At Hunter Douglas, we’re passionate about window shades—and creating an extraordinary experience. We offer unparalleled choices, for any window need. We design thoughtful innovations that can automatically adjust shades for the best lighting or privacy, day and night. And we deliver enduring quality, for products that last.
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We partner with designers who inspire, create, and elevate spaces.
Featured: Medittera by designer Angela Harris—a collection of large-format porcelain tile with old-world charm.
Go Ahead, Overthink The Windows.
Architect: Upwall Design Builder: Douglas Knight Construction
Photographer: Springgate Photography Follow us on Instagram
For some homes, windows become more than a building element. All the more reason to start with the world's best materials and designs, sustainably crafted. To transcend function and open the world of stunning sight lines, playful light and museum-quality views. A tall order for a normal window, but not for windows that never compromise. Learn more >
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Create Where
You Belong
Experience the Difference: Club 1683
Gaggenau, maker of luxury kitchen appliances and the Home Kitchen Appliance Brand Partner of the MICHELIN Guide, prioritizes partnerships with its trade network. Club 1683 was developed to offer a select group of top tier industry trade professionals the opportunity to participate in the exclusive membership program promoting excellence in residential kitchen design. Qualified participants, including luxury designers, residential architects, kitchen studios, and single-family builders, gain access to personalized guidance, professional assistance, rewards and exclusive experiences.
For those who know the extraordinary.
Learn how to become a member.
The difference is Gaggenau
Featured: 5-Burner Gas Cooktop, Refrigerator, Convection Ovens, Espresso Machine, and Warming Drawer.
Simplicity Interior Design, Club 1683 member
Photo by Adahlia Cole and Colin Peck
Paint that painting experts trust.
Wall: Indi Go-Go CSP-565, Regal® Select, Eggshell
Trim: Indi Go-Go CSP-565, Regal® Select, Satin
A
Celebration of the Industry’s Leading Interior Designers, Architects + Professional Painters
WHEN IT COMES TO THE ESSENTIALS OF INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, FEW ELEMENTS ARE AS VITAL AND VERSATILE AS THE FINAL FINISH. Paint is not just a backdrop; it is the essence of design, bringing depth, character and emotion to every room. It often tells stories of personal, historical and cultural significance while enhancing functionality with its durability and timeless appeal. For the industry luminaries who meticulously select colors, finishes and application techniques, paint is a powerful tool of expression and innovation.
This special feature celebrates the craftsmanship and work of 13 interior designers, architects and paint contractors who have forged strong partnerships, united by a shared passion for the transformative power of paint.
In collaboration with Benjamin Moore, meet the six talented teams across North America, whose collective expertise converges to create projects that are both beautiful and meaningful. Discover the magic that happens when creativity and teamwork meet as we introduce this year’s Faces of Design.
TORONTO, CANADA
COLETTE VAN DEN THILLART + MARIANO TORO
Layers of historical reference, touches of wit and personalized allure—these are the characteristics by which the work of designer Colette van den Thillart is known. Much of it comes to life with the addition of paint, and her partnership with contractor Mariano Toro is key. In discussing their creative collaboration, van den Thillart shares a recent project she and Toro completed. “For a spectacular house in Toronto with an interior dining room that had only one window, we chose Benjamin Moore’s Chartreuse 2024-10 in matte and painted all the walls and the ceiling in this ethereal color. The resulting space felt like an art installation; it is vibrant and dynamic during the day, but moody and poetic by nighttime candlelight.” Essential to the outcome was Toro’s application expertise. He shares the depth of it while mentioning another project: “For a client who wanted an almost glass-like finish, I came up with a method for creating a mirror effect that required many coats of paint and sanding between coats.” Alongside their love of unique colors and applications, van den Thillart and Toro share a passion for finding the perfect product to suit each client’s goals.
colettevandenthillart.com; optimustouch.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEX LUKEY
CHICAGO, IL
ERIN SHAKOOR + EDUARDO GONZALEZ FLORES
An interior designer’s passion for color, texture and finishes demands exceptional craftsmanship. Erin Shakoor, distinguished for her love of dynamic material juxtapositions, relies on the skill of Eduardo Gonzalez Flores to flawlessly execute her creative visions. “Eduardo helps us achieve every exacting step with flying colors (pun intended),” Shakoor enthuses. She emphasizes the positive outcomes of their work together by sharing a recent project: “For a whole-house design, our clients wanted their primary bedroom to feel, function and look like a luxury hotel suite. Our thought was to evoke intimacy. We decided that the custom-paneled walls, crown molding and ceiling should be painted in Olympus Green 679. The wood floors had a similarly rich finish, and together, they created a cocooning effect.” Regarding applying one hue throughout a space, Flores shares his techniques, saying, “When using the same color, I like to select a different sheen for each surface. For example, flat ceilings, eggshell walls and semi-gloss trims all in one shade.” One look at the duo’s joint portfolio showcases the stunning results of this thoughtful approach.
“ The before and after of a p roject, and seeing the clients happy with our work, is what I love most about this job.”
— EDUARDO GONZALEZ FLORES
CA
ADAM HUNTER + ASAF AMARIO
In the art of design, expert trade skills converge to create a cohesive project. Among these, two seemingly juxtaposed yet perfectly complementary approaches stand out: a grand vision for overall aesthetics and an eye for intricate details. The power of this combination is evident in the collaboration of Adam Hunter and Asaf Amario. “Each of us plays a role in ensuring the design and execution are seamless,” Hunter explains. “I manage the overarching concept and material selection, while Asaf and his team focus on the technical application.” Since their introduction through industry connections five years ago, the duo has discovered a profound alignment in style and work ethic, leading to numerous successful projects. One of their
favorite projects showcases their combined expertise. “We transformed a dining room by applying a pink hue with a gloss finish, creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere that uplifts the mood,” Amario shares. “The glossy finish bounces light around, making the room feel bigger—it’s stunning and perfect for lively get-togethers.” Hunter adds, “We always start with the client’s preferred palette and then suggest modifications to suit the lighting and space. This approach brings a custom element, ensuring the final design exudes the homeowner’s personality.” This special partnership showcases the remarkable synergy between design expertise and meticulous precision in application. adamhunter.com; mastercustompainting.com
HOLLYWOOD,
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
NOZ NOZAWA + PHILIP STOREY
If there is one overarching theme that becomes apparent upon viewing the portfolio of designer Noz Nozawa, it’s color, color, color. For one so obsessed with bold hues, partnering with the right contractor is essential. Fortunately, Nozawa has found that in Philip Storey. “He is proud of the quality his team brings to the project and cares deeply about turning over a painted home that will last,” she says. The duo has been working together ever since a contractor friend introduced them in 2018. To hear each of them talk about why they love their jobs, the shared passion is obvious. “I get to help people bring to life a manifestation of who they are and what is most important to them,” Nozawa says. “Paint is always a necessary component and one of the most flexible ways to imbue a space with the exact nuance of a spirit or personality.” Storey weighs in, “We live in such a beautiful area with amazing nature, design and architecture. I love that my job gives me an opportunity to experience that and add to the beauty of our city by the bay.” nozdesign.com; redhillpainting.com
“When Noz asks us to work with her on a project, I get excited. It’s always new, it’s always incredible and I always finish by thinking I want that in my home!”
— PHILIP STOREY
PARK CITY, UT
SCOTT JAFFA + JOEL MARSH
For those dedicated to creating home, there is no greater reward than client satisfaction. Architect Scott Jaffa says it best: “When I see the expression of a client who feels like they’ve just stepped into their true home, I know my extraordinary team has put their talent into a space that will be enjoyed for generations.” That team includes Joel Marsh, painting contractor extraordinaire and longtime project partner to Jaffa. “We have been collaborating for seven years, ever since one of our mutual clients introduced us,” Jaffa says. “Our job is to transform dreams into reality, and Joel values bringing that joy to our clients too.” For the contractor, this goal depends on many factors, but thoughtful specification is certainly at the heart. Speaking to that, Marsh says, “In some cases, technical aspects dictate which product we choose. For example, many Benjamin Moore paints have open times that allow us to roll large walls, while still being scrubbable and accepting touch-ups. Other times, the homeowner’s lifestyle is top of mind. Regal Select is perfect for families with pets and children because it is durable, wipes easily and doesn’t mar.” jaffagroup.com; marshpaintinginc.com
“ When we complete a project, it should ne ver look like we were there; our goal is seamless perfection in producing one-of-a-kind homes.” — SCOTT JAFFA
The partnership of Tami Ramsay, Krista Nye Nicholas and Cassandra Pace underscores the impact of chance meetings and mutual admiration. “I heard about Cloth & Kind from one of my clients,” Pace says. “I went to the showroom to introduce myself, and they were hosting a paint demonstration for designers that day.” Being that Pace was visiting to share her services as a painting contractor for the two design pros, this was undeniably serendipitous. The trio has worked together on various projects in the years since. Ramsay and Nicholas share one of their favorite collaborative endeavors, saying, “We recently completed a large Queen Anne Victorian with Cassandra. Collectively, we decided to paint over an
oppressive, deep-red textural wallcovering in the family room rather than remove it. Benjamin Moore’s Stratton Blue HC-142 melted away the Victorian vibes while leaving our clients with an interesting story to share.” Anecdotes like this aren’t uncommon with these three, who share a love of bold paint projects. Ramsay and Nicholas chime in, “Every time our clients trust us to use color, we’re able to dramatically impact the mood of the space, not to mention create a more custom aesthetic. Whites and soft neutrals have their place, but we consider it a missed opportunity to design an entire home that lacks confident use of color.”
clothandkind.com; bellpaintingmi.com
ANN ARBOR, MI
TAMI RAMSAY AND KRISTA NYE NICHOLAS + CASSANDRA PACE
Advice FROM THE Experts
“Always consider the lighting when choosing colors. For high ceilings, use a lighter shade to make the room feel more expansive.”
-ADAM HUNTER
“Adding sheen to a trim indoors does give it more durability in the long run, and personally, I like a trim that stands out from the walls.”
-MARIANO TORO
“Benjamin Moore is consistently my go-to brand because 95 percent of the time, if I’m dreaming up a color in my head, they have a shade to exactly match my vision.”
-NOZ NOZAWA
“For years, I only used eggshell in damp areas. But then, Aura Bath & Spa came along, and it changed my entire world! The ability to get a washable matte in the bathroom is fantastic.”
“ When views are extra important, consider painting window frames in the same shade as the walls. They’ll fade away and let the view take center stage.”
-JOEL MARSH
-ERIN SHAKOOR
“Prep is the most important step. If you skip on proper prep, it will show in the finish.”
-CASSANDRA PACE
benjaminmoore.com
Oxford White
Dove Wing OC-18
Smoke Embers 1466
Adam Hunter and Asaf Amario’s favorite colors, respectively.
Beach Glass 1564
Black Beauty 2128-10
Waller Green CW-510
Noz Nozawa’s favorite color.
Moonshine 2140-60
Erin Shakoor’s favorite color.
Joel Marsh’s favorite color.
Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas’ favorite color.
Colette van den Thillart’s favorite color.
SEP OCT
The little black book of all things new and fabulous in the local community.
Plucked from Luxe regions across the country, these memorable spaces speak of timeless elegance and autumnal ambience.
A look at the latest news and product collaborations from the industry’s buzziest creatives.
Pages from Mieke ten Have’s new book provide bountiful fall inspiration for the months ahead.
Market
Layered mood boards by stylist and photographer Robin Verrier feature trending color combinations alongside the newest fabrics, wallpapers, trims and tiles.
Discover the latest product nds that complement beautiful rooms from Luxe’s regional issues.
Rich materials, delicate details and warm, neutral layers prove today’s quiet color schemes are nothing short of intoxicating.
A minimalist approach to meet your modern tastes.
For those whose appreciation for precision is matched only by their passion for food, we offer our new Transitional Series — the next step forward in the luxury kitchen. From satin stainless-steel finishes to slim transitional handles to touchscreen functionality, discover a new expression of purposeful design. This is how we stay #TrueToFood.
FEATURES
Breaking the Mold
To instill a sense of timelessness in a Dallas residence, a design team composes layers of old and new.
An Austin ceramicist creates earthy dinnerware that elevates the tables of top chefs.
Photography by Wynn Myers
Fresh Outlook
With a soft but durable palette, a stylish renovation injects life into a 1990s Lake Austin abode.
Artful Evolution
A family’s collection of oeuvres takes center stage in a transitional Houston house.
