Bob Schneider's Cultural Guide to Austin
H E A LTH + W E LLN E S S
WH ERE TO GO WH EN TH E WO RLD IS GET TI NG YOU D OWN HOME + DESIGN
TRE A SU RE SEEKER' S GU IDE TO TH E CIT Y ' S BEST VINTAGE STO RES A R T S + C U LT U R E
H OW TE X A S BECAM E A M OV I E M AKER' S PARADISE A P R I L 2 022
WOMEN’S & MEN’S CLOTHING | SHOES | ACCESSORIES
ESTILOBOUTIQUE.COM (512) 236-0488 2 7 2 7 E XP O S I T I O N B LVD # 1 2 1 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78703
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April 2022 PUBLISHER
Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com
LIFESTYLE LETTER
Explore your city and excite your mind! When I think about this month’s theme – exploring – I think of the author Henry Miller’s quote on the subject: “One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." Learning to explore old things in new ways has become even more important than normal over the last two years, when travel became more difficult and more expensive – scary, even. But we still had adventures, didn't we? We found ways to look around our city, and the area surrounding Austin, with a fresh perspective and a willingness to be amazed and surprised by what was previously taken for granted perhaps. And this is really what the following pages will help you to do. Our cover is graced by local legend Bob Schneider, who graciously climbed Mount Bonnell with our team early one cold morning so our photographer could capture him during a stunning sunrise. The accompanying story is his guide to exploring all Austin has to offer - on the music scene and in general, and why he still loves the place he's called home for three decades. There's more, too. From a guide to the vintage stores worth exploring for treasures on a lazy weekend, to a resort that allows you to explore your self-care only half an hour from downtown, to a forest therapy hideaway that allows you to explore your senses and rediscover your love of the Texas landscape, and a new local who is getting to explore her creativity and resilience while she builds a dream home, our Explore issue is all about digging deep and opening your eyes. When Jack Kerouac wrote “…in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that g*****n mountain”, he had a good point! Go find your mountain. Or climb Mount Bonnell. Enjoy your April. Explore what makes you happy. And enjoy the issue!
SARAH IVENS, EDITOR @ C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E AT X
Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/AUSTINT X |
EDITOR
Sarah Ivens | sarah.ivens@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER
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Audrey Shcheck, Cate Black, Stephanie Coultress O'Neill CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S
Whit McGuire, Todd O'Neill, Cate Black
Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 ATX Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Austin area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in ATX Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the
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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R
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APRIL 2022
inside the issue The Explore Issue
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F E ATU R E D
D E PA RTM E NTS
12 The Sounds of Self Care
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Lifestyle Letter
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Local Experiences
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Travel Journal
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Road Trip
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Trend Setter
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Our Town
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Outdoor Adventure
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Artist’s Palette
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Home Update
Just thirty minutes away from downtown Austin, an oasis of calm sounds good right now
22 What are you missing?
A new Texas resort built aims to help us remember what is really important
32 Finding Fredericksburg
When a California couple fell in love with Fredericksburg, they decided to dream big
O N T H E C OV E R
Photography: Whit McGuire ALWAYS AUSTIN Beloved local musician Bob Schneider talks about the city he could never leave
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A RTS + C U LT UR E
HEA LT H + WELLNES S ST Y LE + B EAU T Y
A RTS + C U LT U R E T R AV EL
HO ME + DES I G N
HO ME + DES I GN
APRIL 2022
local experiences The best places and things to do in our area.
Fancy a staycation in your own backyard? Michelle Facio reveals the coolest places to explore on hot days not too far from home... Austin's top swimming spots.
