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When we went searching for a place to build this year's Cooking Light FitHouse, Spanish Oaks, a low-density development in the Texas Hill Country, just 15 minutes from downtown Austin, seemed like a great, well, fit. The community is adjacent to 15,000 acres of nature preserve and offers recreational trails amid groves of Spanish Oak and Texas Mandrone. Environmental fitness was key in the site selection, construction, and design of the 3,500-square-foot house, built by the development's master builder. We also strove to enhance mental and spiritual health by making the interior tranquil, organized, and comfortable.

Whether you're remodeling or simply looking for great ideas, this year's FitHouse is full of products and techniques you can use to make your home more healthful and beautiful.

Development: Spanish Oaks. Located in the Texas Hill Country, among thousands of acres of nature preserve and only 15 minutes from downtown Austin, Spanish Oaks is a 1,200-acre residential community. Featuring a low-density plan and homes nestled behind gatehouses, Spanish Oaks offers residents the peace and security of small-town living, without sacrificing city conveniences. Hike-and-bike trails connect hilltop parks, tennis courts, swimming and fitness facilities, as well as 100 acres of natural habitat along the banks of Little Barton Creek. The hallmark of Spanish Oaks is the award-winning golf course. For more information about the development, visit www.Spanish-Oaks.com.

Builder: Spanish Oaks Master Builder (SOMB) is the development company's in-house building entity. SOMB focuses on settings within the community, such as the garden homes of Verde Trails and the villas near the golf club. The company's goal is to provide customers with the highest level of craftsmanship and beautiful living environments.

Interior Design: Laura Britt Design, llc. Laura Britt Design creates spaces that range from colorful and contemporary to serene and sophisticated. With both a B.S. in interior design and a Master's degree in architecture, Laura Britt bridges the creative and technical aspects of these two fields, while integrating the principles of sustainable design. The Laura Britt Design team combines international travel and multicultural, multigenerational backgrounds to provide dynamic, diversified full-service design. This award-winning firm translates clients' visions and functional needs into innovative and uniquely individual commercial and residential designs. For more information, visit www.laurabrittdesign.com.

Architect: BBG Architects. At BBG Architects, a sensitive approach to design and planning creates imaginative and practical responses to architecture and land use. This prize-winning firm works with some of the nation's most prominent home and resort builders. BBG recently won an award for Best Custom Residence at the Western Builders Conference.

Landscape Architect: Moyara H. Pharis, Bosse & Turner Associates, Inc. Bosse & Turner offers professional design services in both town and neighborhood planning, urban design, and landscape architecture. For the past 15 years, Bosse & Turner has actively developed innovative and practical methods of applying core design principles to private and public clients. Moyara Pharis has extensive experience in planting design in both North and South America. In the Hill Country of Texas, she specializes in conservation planning and identification and preservation of native plant communities.


(Left to right) Spanish Oaks developer Jack Creveling, designer Laura Britt, and landscape architect Mayara H. Pharis
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