Written by Rachel Gallaher
Photography by Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography
Styling by Jessica Brinkert Holtam
ON THE COVER: In the living room of an Austin home by Claire Zinnecker, a curved sofa designed by Zinnecker and made by Briley’s Upholstery Shop fosters movement. Two vintage leather chairs and a custom coffee table fabricated by Petrified Design complete the space. Page 200
Written by Monique McIntosh
Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Styling by Jenny O’Connor Studio
Written by Laura Fenton
Written by Maile Pingel
Photography by Lindsay Brown
FROM VISION TO VIEW
Thoughtfully crafted moving glass walls and windows redefine the boundaries of indoor-outdoor living, offering you the freedom to design, build, and live in spaces that inspire. Scan the QR code to learn more.
Surround yourself with the extraordinary.
meetBRIDGET RAMEY RAMEY
Approaching a billion dollars in active, pending, and recently sold inventory since 2020, Bridget consistently ranks among the top most productive Realtors® in Austin, Texas. She is entrusted to represent the world’s most discerning clientele, both on and off-market. Whether it’s along the shores of Lake Austin, throughout the region’s burgeoning in-city neighborhoods, or extending to ranch properties, Bridget’s personalized approach provides a luxury, full-concierge service at all price points, throughout Texas and around the globe.
ELEGANCE ACROSS EVERY ROOM
Find Häcker dealers with sideboards for seamless luxury.
Atlanta, GA - Caguas, PR - Calgary, AB - Detroit, MI - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Greenwich, CTHendersonville, NC - Houston, TX - Miami, FL - Orange County, CA - Ottawa, ON - Paramus, NJPortland, OR - San Jose, CR - Tucson, AZ - Vancouver, BC
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DEALER? SCAN BELOW TO LEARN MORE
The German kitchen. Since 1898.
www.hackerkitchens.us | hello@haecker-kuechen.us
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Pam Shavalier
ART DIRECTOR
Candace Cohen
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Brittany Chevalier McIntyre
SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR
Colleen McTiernan
JILL COHEN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
MANAGING EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Kelly Velocci Jolliffe
MANAGING EDITORS
Krystal Racaniello, Clémence Sfadj
HOMES EDITORS
SOUTHEAST
Kate Abney
COLORADO, LOS ANGELES, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Kelly Phillips Badal
PACIFIC NORTHWEST, SAN FRANCISCO
Mary Jo Bowling
ART
ART DIRECTOR
Maria Pluta
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Jamie Beauparlant
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Kyle Anderson, John Griffin-Santucci
SENIOR RETOUCHER
Christian Ablan
STYLE DIRECTOR
Kathryn Given
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Hannah Lavine
DIRECTOR, DIGITAL Ileana Llorens
SENIOR MARKET
EDITOR
Sarah Shelton
AUSTIN + SAN ANTONIO, DALLAS + FORT WORTH, HOUSTON
SANDOW was founded by visionary entrepreneur Adam I. Sandow in 2003, with the goal of reinventing the traditional publishing model. Today, SANDOW powers the design, materials and luxury industries through innovative content, tools and integrated solutions. With its diverse portfolio of assets, SANDOW has established itself as the largest design media company in the world which includes the following brands: Luxe Interiors + Design, Interior Design, Metropolis, DesignTV by SANDOW; ThinkLab, a research and strategy firm; and content services brands, including The Agency by SANDOW – a full-scale digital marketing agency, The Studio by SANDOW – a video production studio, and SURROUND – a podcast network and production studio. In 2019, Adam Sandow launched Material Bank, the world’s largest marketplace for searching, sampling and specifying architecture, design and construction materials. Other SANDOW brands include definitive authority on all things beauty, NewBeauty; luxury sampling platform, Test Tube by NewBeauty; Leaders Magazine; and exclusive private airport newsstand network, MediaJet.
There’s a perfect paint color for your space.
Finding it is simpler with Samplize.
• Peel-and-stick samples, each made with two coats of real paint.
• 1000s of colors from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Farrow & Ball.
• Overnight delivery and no-mess application.
Order today and find your perfect color.
Room featuring Chrome Green HC-189 by Benjamin Moore
KATE KELLY SMITH
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT + MANAGING DIRECTOR
JAY BOUDREAU
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SALES
TANYA SUBER
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
NATIONAL SALES DIRECTORS REGIONAL SALES DIRECTORS
NATIONAL PUBLISHER
Michelle Blair
HOME FURNISHINGS DIRECTOR
Sarah Smith
WEST COAST DIRECTORS
Lisa Lovely, Carolyn Homestead
MIDWEST + SOUTH CENTRAL DIRECTOR
Tanya Scribner
INTEGRATED MARKETING
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING + DIGITAL STRATEGY Samantha Westmoreland
SENIOR MANAGER, MANUFACTURING + DISTRIBUTION Stacey Rigney
Luxe Interiors + Design®, (ISSN 1949-2022), Arizona (ISSN 2163-9809), California (ISSN 2164-0122), Chicago (ISSN 2163-9981), Colorado (ISSN 21639949), Florida (ISSN 2163-9779), New York (ISSN 2163-9728), Pacific Northwest (ISSN 2167-9584), San Francisco (ISSN 2372-0220), Southeast (ISSN 2688-5735), Texas (ISSN 2163-9922), Vol. 22, No. 5, September/October , prints bimonthly and is published by SANDOW, 3651 FAU Boulevard, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Luxe Interiors + Design® (“Luxe”) provides information on luxury homes and lifestyles. Luxe Interiors + Design®, SANDOW, its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, (Publisher) accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The Publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies and/or products that advertise within the publication or that are mentioned editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective products or services advertised or promoted in Luxe Publisher neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser products, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any purchaser or user investigate such products, services, methods and/or claims made
La Menagerie Collection
Photography by Nick Mele
Fall into Color
It wasn’t my intention for our September/October issue to be about color. In fact, when choosing the homes we included, I didn’t have any particular theme in mind. But the design world has a slow way of revealing how people are currently living, and, as an editor, it’s my job to share that story with you.
The homes you’ll discover throughout these pages—many enveloped in rich burgundies, dark chocolate browns and mossy greens—are restorative and soothing. I believe that these projects’ palettes are rede ning comfort for homeowners across the country and making them feel more at ease in their spaces while connecting them to the things they love—whether it’s wine, food or nature.
The language of design is visual, and, in that spirit, we are also telling a seasonal story without words. In one of our Market features, our editors sourced beautifully crafted materials from the design world and collaborated to create a series of inspirational assemblages using both natural and man-made wonders. Each one encapsulates an autumn narrative in a way that will inspire.
Fall has become the most comfortable season, so allow us to be part of your relaxing moments and enjoy the wealth of inspiration in the pages ahead.
Jill Cohen Editor in Chief Follow me @jilleditsluxe
Capturing the color and light on location with photographer Lisa Romerein.
SCENE
WRITTEN BY LARA HALLOCK | PRODUCED BY KRYSTAL RACANIELLO
SHOP TALK
THE INTERIOR COLLECTIVE SHOWROOM
Anastasia Casey has built her name as a design lover’s best friend developing a breadth of resources, which include digital inspo platform The Interior Collective and its eponymous podcast as well as Design Camp, a business retreat for industry professionals. Now, she’s added another moniker: showroom owner. The Interior Collective’s new storefront in Austin spotlights Casey’s vintage and modern picks, emphasizing a British-cottage-meets-Texas-grit aesthetic. “I like to juxtapose English frills and floral patterns with more striking, stately metal pieces,” she explains. Visitors can find items by local artists and global favorites, such as vintage-framed prints from Austin’s Aileen Fitzgerald and luxurious linens by UK-based Piglet in Bed. “It’s the only showroom in the country where you can sit in Carley Summers’ furniture collection with River & Bord,” she adds. Casey’s own collaborations are also on display. Don’t miss her Chasing Paper wallcoverings or the sample installation from her cabinetry partnership with Unique Kitchens and Baths. theinterior.co
BEHIND THE BRAND
AMERICAN LEATHER
Few leaders of major brands can say they started on the ground floor. As Veronica Schnitzius, president of American Leather, ascended the steps from manufacturing engineer to company president, she spent countless hours in the warehouse refining standards and seeking out the best tech to support her team of talented artisans. Employing that depth of understanding and innovation alongside human craft, she’s steering the Dallas-based organization to create furnishings meant to last a lifetime. americanleather.com
What should buyers know about American Leather beyond the buzzwords? Leather is by nature a sustainable product, a byproduct of the farming industry. But the way the animal is treated is also at the forefront of our minds. For decades, we’ve worked with a tight
group of family tanneries that share our values when it comes to the environment.
Any guidance for readers looking to invest in heirloom-quality furniture?
How a piece has been constructed and the quality of the materials are essential. Customization helps control this. Cover selection can also ensure your piece never goes out of style.
Which silhouettes are you excited by?
Organic shapes that mimic natural forms and create a calming environment. Also, furniture that combines di erent materials, such as wood, metal and upholstery.
What colors should buyers consider?
Earth tones are a must, especially shades of terra cotta and green. They bring warmth and a natural feel to any room.
DESIGNERS INSPIRE
BUILDERS CREATE
ELEVATING SPACES TOGETHER
MEET THE MAKER
PAULETTE PEARSON
As a child peering over the drafting table at her mother’s coloredpencil sketches, Paulette Pearson may have been destined to follow the craft. The Dallas artist’s fantastical yet realistic artwork has grabbed the attention of style makers for years. After taking the leap from editor to full-time artist earlier this year, her portfolio now brims with imaginative works, intricate commissions and a charming new collaboration of tea towels and totes launched with Hunt & Bloom. @paulettepearsonstudio
Tell us about your style. My art is usually described as “whimsical.” I often draw women, bringing them to life with as much detail and realism as possible. I’m interested in capturing them in life’s fleeting moments and in using them to communicate a certain feeling or emotion—a sense of exasperation, happiness, longing. One of my most popular drawings is of a woman with her face slumped into a stack of pancakes—I think we can all relate to that feeling!
Do you have any artistic inspirations? I admire how boldly photographer Jamie Beck follows her creative callings. Last fall, just days after listening to her book, An American in Provence, I ran into Jamie. It felt like a sign to pursue my dream full time.
Describe your new collab with Hunt & Bloom. Founder and owner, Will Hunt Lewis, approached me about a collection for his beautiful store. We settled on three themes: Easy Entertaining, Colorful Intaglios and Chintzy Chairs. I created three illustrations per theme, which now adorn our line of tea towels and tote bags. We’re planning a second collaboration this fall, so stay tuned!
CHECK
IN
THE 1874 GUEST HOUSE
One fateful day in 2016, interior designer Mary Louise Stonecipher was on a jaunt to Galveston when she stumbled upon a dilapidated Victorian home on the verge of demise. “She knew it wasn’t going to be there much longer unless someone invested and took the time for preservation,” shares Jordan Alayna Vaughn, Stonecipher’s daughter. After eight years of painstaking restoration and renovation, the motherdaughter duo (and owners of Houston-based design firm Alayna Louise Interiors) opened The 1874 Guest House in June.
The luxury inn’s Italianate exteriors charm upon approach, painted blush and accented by green shutters special ordered from New Orleans to match the home’s original era. Evoking the Mediterranean, the garden was designed by J. Branch Landscaping with a romantic blend of boxwoods, roses and palms alongside a resort-style pool. Each of the four suites and carriage house feature discrete designs that honor the home’s past while incorporating contemporary touches. Take Suite Three, for instance. It houses the home’s two original mantels and wears Quadrille’s Climbing Hydrangea wallpaper, while the antique bed entices guests to nestle beneath an upholstered canopy, atop a set of Frette linens. Bring the inspiration home with a stop at the hotel boutique, open by appointment, for vintage and modern wares. the1874.com
THE INSIDER
LUCINDA LOYA
Known for delivering eclectic designs with an artistic edge, Lucinda Loya takes cues from fashion in her couture approach to interiors, adding detailed elements tailored to each project. The Houston-based designer, who recently partnered with Flavor Paper to create a striking new wallcovering called Rift, is an expert in dramatic contradictions of pattern and color. Here, Loya shares the details on her newest collaboration— plus her best tips on wall treatments for any home. @lucindaloyainteriors
What are your top tips for layering color? To begin, I always ground my interiors with shades of black and white. Bringing in unexpected colors, such as chartreuse and maroon, can keep things fresh.
Which wall treatments are you excited about right now? I like to use wallpaper on ceilings, which draws the eye upward and creates a different sense of dimension. I am not afraid of mirroring walls, and I like using paint as a pattern by color blocking.
Describe some ways to work with pattern in a space. The best way to mix patterns is to find commonalities within them, whether it be by design or complementing a color or two. I favor organic forms and like to repeat the same movement at different scales.
What inspired the design of Rift? A textile that I saw on a fashion runway. The organic shape and color tone reminded me of woven papyrus that had been scorched on the edges, and it sparked the idea of deconstruction.
