A Musical Family’s Festive Home in the Hill Country

Going “junking” is a shared family pastime, and this collection of vintage instruments that greets guests in the entryway features a mix of finds from over the years, like a bugle from Mississippi, a banjo from Louisiana, and the cherished violin that belonged to Janet's dad. "Our favorite piece is a stand-up bass that Tom and I purchased 30 years ago in Winnie, Texas. We were walking through an antique store when we spotted it and were disappointed to hear that it was already sold,” Janet remembers. “When the manager called the buyer, the buyer said he'd take $50 for it. We didn't hesitate and danced out of the store with our new find that has been with us since our first home.”

Photograph by Wynn Myers

The fireplace mantel was once a rough cedar board. Tom replaced it with a carved panel and added detail with handmade scrollwork, which transformed the living room. “Simple things like that can make a house your own,” Janet says.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

Tom added a Tudor-style chicken coop to the property as an ode to the design they love. Ezra, a member of Willow City, is pictured holding one the family chickens.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

"Most people add a bedroom onto a house, but the first week we moved in we turned a spare bedroom into the library!” Janet says. "All of us are avid readers and book collectors, and it's been fun to see the collection grow."

Photograph by Wynn Myers

Liza, the only female sibling, transformed her neutral room with this vibrant mural in September. She says: “I wanted to create a space that fosters creativity and inspiration every day.”

Photograph by Wynn Myers

A corner of Liza's room is devoted to her painting. The family uses clever storage solutions like these metal boxes throughout the house.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

Subtle touches like this simple wreath and garland bring holiday cheer.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

You can often find the family gathered around this vintage piano.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

Even in the summer, there is always breeze at the “The Hill.” The family enjoys gathering produce from their garden, and there is usually a competitive game of spike ball going on, while someone is usually picking a guitar.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

Beecher, the eldest of the siblings, has a room that's a quiet, light-filled space in the corner of the house.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

One of the family’s favorite holiday traditions is gathering with their extended family on Christmas Eve for pierogies, traditional Polish dumplings. The band has also been known to carol around town and surprise friends with a porch-side sing-a-long.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

The Christmas tree is adorned with family ornaments that have been made and collected over the years.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

The kitchen overlooks the family's extensive garden.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

Stockings—and car keys—hang from a rack in the corner of the living room near the piano.

Photograph by Wynn Myers

All six family members share the one bathroom in the house—peacefully, they say.

Photograph by Wynn Myers