The Hill Country Provencal House
Nestled in the rolling landscape of the Texas Hill Country, overlooking a quiet lake west of Austin, this newly built residence draws its inspiration from the timeless architecture of Provence. Designed as a retreat where light, landscape, and craftsmanship converge, the home celebrates the elegance of traditional French design while embracing the openness of the surrounding environment.
In this project, inswing casement windows and doors are the central link between the interior and the vast lake views beyond. Tall French windows frame the horizon, bringing natural light deep into the home while reinforcing the Provencal aesthetic through carefully balanced proportions and divided lites.
Inside, neutral stained oak windows echo the warmth of the exposed beams and hardwood floors, creating a harmonious dialogue between wood, stone, and light. Outside, their refined presence complements the natural materials of the façade and the soft color palette typical of southern France.
This project stands as a compelling case study for Maison Janneau. It demonstrates how traditional European craftsmanship can be successfully integrated into a newly constructed American residence while meeting the technical demands of a challenging lakeside environment, where humid air, strong winds, and expansive views must all be carefully considered.
Background
A Personal Retreat Inspired by Travel
Conceived as a home for retirement, the residence was designed to reflect the owner’s travels and deep appreciation for European architecture. The client’s brief called for a home inspired by Provence: one where materials, colors, and architectural details evoke the charm and authenticity of southern France.
“When we travel to the South of France, it always feels so relaxed and breathy, we’ve always wanted to bring that style.” – Pamela, homeowner.
From the beginning, luxury windows and doors played a defining role in shaping the character of the house. The client envisioned tall French windows with carefully proportioned divided lites, exterior shutters in traditional Provençal blue, and refined hardware reminiscent of historic European homes. Equally important was the desire to maximize natural light and capture views of the lake.
The architectural layout reflects both intimacy and hospitality. A private wing hosts the owner’s bedroom suite, office, gym, and massage room, creating a peaceful personal retreat. At the center of the house, a large entertaining space opens dramatically toward the lake through expansive windows. On the opposite side, a dedicated guest wing offers bedrooms and a comfortable lounge area designed for family and visiting friends.
Building in a Challenging Landscape
Constructing a home on a hillside overlooking the water introduced several technical challenges. The steep terrain required careful coordination between all trades to ensure perfect alignment and leveling throughout the structure.
The lakeside environment also presented specific constraints for the windows themselves. Exposure to humid air demanded exceptional durability and protection for exterior finishes, while the open landscape exposed the home to strong winds coming off the water. For Maison Janneau, this meant engineering reinforced window assemblies capable of withstanding significant wind loads (wind resistance: 100-year MRI for 90 Vmph).
Maintaining impeccable finishes throughout the construction process was another critical consideration. Many of the largest window units had to be installed early, before the surrounding stonework was completed, requiring careful protection throughout the building phase to preserve their condition.
The project was built by Showcase Builders and the interiors designed by Morgan Eason, whose expertise in custom luxury homes ensured that every detail of the project met the high expectations of the client.
Concept
Interpreting Provencal Architecture in the Texas Landscape
The architect envisioned a residence where traditional French architectural language could be translated into a contemporary Texan setting. Tall and elegant openings became a defining feature of the facade, providing both visual rhythm and expansive views of the lake.
“Sadly, the windows that are available to us here in the US, are very good looking windows, but they didn’t fit the look we were after.” – Pamela
Each French window was designed with six divided lites per sash, a proportion commonly found in Provencal homes and one that reinforces vertical elegance while maintaining regional authenticity.
The interior palette was intentionally light and natural. Limestone surfaces, pale walls, and oak accents reflect sunlight throughout the house, creating a soft and luminous atmosphere. The French casement windows themselves become part of this composition, their neutral oak interior finish echoing the surrounding beams and wood flooring.
Beyond aesthetics, the connection to the water was essential to the concept. The owner, an avid boater and seaplane enthusiast, wanted the home to remain constantly connected to the lake. Large picture windows and doors were therefore positioned strategically to capture the changing light and views across the water from nearly every main room.
“Once we identified [Maison Janneau’s] windows, we knew that we were going to pull of this [Provence] look.” – Pamela
Our Solution
Craftsmanship, Performance, and Provencal Detail
To bring this architectural vision to life, Maison Janneau developed a custom configuration of French windows and doors combining elements from our Versailles and Lafayette collections.
The project includes 35 openings, mixed between fixed windows, French inswing casement windows, ‘Gueule de Loup’ windows, entry doors and doors.
All units were crafted in French oak, selected for its beauty, durability, and ability to achieve the refined detailing required by traditional French architecture.
The exterior finish was applied in a pure white tone (RAL 9010), complemented by decorative shutters in Bleu Provence, a classic color associated with homes in southern France. To ensure durability in the lakeside environment, the exterior coating features coastal-grade protection designed to resist humid air and environmental exposure.
Inside the home, the custom French windows are finished with a neutral oak stain, carefully chosen to harmonize with the exposed beams and hardwood flooring throughout the interior.
Authentic architectural character was further reinforced using old brass hardware, including traditional levers and espagnolettes, which echo the refined detailing of historic French windows.
“Compared to all the other window brands we see here in the United States, they just felt like they were pieces of art.” – Morgan Eason
Performance was equally important. All glazing features Low-E, double-glazed laminated glass, providing security, energy efficiency, and solar protection, an essential consideration in the Texas climate. The windows are also NFRC, certifying the performances to reduce solar heat gain while maintaining exceptional clarity and light transmission.
Final results
Light, Landscape, and Lasting Craftsmanship
Today, the Hill Country Provencal House stands as a striking example of how traditional European craftsmanship can be seamlessly integrated into a modern American home.
From the outside, the tall French windows and soft Provencal shutters establish a refined architectural identity that feels both timeless and perfectly at home within the Texan landscape. Inside, the oak inward opening windows frame sweeping views of the lake while filling the living spaces with natural light.
Despite the challenges posed by the hillside site and the demanding lakeside environment, the installation was completed with meticulous precision. Special care was taken throughout construction to protect the luxury French windows while the surrounding stonework and interior finishes were completed.
The finished home now unfolds as the client envisioned: a peaceful retreat where architecture, craftsmanship, and landscape come together. Whether viewed from the interior living spaces, from the terrace overlooking the lake, or from above in drone footage, the French custom windows and doors remain the defining feature, framing the scenery and bringing the spirit of Provence to the Texas Hill Country.