Rear elevation of the San Marcos whole-home renovation showing lime-washed brick, black Andersen sliding doors, covered patio, and pool by Riverbend Hill Country Homes

Location

San Marcos, Texas

Size

3,100 sq ft

Timeline

16 months

Investment

$1.3 million

Completed

June 2026

Scope

Whole-Home Luxury Renovation

A Whole-Home Transformation

From the Slab and Studs Upward

This 3,100 sq ft San Marcos residence underwent a complete reimagining over sixteen months — rebuilt from the foundation upward into a sophisticated modern estate that blends architectural refinement, elevated craftsmanship, and resort-inspired indoor-outdoor living. Riverbend Hill Country Homes served as both builder and general contractor, coordinating every structural, mechanical, and finish decision required to bring the homeowners' vision to life.

The original red-brick exterior with arched windows has been transformed into a clean, textural composition through custom lime wash, squared window openings, sleek black Andersen windows, and a striking 10-foot 7-inch custom black iron pivot entry. Inside, the home was reconfigured for a contemporary lifestyle while preserving the warmth of Hill Country materiality.

Before & After

Original red brick rear elevation with covered patio and pool, before the San Marcos renovation

Before · Rear Elevation

Lime-washed rear elevation with black Andersen sliding doors and covered patio after renovation

After · Rear Elevation

Original dark red brick front facade with arched portico before renovation

Before · Front Facade

Lime-washed front entry with custom black iron pivot door, barrel-vault arch, and cypress wood ceiling after renovation

After · Front Facade

Custom black iron pivot entry door with transom and sidelights set within a barrel-vault arch, 10 feet 7 inches tall

The Entry

A Quiet Architectural Statement

A custom lime wash transforms the original brick into a soft, textural facade that ages gracefully against Hill Country light. Existing window openings were squared and outfitted with sleek black Andersen units, establishing a contemporary architectural profile while preserving the home's original proportions.

The new 10-foot 7-inch black iron pivot door, paired with a transom and sidelight assembly, delivers a grand-entrance moment that sets the tone for the home beyond. Every elevation was reconsidered as part of the redesign.

Elevated patio with stained tongue-and-groove ceiling, stone steps, and pool view

Indoor-Outdoor Living

Dissolving the Boundary

The rear elevation was reengineered to accommodate expansive black Andersen sliding glass doors, replacing fixed windows with openings that frame the surrounding property. Structural modifications required careful planning to integrate the new openings into the home's existing load paths.

A new elevated patio with extended roof creates year-round outdoor living, anchored by stained tongue-and-groove wood ceiling, integrated flush-mounted lighting, discreet patio heaters, and contemporary black ceiling fans. Decorative concrete with custom scoring extends to a refinished pool deck featuring Cool Deck technology for Texas summer comfort.

Custom kitchen with mitered Perla Mirage quartz island, Wolf cooktop, custom vent hood, and white oak cabinetry

The Kitchen

A Complete Reinvention

Custom white oak cabinetry, integrated panel-ready appliances, and a custom-designed vent hood surround a Wolf cooking suite at the heart of the home. An oversized island finished in Perla Mirage quartz, with expertly crafted mitered edges, serves as both the kitchen's functional center and its visual anchor.

A fully appointed butler's pantry adjacent to the kitchen extends the home's entertaining capacity with secondary refrigeration, ice maker, wine cooler, pull-out pantry storage, and a decorative prep sink — all finished in coordinating white oak and quartz.

Main living area with redesigned fireplace, stained decorative beams, floating mantel, and custom built-in cabinetry

The Heart of the Home

Warmth Anchored in Craft

The main living area was opened and reconfigured around a redesigned fireplace, with stained decorative beams overhead and custom built-in cabinetry framing floating display shelving. The result balances contemporary luxury with Hill Country warmth — a room that holds family life and formal entertaining with equal ease.

Spa-inspired primary bathroom dual-entry shower with geometric tile and brushed fixtures

The Primary Suite

A Spa-Inspired Sanctuary

The primary suite was redesigned as a private sanctuary for rest and restoration. A new fireplace feature anchors the bedroom, while the bath was completely reimagined around a freestanding soaking tub and expansive dual-entry shower.

A custom white oak vanity finished with Broadway Black Leathered quartz creates a striking balance of natural warmth and contemporary elegance — a composition that reflects the home's broader design language.

Drone Footage and Walkthrough Coming Soon

Behind the Walls

Infrastructure Built for the Next Generation

Beneath the home, the foundation was professionally leveled before installation of all new flooring throughout — 24" x 48" matte porcelain tile in Fray Sand anchoring the primary living spaces, with Victorian Manor engineered hardwood in Surry Hill providing warmth through bedrooms and the expanded media room.

Two new high-efficiency Amana 15.5 SEER gas HVAC systems with complete ductwork replacement and advanced zoning controls were installed to maximize long-term comfort and efficiency. Every plumbing fixture, lighting fixture, and piece of hardware was selected to support a cohesive design vision.

The Gallery

Further Views

Full kitchen view with island, pendants, white oak cabinetry, and stained beams Custom white oak vent hood over Wolf range with zellige tile backsplash Detail of brass pulls and white oak grain on the kitchen island Butler's pantry with green tile, secondary refrigerator, prep sink, and wine area Detail of brushed gold faucet against green tile in the butler's pantry Open-concept living area with stained beams flowing into the kitchen, finished with Fray Sand porcelain flooring Private study with custom blue walls and built-in cabinetry behind sliding glass pocket doors Powder bath with custom floating wood vanity, lantern fixture, and glass shower Primary bedroom with redesigned fireplace, archway, and Surry Hill engineered hardwood Primary bedroom symmetric view featuring the fireplace, ceiling fan, and black-trimmed windows Primary bathroom white oak vanity finished with Broadway Black Leathered quartz, soaking tub visible beyond Expanded media room with symmetric windows and light hardwood flooring Angled view of the media room showing depth and entry with a feature window Renovated guest suite bathroom with vanity, glass shower, and wood-look tile Detail of refinished pool-deck stone coping with Cool Deck surface treatment Lime-washed front entry with custom black iron pivot door, barrel-vault arch, and cypress wood ceiling

The Team Behind the Project

Builder & General Contractor

Riverbend Hill Country Homes

Architect

Verandah Residential Architect
Alexander Ridgway

Interior Design

Amy Kennedy Design

Engineering

BEC Engineering

Photography & Drone

Steve Harris Photography

When You're Ready

Planning a Hill Country Transformation?

If you're considering a whole-home renovation, custom build, or substantial addition in the Texas Hill Country, we'd be glad to walk your property and talk through scope. The first conversation usually starts with coffee and a tape measure.

Schedule a Consultation