Eclectic Ranch Revelry

A large, arch-top knotty alder door surrounded by privacy glass beckons visitors inside where the Byers’ storied decorating style immediately comes into play. A tufted leather settee rests just below an elongated mirror, and a simple crystal pendant light is another natural touch.
After passing through the home’s foyer, guests find themselves at the center of the main living spaces. Poplar beams travel the length of the room and draw the eye toward the massive picture window along the opposite wall. Gray euro-pleated drapes tie in with Repose Gray walls and a couch of a similar color. These cool tones are married with a warmth that emerges from the stacked-stone fireplace and an array of woods used throughout the space.
“I think wood is such a beautiful material,” says Barbara. “I wanted the space to flow together, but I also wanted to use as many different woods as possible. There’s a lot of character in the different species of wood, and we wanted to celebrate that.”

 

“I think wood is such a beautiful material … There’s a lot of character in the different species of wood, and we wanted to celebrate that.” –Barbara Byers

 

To the right of the space is the home’s expansive kitchen fit for even the best of home chefs. An oversized 6-foot by 10-foot, furniture-style island is topped with a striking honed quartzite, and four barrel-backed barstools are tucked under the overhang. Niches on either end of the island allow space for a pop of personality, and even more opportunities exist within the glass-front upper cabinets along the perimeter.

A different style of quartzite countertops runs along the border of the room, and the cabinets are furnished from hickory, which helps soften the atmosphere of the room. A combination of recessed, pendant, and under-cabinet lighting works to illuminate the space, and a nearby offshoot accommodates yet another space to dine.
Here, a built-in bar allows guests to grab a drink without getting in the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. A round table is surrounded by four slat-back chairs, most of which have an unobstructed view of the acreage outside.

In the master suite, the travertine floors found throughout the majority of the home are traded for wide-plank oak hardwoods, and various pieces of traditional wood furniture repeat the material.

“We lived in New Mexico for a while, so you’ll find a fair amount of Southwestern influence in our home, but especially in this room,” says Mike. Sculptures, artwork, and textiles punctuate the rather large room and tie together years of a life well lived on the other side of the United States.

Continuing further into the master suite, visitors arrive at the bathroom, which is as comfortable as it is spacious. Two vanities are bisected by a hallway leading to the closet, and the same quartzite found in the kitchen makes an appearance in this room as well. Quarter-sawn oak cabinets sport mixed metal pulls, while the opposite side of the room features a limestone shower and freestanding soaking tub.

“We really enjoy being outside, and this area of our home gets a lot of use, especially during football games,” – Mike Byers

Accessible from both the master suite and the dining room is the Byers’ covered porch.  Complete with a fire table, flat-screen TV, and built-in grill, this space is primed for relaxation and fun.

The tongue-and-groove fir planks that comprise the ceiling feature accents of a chevron pattern for added visual interest, and the entire space is outfitted with a captivating lineup of natural materials that pay homage to the 26-acre estate.

“We’ve really enjoyed how peaceful it is here. We have great neighbors, and we enjoy watching the horses and cattle that graze on nearby properties,” explains Mike. “We feel most comfortable and most like ourselves when we’re surrounded by nature.”