What’s in the works for Lucinda Loya Interiors? We are launching two designs with The Rug Company in 2025, and I am collaborating with Kast Concrete Basins. We are also thrilled to appear in two more upcoming books, the Design Leadership Network’s The Living Room and Andrew Martin’s Interior Design Review
check in photo: dylan mire. the insider photos: portrait, laura sanz; rift pattern, courtesy flavor paper.
Elevated Designs, Close to Home
William Wahlgren, Horizon IX, Oil on Canvas, 48” x 48”
Austin, Texas | 512.477.4929 | davis gallery davisgalleryaustin.com
RADAR
Step inside this season’s guide to stunning spaces, new product collections and a timely tome.
A Ray Booth project overlooking downtown Nashville boasts sweeping views and a sumptuous, livable palette. photo:
Open House
CULLED FROM LUXE ’S REGIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THESE INVITING INTERIORS CHAMPION RICH MATERIALS AND UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE.
WRITTEN BY
GRACE BEULEY HUNT
Set against a cosseting backdrop of Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe, an integrated Calacatta marble desk provides an airy counterpoint in this San Francisco home office designed by Viona Seshadri (above). studiovionainteriors.com
Tactile textures—from a linen headboard to an Apparatus sconce composed with natural stone—infuse this Laguna Beach bedroom by designers Lisa Berman and Melissa Rohani with a sense of earthy connection (top right). studiogutow.com
Designer Anna Knight channeled a collected-overtime ethos for her clients’ Chicago living room (right), mixing vintage furnishings with velvet, sisal, iron, leather and marble material notes. annaknightinteriors.com
In Palo Alto, designer Tiffany Mansfield embraced the dark disposition of a basement level rec room, deploying Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron as the base for sumptuous textiles and warm brass accents (left). mansfieldoneil.com
Rustic wood details, including reclaimed ceiling beams, Ochre appliance handles and an accent stool by artisan Ian Love, bring a cozy disposition to this Manhattan kitchen designed by Sean Anderson (bottom left). seanandersondesign.com
A powder room in Cardiff-bythe-Sea, California, offered the perfect opportunity for designer Amy Meier to showcase diverse materials, from hand-troweled Marmorino plaster walls to a deep green Esmeralda Quartz sink (below). amymeier.com
Art & Craft
TODAY’S TOP DESIGNERS AND ARTISTS DISCUSS THEIR LATEST VENTURES AND COLLABORATIONS MAKING WAVES ACROSS THE INDUSTRY.
Carmen Nash
When Carmen Nash received an Instagram message from Kelly Wearstler complimenting her aesthetic and inquiring about pieces for sale, her side hustle as a vintage furniture dealer quickly turned into a full-time career. However, Nash soon realized that she didn’t just want to present pieces of furniture; she wanted to tell a story that would emotionally resonate with her audience, thus beginning her art and design journey. Fast forward to today, and Nash has recently released a visually transporting lamp collection with Troy Lighting which, ironically, began with an admiring note on Instagram. Aptly named Folk and Flora, the rhythmic designs reference folk perspectives of the rural south, including those of Nash’s own family, while also nodding to the beauty and simplicity of Ocala, Florida, which she has long called home. “I discovered a lot about myself during the design process,” Nash explains. “But at the end of the day, connecting people to things they love is what impacted me the most.” hvlgroup.com, @loftandthought
photos: jeanne canto, courtesy troy lighting.
Jamie Bush
Since founding his Los Angeles-based rm in 2002, Jamie Bush has been recognized for his ability to blur the lines between interior and architectural design, as well as an eye for what he calls “historically driven modern design”—focusing on materiality, texture and natural forms. It’s this passion that has driven a portfolio lled with signi cant residential homes and a recent collaboration with Marc Phillips Rugs. “The designs are based on abstract paintings I made depicting studies of agricultural elds left fallow and eroded by nature,” Bush explains (see his Pepper rug, at left). The pieces have a hint of traditionalism and ample versatility: They live as easily in a classic Tudor as a contemporary home. jamiebush.com, marcphillipsrugs.com
Alyssa Kapito
Alyssa Kapito has made a name for herself crafting distinctive interiors rooted in minimalist classicism. On the heels of publishing her rst monograph, the New York-based designer is fast at work developing a second collection for AKI Editions, the small batch editions arm of her e-shop, Galerie by Alyssa Kapito. Envisioned as a gathering ground for ne antiques and bespoke collaborations with makers—like the above collection with Venetian glassware company Laguna~B— the designer plans to open a physical space in Manhattan this fall. “Galerie is a place that combines all of my passions,” Kapito shares. “I love art, I love design, I love fashion, and I love creating. I want it to be somewhere I can welcome you into my world!” alyssakapito.com
Barry Dixon
Dixon
It’s no secret that Dixon has a proven for heirloomworthy With a love of and an eye for Dixon uses his pieces as nishing touches in beautifully balanced rooms. While he has many
It’s secret that Barry Dixon has a proven penchant for crafting heirloomproducts. With a love of antiquities and an eye for modernity, Dixon uses his pieces as touches in beautifully balanced rooms. While he has many collaborations to his name, his latest collection of metal lighting and furniture with Iatesta Studio is particularly special. A passion project initiated by the Maryland-based studio’s owner and creative director, Matt Quinn, the compilation is a resurrection of Dixon’s iconic and archived designs, like the Synapse Pendant (above) which rst debuted more than a decade ago. “We already had a history of collaboration,” says Dixon, “so we were primed and ready to go.” barrydixon.com, iatestastudio.com
Jessica Helgerson
Most design elements aren’t accompanied by “friends,” but the table lamps in Jessica Helgerson’s new Bobine collection are meant to pair perfectly with a set of sculptures. are cute, whimsical the Paris-based designer. “I wanted to create elements that spark joy when you The light xtures—beauties in their created in concert with Portland artists Lynn Read and Kovel—are available as all-glass xtures hand-painted wood and ceramic models. Helgerson’s intention is for the pieces to light in a sometimeschallenging world. It is this joy that Helgerson brings to breathing life into historic homes, a specialty of the seamlessly mixes timeless elements contemporary framework, a using for a new rug set to launch this year. jhinteriordesign.com
collection are meant to pair with a set of glass snail sculptures. “They are cute, whimsical gures,” says the Portland- and Paris-based “I wanted to create elements that when you look at them.” The shapely xtures—beauties in their own right, created in concert with Portland artists Lynn Read and Andi Kovel—are as luminous xtures or wood and ceramic models. intention is for the pieces to be a in a sometimesworld. It is this same joy that to life back into historic a particular of the designer who mixes traditional and elements within a contemporary a formula she’s using for a new rug collection set to launch this year.
Workshop/APD
In the world of founded Matt Berman and Andrew Kotchen, is most a From interiors to and a space at this year’s Kips Bay New York Show House the rm has their hands in about “Early on, we felt uncomfortable de who we were,” says Berman. “But now we embrace it and realize is
In the world of design, Workshop/APD, founded by principals Matt Berman Andrew Kotchen, is most certainly unicorn. From residential and commercial interiors to architecture, hospitality, a stunning space at this year’s Kips New York Show House (right), the their hands in just about everything. we felt uncomfortable de ning who Berman. “But now we embrace it and realize design is uid. There’s a lot of crossover between disciplines.” Such crossover has led them to product design and collaborations with brands like Arteriors, with whom they are launching a second line in September. The assortment, which features pieces like the Roll chandelier (above), focuses on mixed materials and architectural details. workshopapd.com, arteriorshome.com
Amber Lewis
If the laid-back, California cool aesthetic had a poster child, Amber Lewis might be its face. As the principal and founder of Los Angeles-based Amber Interiors and Shoppe Amber Interiors lifestyle boutiques, her signature style, which she describes as “elevated, but lived-in,” counts cultlike devotees. Lewis’ unstudied, approachable chic is on full display in her recently completed Lake Arrowhead getaway (right), where the family room’s warm tones and layered patterns exude a mellow coziness. Her celebrated look has led to partnerships with Loloi Rugs and Visual Comfort & Co.; this fall, she adds even more to her 100-plus piece collection (including the Billings End Table, at left) launched in the spring with Four Hands—the brand’s rst designer collab. Also on the docket? A fth outpost of Shoppe Amber Interiors in Montecito, set to debut before the end of the year. amberinteriordesign.com, fourhands.com launched in the rst collab. Also on the docket? A fth outpost of Amber Interiors in set to debut before the end of the year.
Natural cork mural with metallic foil. Nagano in Terracotta
Seasonal Splendor
IN HER FORTHCOMING TITLE, STYLIST MIEKE TEN HAVE SHARES HER SECRETS FOR ENLIVENING YOUR HOME THIS FALL, AND ALL YEAR LONG.
A dreamy tableau in the mudroom at Mieke ten Have’s upstate New York property features gilded sconces, a Greek Revival mirror and bountiful blooms.
photo: frank frances.
“I think the term stylist is a nebulous and often confusing one. What I’d rather tell people is that I am a storyteller of sorts, always seeking to conjure emotion in rooms using objects, flowers, colors, and patterns as my tools,” explains creative extraordinaire Mieke ten Have in her upcoming book, Interiors Styled by Mieke ten Have Her debut tome covers the principles that guide her dreamy and evocative styling work as well as seasonal influences on decorating and design. In an excerpt (at right), ten Have dives into her take on autumnal inspiration at home. vendomepress.com
Fall offers perhaps the most interesting dialogue between the interior and exterior world; before the first hard frost, the dahlia beds erupt in color and soar in height I can scarcely keep up. In the fall, I turn to jewel-toned textiles, earnest American jacquard blankets, and graphic rugs of varied origin, which I drape over my dining table, channeling a Dutch master painting of a wealthy sea merchant’s interior. I shuffle pillows around on sofas and chairs. I see my textiles anew, and I’m always surprised by how adding a secondary pattern on a large, upholstered piece of furniture can sway the mood of a room.
LIGHT CREATES SANCTUARY
Shades and Lighting
Part of a home ecosystem. Designed by Lutron.
Bentwood Luxury Kitchens
bentwoodkitchens.com | bentwoodkitchens
Having the extraordinary ability to both design and build the highest quality cabinetry, accents and accessories is the key to creating a world-class kitchen with ease and elegance. Enter Bentwood Luxury Kitchens. Since 1989, they have been achieving just that for the most discerning homeowners and savvy design professionals. “For the past 35 years, Bentwood has established a national reputation for crafting luxury, one-of-a-kind kitchens from our factory outside Dallas,” says Shawna Roorda, Showroom Manager and Lead Designer in Houston and Austin. “Our more than 100 Technical Project Managers, Master Craftsmen and Expert Finishers are well-versed in the full range of cabinetry styles that today’s clients desire.” Bentwood is proud to serve their Texas clientele from their three stunning Bentwood Design Showrooms in Dallas, Austin and Houston.
Listen + Learn
Emily Martin, Lead Designer at Bentwood of Dallas on what it takes to create a dream kitchen.
• What is your number-one design rule? Because no two projects are alike, listening is a must! Whether our client is a homeowner, architect, designer, builder or contractor, our job is to take their needs and visions and make them reality.
• A gourmet chef, an entertainer or a takeout lover—what’s the one thing they all need in their kitchen? A great focal point! For a gourmet chef that could be a stunning Galley Workstation setup that doubles the prep space. For the entertainer, a designated bar area. And the takeout lover would really benefit from a well-designed seating space at the kitchen island. All clients deserve thoughtful design that considers function, aesthetic and their unique lifestyle.
• How is technology changing the way you work? We have expanded our product offerings to support the modern lifestyle with innovative accessory options like LED lighting, charging stations, integrated hardware and automatic servo systems, to name a few.
Top This stunning kitchen project showcases brass-wrapped painted cabinetry with a gorgeous marble backsplash, while natural rift-cut white oak cabinetry is the quiet star that brings the design together, beautifully. Far left, Center + Left Thoughtful details abound like edge-wrapped drawer fronts, a custom-designed chef pullout and one-of-a-kind cutlery storage.
Photography Alise O’Brien
BUILDER
Platinum Homes Texas
Luke Smith
YOUR PROJECT IS OUR PRIORITY
Our showrooms are designed to inspire, with bath, kitchen and lighting choices from top brands curated in beautiful, hands-on displays. From product selection to delivery coordination, an industry expert will be there to support your project every step of the way.
a
collaboration
“UNVEILED”,
new
by Ryan Saghian for Studio M.
