After Tragedy, a Remarkable 88-Acre Johnson County Estate Seeks Its Next Chapter
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Julie Shaw and Craig Kuykendall took their time designing their forever home on more than 88 acres in Johnson County.
The land had been in Shaw’s family for decades, and she and her husband carefully designed the French-inspired residence to reflect the way they lived. Before construction began, they built a barndominium on the property and lived there while they pulled together the plans.
In 2023, Ferrier Custom Homes, a firm known for building energy-efficient homes, completed the modern, European-inspired home.
Then, in 2025, tragedy struck when the couple was killed in an automobile collision. Shock waves rippled through Fort Worth, where the pair were known for Tours Restaurant and well-loved among a community that had embraced the couple and their children.
“It really was their dream, and everything about the house was well thought out and well planned,” said broker Ginger Trimble Knox with Ginger & Associates.
European Styling
Craig was a founding partner of Kerbey Lane Café in Austin, and Julie studied culinary arts at LaVarenne in Paris. Their adventurous life included extensive European travel and opening Tours Restaurant in Fort Worth. When they moved to Johnson County, they created a home built for entertaining, complete with cooking gardens and a Christmas tree farm.
Since cooking and entertaining were at the center of their lives, the couple gave the kitchen special consideration. They installed a commercial-grade gas range, multiple ovens, a huge island with seating, a built-in beverage cooler, and generous storage. They even thought to build a room where their guests could select which china pattern they’d like to use from the couple’s extensive china collection on display.
The couple’s attention to detail is evident across the entire property. The main home offers an open, modern aesthetic with expansive living and dining areas.
“Of course, the whole kitchen was designed for people to hang out in the kitchen and talk while they cook,” Knox said.
Combined with the sleek concrete floors and a minimalist feel are walls of glass framing sweeping views of natural terrain. A striking fireplace, finished with Motawi tile from Ann Arbor and custom‑designed by the owners, anchors the space.
“I think they both studied in Paris, and they loved the Parisian feel, so they brought that to the design,” Knox said. “It’s almost got a mid-century modern feel.”
All three bedrooms include private baths and access to garden areas or a large sleeping porch. One secondary bath doubles as a reinforced saferoom and storm shelter, while another features a spa‑style steam shower with wraparound bench seating.
“All the bedrooms for their guests to have an ensuite,” said the listing agent. “They wanted their guests to be comfortable in their own spaces.”
The modern house, complete with concrete floors, was built with as many energy-efficient features as possible. A water-capture system and solar panels were among the thoughtful inclusions.
Catering to Entertaining
It’s obvious the outdoor areas cater to entertaining. The resort-like setting includes a pool and dedicated bath, a one‑bedroom pool cabana, and a putting green. An area covered with turf makes it suitable for cornhole or the very European game of bocce ball. The property is designed for both recreation and entertaining, offering multiple spaces for gathering and relaxation.
A large workshop with overhead doors includes the barndominium outfitted with two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, and a living area. Covered parking for more than four vehicles, along with a hay barn and tractor shed, makes the structure flexible enough for a range of uses.
The land features fenced gardens, the Christmas tree farm, gravel drives, and a tree‑lined creek that attracts abundant wildlife. The natural habitat supports the property’s qualification for a wildlife exemption, adding to its value.
“It’s very peaceful out there,” Knox said of the unique property. “It’s very quiet, very pretty.”
