by Kate Romano
Hidden in the pines just outside of Tyler, there winds a shaded road called Kate Lane. This particular road is named after me; not for any fame or fortune, but because the people who named it happen to be my parents. Sharon and Jason Romano are the masterminds behind the luxurious East Texas gem that is High Hill Resort Community, as you may have read in issues past. As their daughter (and one of their greatest admirers), I feel uniquely qualified to tell you about a home so stunning it doesn’t feel quite real: Casablanca.
Four thousand five hundred square feet of calming white walls, natural linens, and organic wood accents sit nestled atop one of the many rolling hills on the property. Designer Yvette Leihgeber—yet another one of my favorite people—chose every table, every centerpiece, every bedspread with care. Her innate connection with natural beauty creates a runway for one of developer Jason Romano’s primary goals: to join the indoors with the outdoors. As the photos undoubtedly display, natural light is one of the primary factors in bringing Casablanca to life. Sunshine spills through tall windows, French doors, and screened-in porches, warming the brushed concrete floors that are characteristic of many homes in the community. These fixtures offer such uninterrupted views into the forest that visitors feel immersed in the beauty and peace of the countryside.
Five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and abundant living and dining spaces make Casablanca an ideal venue for hosting. Families, friends, and loved ones share myriad community space, but can retreat to their own private corners of the estate should the need arise. Guests can make use of the well-equipped kitchen and break bread in the evening glow of the dining room, which gazes out into the rest of the property in three directions. A cozy breakfast nook provides an intimate space to enjoy a stack of pancakes piled high and a steaming cup of coffee. The open plan kitchen offers the ability to prepare and host simultaneously—a functionality that comes in handy on days like Thanksgiving or Super Bowl Sunday (I’m biased toward a food-centric holiday). Further downstairs exists a fully finished basement, which is certainly a novelty in Texas. Casablanca’s owner identified this room as a highlight of the house, citing it as a place where his children have the space to unwind as much as their parents.
I noticed a delightful overlap in my conversations with both developer and homeowner: each party underscored the simple enjoyment of indoor-outdoor living. I asked the homeowner to single out his favorite room in the house, and he replied with three: the back patio, the third-floor observation deck, and the aforementioned dining room. He credited their proximity to outdoor space, natural light, and the quiet of the forest for his justification. As the developer’s daughter, I have the perfect excuse to speak with him consistently, and his emphasis on sight lines and preservation of East Texas’ natural beauty has remained a theme since long before the conception of Casablanca’s blueprints. Casablanca’s back patio provides the perfect space for grilling, sunbathing, dining, and enjoying a glass of wine in the cool of the night, soundtracked only by the breeze through the trees. The observation deck currently holds the record for the highest point on the property, and in my opinion, the most phenomenal view. Standing on the deck, enjoying panoramic views spanning dozens of acres, is an experience one is not likely to forget.
Additionally, the homeowner described to me a profound sense of relaxation when he arrives at High Hill. His shoulders relax, he can breathe deeper, and suddenly his worries abandon him. Romano’s vision for these homes is that their owners find a complete exhale, and it certainly sounds like he executed.
The house, with its towering white walls and stoic observation of the surrounding forest, was named “Casablanca” for manifold reasons. The homeowner cited his children’s passion for film, his family’s love for the infamous 1943 film, and a tongue-in-cheek reference to its crisp white façade. The house’s sense of privacy and tranquility certainly arise from the feeling that it is hidden from the rest of the world, tucked away in the East Texas pines. While this is certainly true, it exists only a few steps away from a white sand beach, a well-stocked beach bar, and numerous walking trails. On evenings that cooking a meal sounds too taxing, High Hill’s Côte Restaurant waits for your reservation. Dining on the patio on a warm spring evening, cocktail in hand, is certainly one of my conceptions of heaven.
There are very, very few homes on earth quite like Casablanca—and most of them exist within High Hill Resort Community. Exhale and unwind in laid-back luxury for a weekend, or perhaps purchase a slice of heaven for yourself. For more information, visit highhillresort.com.