DISCOVERIES
Liaigre
The Costes x Liaigre capsule collection includes the Castiglione sofa, Carrousel side table, Mont-Thabor armchair, Rivoli reading lamp and Cambon chair—each of which was created for the five-star hotel Jean-Louis Costes and Christian Liaigre realized together. 212.210.6264
Häcker Kitchens
A harmonious balance of sophistication and innovation. The AV 6023 GL grooved cabinet fronts from Häcker Kitchens are an elegant and sustainable surface that grounds the kitchen with natural elements and visually-enriching textures. hackerkitchens.us
Roche Bobois
Designed by Christophe Delcourt, the Palatine table features a top resting on Roman travertine half-cylinders, joined by solid walnut crossbars, creating a timeless, architectural masterpiece. roche-bobois.com
Perennials
Perennials is proud to introduce Perennials Wallcoverings, the brand’s first category introduction outside of 100-percent SDA textiles. Boasting 17 designs across patterns, metallics, performance and textures, the debut collection offers understated elegance to any space. perennialsfabrics.com
STARK x Missoni Home
Experience the allure of the Missoni Layers custom rug, a meticulously hand-tufted masterpiece in wool, shiny nylon and lurex that showcases Missoni’s signature glamour. The intricate chevron pattern and subtle ombre detailing bring dimension and depth to any space. starkcarpet.com/missoni-home
MARKET
Influenced by bold color combinations, these pages feature the latest in luxurious fabrics and wallpapers, inspiring furniture finds and Luxe’s paint picks.
Seasonal Schemes
COLOR REPORT
Soft Landing
Clockwise from top right: Striations Rug
Fortina is a remarkable architectural system that looks and feels like real wood, but is made with aluminum and a hyper-realistic non-PVC surface. Available in over 100+ wood and metal finishes and 50+ profiles for interior and exterior applications. Now with integral lighting, larger, up to 2" x 12" profiles, and quicker delivery with Quick Ship.
Clockwise from right: Rolf Medium
Clockwise from top right: Mak Rug
PHOTO: JOSHUA MCHUGH.
Next Generation collection
CREMA CLARET
OCEANUS
VENUS
ATLANTIS AZUL
L UNARIA
#1 BROKERAGE IN HORSESHOE BAY
Horseshoe Bay Resort Realty remains the market leader in successful real estate transactions within the esteemed Horseshoe Bay Resort Community. As the #1 Brokerage in Horseshoe Bay Luxury Real Estate, we invite you to embrace the beauty of the approaching fall season with us. Residents enjoy comfortable autumn weather, perfect for activities on constant-level Lake LBJ, as well as enjoying several new attractions at the Resort, like the first floating pool in North America, the MouratoglouTennis Center and the kids inflatable Splash Safari Aqua Park. This is also the perfect time of year for a round of golf on one of four golf courses within the Resort, including the award-winning Summit Rock Golf Course. Join the vibrant HSB Resort Community and let Horseshoe Bay Resort Realty guide you in finding your perfect home.
Interior design and furnishings by Jill Elliott for Longneck Manor. @longneckmanor
1 | What is NARI?
THE RIGHT RESOURCE FOR YOUR Next Remodeling Project
NARI stands for “National Association of the Remodeling Industry” and is the only professional association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only independent national association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. Austin NARI’s goal is to help homeowners fi nd the right professional partners to execute their remodel project. Austin NARI wants each homeowner to get the maximum value and enjoyment for the dollars they invest in their remodel and to avoid the pitfalls so many make when hiring ill-equipped contractors. Ask your remodeling contractor if their company is a member of Austin NARI.
2 | Should I get multiple estimates for a remodeling project?
While conventional wisdom dictates getting three estimates for anything involving labor, this doesn’t necessarily hold true when it comes to comprehensive remodeling projects such as a kitchen, bathroom, addition, or whole house remodel. The real comparison is in the team you will be working with. Chemistry and trust are key! NARI recommends that you interview at least three remodelers and then select the one you feel most comfortable with to bid out your project. This is because there are multiple ways of tackling a project and, unless you know exactly which methods and/or the subs the contractor will be using, there is no way to get an apples-to-apples comparison.
3 | What can I expect to do while a remodeling project is being done in my home?
Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open between you and your contractor. Ask questions. Let them know what your family schedule is and whether you have pets confi ned somewhere. It’s important to keep the work areas off limits to children and pets for their safety; however, you may have a little extra dust and dirt in your house, so keeping the work area off limits will avoid them tracking the dust to other parts of the house.
4 | Should I plan more money than the contract price?
Additional work or a change in the project requested by the remodeling homeowner usually requires a contract price change. Planning for the unforeseen is wise, though, so putting aside an extra 10% over the contract price makes for a less stressful remodel.
5 | While I’m interviewing remodeling contractors, what questions should I ask?
Look for a company with an established business history in your community. Surviving in any business in today’s competitive marketplace is a diffi cult task. Most successful contractors are proud of their history in the industry.
6 | What is the time frame for starting the project? Now is the time to ask questions about work schedules. You should ask: What is your estimate for completion? How early will your crew normally begin work? When will they normally quit for the day? Will I be contacted about delays or changes in the schedule? By whom?
7 | Do you have design services available?
If you are considering a large or involved project, you will need design services. If the contractor does not have design-build capabilities, you should consider hiring an architect and/or designer. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may also need a structural engineer. Visit AustinNARI.org, or call 512.997.6274.
$95k the starting price a homeowner will spend on a luxury kitchen remodel.
7,000+ the number of NARI members nationwide.
300+ the number of NARI members in the Austin area.
LIVING
Today’s standout kitchen and bath projects and products embody the trend towards warm, rich interiors.
photo:
Neutral Nuance
THERE’S NOTHING MINIMAL ABOUT TODAY’S TONAL, TEXTURED TAKE ON KITCHEN AND BATHROOM DESIGN.
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY GRACE BEULEY HUNT AND SARAH SHELTON
Soft maximalism. Easy elegance. Quiet luxury. Whatever verbiage you prefer, there’s no denying that neutrals are having a renaissance. With the days of bland white kitchens and baths largely in the rearview, serene yet richly layered and thoughtfully detailed schemes are emerging in their stead. Take this jewel box kitchen in New York’s Hudson Valley: Awash in artisanal touches and historical references, it’s a feast for the senses—and the perfect embodiment of neutral’s impactful new mood.
Warm white tones—including clé zellige tiles, marble from BAS Stone and cabinets painted Farrow & Ball’s Shadow White—converge in this upstate New York kitchen. Designer Isabel Brewster crafted a shallow ledge to display treasured objects, which are illuminated by Chapman & Myers picture lights.
The Breakers, the Vanderbilt family’s iconic Newport, Rhode Island, “cottage,” might seem like surprising inspiration for a Hudson Valley farmhouse. But as chance would have it, designer Isabel Brewster was fresh off the Newport Cliff Walk home tour circuit when she signed on to renovate a young family’s stately Greek Revival in Rhinebeck, New York—and the threads between the two historic dwellings proved serendipitous.
For the kitchen—a sun-drenched space with a modest footprint that was stripped down to the studs and reimagined alongside general contractor Piotr Ottenbreit of PO Design Creation—Brewster envisioned a warm white scheme rooted in classicism, layered with patina and accented with modern elements. Inspired by The Breakers’ kitchen’s ceiling-height subway tiles, Brewster clad the upper walls and integrated range hood in perfectly imperfect Moroccan zellige tiles that shimmer in the light. Below, a sleek floating ledge and continuous white marble backsplash and countertops lend a decidedly contemporary perspective.
The room’s robust cabinetry program offers another discrete historical homage with its inset-style paneling, which Brewster describes as “transitional” and “Shaker but not ” thanks to the enhanced beveled detailing. Anchoring the space, the designer once again took her cues from the Breakers’ kitchen, channeling its large, freestanding center table for her design of an oak island stained chocolate brown.
Sanding the original wide plank pine floors to their natural state finished with a subtle whitewash creates a bright base layer for the room and unlacquered brass taps and hardware garnish the scene with a timeless living finish. A cherry red pendant suspended above the island is the lone saturated dissenter in the creamy milieu.
Upstairs, the primary bathroom is similarly reverential of history, taking cues for its walls from hand-carved paneling the designer spied in a circa-1700s home in Maine. “I thought this was such an interesting idea and a way to have ‘artwork’ without actually hanging artwork,”
An Urban Electric Co. pendant specified in Benjamin Moore’s Raisin Torte hangs above a custom oak island designed to evoke that of The Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island (left). Brass Rejuvenation hardware dots the drawers (below).
Brewster explains. Here too, the designer chose a warm white paint for the millwork, complemented by bright white ceilings, a monochrome clawfoot tub and crisp, limestone-tiled floors. “I love the mixing of whites in this space—a flat white ceiling, warmer white walls and white floors. There’s a gradation of shades moving up the walls based off the white tones found in the marble.”
Said marble—which wraps the walk-in shower and tops the vanity the designer had fabricated from a vintage midcentury dresser—is a bold cut of Calacatta Viola Breccia. “It makes such a statement with the burgundy undertones,” gushes Brewster, who opted to pair the striking stone with exposed piping, yet again in an aged brass finish, “because that’s ho w bathroom plumbing actually looked and worked in period homes.”
While quiet, the finished spaces thrill with their many tone-on-tone material choices and hand-crafted details. When it comes to creating wow factor within a neutral palette, pulling layers of patina from the past, it seems, is an inspired place to start. isabelbrewsterinteriors.com
Farrow & Ball’s Slipper Satin blankets the primary bathroom, where an antique dresser was retrofitted as a vanity and topped with Calacatta Viola Breccia from United Marble. A tub from Vintage Tub & Bath adds a historic touch.
Gaggenau
For those who know the extraordinary.
The difference is Gaggenau The
Gaggenau Showroom Houston, Texas
MATERIAL NOT ES
HIGH-TOUCH PRODUCTS THAT ELEVATE EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES.
GLOBAL VIEWS
Australia-based hardware company, Bankston Architectural is making its U.S. debut with the launch of a buzzy collaboration with New York-based design studio, Civilian. The 12-piece Hemispheres collection—named after the two parts of the world from which the and and Portoro bankston.com companies are headquartered—combines architectural and artistic flair with functional, standout hardware. Curving shapes and circular elements can be found throughout the line of levers, knobs and pulls as evident in the H03 Knob on Half Moon in Portoro Gold Marble on Smooth Nickel (right).
TAPPED OUT
With matte-black plumbing and hardware here to stay, Brizo is now o ering its beloved Kintsu bath collection in the popular fi nish. Named for the Japanese method of Kintsugi, which marries cracked pottery with gold, Kintsu combines Japanese wabi-sabi principles with a minimalistic Scandinavian ethos. Here, the discreet Widespread Lavatory faucet is shown in the matte black fi nish with wood inserts for a balanced and Zen aesthetic. Mother-of-pearl and concrete detailing are also available. brizo.com
STONE FACED
Coming o the heels of their debut line of mantels, Marmi is leaning further into product with the launch of Editions No. 2: Bath. Known for their custom natural stonework in high-end interiors, Marmi’s 20-piece bath collection features everything from vanities to pedestals to tubs in an impressive 17 stone choices. Here, the Hamilton Demilune Vanity in Picasso marble, designed by the brand’s creative director Neil Zuleta, is complete with burnished brass detailing, open side shelving, a fl uted front and walnut-lined drawers. marmistone.com
All in the Mix
VARIED TEXTURES MAKE A STRIKING STATEMENT IN A MARYLAND BATHROOM DESIGNED FOR DECOMPRESSION.
photo: stacy
zarin goldberg.
Photography by Douglas Friedman
Greige tiles, Formica vanities, a quintessential 1980s sunken jacuzzi: The bathroom, located in Clarksville, Maryland, was begging for a rewrite and designer Elizabeth Reich was happy to oblige. Spurred by her client’s love of Italy, Reich composed a surprising symphony of materials that bridges classic and contemporary for a transportive retreat. Below, the designer breaks down the details.
Wow Factor: My client wanted an unusual marble that reminded her of traveling abroad. We fell in love with this Calacatta Vagli Viola with its wine-colored veining and milky background. She wanted it everywhere at first, but we evolved to making it a focal point on the vanity, sinks, shower and casings.
Grounding Influence: The wood tiles are by Tabarka Studio, which warm up the room and add another element of texture and pattern. I fell in love with this monotone parquet; it’s simple yet interesting.
Hand Crafted: The walls are Venetian plaster by artisan Kelly Walker to give an aged feel, like something you would see in Europe. The pale umber color brings out the subtle golden tones in the marble.
Custom Content: The bespoke vanity was designed and built from white oak by a local cabinetmaker. The solid brass hardware is in a burnished finish by HRL Brass, and we loved the rectangular backplates which give them an extra cool factor. The standalone cabinet is also made of white oak, but the panels are reeded. Same material, different vibe! crosbyjenkins.com
Calacatta Vagli Viola marble from Gramaco Stone Source steals the show in this Maryland bathroom, where Visual Comfort & Co. sconces flank Arteriors mirrors. Wood tiles from Tabarka Studio and plaster walls by Kelly Walker of Artstar Custom Paintworks add texture.
photos: stacy zarin goldberg.
