Few homes in West Texas draw the kind of admiration this Marfa ranch commands.
Owned by internationally acclaimed design photographer Douglas Friedman, the 10-acre compound has earned a rare distinction: Architectural Digest selected it as one of the magazine’s “50 Great Houses.”
And it’s easy to see why. The low-slung structure seems to float over the desert, framed by uninterrupted views of the Davis Mountains to the north and the Haystack Mountains to the east. The interiors are just as impressive, reflecting Friedman’s impeccable eye for design; the photographer is a giant in our industry and well-known for his striking architecture and design photography.
Just two miles from town — but surrounded on all sides by thousands of acres of open ranch land — the property has become one of Marfa’s most recognizable architectural landmarks. And the magazine features followed.
So far, the home has appeared in Architectural Digest, House & Garden, Galerie, Coveteur, Mr. Porter, and Vipp’s “Texas Ranch,” each highlighting the same irresistible combination: bold architecture, dramatic landscapes, and interiors that capture Friedman’s singular eye for style.
On the market for just under $3M
Now, it’s our turn to showcase this uniquely charming Texas ranch, as Friedman is parting ways with the design-forward home. The Marfa home is listed for $2,995,000 with Jeff Burke of the Eklund | Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman and Marfa Vista Real Estate.
A modular desert home with design flair
The residence was built using a modular system of glulam timbers, steel connectors, and structural insulated panels, wrapped by a clerestory window band that gives the building a glowing, ribbon-like crown at night.
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Interiors combine glass, concrete with warm materials and sculptural furnishings
Inside, spaces unfold in a seamless sweep of glass, concrete, warm materials, and sculptural furnishings.
Outside, the desert becomes a natural extension of the architecture — complete with a shipping-container lap pool, a sunset fire-pit patio, and a screened palapa for breezy outdoor living.
Open-plan living designed around floor-to-ceiling glass
Inside, kitchen, dining, and living areas flow together in a single, open-plan expanse lined with glass. Oversized sliders frame the surrounding prairie, making every vantage point feel connected to the terrain.
Built-in bookcases and concealed storage maintain uninterrupted sightlines, while sculptural furnishings, artwork, and textures bring character without overwhelming the clean architecture.
Clerestory windows create a ‘floating roof’ effect
The continuous clerestory band creates the home’s signature “floating roof” effect, capturing daylight by morning and casting a soft, lantern-like glow across the desert after sunset.
A Vipp steel kitchen built for desert living
The kitchen is anchored by a modular Vipp steel system, paired with Gaggenau appliances, Liebherr refrigeration, and concealed storage.
A large island provides workspace and seating, while a set of shaggy, desert-inspired dining chairs creates a tactile contrast to the clean steel and glass.
A primary suite sequestered for privacy
Positioned at one end of the home, the primary suite includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a private patio, and sweeping views of the mountains.
Warm tones, natural textures, and custom pieces create a retreat-like feel, while clerestory glazing keeps the space bright without sacrificing privacy.
Guest suites wrapped in de Gournay wallpaper
On the opposite end of the hallway, guest suites feature designer finishes — most notably intricate de Gournay wallpaper that transforms the rooms into cinematic, immersive escapes.
Custom rugs, eclectic furniture, and curated objects add to the layered, transportive effect.
Custom tilework brings artistry to the bathrooms
Both full baths feature bold custom tilework and designer fixtures highlighted in Architectural Digest. The walk-in showers frame views of the outdoors, giving even utilitarian spaces a connection to the larger landscape.
Indoor cactus garden with custom concrete and bronze planters
In a signature Friedman touch, an indoor cactus garden occupies a key spot in the home.
Custom concrete and bronze planters by artist Adam Sirak create a gallery-like installation that’s part interior design, part desert botany.
With built-in durability
The home’s construction blends glulam timbers, steel connectors, and structural insulated panels, a highly engineered approach designed for durability, energy efficiency, and long, uninterrupted spans.
All mechanicals are routed through the concrete slab, leaving walls and ceilings free of vents or interruptions.
Radiant heating, solar power, and modern systems
Modern systems include radiant floor heating, zoned heating, wall-unit air conditioning, a new HVAC setup, solar panels by Kohler, a private 500-foot well, septic system, a tankless water heater, and thermopane windows with Phantom retractable screens.
A shipping-container lap pool with a desert backdrop
One of the property’s most striking outdoor features is the Modpools shipping-container lap pool, complete with an integrated hot tub.
It sits beneath a sculptural pergola and overlooks wide-open ranchland — no neighboring homes in sight.
With a screened palapa built for long West Texas evenings
The screened palapa features lift-up panels for breezy days and enclosed comfort on windy ones. It serves as a flexible lounge and dining space, ideal for watching the mountains shift color in late afternoon light.
A Judd-inspired pavilion by the pool
A minimalist pavilion near the pool nods to Marfa’s most famous influence — Donald Judd — through its form, materiality, and desert-forward simplicity.
Fire-pit patio staged for mountain sunsets
A built-in fire pit anchors the main patio, positioned to capture the full spectacle of West Texas sunsets as the sky turns pink, purple, and orange before fading into a Milky Way display.
Native landscaping restored to prairie grasses
The grounds showcase a thoughtful restoration of native prairie grasses, desert plants, and regional trees, supported by an auto-sprinkler irrigation system.
The result is a landscape that feels both untouched and intentionally shaped.
End-of-road privacy with sweeping mountain views
Located on a quiet caliche road at the very edge of Marfa, the property enjoys complete privacy while remaining close to the restaurants, galleries, and creative energy that define the town.
With thousands of acres of open ranchland beyond its boundaries, the views stretch uninterrupted in every direction.
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The post One of AD’s ‘50 Great Houses’, this Marfa ranch glows like a lantern over the West Texas desert appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.
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