Alta Vista

This client moved to Austin from Southern California and brought a laid-back Cali-cool aesthetic with them. They looked to us to make their new home express a more eclectic Austin vibe while incorporating newly inherited antiques and art. What began as a small decorating project evolved into an extensive remodel as we built trust.

The house was a blank slate builder home and is a testament to the power of paint, wallpaper and the right finishing touches. We first tackled a kitchen refresh by painting the cabinets and changing the hardware, then adding loungey furniture in the dining area to make it feel more like a room to congregate in. Wallpapering the powder room and bedroom vestibule in bold botanical prints brought our client’s love of nature to the forefront. The master bathroom was completely transformed with a new free-standing bathtub on a custom teak platform with coordinating handmade tile in the shower. Custom mirrors, antique runners and brass sconces reminiscent of flower buds completed the room. Graphic encaustic cement tile and a two-person outdoor daybed were added as part of the patio landscaping.

The most challenging and exciting part of the project was the addition of a modern Malm fire drum in the living room. Our client missed the regular wood-burning fires they had in California, but building a chimney was not possible. The free-standing fireplace was perfect for the house and was made more special by a custom tile layout behind that references a fabric used in the room.