Staycations THE SPA AT LAKEWAY: With its astonishing lake views and plenty to explore (land or sea!), Lakeway Resort and Spa is perfect for your next in-town vacation. 101 Lakeway Drive Lakeway, TX BAR TON SPR INGS POOL: An Austin classic, the Barton Springs Municipal Pool is the perfect place to get some fun in the sun year-round. 2201 Barton Springs Road Austin, TX MCKINNEY FALLS STATE PAR K: Nature lovers and new explorers will love McKinney Falls State Park and its beautiful natural waterfalls, hiking trails and campsites. 5808 Mckinney Falls Pkwy Austin, TX STEPHEN F AUSTIN R OYAL SONESTA HOTEL: In the heart of downtown, the Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel has an indoor pool and outdoor dining - fun times ahead. 701 Congress Ave Austin, TX COMMODOR E PER R Y ESTATE, AUBER GE R ESOR TS COLLECTION : Rich with historical significance, the Commodore Perry Estate has everything from impressive gardens to group hiking trails. 4100 Red River Street Austin, TX
Scan for more photos and the full list. Commodore Perry Estate
Want to recommend a local experience? Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.
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W hy The Lone St ar St ate is a Screen Dream MORE AND MORE FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS ARE FALLING IN LOVE WITH TEXAS - CHOCOLATE LIZARDS IS THE LATEST
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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | ARTS + CULTURE
Director Mark Lambert Bristol and co-producer Koen Wooten on set
As the Austin movie movement explodes, we go on-set of Chocolate Lizards to find out why Texas makes the perfect cinematic backdrop. Award-winning writer-director and storyboard artist Mark Lambert Bristol, known for the Mission Impossible movies and The Thin Red Line, describes how magical it is to work in his home state. “Many of us on set, including me, are native Texans who grew up loving this land, loving these people, but it is often misunderstood. I remember we had a foreign exchange student coming to work with us from Paris, and when she first found out she was coming to Austin, Texas, she thought she was going to be in the desert and everybody would be riding horses to school - because of the inaccurate John Wayne movies filmed in Arizona that have become part of US movie culture. But Texas is much more than that. Texas is lush, Texans are colorful. In this movie, we’re really trying to show the best of us as people, and also of our world. One of the tenants of the Chocolate Lizards is following wonderful characters, and their drama and humor, against an epic Texas backdrop. The main character in the movie is a Harvard educated LA actor, and the audience watches this new world unfold through his eyes. At the beginning of his journey, the world is a bit harsh - he's a fish out of water, an alien in a strange land. But as he becomes more involved with Merlin Leschi, played by Thomas Haden Church, the beauty of the stunning natural landscape and its people is unveiled to him and the audience.”
Co-producer Koen Wooten, who is known for his work on Friday Night Lights and Idiocracy, explains why he loves working in Texas. “Chocolate Lizards is absolutely a love song to Texas. It's not a story about oil or cattle - it's about all the things that makes up Texas, the blue-collar workers getting their hands dirty every single day. And it's about living the dream. Texas is a very independent state. It's a state that allows you to make decisions for yourself, but when your neighbor needs help, you're there for them. Texas is blessed to have so many movie productions happening right now. It’s not just because we have really talented crew with a can-do attitude here, it's the landscape - you can drive 40 miles east of Austin end up in a beautiful, grassy hills, or head west and we can end up in a desert like area, then head south 100 miles and be close to the coast. I've made a film about the war in Iraq here in Austin. Anything is possible.” For more information, follow @chocolatelizards on Instagram
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ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS
Just thirty minutes away from downtown Austin, an oasis of calm can make the real world feel miles away
The Sounds of Self-Care
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R OA D T R IP | HEA LTH + W E LLNE S S
The noise of the world can feel overwhelming at times – a cacophony of disagreements, tensions, news and views. But a hideaway on the banks of Lake Austin offers your brain a break from the constant buzz, soothing you into a calmer mental space with peace, quiet and sounds that boost your wellbeing. Research has shown music lifts your mood, help you become more present and mindful and slows your breathing, while the sounds of nature reduces blood pressure and increases feelings of gratitude. Lake Austin Resort is exploring this evidence and sharing it with guests.
