Debbie and David Dacus with their pups, Fiddler and Cade, who have miles of open space by their home in Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club. Photos by Trey Mullen.

Debbie and David Dacus love to throw elaborate parties at their home in Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club, but with a difference. The philanthropic pair goes beyond hosting gatherings for a good time. They are committed to supporting local causes and had that in mind when they engaged Bill Rangitsch of Steamboat Architectural Associates to design a home with entertaining in mind.

The project was quite an undertaking for Cary Hamilton and the Hamilton Construction team, which spent 3 1/2 years on the project before the Dacuses moved in in 2023. “This was definitely the pinnacle of my career,” Cary says. “It was an incredible project to be part of and a joy to come to work each day.”

The property is perched on an elevated lot at the top of Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club. Maximizing the vista was paramount to the home’s design that resulted in a stunning configuration of alternating rooflines, a cantilevered deck and vast window expanses.

Built on three levels, the five-bedroom, 6 1/2 bathroom home is a favorite place to spend time for the couple’s children and grandchildren. With that in mind, the basement is a popular hangout spot, featuring shuffleboard, a card table and a golf simulator. Debbie’s chaps from her childhood hang on the wall along with artwork reflecting their love of Western heritage.

A fireplace surround was repurposed from a property in Italy and creates a dramatic focal point in the main living room.

The main floor of the property is the hub of the home and location for the primary suite and David’s office. A curved ceiling with exposed posts and trusses in cypress wood elevates the sitting area which is anchored around a vast reclaimed Italian fireplace.

An ornate chandelier, wall sconces and the antique art piece above the bed were sourced in an Italian market for the primary bedroom.

Debbie’s passion for renaissance Italian architecture and antiques provided the interior framework with walls finished in a smooth faux plaster. “Sloop Painting did the finish and did an incredible job,” Cary says. “Any variation would reflect off the light and there is a lot of light in the house."

The couple enlisted Olivia’s Home Furnishing for the interior, with most of the antiques sourced through Allyson Plummer from Houston, Texas. "Many of the pieces were collected over time and incorporated into the house,” Debbie says. One of her favorites, a cherub, takes pride of place down one of the brightly lit corridors that weave through the main level. The majority of ceiling lights are custom orders from the Murano Glass Factory in Venice, Italy, doubling as light sources and works of art.

A custom backlit insert was built into the wall at the end of a corridor to showcase the cherub, a favorite piece of art.

Reclaimed ornate panels from a home in Italy were incorporated into the custom kitchen, along with a repurposed hood above the stove that makes a statement. A concealed working kitchen is an ideal place for storage, as well as a spot for caterers to utilize during special events.

Antique finishes and accessories repurposed from Italy - including the stove hood - accent the kitchen, which was designed with custom cabinets by Fedewa.

The couple’s wraparound landscaping, expansive decking and tiered patios provide an expansive setting for large gatherings. David and Debbie divide their time between Texas and Colorado, where they love the cooler summer temperatures and the ability to enjoy a garden.

Pathways provide a framework and place to wander through the meticulously landscaped grounds.

"In Texas, it is hard to grow flowers of the caliber and brilliance we are able to have here,” Debbie says. Borders curated by Native Eco Systems burst with color, with a meandering stream and waterfall to entice the abundance of local wildlife. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have the house we have here, and it means a lot to be able to let other people enjoy it too.”