A Family-Friendly Texas Ranch

"We could've moved right in," admits Laurence Miller of the house in Texas Hill Country that he and longtime partner Judy Willcott bought five years ago. Built in 1998, the four-bedroom ranch wasn't exactly cramped or run-down. The place, which they dubbed Rocky Creek Farm, boasted an open floor plan, ample windows that bathed the interiors in natural light, and a handful of sheltered porches. "But we're particular," Miller says.

In this photo: The couple commissioned the dining room's oversize cedar table and 12 chairs, modeled after ones in the 1953 film How to Marry a Millionaire.

"That's an understatement!" jokes interior designer Fern Santini, who, along with architect Robert Steinbomer, renovated the home to suit their clients' standards. Miller and Willcott—he's a contemporary-art collector; she founded the Austin bakery Texas French Bread—possess strong aesthetic points of view. But for this project, their pickiness had little to do with paint chips or pillow fabrics.

The couple, who intended to use the sprawling spread as a retreat for their blended brood of five children and eight grandchildren, cared more about encouraging togetherness.

In this photo: Shabby Chic sofas square off across a zinc-topped coffee table in the living room. A Jim Torok painting hangs above the mantel. The walls are painted Shaded White by Farrow & Ball.

Because she'd discovered a couple bread bakers in the youngest generation, Willcott pushed for a kitchen overhaul that would accommodate both her need to cook for a crowd, as well as the kids' desire to join in. Out went the dark wood and modest appliances; in came welcoming off-white cabinetry, a six-burner range, a double oven, and a warming drawer. A peanut gallery of Ikea stools encourages her "helpers" to climb up to the counter, topped with Caesarstone. "It's indestructible," Willcott says.

In this photo: Miss B, a Chow mix, lounges on the floor. Willcott chose custom cabinets and a Sub-Zero fridge for the renovated kitchen. The island is painted Paris Rain by Benjamin Moore.

Cast-iron bird hooks from Houston's Thompson + Hanson hold hats and outerwear.

Bright idea: Antlers function as an extra hat rack.

A botanical-themed duvet cover by Dwell Studio tops aCrate & Barrel bed in one guest room. The walls are painted Spanish Olive by Benjamin Moore.

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The family displays bird's nests and turkey feathers found on walks around the property.

Steinbomer added a 1,500-square-foot rec room to one end of the house, clad in corrugated metal and salvaged Texas limestone. Along with Ping-Pong and pool tables, the space has sofa beds that allow it to double as extra sleeping quarters.

Metal folding chairs (from Barton Springs Nursery in Austin) offer colorful contrast to a table built out of Texas limestone.

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Bentley, one of the couple's grandkids, helps Wilcott tend the vegetable garden.

Willcott and Miller dammed a creek on their Texas property to widen the swimming hole enjoyed by their grandchildren, including Jesse (left) and Bentley.

Five of the couple's grandchildren, (from left) Jesse, Lucy, Bentley, Talia, and Ursula, go for a dip.

When the grandkids come to visit, it's not unusual for one of them to forsake the inner tubes and help Willcott pick tomatoes from her garden or tag along as Miller does the soul-feeding work—clearing brush, pulling weeds—he refers to as "piddling." No matter who's doing what, "We all get together for lunch outdoors," Willcott says. Which is the point of the place, after all.

In this photo: Judy Willcott and Laurence Miller often host their grandkids, including (from left) Jesse, 11; Bentley, 8; Ursula, 14; Lucy, 9; and Talia, 13. Miss B poses in front.