NATURE THERAPY Sweeping through the gates into this oasis of green and blue, you pick up on sounds you may not notice in your everyday routine – birds singing, wind whistling through treetops. Take a guided hike through Hill Country and imbibe the rustling of woodland creatures making their homes and foraging for food, or fish splashing and leaping in the CONTINUED >
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creeks. Quacking ducks distract you while you do Yoga alfresco on the dock. Back in your cozy room, the delightful sounds continue. On a miserable day there, snuggle up next to a crackling log fire and listen to the rain pattering on the windows. Its better than any app!
SOUND BATHING Head to the Treehouse studio to unwind as your instructor plays drums, crystal bowls and chimes creating waves of relaxation that are scientifically proven to decrease blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and heart rate, while improving mood, releasing tension, and clearing the mind.
FLUTE & FLOAT RELAXATION This restful afternoon relaxation session is a guided floating meditation with the sounds of live flute in the gorgeous waters of the resort’s Pool Barn. Float on neutral buoyancy mats then drift away to the soothing sounds - a great way to end your day and prepare for a good night’s sleep.
PEACEFUL PIANO Laura Pastor, Lake Austin Spa Resort mind-body specialist, will prompt you on your journey to let music center and connect you with self-care. Often individuals who struggle with meditation feel music is simpler and more instantly relaxing than many other forms of mindful practices.
BEACH MEDITATION Flute & Fire is a meditative, relaxation experience on the resort’s Magnolia Shores beach. Josee Boutin of Quebec, Canada, a yoga, meditation, and sound bathing specialist, will lead you on a guided meditation among the trees, hills, and lakeside using the magic of the flute.
GOLDEN SILENCE Yet perhaps the loveliest sound is nothingness. Grab a book and take yourself to one of the hammocks set away from the main buildings, embrace being alone, and disappear into silence. Or take out a paddleboard for a solo cruise of the river. For more information, go to lakeaustin.com
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R OA D T R IP | HEA LTH + W E LLNE S S
Jakett Piper Leather Jacket $298
style
t ravel La Fuori Scarf Kimono $276
TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF PACKING FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Ted Baker Everyday Striped Bag in Vegan Leather $165
P448 John Panama Sneaker $298 NN07 Columbo Shirt Jacket $230 America and Beyond Nina Tote $124
Traveling with key essentials makes any trip more fun and packing less stressful. A travel necessity is a comfortable shoes. Luckily, there are a variety of comfortable and cute sneakers that can take you the distance. Next, a staple lightweight jacket. For women, a good moto jacket can take you from the airport to dinner. Pair it with denim or throw it over a dress. For men, try a Primaloft jacket which is known for being packable, breathable and lightweight. A silk kimono is always a show stopping and versatile travel piece. Throw it over a swimsuit by the pool or over a dress to dinner to get the most mileage out of this one. Pack it all into a good carry-on travel bag, which for women can be a fun tote that doubles as a fashionable accessory or a clean and versatile bag that is effortlessly cool.
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE COULTRESS O'NEILL AP R I L 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / AUST I N T X
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an austin original
EXPLORING OUR CITY'S MUSICAL HERITAGE - AND FUTURE - WITH LOCAL LEGEND BOB SCHNEIDER ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS PHOTOGRAPHY BY WHIT MCGUIRE
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bob schneider
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O UR TOWN | ARTS + CU LTURE
Taking in the sunrise atop Mount Bonnell
HOW DOES LIFE IN AUSTIN INSPIRE YOUR SONGWRITING? When I arrived in Austin 30 years ago, I was amazed at how diverse the music culture was. There was straight country, country punk, punk, noise rock, funk, rap, reggae, jam bands, experimental stuff, and all this music was being played at the same clubs or within earshot of one another. It's the first time I heard the Butthole Surfers and realized, 'Oh music can be anything'. There was - and is - this open mindedness to music. It was freeing, and I ran with that idea. Maybe not at first but for sure in '95 when I got sober and started The Scabs. That's when I put that idea of 'anything goes' to the test, and I’ve pretty much been doing that ever since.
