I am blessed to be able to still maintain a friendly relationship with my ex-husband's family. This past week my
SIL flew in from Decatur, AL to spend some time at her mother's house...my former MIL. Gwen, a cousin, lives close by and has a real knack for decorating. I was SO happy when I was invited along to see the progress of her home renovations.
Gwen and her hubby have lived in this house for 2 years but have made many changes. They added a stone path and flower bed; as well as stripped local cedar timbers that are now porch posts.
This is a view of their backyard (10 acres) that contains a small pond. There are even deer that come to feed in the evening. This is a goose that adopted them last year and is named
AFLAK.
A patio was poured outside of the back door so they could sit and enjoy the view.
The previous owners owned hogs and that shed is still up. Gwen wants to start raising goats.
Off to the side of the house is a two car garage with a work bench but they don't park their vehicles in the garage....it's a
gameroom. You can see the flat screen
tv; as well as a much need fan to cool things off. Remember...it IS South Texas!
What bird wouldn't like to live right outside of this party palace/
gameroom in the cute patriotic birdhouse?
Here's a little closer view inside the garage. This window opens right up to the
barbeque pit so they can pass "the vittles" right through the window. Gwen re-cycled this
formica countertop (seen above) after it fell off a flat bed truck and then no one came back to claim it. It's about 12 feet long so it provides a good place for friends to plop down and watch the billiard game. Notice the posts she added to hold up the
countertop
Here's what the room looks like when the neon lights are switched on. They must have at least 75 or more
neon's they've collected over the years. The whole room and ceiling are lined with them.
Isn't this interesting Yard Art? I was told it was once a
piece of farm equipment. They THINK it was some sort of planting device but were not sure. Do YOU know?!??!
Since it was a hot, Texas afternoon we opened the ice chest and found them to be full of ice-cold
longnecks!
AHHHH....a great way to cool off. And of course, Ms. Gwen always likes to add her southwestern touches by adding the steerhead about the cold beer.
And THIS is what's called a Cowgirl Swimming Pool. It's actually a watering trough for livestock but every weekend they fill this "pool" with water and then sit and soak in the shade. I THINK the blue plastic pool is for the dogs.
This place wouldn't be complete without a fire-pit...because, yes....sometimes it does get nippy in Texas. And see the cute little shed in the back....it's for disguising the Well/Septic system and for a bit of yard machinery storage.
Well....that a tour of the yard...check back for pictures of the inside. Gwen is super talented and has a really cool "leather" look wall, she faux finished with paper bags. Ya'll come back now...ya hear?!?!?
This is my cousin, Gwen's, home and she doesn't miss a detail. Below is her master bedroom in all it's finery. 
The western theme was carried into the Master Bath....the spurs and and rough framed cowboy picture are hanging above the vanity sink. 
There is a beautiful glassed in shower (no picture..sorry) and a big sunken tub (partically seen below) to soak away all the aches and pains of the "cattle drives". The deer horns above the tub adds to the western touch.
And who wouldn't need a shotgun right next to the toilet? You never know when the "bad guys" might come to town! It's a REAL gun but it isn't loaded....we're Texans, but we're not CRAZY!
This is the first of two guest rooms. I loved all the windows and how there were simply adorned with just blinds. The whole house is various shades of this pretty putty color and I think it really goes well with the decor. 
I thought this simple cluster of keys on the dresser was a nice touch. 
Here's a view from the other side of the room. The dressers in this room are family antiques.
Who wouldn't love to cook in this kitchen??? It's so big and open. Gwen, of course, has plans for this and thinks it's too plain right now. So, on my next visit, I'll take pictures and show you what's she's done to embellish it.
Through the kitchen and on the other side of a large eat-in bar (not shown--I promise next time!) is the dining room. Below is a hutch that Ms. Gwen (pictured) turned into a storage and liquor cabinet. 
The table is light by this pretty chandelier and the chairs have a beautiful Texas Star on the back.
Here's a close up for the Texas Lone Star....It is inlaid in stone. 
And it's a fact, cowboys and cowgirls get very dirty working/playing on "the ranch"...so a nearby laundry room is handy. This room is small and still a work in progress. I think it has a nice view of the pretty lawn area. 
Gwen is planning on doing a faux finish on the cabinets, and we caught her with just the primer coat on......but she's just like most of us, isn't she...she always has a project in the works! 
So, cowgirls and cowboy wannabe's....that's another look at the country home of my sweet friend Gwen. I have some more pictures and will post later but I need to go "rustle up some vittles"...ok...actually I'm heading to lunch...LOL! Ya'll come back now...ya hear!!?!?!
