The roof is on, the windows are installed, and the exterior sheathing is finally going up. Our master bedroom addition is starting to look like a real space instead of just a construction zone.
Standing inside what will soon be my dream glam closet, I looked out through the framed walls to the outside world.
Let me tell you, this closet looks so much bigger than it ever did on the blueprints. Seeing it in person is a whole new level of excitement in this home remodeling project!
A Shower in the Making
This corner right here? That’s where our walk-in shower addition is going. I can already picture the tile and glass coming together. 
Cypress Beams with Character
Inside the master bedroom, the cypress beams and posts have been installed. These aren’t just structural, they’ll be part of the finished look, giving the room warmth, style, and character. 
We even have a post in one corner of the bedroom that wasn’t part of the original plan. That wall was first designed to hold a closet and hallway, but we changed our minds and opened it up into a cozy den area. The post stayed for structural support, and honestly, I love the rustic character it adds.
Creative Construction Access
Since this addition is on the east end of the house, we had to get creative. We laid down OSB sheets over the grass to create a temporary driveway and even cut in a temporary door where a window will eventually go. It made it so much easier for all the trades to come and go without tracking dirt through the rest of the house. 
Grading the Landscape
Once the framing and beams were complete, it was time to think about the land around the addition. We had sandy loam delivered and used a skid steer to grade and level the ground, an important step before the exterior stone and siding work.
Hill Country Dreams Delivered
And then, one of the moments DK and I had been waiting for, the Austin stone arrived! 
Stacks of beautiful Hill Country style stone sitting in the yard, ready to be laid on the house.
For years, we’ve admired homes in the Hill Country that mix Austin stone exteriors with board and batten siding. I’ll never forget seeing a house in Johnson City, Texas, with that exact combo. That look was our inspiration from the very beginning.
Stone Going Up!
The stone masons wasted no time, yay! The Austin stone started going up right away. 
They worked hard under the hot Texas sun, even draping drop cloths to create shade.
Meanwhile, the front of the house was prepped for board and batten siding to complement the stone. 
The Look We Hoped For
And oh my goodness, when it was finished, we couldn’t have been happier. 
The siding and stone together created the exact textures and colors we had dreamed of. It gave our fixer-upper remodel the Hill Country charm we were hoping for.
A Big Remodeling Detour
But then reality hit. The new Austin stone didn’t match the original red brick on the house. Uh-oh. One of those classic remodeling detours where the plan you thought was perfect suddenly needs a rethink.
That’s the reality of remodeling in Texas (or anywhere!), sometimes you don’t know what’s going to work until you see it in real life.
Out With the Old Brick
So, another big decision had to be made. The original 47-year-old brick had to come down. Honestly, it wasn’t as solid as we thought. Without many brick ties, once you pulled one brick out, whole sections could be removed with very little effort.
Replacing it with Austin stone was the only way to make the whole house feel cohesive and give the exterior the updated look it deserved.
What Comes Next…
Now the big question is, how will it all look once the red brick is gone and replaced with Austin stone? You’ll have to check back and see how we tied it all together. Spoiler: it’s a total game-changer for this home remodeling project.
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