HOW HAS YOUR LOVE FOR THE CITY CHANGED WITH EACH PASSING DECADE? Well, Austin used to be this overgrown sort of college town when I first got here. You couldn't build anything that obstructed the view of the capital for years, and the whole place just had this sort of hometown friendly vibe that I fell in love with. If you were lost you could ask anyone directions and they'd go out of their way to help. The drivers were friendly because there wasn't a lot of traffic. It was so inexpensive to live here, you didn't have to work much to pay your rent, then spend the rest of your time doing what you loved. That's all changed and most of the musicians I know have moved to San Marcos or Dripping Springs - wherever they can afford to live and be an artist. The heart and soul of Austin is still that overgrown optimistic open weird college town, but every year it gets a little harder to recognize that part of the what Austin used to be.
IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT THE AUSTIN OF TWENTY YEARS AGO THAT YOU MISS? I miss all the music venues that we've lost over the years. Liberty Lunch, Threadgill’s, Steamboat, The Black Cat, Nutty Brown - very recently... Places where you could play and get most of the ticket revenue and make a living. Most of the venues that are left are very corporate. The days of charging $10 and still being able to have enough to buy groceries are gone. There are a few exceptions like The Saxon Pub, Continental Club and Antone’s - but they are the exception, not the rule.
WHAT SONGS ABOUT TEXAS DO YOU THINK OUR READERS NEW TO AUSTIN SHOULD CHECK OUT? My favorite song about Texas is Lyle Lovett’s 'That’s Right, You’re Not from Texas.’ I doubt he'd write that song nowadays though! I guess honorable mentions would be 'Luckenbach, Texas' by Waylon Jennings and 'All My Ex’s Live in Texas' by George Strait. That reminds me, I need to write a song about Texas one of these days!
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The skyline of the city Bob describes as a 'beauty queen.'
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O UR TOWN | ARTS + CU LTURE
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC VENUES TO PLAY IN AUSTIN?
“People came here, fell in love with the culture and stayed and made Austin a decidedly different and ‘weird’ place to live, especially for the middle of Texas...”
My favorite gig is my Monday night residency at The Saxon Pub, mainly because each show is completely unique and I use that night to try out new material I’ve written that week, as well as dusting off old songs that I haven't played in a while. There can be some real magic on those nights. I think Austin audiences are pretty tough on musicians. They expect a lot, and really won't support someone for very long if they aren't constantly putting out great material.
YOU’RE KNOWN FOR PLAYING ON SPECIAL HOLIDAYS LIKE NEW YEAR’S EVE AND VALENTINE’S… Those are special shows. I put together a band, The Moonlight Orchestra, that really might be the best band in Austin. It features the very best musicians in Austin, including the Tosca String Quartet. I put a lot of work into making sure I feature some of the most incredible up and coming talent I can find, and there are moments that just transcend anything I’ve ever seen. I also keep it classy and family friendly, so you can bring your mom or children or girlfriend and not worry about me saying something that might upset someone. That would not apply at almost all the other shows I play at 21 and over clubs.
WHY DO YOU THINK AUSTIN IS A CITY THAT CREATES SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO EXPLORE THEIR TALENT? Like I said earlier, I think Austin was a great place for artists to explore and grow their talents when it was cheaper to live here, but I don't think that's the case anymore. Obviously, you have a huge population of college students living in Austin who are making art, but as soon as that's over, they have to get a high paying job or leave. That wasn't the case during the 1950's-2000's. People came here, fell in love with the culture and stayed and made Austin a decidedly different and 'weird' place to live, especially for the middle of Texas, which has always been a pretty conservative state. I still think there is pride in that 'idea' of Austin, but a metaphor that comes to mind is that of a beauty queen, who was once young and beautiful and is now in her 70's and still thinks of herself as this young beauty, but when you look in the mirror, not so much. Now, I will say this: I still love that old beauty queen with all my heart and wouldn't cheat on her with any other city in the country.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE BOOKS ABOUT TEXAS THAT OUR READERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? My favorite books about Texas are and 'Empire of The Summer Moon' by S. C. Gwynne and 'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry. Those are 100% required reading for anyone, here or anywhere else for that matter. The entire Larry McMurtry catalogue is set in Texas and you can't go wrong.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF 2022? Same as before. Write songs to the best of my ability and play them for people, here and across the country, and keep doing what I love.
