Modern Farmhouse with Neighborhood Soul
Words Codi Chen Photos Andrea Calo
There’s a certain magnetism to this modern farmhouse with a long, low porch like open arms ready to welcome the neighborhood. Designed by architect and realtor Ed Hughey and his former partner Ben Arbib under Arbib Hughey Design, this East Austin home isn’t flashy, but it hums with quiet charisma.
“It was important that this house didn’t feel like a stranger on the street,” Ed says. And he would know; he used to live just a few doors down. The original 1950s ranch was beyond repair, so the team started fresh, shaping something new that still bowed to its surroundings. Two simple volumes, offset just slightly, echo the neighborhood’s rhythm. “We think of it as a ‘tweener,’ a bridge between the one-story and two-story homes,” he explains.
The materials that make up the house are humble by design: board and batten siding, pine on the stairs and upper level that soften with wear, and off-the-shelf cabinets with thoughtfully molded additions. Throughout the home, windows were carefully placed to invite natural light inside, bringing a sense of openness to every room. Sunlight spills through the tall stairwell windows, casting a warm glow over the open spaces below. In the kitchen, a narrow window acts like a keyhole, framing a perfect slice of the tree canopy above. “You can do a lot with a little,” Ed reveals. “It’s about placing the windows where they matter most.”
There’s a lived-in warmth that defies the crisp sterility modern homes can sometimes carry. A built-in library wall stretches down the hallway, transforming the passage into a quiet space to read and reflect. Throughout the home, the furnishings exude character: an upholstered chair paired with a well-worn leather couch, both carefully chosen for comfort and style. Upstairs, a book-lined nook, tucked just far enough away to feel like a world of their own, offers the kids a calm corner to daydream.
However, the porch is the heartbeat of the home. Framed in steel and stretching confidently across the front, this has become a natural gathering place, where neighbors wander over, kids sprawl across the steps, and conversations drift long after sunset.
“We wanted this house to feel like an invitation,” Ed says, “not just to come inside but to belong.”
Paint It Black:
The shutters on this home are standard, but a coat of black paint gave them a bold, elevated look, becoming a simple upgrade with a big impact.
Contact:
1802 Garden St.
hugheyarchitecture.com
@edhugheyatx
