The Great Outdoors
The Warmest Welcome On Lake Austin, a new home uses mass timber to create an inviting place to gather BY RACHEL
Act
the Flow
GALLAHER
A second home becomes the perfect vacation sanctuary for two siblings BY ERIN
QUINN-KONG
This midcentury house gets back to its roots with a nature-loving renovation BY CHRIS WARREN 66 The Great Outdoors Tour
Sneak a peek at Austin Home’s inaugural lineup 68 Best Real Estate Agents Top Austin-area professionals
Logan Sisters Casita by Andrew Logan
Photograph by Leonid Furmansky
CONTENTS
Editorial
Editor in Chief
Lara Hallock
Contributing Writers
Rachel Gallaher, Anna Mazurek, Laurel Miller, Erin Quinn-Kong, Chris Warren Art
Creative Director
Sara Marie D’Eugenio
Art Director
David G. Loyola
Contributing Photographers
Casey Dunn, Leonid Furmansky, Clay Grier, Avery Nicole
Digital
Digital Managers
Rosie Ninesling, Abigail Stewart
Advertising
Publisher
Stewart Ramser
Account Director
Mike McKee
Senior Account Executives
Dana Horner, Tina Mullins
Account Executives
Annemarie Gist, Julia Grisemer
Sales Operations Manager
Kiely Whelan
Events
Events Director
Lauren Sposetta
Open Sky Media Inc.
CEO
Todd P. Paul
President
Stewart Ramser
Editorial Director
Rebecca Fontenot Cord
Director of Operations
Hollis Boice
Accounting Manager
Sabina Jukovic
Circulation
Audience Development Director
Kerri Nolan
Circulation Manager
Julie Becker
Contact
Mailing address
1712 Rio Grande St., Ste. 100 Austin, TX 78701
Phone 512-263-9133
Subscription inquiries
512-387-6234 or subscriptions@ austinhomemag.com
Advertising inquiries
advertising@austinmonthly.com
Job inquiries jobs@austinmonthly.com
Story ideas editor@austinhomemag.com
Postmaster
Send address changes to Austin Home
512 W. MLK Jr. Blvd., PMB 374 Austin, TX 78701-1231
EDITOR’S LETTER
Dear readers,
When the event gurus at Austin Home approached me last fall about the idea of a garden tour, I couldn’t have been more excited. To me, outdoor spaces hold every ounce of weight that interiors do, especially in Austin. If I’m hosting a get-together, the forecast will define the date—the Weather app takes up prime real estate on all my devices. Deciding a place to eat? It’d better have a patio (preferably brimming with greenery or placed under the shade of a centuries-old live oak). I even named my first-born daughter after a genus of local trees.
The designers spotlighted on our inaugural home tour, coming on March 25, clearly have a similar appreciation. From outdoor dining spaces and pristine pools to campfire alcoves and fragrant flowers, each of their designs will transport you to a distinct retreat—and provide inspiration to bring home with you. Check out a sampling of the spectacular lineup in our sneak peek (page 66), then head to austinhomemag.com/greatoutdoors for your tickets.
In the meantime, I’m taking cues from the projects and trends featured throughout this issue. The petite cabin on the cover, for instance, comprises a mere 1,100 square feet and leaves the rest of its 13-acre property for exploration (page 52). Geared toward outdoor living, the home forgoes a formal dining room for a plein air table situated under an awning. It also employs concrete floors so guests can flow in and out without worrying about dripping pool water. That’s definitely the state of mind I’m striving for this spring.
Cheers!
Lara Hallock, Editor in Chief lhallock@austinhomemag.com @lara.hallock
Austin Home’s Best Architects
Call for Entries
Are you one of Austin’s Best Architects?
We’re sourcing nominations for Austin Home’s exclusive annual list of best architectes, spotlighting masters of the craft in a region that provides international inspiration. We invite you to nominate your favorite architecture firm (including your own). Companies with the most nominations will be highlighted in the fall issue of Austin Home and online.