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What Are You
Missing? When life gets too hectic, we often stop thinking about what really matters. This Texas resort aims to stop that.
Husband and wife team Sam and Stephen Hopkins had a dream. A dream they’d been thinking about for ten years: to create a place, less than an hour from Austin, that was the perfect combination of plush and pared down… a hideaway submersed in nature, but not so submersed guests had to sacrifice the comfort they’d find in a high-end hotel as they explored the wild.
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“We love traveling and have been fortunate to have visited over fifty countries,” explains Stephen. “Along the way, we’ve taken note of the experiences that left an impact on us. One of our favorite parts of traveling is the unexpected. So, we’ve tried to help curate an experience for our guests that surprises them – in a good way.” And that’s what led them to the creation of the MISSING hotel – where guests stay in air-conditioned geodesic domes with private dip pools, high-end fixtures, in-room bathrooms with full showers, while surrounded by the 50,000-acre Balcones Wildlife Preserve. Deer frolic past while you’re brewing your morning coffee and coyotes howl at night as you flick through each dome's carefully curated wellness books at bedtime. “The topography is dramatic with expansive views of the canyon we’re located in,” says Stephen. “It’s true that the Texas Hill Country region is very populated with glamping sites; however, we’ve really sought to make something unique. This was definitely a passion project! It took us three years to find a property that met all of our criteria, then we had one hell of a year getting it ready to share, working 12–14-hour days, seven days a week, taking this beautiful, but overgrown raw, 100acre parcel and turning it into something luxurious and fun to explore. We were extremely hands-on through the process and built nearly everything ourselves with an exceptional team of six people.” The name of the hotel is a little odd, though. Missing? “We named our property the MISSING Hotel with the idea that guests will “go missing” for a while. They’ll disconnect and hopefully find something they were missing in them along the way.”
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To help guests do this, several every day hotel things are missing – there’s no check-in or waiting around (it’s all done on via phone), there’s no room service or turn-down service, so you get left alone once you’re home, and there’s no giant television screen or bleeping alarm clock giving out a bright glow all night. Instead, there are thoughtful notebooks and gratitude journals waiting to be filled out, hammocks to swing on in the live oaks, hiking trails to natural swimming holes, fairy-lit hideaways, and yard games like giant Jenga, corn hole and frisbee for families to use. Most exciting perhaps, are the resort’s two celebrities – Elvis and Presley, the mini-cows who love eating ‘cow cake’ and enjoy it when guests visit them at 4pm every day to give them their afternoon tea. Exploring the simpler life offered here, surrounded by such wild and stunning nature, slows the brain and releases tension, and leaves guests not only feeling rejuvenated, but also considering – the owners hope! – their future wellness, and what they can take away with them from the experience. Perhaps you’ll realize it is Pitohuis you’ve been missing all your life! What is that? It is the practice of paying attention to the sound of the wind as it whistles through trees, a pastime Sam and Stephen believe their guests will find enchanting as they sit on their deck at sunset, sipping the complimentary Lone Star beers left in the fridge, inspired by the property, with a new found desire to stop missing out on the best things life has to offer. missinghotel.com
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TREASURE SEEKING IN TEXAS
Interior designer Audrey Scheck explains why exploring Austin's finest vintage stores should be on everyone's weekend to-do list ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATE BLACK AND AUDREY SCHECK
Describe the treasure hunt, the thrill of the find, the overlooked bargains - the color and the emotions – of going vintage shopping! Hunting for vintage pieces has always been a passion of mine. Whether I'm wandering around an outdoor flea market or getting lost in the aisles of an antique mall, there is nothing quite like stumbling upon the perfect vintage piece for your home. The history and character are unmatched, and they instantly make your home more interesting. Mixing new and old is a must for me when designing any space, and I love incorporating items that are one of a kind. As my love for procuring vintage pieces grew, so did my admiration for imperfections in decor and furniture. I love the patina on aged metal, faded spots on vintage artwork, and worn leather. There is just something so charming about grounding your space with mature pieces that have a story to tell. Tell us about a few of your best vintage finds… and the things our readers should keep a look out for as they explore Austin’s vintage stores. I love antique bentwood thonet coat racks that have unique, curved lines. These are typically very difficult to find, but lately I've been landing on them every time I visit one of the local antique malls. I kept one to hang in my entryway, and the others have been gifted to my vintage-loving friends! Large vintage books are one of my favorite things to source at flea markets and antique malls. Most older books have covers that are made of beautiful, earth-toned linens, and they are so useful when it comes time to style any space. I like to style them both vertically against a pair of beautiful bookends or horizontally on a flat surface to ground a set of objects.