From the serene shores of the Gulf Coast to the breathtaking vistas of Hill Country and the unique character of communities throughout its major metropolises, Texas is a diverse tapestry of surroundings that will inspire any creative. In this special section, join some of the state’s foremost industry experts as they share their take on this treasure trove of cultural richness and artistic flair—and how it all influences interior design, architecture, construction, material selection and more. Celebrate and explore the Lone Star State’s spirit and style, in The Heart of Texas Design.
Arete Kitchens | Artisan Hardwood Floors | Austin Granite Direct Austintatious Blinds and Shutters
Butter Lutz Interiors
Curated Studio
John-William Interiors | LAVISH kitchen + bath
An Evolving Market
“Austin, like most of Texas, has experienced a tremendous influx of new residents who are relocating mostly for job and real estate opportunities,” Tony says. “We have been blessed to partner with clients from all over the country and the world, who bring unique styles, personalities and proclivities to every project. This appeal has also resulted in new talent in the design and construction spaces, which is exciting. We love working with our industry collaborators to bring amazing visions to life.”
The roots established in one’s childhood are always meaningful, and this is especially true when they connect to a favorite place or discovered passion. For Tony Villarreal, both things are true. Today the Owner and Founder of Alabaster, Tony has always lived in Texas and began his journey in the construction industry at a young age. After cultivating this passion for a while, he and his wife Isabel founded two firms: one focused on remodels and the other on custom new builds. Upon recognizing the synergy between the brands and their teams, they combined efforts to found Alabaster. Known for building and renovating homes that stand the test of time, the firm strives to enrich the lives of families for generations to come. Most of those families are Austinites, and it’s a community the Villarreals are devoted to. “Austin is home to an abundance of opinions, cultures and personalities,” Tony says. “We have built the most meaningful relationships with o ur neighbors and can’t imagine doing this work anywhere else.”
The Austin Life
Asked to talk about the local lifestyle, Tony enthuses, “Austin has a character all its own, and it’s very laid-back and approachable even while being quite design-centric. This city caters to the ultraposh and casual simultaneously, which is a fun space to design in. Each of our projects is tailored to the homeowner and their family. How they use their environment—indoors and out—is the central factor. We want to increase the usefulness of their home alongside producing something that is beautiful.”
Top Fully remodeled, this kitchen features rift-sawn white oak cabinets, brass hardware and a hex mosaic tile. Bottom This primary bath was transformed into a semi-wet room with the demolition of a pony wall.
One sure sign of a good edit and a good eye is a curator who works with both established brands and creators as well as up-and-coming designers. Alexander Marchant does just that. As Founder and CEO Susan Alexander says: “We have long been considered the place to shop for design elements you don’t see everywhere. We continue that commitment, picking up new, relatively unknown plumbing, hardware and lighting lines. We love working with established designers and architects that we have long-standing relationships with while also courting and working with the newly established.” Alexander founded the company over 20 years ago and the brand now boasts two locations in Austin, one in San Antonio and a new space in Oklahoma City, at the Classen Design Center. “That space is our first location outside of Texas,” Alexander says. “We are thrilled to continue growing our footprint!”
Renovation Revelry
With a background in restoration, Alexander is intrigued by projects that feature antique hardware restoration or replication. “I am drawn to pieces that feel like they have a history, whether it’s in a finish that ages naturally, a design element like coining or a soft curve where mixed finishes seamlessly meet.”
WE ENJOY WORKING ON ANY AND ALL ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND OUR TEAM LOOKS FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGES NEW PROJECTS PROVIDE.”
Regional Details
Alexander details the differences in the Texas areas that the company services. “Austin has an adventurous spirit and, thus, we tend to specify products for inventive projects,” she says. “San Antonio is where we flex our historical renovation muscles and work on packages for beautiful old homes.”
Top Tucked away in a Barton Hills bungalow, this kitchen is light, bright and organic. Mackenzie Wood of Tribe Design Group shopped at Alexander Marchant to make it happen.
Photography Ryann Ford
Hill Country Haven
Asked what he does for an inspiration refresh, Paul says, “We spend about 100 miles a week of outdoor time, walking our dogs and getting in touch with the natural beauty and vibe of the Hill Country.”
In the past several years, communities all around Texas have experienced the design renaissance that comes with a new influx of neighbors—and purveyors like Anthony’s Patio have found themselves busier than ever. “We primarily work with the trade, and our designers are engaging with outdoor projects more than ever since people are moving here for the climate,” says company President Anthony Paul. Offering furnishings from Gloster, Brown Jordan, DEDON, Castelle and many other unique product lines, Anthony’s Patio is equipped to accommodate this timeless trend reinvigorated. “Our goal is to tailor solutions so that everything looks and feels purposeful,” Paul shares. “Our extensive roster of high-quality manufacturers and in-depth product knowledge bring unique selections and installations for all. This is the difference in dealing with a product specialist versus a general reseller.”
Local Viewpoint
Paul shares a little more about Texas and its design scene.
• Al fresco, all the time. Over the past 20 years of living and working in Austin, we’ve seen some dramatic changes. One constant, however, is our weather, which is made for endless outdoor living, so choosing the right products is the key to longevity, value and happiness.
• Aes thetics abound. Because you use your outdoor spaces every day and enjoy entertaining family and friends there, aesthetic harmony is crucial. With more style options than ever before, new outdoor furnishings and accessories not only provide you with the opportunity to frame your home properly—like a piece of art—but elevate your entire lifestyle.
Top Gloster’s Zenith collection creates a Zen spot to gather by the pool. Left The Kay rocking chair from Gloster marries intriguing design with indulgent comfort. Right With clean lines that are softened by organic textures, the Loop collection from Gloster fits beautifully in the contemporary backyard.
LOS ANGELES · CHICAGO · DANIA BEACH · NEW YORK
Arete Kitchens
512.383.9906 | aretekitchens.com | aretekitchens
An enduring commitment to one’s community builds strong relationships and elevates people’s lives. Proudly serving their neighbors in Central Texas for more than a quarter century, Tom and Andrea Wilkinson and their award-winning team at Arete Kitchens bring passion for quality and design to everything they do. “We began as a small custom architectural millwork shop that’s evolved into a full-service design studio and showroom specializing in world-class kitchens by LEICHT, innovative outdoor kitchens by Urban Bonfire and beautiful bespoke closets by MisuraEmme,” Andrea says. One of the keys to Arete’s success is their direct connection with the brands they represent. Tom adds: “Having no intermediaries allows us to offer design accuracy, precise ordering, quicker lead times and the best possible pricing. From planning to design to installation, we provide a seamless, comprehensive experience.”
Tex-Pertise
What does it take to achieve great Texas design? Andrea and Tom Wilkinson share their expert insights.
• Describe the current state of Austin design.
We see a continuing trend to bring the beauty of the surrounding landscape indoors. Not only in the natural materials we use for our cabinetry, but in the designs we’re creating that require space for plants and herb gardens in the kitchen.
• How is the influx of new residents influencing your work?
The diversity of our clientele has allowed us to expand our design narrative on a global scale as we combine each client’s unique cultural narrative with our own Austin aesthetic.
• What are the architectural styles trending in Austin and how are they inspiring you?
Recently, we’ve been taking cues from the midcentury modern aesthetic, which is a style that meshes easily with the uncomplicated lines of our European cabinetry.
• What has been the key to your success?
Over the years, we’ve developed into a mighty team of exceptionally talented and hard-working individuals who are deeply committed to elevating our projects to the next level.
Top Stretching from floor to ceiling, the striking slate black FENIX cabinetry and paneling provides a captivating contrast to the interior’s warm wood tones and abundant natural light from the kinetic window wall. Left A fascinating dialogue between materials of unparalleled quality, the walk-in closets and wardrobes offer infinite possibilities as glass and wood, transparency and matter, alternate in an irresistible play of light and texture. Right Designed with durable, marine-grade aluminum cabinetry and complete with bar seating, sink, refrigeration and a matching slatwall backsplash, this outdoor kitchen is an entertainer’s dream.
Photography Top + Right by Jake Holt; Left Courtesy of MisuraEmme
ALPINE OAK KYOTO | MATTE PEARL
Artisan Hardwood Floors
512.928.1655 | artisanfloors.com | artisanfloors
Texas is a place with rich history, and Austin is known for blending that old influence with new ideas. Enter, Artisan Hardwood Floors. The firm is deeply intertwined with the city, while being known for its ability to blend traditional and modern elements in its flooring selection. “Our founder, originally a furniture maker, came here in the 1960s,” says General Manager Pat Bailey. “Our workshop and office are both located in East Austin, an area that was still farmland when we first set up shop. We’ve stayed here as a reminder of our journey from a humble woodshop to a cornerstone of local architecture and design.” Alongside this original flagship, the Artisan team is excited to be opening a new showroom on Burnet Lane. It will prove a key resource for homeowners and design pros who are looking for the perfect flooring to achieve their minimalist-meets-Texas aesthetic, which Bailey says tends to be popular these days.
AroundTown Inspo
When Bailey and team need to get some creative juices flowing, they lean on the bustling design and cultural communities of Austin. “Events like the AIA Home Tour and East Austin Studio Tour are mustattends for anyone interested in the latest trends and discussions in the field,” Bailey says. “These events offer a fantastic convergence of ideas that reflect the local, innovative spirit. You might also find us strolling through the Blanton Museum of Art, enjoying nature or wandering through local farmers’ markets. These places all provide a mix of natural beauty and artistic inspiration that often fuels us.”
Musical Mindset
“In Austin, design intricately interacts with the local music scenes, deeply influencing both the function and aesthetics of spaces,” Bailey says. “The ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ sees its venues, homes and public spaces designed with acoustical considerations in mind, often incorporating soundproofing materials and layouts that enhance live music experiences. The eclectic vibe of Austin’s music scene is mirrored in its interior designs, which often feature vibrant, artistic elements and a laid-back inclusive ambience.”
OUR HARDWOODS HARMONIZE WITH TEXAS’ OUTDOOR SPIRIT BY BRINGING THE FEEL OF THE OUTDOORS INSIDE.”
Top This residential remodel by architect Nicole Blair, titled “The Perch,” exudes eclectic warmth and features gorgeous flooring to suit its light-andbright palette.
Photography Casey Dunn Photography
Austin Granite Direct
Named one of the top five places to live in the United States several years in a row by many a publication, Austin continues to experience growth. Because of this, it’s a city alive with design—more new residents means fresh perspectives and changing ideas of “the perfect home.” For the team at Austin Granite Direct, this proves a thrill. From white with gray veining to gray with dark veining and even deep, moody black, the stone design firm’s clients love their vast showcase of style options. As do the areas they’re updating! The team at AGD is busy with much more than kitchen countertops (although this is a favorite in such a foodloving city). Bathroom countertops, living room built-ins, wet bars, outdoor kitchens and grill areas, fireplaces, feature walls—you name it, Austin Granite Direct is specifying and installing a gorgeous slab.
Attention Foodies
Austin is known for its vast, creative and inventive culinary culture. Highend restaurants and food trucks alike attract locals and visitors. As such, the city’s homeowners make a big deal out of their kitchens. Whether for a chef, entertainer or busy family, Austin Granite Direct is frequently asked to zero in on the kitchen. The results suit the client’s personality, while supporting their prep-andcook goals.
One-Stop Wonder
With material, fabrication and installation in its wheelhouse, Austin Granite Direct is the one-stop shop homeowners and design pros alike are seeking. Carefully sourcing stones from overseas, AGD makes some of the world’s most exquisite stone varieties more accessible and convenient—and supports clients who plan to utilize them in all kinds of surface applications. The firm’s fully automated shop specializes in fabricating for countertops, shower walls, fireplaces and all wall applications.
Top Calacatta Boheme quartzite beautifully accents the brown cabinets and blue backsplash in this kitchen. A waterfall island with precisely matched veins adds to the aesthetic. Left These porcelain shower walls bring glamour to a luxury bathroom. Right A 12-millimeter ultracompact surface known for its incredible strength, heat resistance and beauty, Calacatta Neolith makes for a gorgeous feature.
Austintatious Blinds and Shutters
While Texas offers a wide breadth of gorgeous places, there is just something special about Hill Country. With its scenic drives and abundant wildlife, it exudes a charming opportunity to find wonder and delight. This is why Tracey Hopkins and Norma Cataño, both natives of the state but from the west and the panhandle, respectively, set their sights on Austin a little more than 25 years ago. Today, the duo operates Austintatious Blinds and Shutters together out of Bee Cave, and they couldn’t have made a better choice for locale. “The amount of growth and change here and in San Antonio is unprecedented,” Tracey shares. “It’s an exciting time to be involved in the interior design world, specifically in our region.” Norma adds, “There are so many incredible projects that really push the envelope in terms of design. It also keeps our team motivated and excited just to see what we can be a part of.”
