An Architect’s Austin House Has Splendid Built-Ins (and an Amazing Walk-In Closet)

Both the house’s previous owners have been artists/builders that have left their marks in wonderful ways on this home (like a basement studio full of layered paint splatters, architectural additions, creative built-ins) and the seller even left behind a Gerrit Rietveld chair when he left! Both previous owners now live in the wonderful little art town of Marfa, and she jokes that it must be her next stop, too! 

My Style: Layered, found, not serious. Everything is always changing and moving around—I lovingly call it “the laboratory.”

Inspiration: The house itself! It had great bones, and knew what it wanted to be. With an older, all-wood house, you just can’t layer in stone or heavy materials. It set the tone for its own direction.

Favorite Element: The closet! When I bought the home, it was a home office between the owner’s bedroom and bath. I make a point to keep work away from the bedroom, so I created a walk-through closet that doubles as a reading and meditation nook. The bookcase in the dining room has also become an essential part of the home.

Biggest Challenge: Finding the time/patience to finish it. When you design for others all day, it’s hard to find the energy to work on your own home. I still have a second bathroom that’s only been used for storage!

What Friends Say: That they enjoy the drive out here, and the views of the water from the back deck. It’s a lovely pocket in Austin that’s both connected and disconnected at the same time; it feels like you’re someplace else. It’s also wonderful to have such a positive response to the design, reminding me how far it’s come.

Biggest Embarrassment: The landscaping. People think designers have a knack for this, and I’m here to say it’s not always true!

Proudest DIY: The kitchen renovation. It became a weekly family affair, which was really special. We tore down a load bearing wall, and I learned how to drywall and tile. It took ages to complete as a DIY, but is much sweeter in the end.

Biggest Indulgence: Art. I try to buy an original piece from friends or a local artist each year, but also have some aspirational pieces I keep an eye on.

Best Advice: Take your time. Meaningful spaces don’t (and shouldn’t) happen overnight or in a one-stop shop. They’re created by layering in things that have meaning to you, tokens from travels, gifts from friends, and hand-me-downs. Slowness is the only recipe I know for ensuring a space is lasting and transcends trends.

• Main living space / kitchen — Benjamin Moore “Simply White”
• Bedroom — Benjamin Moore “Yorktowne Green”
• Office — Benjamin Moore “Almost Black”
• Bathroom — Farrow & Ball “Dimpse”

• Belgian Track Arm Sofa — Restoration Hardware
• Steel coffee table — Four Hands Home (website is trade-only)
• End table — West Elm
• Chairs — Discontinued West Elm
• Rug, end table, side chair, pillows — Vintage
• Art — Custom commission, by artist Tom Jean Webb
• JWDA lamp — Menu

• Glass Door Cabinet — IKEA
• Vintage Thonet chairs mixed with Vienna Dining Chairs — Crate & Barrel
• Dining table — Custom, on modified IKEA legs
• Light fixture — Inherited from a project, similar Serge Mouille via 1st Dibs

• JWDA bedside lamps — Menu
• Bed, rug, and dresser — Vintage
• Chair — Four Hands Home (website is trade-only)

• Vintage flag, used as window covering — Catalpa Austin

Thanks, Melanie!

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