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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | HOME + DE S I GN
Brass objects uncovered at Uncommon Objects
MAGPIE'S NEST
I am a sucker for vintage brass objects that can be layered with other items to style the surface of a vignette. I always grab vintage brass trinkets when I see them because I can never seem to have enough.
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Stunning vase and ginger jar found at Round Rock Antique Mall
I always keep my eyes peeled for rocks and gemstones that can be used as decor, bookends, or even trays. I have found a plethora of beautiful rocks at Uncommon Objects, and I recently found a large, white gemstone at the Austin Antique Mall which is currently on my dresser. I spent months hunting for the perfect brass floor lamp to put next to a chaise lounge chair in my primary bedroom. I stumbled upon the perfect one at the Round Rock Antique Mall recently, and I love the character that it brings into the corner of my bedroom.
Ceramic vessels, perfect for a pretty bathroom, found at Austin Antique Mall
Aud rey ’s f ive favor ite v i nt a ge store s to ex plore i n t he c it y: 1 Uncommon Objects: If you are looking to be inspired, I highly recommend Uncommon Objects! Located in South Austin, this gem features fun vintage and antique finds from an array of vendors. You never know what you might stumble upon as you turn each corner, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Some of my favorite vintage finds EVER have come from Uncommon Objects! (1602 Fortview Austin, TX 78704 / (512) 442-4000)
2 Austin Antique Mall: This is where you can find me any time I have a few hours to spare! The Austin Antique Mall features the city's largest selection of antique and vintage furniture, decor, jewelry, clothing, china, crystal, and more from over 100 dealers. It's 30,000 square feet, and it is packed full of gems. I get lost exploring each booth and winding through the aisles, which is just so much fun! (8822 McCann Dr. Austin, TX 78757 / (512) 459-5900)
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LIGH TS FANTASTIC 3 Room Ser vice Vintage: Room Service is a mecca for unique finds from the 50's - 80's, including everything from furniture and decor to clothing and jewelry. They restock daily and have an awesome selection! (117 E. North Loop Blvd Austin, TX 78751 / (512) 451-1057)
4 Revival Vintage: Revival is a huge multi-vendor space featuring a mix of mid-century modern pieces to on-trend furniture, decor, and clothing. They also have an awesome collection of cards and gifts from local Austin makers, and they host a monthly market featuring various vendors on the 3rd Sunday of each month! (5201 N Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78751 / (512) 524-2029)
5 Round Rock Antique Mall: Located just north of Austin city limits, the Round Rock Antique Mall is not to be missed! This space includes an array of vintage and antique finds from every decade, and the experience inside is incredibly calm and relaxing. They have shopping carts, a super friendly staff, and so many awesome hidden gems. I do not drive through North Austin without stopping in to see the latest from their vendors! (1601 S I-35 Frontage Rd. Round Rock, TX 78664 / (512) 218-4290)
WE BRING OUR EXPERTISE, IDEAS, AND U N I Q U E P R O D U CT S TO S H O W YO U W H AT
LIGHTING CAN DO
I N WAYS T H AT YO U N E V E R I M AG I N E D CALL TO SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN CONSULTATION
5 1 2 -4 5 2 -9 5 1 1 L I GH TS FA N TA ST I C.COM
For more information and tips from Audrey, go to audreyscheckdesign.com AP R I L 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / AUST I N T X
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FINDING
Jen finally gets to relax in the home she has designed
Jen, David and their kids Sola, Lulu and Julius
An eclectic hideaway in Hill Country
FREDERICKSBURG When a California couple fell in love with Fredericksburg, they decided to renovate a ranch house to share with others
ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER DELLA SANTA
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H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E + DE S I GN
“We considered Nashville and Virginia, but decided on Austin. It was a gut feeling.”