THROUGH WINDOW TREATMENTS, WE STRIVE TO ACCENTUATE— NOT TAKE AWAY FROM—TEXAS’ BEAUTIFUL VIEWS.”
Singular Sisters
“Both Austin and San Antonio are very unique in terms of the rest of the state,” Tracey says. “The food, architecture, people and vibe of these two cities are unlike any other in Texas. Austin is all about ‘keeping it weird’ and maintaining its individual feel, while San Antonio is about staying true to and honoring its deep roots in Mexican American culture. The sister cities complement each other well.”
Program To Perfection
Asked to share one of her favorite product options, Norma points to motorized shades. “They can provide a great open look and feel by being programmed to raise prior to the usual times you are in your living areas and, conversely, lower in places like the bedrooms at nighttime. Having shades follow the patterns of those who inhabit the space can help everyone truly enjoy a home or a space as the architect intended.”
Top Modern Hunter Douglas roller shades accompany patterned custom drapes for a welcoming gathering area. Left Motorized floor-to-ceiling Hunter Douglas Silhouettes are a beautiful and dramatic, as well as highly-functional, solution for maintaining views. Right Create a comfortable and timeless space with naturally textured Hunter Douglas Provence Woven Wood shades.
Butter Lutz Interiors
Inspiring, energizing and deeply evocative, Austin fosters innovative design and creative excellence. Enter Amy Lutz Bryant, who, along with her award-winning team at Butter Lutz Interiors, has been creating beautiful spaces that offer “Smart Luxury” while reflecting each client’s unique taste, story and vision. “My design journey kicked off back in 2008 when a builder friend asked for a hand with a project,” Bryant says. “That little nudge reignited my love for design, and I’ve been on this exciting creative adventure ever since!” Although Austin-based, Bryant says that she and her staff work on projects “from the beach to the mountains and everywhere in between.” When asked to describe her signature style, she shares: “While our firm gravitates toward the classic, our true joy lies in bringing our clients’—who we consider to be family—dreams and visions to life in surprising and delightful ways.”
The Austin Way
• Talk about your particular neighborhood and how it energizes your work. Our office is right on Lake Austin, where the dynamic mix of cultures and styles continually inspires us. We love being part of this vibrant community and how that vitality brings unique, personal touches to our designs that elevate our clients’ lives.
• What is it about Austin and San Antonio that distinguishes them from other Texas towns? They are places where diversity and creativity thrive. The nexus of our cultural, culinary and music scenes fuels the vitality of our cutting-edge design community and vice versa.
• Share the design and architectural styles that are trending right now. Rather than adhering to trends, this region often sets them by embracing a mix of styles. The eclectic blend of influences seen in and around Austin often leads to new design trends that spread across Texas.
• Where do you go for fresh design ideas? When I’m seeking inspiration, I explore new places. I recently returned from a trip to Europe with my family, and my iPad is jam-packed with incredible images of the architecture and craftsmanship I saw there.
Top The epitome of understated luxury, a sleek marble fireplace anchors this minimalist home, allowing art and materiality to take center stage. Bottom A perfect fusion of form and function, this kitchen offers a space brimming with contemporary comfort and refined elegance.
Photography Chase Daniel
Curated Studio
Texas has quite a collection of major metropolises, but Austin stands out for its rich music culture, eclectic spirit and wide variety of outdoor activities. And its locals deeply appreciate all the above. Just ask Lauren Taylor and Kakin Nichols, Owners and Design Principals of Curated Studio. “We see this all carry over into our projects,” Taylor shares. “Our clients are often seeking comfort fused with personality. They want a space to display their guitar collection, a designated record room or to be able to connect their indoor and outdoor spaces for family time on the weekend. They want their home to be an extension of the lifestyle they enjoy in Austin.” As for the aesthetics Austinites are prioritizing, Nichols says, “We’re seeing more affinity for transitional design. From antiques to traditional patterns in wallcoverings and textiles, we find people gravitating toward warmer components that infuse character.”
On The Scene
Taylor offers up her sources of local inspo, including two Instagram must-follows.
• Austin is full of inspiring spots. We find a lot of influence in local hospitality and culinary spaces. Grabbing a cocktail at the bar in one of our unique boutique hotels or a dinner out at a restaurant would top our list. The design risks and sometimes over-the-top choices that are made in these spaces can really spark creativity.
• @aiaaustin is a great follow for staying plugged in to the architecture side of the industry. It is also a way to stay up-to-date on design events and tours.
• @e ateraustin posts about the latest in the restaurant world, giving us a view into what is happening on the hospitality side of design—and ideas for a delicious dinner out!
WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN DESIGNING FOR THE ARCHITECTURE AND FOR THE CLIENT, SO EVERY PROJECT TELLS A STORY.”
Top This kitchen features striking Calacatta Turquoise marble countertops complemented by white cabinets, blending modern and classic styles seamlessly. Right Warm white walls and countertops provide a serene background for this primary bath, which features brass plumbing and bronze accents. Far right This primary bedroom sitting area features a curved sage green sofa complemented by a glass chandelier, a plush fur rug and flowing linen drapery.
Austin and San Antonio are known for a range of styles, and a strong design team knows they need to master many to match the tastes of their diverse clientele. John-William Interiors Owner John Snell says, “Austin is buzzing with creativity, talented artists and distinct cultural influences. The city is full of innovation, and it’s no different within our walls.” The team takes inspiration from the homes they design, especially during a remodel project. “Many of our clients live in historic homes,” Snell explains. “We seek out designs that can honor the architectural heritage yet fulfill the client’s vision for the future of their space.” Their philosophy is to create environments that represent each client and are simultaneously enduring. Snell adds: “Trends come and go. Over time, we’ve discovered that designing something timeless yields the best outcome for our clients.”
Creative Inspiration
How does today’s design team stay inspired? A mix of art and music, plus industry events that help them keep tabs on the latest trends. John Snell says, “One of our can’t-miss events each year is the Colormix Forecast hosted by Sherwin-Williams. It’s fascinating to see the transitions from year to year, and we always look forward to finding new ways to incorporate color into our clients’ homes.”
The art scene is also a guiding light. “We all appreciate art,” Snell enthuses. “The galleries throughout the city are invigorating spaces to visit when we need a boost.”
Noting that each designer has their own favorites, Snell continues: “We are all inspired by music, and Austin is filled with many different concert and live music venues. We love seeing how we can replicate the feelings relayed in music into our designs.”
AUSTIN CAN FEEL LIKE A DIFFERENT WORLD FROM THE REST OF TEXAS. THE CITY STANDS OUT AS ALWAYS ARTISTIC, LIVELY AND MODERN.”
Top This stunning home is an expression of the owner’s contemporary style and love of blues, both of which are tastefully highlighted throughout. Left Invigorating conversation happens amidst expressive design, and this dining room is certainly a space to gather and make memories. Right Designed for indoor-outdoor hosting, the exterior living area greatly expands the home’s entertaining spaces and welcomes in the fresh air and natural beauty.
Photography Brian Cole
AUSTIN’S INTERIOR DESIGN STORE
Celebrating 40 Years
LAVISH kitchen + bath
Known for its unique combination of innovative and heritage-filled culture, Austin and San Antonio are two of Texas’ most up-and-coming cities. But for some, the appeal has always been evident. Take Jill and Daniel Siegel, who returned to Central Texas 17 years ago after missing the lifestyle, rivers, springs and landscape, after spending 7 years in Seattle. “We adore the stunning landscapes, waterfront retreats, distinct sense of place, character and history, people and more,” Jill enthuses. The design community also rests on that list, because the Siegels have built a thriving custom cabinetry business—LAVISH kitchen + bath—with showrooms in both Austin and San Antonio. “Our state-of-the-art production facility is strategically located between the two cities, allowing us to efficiently serve the entire marketplace.” And that they do. LAVISH is beloved for its varied options, bespoke capabilities and clear understanding of local style sentiments.
A Land Of Awe
“The landscape serves as a wellspring of inspiration for our work,” Jill says. “From the rugged beauty of the Hill Country to the serene allure of its waterways, the essence of Texas nature infuses our designs with a sense of authenticity and harmony. It influences our color palettes, material choices and overall aesthetic, allowing us to create spaces that resonate with our clients and their surroundings. We have a deep respect and appreciation for the outdoors and enjoying bringing it into our work.”
Dynamic Duo
Although considered sister cities by many, Austin and San Antonio each offer their own unique charm. Jill shares her takes:
• In San Antonio, we embrace the harmonious blend of old and new, drawing inspiration from traditional areas like King William. This historic charm is juxtaposed with the city’s forward-thinking clients, who propel design into the future with cutting-edge, internationally styled new construction homes.
• In Austin, a spirit of innovation permeates every aspect of design. The city’s contemporary style prioritizes sustainability and indoor health, reflected in its stunning new homes and the revitalization of inner-city neighborhoods. Austin’s commitment to thoughtful, progressive design is evident across the city.
Top Crafted from solid walnut wood, this stunning kitchen is completely natural and sustainable—the centerpiece of a captivating whole-home project in Westlake Hills. Right For the kitchen of this whole-home project, LAVISH created an environment that serves every need. The finishes are a blend of soft-touch matte lacquer and Italian laminates. Far right Clean-cut and minimalist in appearance, this handle-free, solid-oak kitchen showcases the natural beauty of these materials.
Photography Top by Likeness Studio; Right by Jack Opatrny; Far right Courtesy of Team7
Presidio Steel Doors & Windows
512.524.6060 | presidiodoors.com | presidiodoors
Austin is a thriving modern metropolis made up of unique, friendly neighborhoods. To those lucky enough to live there and for those who wish they did, that distinct duality is at the heart of Austin’s appeal. For more than 30 years, Bryan Wiest and his family have been an integral part of the community. “We were drawn here for a variety of reasons including great schools, exceptional culture and diversity and unmatched opportunities,” he says. As the Owner of Presidio, Wiest channels that Austin optimism and pride into his elegantly designed, custombuilt steel doors, windows and gates, which are crafted locally. “The team at Presidio is ready to take your inspirational images and ideas and make them a reality,” Wiest adds. “Our new state-of-the-art showroom is located in Southwest Austin, so that we can be a part of Austin’s next great residential area.”
The Austin Effect
• How would you define Austin design right now? The first two words that come to mind are warm and contemporary. Austinites want home to be a comforting oasis away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life while reflecting the innovative spirit of the city through cutting-edge design and construction.
• How does Texas’ unique history and heritage influence your work?
Texas’ rich history is evident in a great number of our projects and we are constantly aspiring to stay true to our roots by offering a wide range of products that fit our clients’ many design aesthetics.
• Wh at about the passion for the great outdoors? Because Texans love the great outdoors, we have increased our offerings to include custommade steel fences, gates, railings and planters, and we always welcome custom requests that push our creative boundaries.
Top Presidio custom steel windows in a rich black finish bring a stunning design element to this Barton Hills residential project. Bottom Walls of Presidio custom steel windows serve as a fabulous frame that turns this view of the water, sky and trees into a priceless work of art.
Photography Matt Sawyers of Color Box Media
Texas Iowa Reclaimed
With so many individuals moving to the Austin area from all over the country, the design scene is quickly becoming a melting pot of influences. From minimal and modern to classical and elegant to rustic and homey, it’s all happening in Austin and sometimes all at once. Emilie Crockett, Owner and Lead Designer at Texas Iowa Reclaimed, weighs in: “My absolute favorite look is a gorgeous collaboration of rebellion: minimal meets classical meets reclaimed materials.” This eclectic nature seems beautifully aligned with Austin, where a warm southern charm is infused in a cultural mecca of architecture, food and design. As a purveyor of reclaimed floors, beams and boards, Texas Iowa Reclaimed finds its place among this diverse design renaissance. Crockett speaks to this, saying, “I see you, Cali natives! Reclaimed materials have long graced Wine Country vineyards and coastal residences. We’re supplying our products to many Austin homes for these transplants.”
Sustainable + Stylish
Texas Iowa Reclaimed prides itself on offering a product that reuses a precious resource while providing an authentic, time-imbued look and feel that suits the roots and residences of Texas. “We bring warmth and realness to the land of man-made materials,” Crockett enthuses. “Our reclaimed wood comes from our nation’s 1700s and 1800s structures. The floors, which are my personal favorite product, are custom-milled to your desired thickness, width and surface texture specifications with a solid or engineered approach. We also offer reclaimed beams from 6" x 6" to 12" x 12" and up to 40' lengths, and we can clad whatever space you fancy! If you can imagine it, we can supply you with reclaimed materials.”