Nominations must be submitted by June 15. Architecture firms that do residential work in Austin or a surrounding county are eligible.
Note: Only one nomination per company from each submitter will be counted, so spread the news!
To learn more and nominate today, head to austinhomemag.com/nominate.
Home & Design Awards: The Finalists
Look for the winners in a very special Austin Home edition this April
Congratulations to the finalists of the 2023 Home & Design Awards!
Austin Home’s annual competition spotlights the best of the best in local design. Winners will be announced in April at an issue release party for the Home & Design Awards special edition magazine.
The esteemed panel of judges of the competition included interior designer and HGTV host Kim Spradlin Wolfe and Rice University School of Architecture professor Scott Colman.
SHOPPING
Accents/Decor
• Kyle Bunting | Stateside
Custom Furniture
• Growler Domestics | The Hazlehurst Dining Table
• Growler Domestics | The Seaholm Grand Cocktail Bar
• Stampworthy Goods | Tiled Primera Collection
Home Furnishings Retailer
• Copenhagen Furniture
• Maaribu
Inspiration—Design of a Retail Space
• Susie Busch-Transou | Hearth & Soul
• Michael Hsu Office of Architecture | Westlake Dermatology, Onion Creek
• Page Home Design | Page Home Design Showroom
Vintage Furniture
• The Renner Project
SPACES
Children’s Bedroom
• Hey Now Interiors | Brilliant Reverie: Sibling Recess
• Scheer & Co. | Hemphill Boy’s Room
• Shannon Eddings Interiors | Trailridge Girl’s Room
Custom Cabinetry
• Cary Paul Studios | Lockart Lovely Cabinetry
• Kelle Contine | Barton Creek
• Skelly Build | South Lamar
Deck/Patio/Porch/Outdoor
Kitchen
• Double B Land Design | Austin Backyard Retreat
• McKinney York Architects | West Lake Residence Deck
• Workshop No. 5 | Chiappero
Dining Room
• Ashby Collective | Stratford Hills II
• BANDD Design | Big Brown
Dining Room
• Kelle Contine | Barton Creek
Fireplace
• Breathe Design Studio | Midcentury Project House
• Flamebilt | Art Made for Burning
• Liz Macphail Interiors | A Fireplace with a View
Flooring and Countertops
• Audrey Scheck Design | North Austin Remodel
• Next Custom Homes | The Hartford Residence Flooring
Full Bath
• Davey McEathron Architecture | Ann Arbor
Primary Bath
• Sarah Stacey Interior Design | 37th Street Bathroom
• Simply Home | Vintage Meets
Modern Craftsman Bathroom
Guest Suite
• Ashby Collective | Old Enfield Classic
• Mimi Wittstruck Design | Driftwood Guest Room
Home Furnishings
• Anna Gray Designs | 90 Acre Ranch
• Audrey Scheck Design | Circle C Remodel
• Tribe Design Group | A Farewell Gift
Kitchen
• Arete European Kitchens | Tarrytown Modern Revival
• Davey McEathron
Architecture | Mariposa Kitchen
• Tribe Design Group | Treehouse Kitchen
Landscape Design
• Double B Land Design | Austin Backyard Escape
• Eden Garden Design | Balcones Residence
• Studio Balcones | Belmont Residence
Library/Study/Home Office
• Daley Home Design | Her Inviting Unconventional Office
• JS Dwellings | Harris Office
• Ryan Street Architects | Austin Estate Library
Lighting
• Laura Burton Interiors | Modern Hill Country Ridge
Lighting
• Next Custom Homes |
The Hartford Residence
Hubble Bubble
Living Room/Great Room
• Ashby Collective | Mountain
Maximalist
• Blueberry Jones Design | Mesa Cove Relaxed Living
• Christina Cole and Co. | Rollingwood Reimagined Great Room
Millwork
• 3 Fold Design | Lawnmont Residence
• Allison Jaffe Interior Design | Doe Valley Stairs
• Next Custom Homes | Woodview Walnut Staircase
Powder Room
• Davey McEathron