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE TO AUSTIN? I am originally from Virginia Beach and my husband David is from Northern California. We met each other in New York City where I was working as a fashion designer and he as a music composer and moved to San Francisco together in 2007. While CA is beautiful, the cost of living has driven out a lot of people in the arts. We considered Nashville and Virginia, but decided on Austin. It was a gut feeling.
YOU ENDED UP DECIDING TO RENOVATE AND RUN AN AIRBNB IN FREDERICKSBURG INSTEAD OF BUYING A FAMILY HOME IN AUSTIN. A lot of people might find it strange that we purchased an investment property in Texas before our own home. For us, it made perfect sense. We had experience running an Airbnb out of our home in CA and then renovated an apartment and started renting that out as well. Through that renovation experience, we discovered that we make a good team and love creating a space together. While David has a 25-year career in music, he also has a degree in construction management. I have the vision; David helps me execute it.
AND YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH FREDERICKSBURG? We loved taking day trips to wine country while we lived in CA. When we heard that there was a wine region in Texas, we knew we had to check it out! The wide-open expansiveness of Hill Country is like an
unfinished canvas and the town itself felt much livelier than I imagined it would be! We loved the eclectic mix of hip and quirk. We also discovered that there is a reason to go to Fredericksburg year-round. Fields of wildflowers in spring, summer wine tours, Oktoberfest in the Fall and festive décor in the holidays.
DESCRIBE YOUR AIRBNB VISION. The Lone Palm House, which is perfect for either a group of eight friends or two families, will have my modern and bohemian sensibility. Because it’s a rental, I have freedom to be playful –there’s pink penny tile in the master bath. We are sourcing curated products and art to feature in the home. If you like the handmade shower steamers we provide in our welcome basket, you can purchase more! Love that art piece in the hallway? It might be available to purchase from the artist! Is that vintage Moroccan rug the perfect color for your house? Take it home! I’d love the house to be a gallery of sorts with unique treasures guests could leave with.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT? The mod pool - a repurposed shipping container, made into a swimming pool. It has a hot tub at one end and a pool at the other. Another unique feature is the gas strut window we are installing in the kitchen, which opens to the outside deck … and the lone palm by the pool!
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WHAT SHOULD YOUR GUESTS EXPLORE WHILE IN FREDERICKSBURG?
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H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E + DE S I GN
On one of our drives to Fredericksburg, we took the scenic route along Fitzhugh Rd. which you turn onto when you are passing through Dripping Springs from Austin. If you have the time, I’d recommend getting there this way. The views are amazing and there are lots of fun things along the way. Our favorite winery to visit is Signor Vineyards. It’s on the 290 Wine Trail - just look for the vintage truck on the right side of the road! My favorite antique shop in town is Farm Haus Antiques. It’s a little unassuming on the outside, but once you go in, it’s heaven, full of collected treasures and visual eye candy. They also just opened a boutique coffee shop next store. For restaurants, we’d recommend the recently opened Hill and Vine. There are lots of great restaurants in Fredericksburg, but we really love the vibe of this place. There’s lots of outdoor seating and we are always looking for an excuse to enjoy those hot summer nights! If you want to take a break from wine tasting, I highly recommend a trip to Enchanted Rock, which is just 17 miles north of Fredericksburg. Follow the @theloneplamhouse. To see other design projects, check out www.jenniferdellasantadesign.com.
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