RECLAIMED MATERIALS CAN SUIT YOUR RUSTIC DREAMS OR BRING A TWIST TO THOSE MODERN SPACES— THEY’RE MORE VERSATILE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK!”
Top In this immaculate kitchen, the herringbone floors, cabinets and beams are all crafted with reclaimed hardwood. Builder: Brandon Custom Homes. Far left The owners of this home wanted natural reclaimed wood from floor to ceiling! Builder: Brandon Custom Homes. Center This space features reclaimed mixed hardwoods. Builder: KNH Construction. Architect: Dibello Architects. Left The Texas Iowa Reclaimed studio showcases reclaimed wood in various finishes and applications. Builder: Twelve Point Construction.
Top + Right Designer: Deborah Kirk Interiors. Builder: WESMAR CONSTRUCTION, LLC. Photographer: Jason Risner Photography. Left Texas Iowa Reclaimed Owner/Lead Designer Emilie Crockett poses in the hallway of a project. Builder: Brandon Custom Homes. Photographer: JPM Real Estate Photography.
Webber + Studio, Architects
No one has the understanding or passion for a place like a true native. That is particularly true when one considers how to best integrate architecture and design into the vernacular of a community while making a unique and innovative statement. Enter David Webber, AIA, and his multi-award-winning firm, Webber + Studio, Architects. “Somewhat like a unicorn, I am an Austin native,” he muses. “Operating in and around Austin since 1997, we have worked on projects across the U.S. and are currently expanding our footprint into residential, mixed-use and hospitality design in Costa Rica.” Webber + Studio, Architects’ exciting growth is energized by the wealth of new ideas and innovative ways of working happening in their hometown. According to Webber: “The melting pot of influences, industries and creativity bubbling throughout our area have placed Austin and San Antonio at the forefront of design.”
Tradition + Innovation
“Whether it’s the historic German and Mexican influences that have permeated our design sensibilities via San Antonio or the inspiration we receive from Austin’s progressive energy and resource-conscious ideals, the creative exchange between these two has been one of the great strengths in our greater design megalopolis of nearly five million people,” share Thomas Tornbjerg and Luis A. Rodriguez, Studio Architects at Webber + Studio. “The remarkable output we are seeing as local firms pair up with internationally renowned progressive design minds results in things like 3D-printed houses that still look like they belong in central Texas.”
When asked to describe the architectural style his firm is best known for, Webber says: “I would call it ‘Regional Minimalism.’ While rooted in local materials, crafts and building traditions, and the importance of each client’s wants and needs and each project’s unique site, our approach to detailing is stripped down to its essence. Whether we are designing a more expressive building or giving a nod to a preestablished style, this is the baseline for all of our projects.”
Top With its Olympic-length lap pool and lush, green vistas, this south-facing terrace is the perfect place to relax, unwind and welcome guests. Bottom A rubble stone wall provides organic elegance and welcomed privacy, while contrasting with the sleek lines of this handsome home.
When one is born and raised in a city and returns there after years living elsewhere, it’s obvious how special that home must be. Such was the case for Jen Murrill, who returned to her hometown of Austin after living in Central Virginia for several years. “I missed my family, good salsa and Bluebell’s Homemade Vanilla ice cream,” she quips. “Actually, I longed for so much about it. Austin is a balance of thought, creative expression and people who make the city so rich—combined with a vibrant, livable downtown.” Enter, Wheelhouse Design. Murrill’s firm comprises a team of talented Austinites who infuse every design with their clients’ personalities and their city’s essence. “We’ve really pushed our design boundaries as we learn about their cultures and preferences while introducing them to local and regional flavor. It’s great fun.”
Story Of Home
“We do so many renovations, and I always try to respect the original building and neighborhood,” Murrill says. “What does the house want to be? What elements and constraints offer guidance in terms of what will make our final product truly special and unique? I always think a blank white box is too broad of a canvas existing conditions tell a story and often one that gets richer and more interesting with new layers of complexity, expression and personality. It’s just the best!”
Design + Culture
According to Murrill, Austin is infused with a beautiful marriage between the two. She speaks to local design events: “We have all the home tours! Between AIA, NARI and Tribeza, there are wonderful opportunities to get out and see the latest and greatest spaces crafted by our talented community.” Speaking of local design, she touches on one of her greatest sources of inspiration: the city’s foodie scene. “Food, food, food—there is so much incredible food here. With it, the spaces, table settings, drinks and flavors, beautiful platings, garnishes, etc. the dining experience has layers of depth that are equivalent to those in a beautifully designed home. Our culinary establishments here know what it means to create a memorable experience one wants to return to time and again.”
Top, Left + Right This stunning whole-home project abounds with character, comfort, and chic beauty from room to room. From the organic, yet sleek and functional kitchen, to the pops of color that liven up the bathrooms and living spaces, thoughtful details make their impact. The home was built by Hudson Builders.
Photography Kieran Reeves
Poetic License
With a mix of modern and classic elements, a new Dallas home creates a timeless allure.
BY STEPHEN KARLISCH | STYLING BY JENNY O’CONNOR STUDIO
MONIQUE MCINTOSH | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
WRITTEN
Interior Design: Chad Dorsey and Georgia Bass, Chad Dorsey Design Home Builder: Kurt Bielawski, More Design + Build
Benjamin Moore’s Midnight Blue defines the debonair library lounge, outfitted with an Ochre rolled-arm sofa and Maison Royère chair covered in Castel fabric. The adjacent bar space shimmers, its walls clad in an Ann Sacks mirror tile. The artwork is by Andy Warhol.
Instilling a new home with years of character is no small feat. To cohesively combine modern influences (and conveniences) with a been-here-forever look in a Dallas build for longtime clients, interior designer Chad Dorsey and builder Kurt Bielawski conceived the story of an old home updated with contemporary features. “We imagined we were renovating this European country estate, maybe somewhere in the southern part of France,” Dorsey explains. “What would we do with a classic building if we were going to modernize it but still keep much of its architectural integrity?” Joined by designer Georgia Bass, they used this fictional narrative as a framework to compose multiple layers for the new residence, melding past and present in every room. Characterful architectural finishes helped weave their tale. For the exterior, the team chose antiqued white brick “because we wanted a patina that felt like it had been there forever,” Bielawski says. Inside, thresholds are framed with custom casings whose rounded profiles were inspired by millwork the team encountered in an old Parisian town house. Glossy black lacquered doors and classic brass hardware conjure an old-world glamour. The design leavens these nods to the past with “timeless materials that don’t speak of a specific era,” says Bass, pointing to the thick limestone flooring and slabs of honed Danby marble that encase the couple’s en suite bath. Natural hardwoods are a central design element: The entryway incorporates a cedar statement wall; the living room’s floor and ceiling are made of wideplank white oak; and a powder room door is paneled in rich cypress. Most dramatically, hand-hewn timber beams outline the great room, which the team envisioned as the oldest part of the home. The exposed structures help define the otherwise open layout that encompasses the living room, lounge, mirror-tiled bar and contemporary kitchen area. In the latter, white lacquer cabinetry concealing refrigeration, a curved stucco hood and marbletopped island create a visually arresting contrast to the more antique elements in the adjacent spaces.
A sleek powder room further develops the project’s old-meets-new conceit, as if the imagined renovation prioritized modernizing an old home’s more functional areas. Opened through a sleek pivot door that disappears into the surrounding paneling, the room feels transported from a luxurious hotel with its classic Calacatta Viola marble sink and modern aubergine wallcovering.
These engineered layers of time are reflected in details both large and small. The living area is furnished with an eclectic medley of traditional and contemporary, blending a rolled-arm chair’s classic English vibe with midcentury design in the form of an upholstered wingback chair and a free-form custom coffee table. The adjacent library lounge, connected to the living room by thick, limestone-encased archways, borrows inspiration from English members’ clubs. The designers outfitted their version with deep-seated upholstery and enveloped the walls, built-in bookshelves and ceiling in rich blue to convey old-world luxury, while more sleekly proportioned pieces and a Warhol above the bar add a dose of modernity. The formal dining room continues to blend sensibilities, pairing hand-painted chinoiserie mural wallpaper and an antique mirror with a contemporary sculptural chandelier. “The combination of different styles gives a personal and more collected feel that supports the architecture,” Dorsey says.
The guest bedrooms exude distinct personalities. “The couple likes to entertain, so they wanted to have really proper guest rooms,” Dorsey adds. The designers composed unique moods for each, employing pattern and texture: a soft and feminine blush wallpaper for one, and a more rugged chevron fabric wallcovering and alpaca curtains for another. The couple’s primary suite juxtaposes modern striated wallpaper with drapery inspired by 17th-century verdure tapestries so that it feels like a nod to the past with updated trimmings. Color weaves everything together into a cohesive narrative. “The architectural elements were all pretty neutral, which made a great backdrop for the touches of blue that the wife really liked,” Bass notes. Select shades were chosen in direct dialogue with the couple’s expansive collection of contemporary art, curated with adviser Sarah Calodney. The museum-finished white walls in the central stairwell hallway, for example, provide a pristine background for vibrant artworks by Sarah Meyohas and Brent Wadden. Meanwhile, the breakfast room’s indigo wallpaper intensifies a vivid painting by Brazilian artist Marina Perez Simão. Room by room, the newly constructed home builds a rich story of a place nurtured over generations. “I think the contrasting layers only add to its timeless nature,” Dorsey muses. “Good architecture that balances the traditional and contemporary allows for different personalities to live there and for the home to change over time.”
Located in the heart of the home, the kitchen showcases custom bulthaup cabinetry with marble countertops, a plaster hood and Dornbracht’s Tara Ultra faucet. A set of Ochre’s
Sable counter stools pulls up to the island. The sectional is by Poltrona Frau.
“The combination of different styles gives a personal and more collected feel that supports the architecture.”
–CHAD DORSEY
The practical scullery maintains the main kitchen’s elegance with its bulthaup cabinetry, sconce by The Urban Electric Co. and Roman shade made from Holland & Sherry fabric. At the center sits a marble-topped oak island inspired by an antique kitchen table.
An aubergine-hued
The
Left:
Élitis vinyl wallcovering brings moody drama to the powder room, anchored by a marble vanity and walnut mirror. A pendant and pair of sconces, both by The Urban Electric Co., gently illuminate the space.
Opposite:
rich blues of the breakfast room’s Porter Teleo wallpaper complement a Marina Perez Simão painting. A Mark Jupiter table, Poltrona Frau chairs and a Nobilis-covered banquette sit underneath a Pinch pendant.
Left: A pink Carlisle & Co. wallcovering adds a flush of color to the guest bedroom, made extra cozy with an Anne Kirk Textilesupholstered Baker bed. The 1940s Danish armchair from M.Naeve is joined by a Hector Finch lamp atop a BDDW side table.
Opposite: The wife’s custom closet sits pretty in pink, painted floor to ceiling in Benjamin Moore’s Pale Petal. The built-in seating wears Holland & Sherry and Pierre Frey fabrics. An Ironies chandelier glitters above.
Left: Lush textures swathe the primary bedroom, featuring Phillip Jeffries’ Alexander the Grey wallcovering. A Kimberly Denman chair wrapped in Liaigre fabric cozies up to an Alfonso Marina dresser and John Pomp lamp from The Bright Group.
Opposite: Custom Zoffany drapes suit the Holly Hunt silk fabric on the primary bedroom’s Quintus bed. A Natasha Baradaran sofa and Collier Webb lamp topping a custom brass-and-parchment side table complete the space.
Breaking the Mold
An Austin-based ceramicist crafts subtle, organic dinnerware that turns every meal into a work of art.
WRITTEN BY LAURA FENTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYNN MYERS
It’s a fortunate artist whose craft becomes a career. For Lindsey Wohlgemuth, wheel-thrown ceramics have become not just her vocation but a family business with her husband, Dimitar Karaytchev. Their company, Era Ceramics, sells bespoke earthen ceramics that adorn some of the top tables in Austin.
While studying art at the University of Texas, Wohlgemuth took a required class that introduced her to working with clay—and she fell in love. But after graduating, when, she says, “you lose access to your studio, a kiln or a wheel,” she drifted away from the craft.
Several years later, when she and Karaytchev saw a home for rent that had a porch with a high-voltage outlet able to accommodate a kiln, they jumped on the opportunity, installing a wheel and small kiln as soon as they moved in. “Finding that place probably changed the course of our lives,” Wohlgemuth reflects.
It was in the backyard of this homegrown ceramics studio that Wohlgemuth began experimenting with pit firing, in which smoke and ash finish the clay. “It’s one of the first arts mankind ever made, because you can find clay, form it, and then you just need heat,” she observes. The organic quality of her wood-fired vases and bowls began to catch the eye of Austin tastemakers, but a trip to New York City, where she visited the studio of a fellow ceramicist and learned about his journey creating dishes, inspired her to double down on dinnerware.
