather around the fireplace, sip wine, and share stories with friends,” she says. “This is one of our favorite places.”

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As the evening winds down, guests are invited to stay in private guest quarters or in the bunkhouse above the garage. Designed to appeal to younger guests, the bunkhouse features a cozy row of twin beds, a private bath, an entertainment zone, and a small kitchen. “Kids flip coins to see who gets to sleep there,” Sheila says with a smile.

Up a second stairway just beyond the entrance to the bunkhouse is a private, intimate space Nunzio calls “the overlook.” The small room rises 30 feet above the ground and is an icon visible for miles. “I designed this space around the fact that my wife loves to read,” he says. “It’s a place for her to go and be among some of the most beautiful scenery.” One side of the overlook is all glass, offering unobstructed views of the lake. Smaller glass portals around the back of the room give visitors a 360-degree view. “Sometimes we retreat to the overlook during a thunderstorm — it’s amazing to watch the spectacle of light and sheer energy from here,” Nunzio says.

For the De Santis family, the ranch retreat is much more than a second home. “Family is incredibly important to us,” Nunzio says. “Our idea was to create a place to shed the daily baggage and focus on the simplicity of life with those we love. It’s turned out to be an inviting and gracious space where we’ve created so many wonderful memories.” Nodding, Sheila agrees: “With so many more to come.”

RESOURCES

Nunzio De Santis, FAIA

HKS Hill Glazier Studio

1919 McKinney Ave., Dallas

214.969.5599, www.hksinc.com

PK Lakeview Homes

Graford, Texas

940.779.4400

L-Brand Design

16222 Red Cedar Trail, Dallas TX

214.682.4749, www.lbranddesign.com

Issue: July 2010

Filed under: Western, Home-Ranch