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The couple spent $6,765 on Bisazza tile in the bathroom and alley-facing exterior.

Shane Michael Pavonetti, an Austin-based architect and contractor, and his wife, Holly, built their eco-friendly home on a lean budget of $175,000. The cedar siding used on the exterior reappears throughout the house. Keen on recycling the wood, the couple added shelving to their kitchen as well.

Floor Plan of Halcyon 02 by Fritz Tiny Homes

The railings in the casitas echo the details of the main house. The stair treads are painted the same dusty blue as the loft floor. These tiny bunkhouses are designed to sleep a family of four, and also house a little kitchenette and bathroom.

Because of the project’s rural nature, there was no cell service on-site. Communication with the local tradespeople had to be crystal clear from the outset, so there were just a handful of details used on the whole project, inside and out. “It was about keeping the vocabulary simple, so we were all on the same page,” says Cuppett.

The compound was built on one of the Frio Cañon homesites along the Frio River—a ranch that’s been divided up into lots and developed with utilities. So while it’s rural, it also avoids some of the typical headaches of a remote location.

The freestanding garage also houses an art studio and meditation space.

The cheery kitchen and open dining room blend together into one inviting space.

Vintage water skis flank an old drum, books, and collected objets in the living room.

The front of the renovated property features clean lines and few materials to not overwhelm its corner of the neighborhood.

Second Floor

Deep blue-painted cement-board panels, an offset roof peak, and black window frames balance the rich brown Ipe wood of the deck and garden.

The polished concrete living area is furnished with older furniture that matches the color scheme of the ADU and addition.