Wohlgemuth says replacing her store-bought plates with her own pieces frequently led to creative breakthroughs. “I was picking it up, looking at it, washing it, scraping a spoon across it,” she recalls. “That’s when I started honing all the details.” Time and experimentation also elevated her craft. “Different clay bodies have unique textures and colors,” the artist notes. “It takes practice to get to know all the materials and make refinements.” Before introducing a new finish, Wohlgemuth makes dozens of color samples, experimenting with different clay and glaze recipes. “Then I’ll throw a bunch of plates or bowls, and I’ll start testing,” she explains. “It’s months of trying things out, because it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen.”
Fans can get a window into Wohlgemuth’s creative process—and the biophilic pieces that result—on social media. That inside look may be part of why Era Ceramics often sell out the moment a new drop is announced: The craft and care are visible in every piece.
An Era Ceramics bud vase in the Grotto finish (opposite) demonstrates how glaze and clay can create a natural kaleidoscope of earthy tones. Ceramicist Lindsey Wohlgemuth applies glaze to bowls in her studio (left). She makes multiple color samples on tiles (above) before applying the chosen hues to thrown pieces such as dinnerware (top).
Fresh Outlook
Modern details and spatial solutions turn a dated Lake Austin dwelling into a welcoming space with a touch of flair.
WRITTEN BY MAILE PINGEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSAY BROWN
Architecture: Hugh Jefferson Randolph, Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
Interior Design: Claire Zinnecker, Claire Zinnecker Design Home Builder: Tim Hill, Risinger Build
Expansive windows in the neutral-hued living room draw eyes up and out to the Lake Austin vistas beyond.
A custom curved sofa and petrified-wood coffee table designed by Claire Zinnecker and fabricated by Petrified Design emphasize the space’s vintage but family-friendly feel.
Ibecame an interior designer because I like to make things beautiful,”
Claire Zinnecker says. So, when her clients approached her about renovating an outdated 1990s hillside home overlooking Lake Austin, she didn’t flinch at the work it demanded.
“We faced some challenges, and it required problem solving to make things attractive,” she admits. “But this project made me fall in love with design all over again.”
Working with architect Hugh Jefferson Randolph and builder Tim Hill, Zinnecker ingeniously “found” space without changing the home’s footprint. Reconfiguring the upstairs allowed for an expanded primary suite, while raising the roof made way for a two-story living room. On the main level, the team opted to move the staircase to improve the flow of spaces. “The orientation of the original stairway guided you directly upstairs, making it feel like the bedroom was a public space,” Zinnecker explains. Now, a curved stair set back from the door makes the transition to the second level more subtle and encourages the family and their guests to gather downstairs, all while adding a sculptural note that catches the eye upon entering the house.
In furnishing the entertaining spaces, Zinnecker aimed to introduce a touch of elegance. “Originally, the clients were focused on midcentury style, but, as we progressed, they became open to new aesthetics and pieces that were a little more glam,” she says. Playing to the graceful curves of the new stairway, she chose a limestone console and an antique mirror, then added an Italian crystal chandelier at the husband’s request. “It’s beautiful, and you can see it glowing as you’re walking up to the house,” she says.
In the living room, the designer focused on making the new double-height space feel welcoming. “We needed to make it a more human scale,” she explains. The room also needed to be kid-proof. The large sofa—which has two sets of removable covers for easy cleaning—round coffee table and vintage leather chairs allow more fluid motion. “The family constantly moves through the house, so curves help things flow better,” she
says. Just off the living room is the wife’s office, where Zinnecker added open shelving and closed storage as well as a comfy sofa where mom and kids read together.
Zinnecker carried the living room’s neutral palette into the dining area, where she turned a fireplace wall into a marble-lined niche fitted with a walnut buffet. The result: convenient drawers for table linens and entertaining essentials, as well as a sleek display space. “There wasn’t a ton of storage in this house, so we made the most of each area—I used every little trick I have,” the designer shares. In the adjoining kitchen, she took a sophisticated but utilitarian approach, wrapping the walls with oak and topping the counters with quartz, both durable materials.
When it came to the family’s private spaces, Zinnecker leaned into what matters most to the young parents: education. On the home’s lower level, the designer converted a windowless media room into a library stocked with kids’ books and a sleeper sofa perfect for curling up with a story. There’s plenty of play space, too, with a large table for puzzles or games. “You need those ‘active’ spaces for kids to be wild,” she says. Zinnecker also turned the cramped, dark bedrooms into cheerful retreats, each with its own built-in study area. “It was like a cave down there, but now those spaces are tailored for this family,” Hill adds.
Upstairs, at the top of the voluptuous new stairway, sits the ultimate parental hideaway. The room’s long, rectangular shape necessitated some design savvy from Zinnecker and Randolph. By placing the bed at the far end of the room, overlooking the lake, they accommodated a television nook on the opposite side. “The husband is a movie fan, so we wanted to make a really beautiful space with hidden speakers,” Zinnecker shares. The team lined the room with built-in cabinetry and added a vanity. “It feels like a hotel suite,” she says.
Entertaining is a priority for the family, so Zinnecker carved out elevated outdoor living spaces: A set of chaise lounges lines the pool, and a pergola houses the grill and dining area. “We squeezed everything we could out of every single space,” she says. “This house is all about making practical living gorgeous.”
Above: In the primary bedroom, a custom sofa, designed by Zinnecker and crafted by Briley’s Upholstery Shop, and a bouclé ottoman from English Elm create an intimate seating area. An LZF pendant light hangs above. Built-in cabinets painted Sherwin-Williams’ Agreeable Gray maximize storage.
Opposite: The dining room’s custom walnut table is paired with chairs by Four Hands and a Hammerton chandelier. The cabinetry, built by TRC Carpentry Services, frames a Calacatta Macchia backsplash.
Above: Because the primary bathroom has limited space, Zinnecker designed a vanity in the homeowners’ bedroom featuring millwork by TRC Carpentry Services and a Calacatta Diamond countertop. Pinch’s Anders wall light illuminates the mirror by Gio Ponti, which faces a swivel chair from Lulu and Georgia.
Left: To ensure the space feels peaceful, the homeowners’ bed was oriented to get a prime view of the lake. Along the window, an upholstered bench doubles as an ideal reading spot and hidden shoe storage. RH’s Mesa Teak daybed on the balcony invites lounging.
Above: Blush wraps the daughter’s bedroom, pulling rosy hues from the gilded diptych from Anthropologie. Arteriors’ Padma sconce picks up the artwork’s bronze tones and can be angled for just the right reading light.
Opposite: In the same room, a geometric Moroccan rug rests beside a creamy channeled bed by RH. Seated at the built-in desk, Ballard Designs’ Hazel chair feels youthful but sophisticated.
The sons’ room is a shared space but gives each of the boys defined areas.
A sleek Babyletto bunk bed joins custom desks crafted by Risinger Build, which pair with faux-leather chairs from Pottery Barn.
“This house is all about making practical living gorgeous.”
–CLAIRE ZINNECKER
Architecture and Home Builder: Scott Frankel, Frankel Design Build Interior Design: Marie Flanigan, Kristin Fitzgerald and Kristin Carter, Marie Flanigan Interiors
RACHEL GALLAHER
Working on a modern-leaning abode, a Houston interior designer softens the scheme and showcases a family’s art collection.
ARTFUL EVOLUTION
WRITTEN BY
| PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAUDIA CASBARIAN FOR JULIE SOEFER
PHOTOGRAPHY | STYLING BY JESSICA BRINKERT HOLTAM
When a Houston couple who had lived in the Tanglewood neighborhood for years approached designer Marie Flanigan about constructing a new residence nearby, they had three primary objectives: accommodate their growing family, create a space suitable for extensive entertaining and showcase a prized art portfolio. “Art is very important to this family, especially the husband, and he really wanted to make sure the pieces in their collection felt right in the space,” explains interior designer Kristin Fitzgerald, who was brought on to handle the furnishings and finishes of the new two-level home alongside Flanigan and designer Kristin Carter.
The clients had first worked with an out-ofstate architect, but the resulting design was too conceptual and modern for their tastes and felt out of place in the more traditional neighborhood. So, the couple brought in builder Scott Frankel, who had worked on a number of Tanglewood homes, to refine the original plan. Now, the exterior is clean and transitional with contemporary elements, and the gabled roof and stucco finish bring a sense of softness that helps the dwelling blend in with its neighbors. This is no museum, so the interior was envisioned as a warm, comfortable backdrop for the art it showcases. “The house is very inviting. They are raising their children there, after all,” Frankel observes. The designers did a comprehensive art walk with the couple, prioritizing the placement of works by artists such as Donald Martiny, Jennifer Gibbs and Martin Coronel Ordiales before deciding on furniture. A lithograph of Picasso’s Buste de Femme au Chapeau Bleu, for instance, oversees daily life from a prominent position above a game table in the salon. “The client wanted the Picasso to be in a primary entertaining space so he could see it every day,” Frankel shares.
Throughout the interiors, Flanigan and her team had their hands on every detail, emphasizing a peaceful and welcoming palette. Pale white oak recurs throughout: in the custom wall and ceiling paneling leading from the entry to the living room, in the kitchen cabinetry, and as flooring in the bedrooms. White walls and
steel-framed windows skew modern, but the designers also made sure to incorporate “antique pieces and softer moments, such as warm woods, plastered walls, taupe-toned marble and zellige tiles,” Fitzgerald says. “The homeowners like a lot of neutral colors and not a lot of bright pieces— unless it’s in their art collection.”
The lower level holds the primary gathering spaces—a striking entryway with checkerboard stone flooring, the formal living and dining area, a full bar and salon, the kitchen, and the husband’s office. Here, grays and taupes govern the subdued palette, with art once again providing drama.
An electric-blue painting by Donald Martiny introduces a touchstone color that repeats—in a spectrum of shades—throughout the house, like in the navy blue wainscoting of the husband’s office and the lounge’s midnight-blue custom sectional.
The entertaining areas needed to be flexible in size and function, so the formal living and dining space connects to the salon and bar via two sliding oak doors on either side of the fireplace. “If the clients want to, they can close this room off to make the space more intimate during parties,” Flanigan explains. The bar features moments of quiet glamour: herringbone floors, shelving backed by smoked-glass tiles and a large C-shaped countertop of deep blue marble with black veining. In the kitchen, open brass shelving nods to the brass pothanging accent on the custom hood, while detailing underneath the waterfall edge on the large central island introduces organic curves.
Upstairs are the bedrooms and a casual family room where the owners pile onto the sectional to watch TV together. In the primary suite, the clients dreamed of a serene retreat. A seating area and a bed with a custom headboard and built-in floating nightstands make the room feel tranquil and refined. The neutral color scheme encourages occupants to focus on the large windows, framed by linen panels. “They wanted to be able to see out toward the front of the house—the view of the trees was incredibly important to them,” Fitzgerald explains.
In fact, the entire abode is about creating multiple moments of visual surprise and delight. The verdant foliage outdoors, the striking artwork indoors and the design choices throughout foster an inspirational and welcoming environment that invites family and guests alike to enjoy.
In the entryway, two shades of tumbled limestone from Alamo Stone arranged in a checkerboard pattern sit beneath a custom table by Segreto Finishes. The Ochre chandelier overhead hangs like a work of art, joining the ceramic vessel by Laura Pasquino and bronze sculpture that flank the entry door.
The kitchen’s white oak cabinetry is inset with Wolf double ovens.
A trio of leather RH counter stools provides a place for casual meals at the island, which is capped by two Marie Flanigan for Visual Comfort & Co. pendants.
Above: A Pablo Picasso lithograph keeps watch over the salon’s custom wood game table, above which hangs a blown-glass Apparatus chandelier. Custom chairs are upholstered in Otis Textiles’ Loyola Oatmeal, a durable linen-cotton blend.
Opposite: In the kitchen, a custom plaster hood by Frankel Design Build blends seamlessly with the painted lower-level cabinetry. The rangetop is by Wolf.
Above: Family visits often, so guest rooms were a must. In this one, two beds from RH flank a custom nightstand, while a Roman shade opens to provide views of the trees. The artworks are by Josh Yöung Design House.
Opposite: A dramatic honed Michelangelo Arabescato Dolomite marble takes center stage in the primary bathroom. The hanging double-sided mirror from Peck & Company ensures no one is fighting for counter space, while jewel-like pendants by Visual Comfort & Co. (flanking the mirror) and RH (above the bath) add a refined finish.
Painted Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White, the primary bedroom enjoys serene views of the frontyard trees framed by drapes in a Manuel Canovas textile. The Lee Industries chaise, upholstered in a Rogers & Goffigon fabric, has become a favorite reading spot.
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