Architecture | Mariposa Residence Powder Bath
• Jobe Corral | Old Main Bathroom
• Liz Macphail Interiors | Tiny, Elegant Powder Room
Primary Suite
• Laura Burton Interiors | Modern Hill Country Ridge
Primary Suite
• Ryan Street Architects |
Austin Estate Primary Suite
• Studio Ferme | Sanctuary Primary Suite
Specialty Room
• Ashby Collective | Mountain
Maximalist
• Mosier Luxury Homes | Rosedale Residence
• Ryan Street Architects |
Austin Hacienda Music Room
Swimming Pool or Water
Feature
• Cowboy Pools | The Honcho
• Eden Garden Design | Balcones Water Features
• Kelley Design Group | Organic Modern
Use of a Collection, Antiques, or Art
• Avery Cox Design | Sutton
• Christina Cole and Co. | Rollingwood Reimagined Art and Antiques
• Sarah Stacey Interior Design | 37th Street Bathroom
Use of Accents/Decor
• Audrey Scheck Design | Circle C Remodel
• Audrey Scheck Design | Round Rock Renovation
• LV Collective | Waterloo
Use of Color
• Avery Cox Design | Sutton
• Dréa Peters Interiors | The Sophisticated Psychedelic
• LV Collective | Waterloo
Vintage Furniture
• Audrey Scheck Design | Avana Remodel Vintage Dining Chairs
• Dréa Peters Interiors | The Sophisticated Psychedelic
• Sarah Stacey Interior Design | 37th Street Bathroom Vintage Vanity and Pediment
Wall Treatment
• Blueberry Jones Design | Skyline Summit Sparkle and Shine
• Urban Design Studios | Willow Remodel
• Wendi Gee Interiors | East Side Texture
Wine Room/Bar
• Kelle Contine | Angel Bay
• Modern Hippie Design Studio | A Drink in Morocco
• Tribe Design Group | Lakehouse Bar
HOME
ADU (Casita/Garage Apartment)
• CoXist Studio | Sculpture ADU
• Davey McEathron
Architecture | East 12th ADU
• Ryan Street Architects | Treehouse
Apartment/Loft/Condo
• Breathe Design Studio |
Demure Luxury at the Ashton
• Meredith Owens Interiors | Rainey
• Tribe Design Group | Proper Penthouse
Architecture
• A Parallel Architecture | Water’s Edge Residence
• Breck Studio | Rivercrest Residence
• LaRue Architects | Rollingwood Modern
Home in the Hill Country
• Murphy Mears | Lago Modern
• Peak Design + Build | Modern Residence
• The Cobalt Companies | Modern Hill Country Homestead
Interior Design
• Annie Downing Interiors | Barton Creek New Construction
• J. Fisher Interiors | Judge’s Hill
• Tribe Design Group | Treehouse
Remodel
• Furman + Keil Architects | River Road Remodel
• Side Angle Side | Clarksville Remodel
• Side Angle Side | Leisure Rodeo House
TOP AWARDS
General Excellence | Architecture
• Alterstudio Architecture
• LaRue Architects
• Miró Rivera Architects
General Excellence |
Interior Design
• Ashby Collective
• Jobe Corral Architects
• The Renner Project
Rising Star Award |
Less than 5 years
• Audrey Scheck Design
• Emily Lauren Interiors
• JS Dwellings
Photo by Casey Dunn
Hot in Austin Now
What’s making waves in the local home and design world
Think Tank
Cool
Feet Firmly Planted
off this spring with a very Austin pool trend
On a quest to turn their South Austin backyard into a relaxing oasis, Amanda Shaftel and Aaron Weiss discovered an attainable ticket to paradise: stock tank pools. Soon, the couple began a splashy small pool business, Cowboy Pools. “We saw the potential to help people bypass the challenges that we encountered, and the idea for Cowboy Pools was born—but we were too busy with our current jobs to give it the attention it deserved,” says co-founder Amanda Shaftel. When the pandemic forced the duo to reschedule their April 2020 wedding, they saw it as an opp ortunity to funnel wedding funds into the business, which launched two months later.
