The Cliffside House by LaRue Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

This sprawling home was designed and built atop a steep hillside, 75 feet above Lake Austin.

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Architecture Firm: La Rue Architects, James LaRue, Emily Haydon
Interior Design Firm: Fern Santini
Home Builder Firm: Reynolds Custom Homes
Landscpae Architecture Firm: LandWest Design Group, John Hall
Photographer: Casey Dunn

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

The foyer features patinated copper paneling that highlights the one-of-a-kind art and furnishings.
The foyer features patinated copper paneling that highlights the one-of-a-kind art and furnishings.
The living area glassed equally on both the entry side and lake side.
The living area glassed equally on both the entry side and lake side.
The dining room, which features one-of-a-kind decorative light fixtures as well as unique art and furnishings.
The dining room, which features one-of-a-kind decorative light fixtures as well as unique art and furnishings.
A breakfast nook with a view of the spectacular trees and natural surroundings.
A breakfast nook with a view of the spectacular trees and natural surroundings.
A modern-inspired kitchen with custom one-of-a-kind ornamental light fixtures and a marble-topped island paired with bar stools.
A modern-inspired kitchen with custom one-of-a-kind ornamental light fixtures and a marble-topped island paired with bar stools.
The kitchen features modern, clean-lined fixtures and furnishings.
The kitchen features modern, clean-lined fixtures and furnishings.
The house has a modern mini bar area with green accents that contrast with the white paint and decorative light fixtures, as well as unique art and furnishings.
The house has a modern mini bar area with green accents that contrast with the white paint and decorative light fixtures, as well as unique art and furnishings.
A light and airy U-shaped staircase with hardwood steeps, glass railings and steel handrails.
A light and airy U-shaped staircase with hardwood steeps, glass railings and steel handrails.
A bedroom with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that frames the views of the oak trees perfectly.
A bedroom with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that frames the views of the oak trees perfectly.
A children's room with a decorative wall pattern that contrasts with the white paint.
A children’s room with a decorative wall pattern that contrasts with the white paint.
The light-filled master bathroom overlooks the trees and lake.
The light-filled master bathroom overlooks the trees and lake.
The marble-topped sink, floating cabinetry, and unique mirror and lighting design in the bathroom.
The marble-topped sink, floating cabinetry, and unique mirror and lighting design in the bathroom.
The children's bathroom, which includes a freestanding tub, a floating cabinet, twin mirrors, and a large glass wall with a view of the oak tree.
The children’s bathroom, which includes a freestanding tub, a floating cabinet, twin mirrors, and a large glass wall with a view of the oak tree.

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LaRue Architects designed the structure with large expanses of glass making the home transparent from front to back upon entry providing incredible vistas throughout the home.
LaRue Architects designed the structure with large expanses of glass making the home transparent from front to back upon entry providing incredible vistas throughout the home.
The outdoor living with trees that are so beautiful and really set the tone for the home.
The outdoor living with trees that are so beautiful and really set the tone for the home.
The interior is outfitted with one-of-a-kind decorative light fixtures as well as unique art and furnishings.
The interior is outfitted with one-of-a-kind decorative light fixtures as well as unique art and furnishings.
A wide outdoor lounge flanks the pool beneath the majestic oak trees. trees.
A wide outdoor lounge flanks the pool beneath the majestic oak trees. trees.
The two-sided negative edge pool with one side spilling out toward the lake for an endless water effect.
The two-sided negative edge pool with one side spilling out toward the lake for an endless water effect.
A U-shaped layout of the house that deftly cradles the ancient oaks with modular steel planter boxes mirroring the home’s rectilinear frame.
A U-shaped layout of the house that deftly cradles the ancient oaks with modular steel planter boxes mirroring the home’s rectilinear frame.
The home’s lot is perched on a limestone bluff and covered with a thick canopy of live oak trees.
The home’s lot is perched on a limestone bluff and covered with a thick canopy of live oak trees.

This sprawling home was designed and built atop a steep hillside, 75 feet above Lake Austin. The homeowners, a young professional couple with three small children, wanted their home to be all about ‘lake life.’

To take advantage of the spectacular lake views and the surrounding heritage oak trees, LaRue Architects designed the structure with large expanses of glass making the home transparent from front to back upon entry providing incredible vistas throughout the home.

The home’s lot is perched on a limestone bluff and covered with a thick canopy of live oak trees. Navigating its footprint around the majestic oak trees posed the first challenge as the city of Austin classified them as heritage trees. LaRue designed a U-shaped layout that deftly cradles the ancient oaks.

Landscape designer Rick Scheen and landscape architect John Hall then created modular steel planter boxes mirroring the home’s rectilinear frame.

“The main challenge for us architecturally was to place the home in between two huge heritage oak trees. The trees are so beautiful and really set the tone for the home. The private primary suite and office are located in this quadrant, and the views out of these spaces are framed perfectly,” says James LaRue, LaRue Architects.

The home is modern in style using natural materials seen across Texas Hill Country. The geographic details unfold through locally sourced limestone walls and oak ceilings – which flow seamlessly from the exterior to interior. Accents of patinated copper paneling pick up the color of the oaks providing a ‘living finish’ that will get richer over time.

Just off the main living is a two-sided negative edge pool – with one side spilling out toward the lake for an endless water effect. The pool is flanked by a spacious outdoor lounge. Due to the slope of the site, dynamic cantilevers were designed for the lake side of the home making a dramatic path down to the new boat house and private dock.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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