“We wanted to be the opposite of a DIY project: a seamless service experience and a high-quality pool solution,” Shaftel says. “For many of our customers, there’s a nostalgia for stock tanks because as kids they’d swim while visiting their grandparents’ farm or ranch.” The round, galvanized-steel tanks from Cowboy Pools range in diameter from 6 to 10 feet. Each pool is 2 feet de ep, which is chest high for most seated adults and safe for kids to swim. The installation is a breeze—it only takes two to four hours and includes the filter pumps and necessary cleaning equipment. All you need is flat ground and outdoor access to electricity and water. While the DIY kits ship nationwide for free, Austin residents within 50 miles of the warehouse also get free installation. cowboypools.com —Anna Mazurek
Trend watch: Leggy plants are out; leggy planters are in. Cactus Clayworks’ smallbatch releases of cheeky planters celebrating the lower half of the body come in a variety of colors: traditional terra-cotta, clay-based skin tones, and bright hues that include an eye-catching cobalt blue. Find them at Art for the People Gallery. cactusclay works.com —Lara Hallock
Against the Grain
After opening with an environmentally friendly furniture focus more than 10 years ago, World Interiors is releasing several new lines this spring influenced by its principles. Eco-friendly lacquer finishes, recycled materials, and fast-growing mango wood comprise the artful items, including the credenza shown here. The company, a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, also works with the Mango Foundation to plant one tree for every table sold. worldinteriors.com —L.H.
In the Fold
Origami and natural forms influence these bright paper sculptures
A lifelong crafter, Amanda Witucki was destined to develop a unique outlet for her creativity. While decorating her own house, crafting as a hobby, and helping a friend with a DIY wedding, the founder of Paper Committee began to experiment with origami-like forms. “The iteration of what I do took decades to develop,” says Witucki, whose work now includes creating event backdrops, home and business installations, and mini art pieces. After experimenting with countless shapes and forms, she landed on an ornamental bauble shape—then inverted it.
“I thought, I bet if I glued a bunch of these together it would make a gorgeous backdrop,” she says, noting the distinct blend of structure and creativity the form allows. “It’s an even shape, but the way the angles go, when you glue it to another shape, it has to fold and undulate. It takes on its own personality.” papercommittee.com —L.H
By Lara Hallock
Hands-On Experience
A cutting-edge new showroom provides immersive getaways
One-upping the classic showroom, Stay Bungalow provides immersive home experiences in inspirational locations. Each property serves as a creative hub where guests can interact with luxury appliances and design concepts. Here’s how it works: Select architects, builders, developers, and interior designers are invited to an exclusive Stay Bungalow membership that unlocks 48 hours of complimentary tailored experiences designed around the products incorporated throughout a guest home. The first property, featuring architecture by local firm LaRue Architects, interior design by EKD Interior Design, and kitchen design by nuHaus, opened last fall just off South Congress.
“What really sold it for me as a firm was, ‘Do whatever you want,’” says James LaRue, founder of LaRue Architects. The company provided a blank slate for the designers to show off their skills and utilize high-end materials that aren’t an option for every home budget. Its amenities, which members get to experience as an owner would, include a Wolf range, a Sub-Zero fridge, and Apparatus Studio lighting.
Head spinning with all the brands? You’re in luck. Before entry, members download an app that serves as a personal guide with profiles for each of the 397 products in the home. If you like the statement lighting, smart tech controls, or artwork mounted in the living room, just log in to find out more and save it in your personal library.
It’ll even give details for the curated bites and self-care products, such as botanical face serums from Austin-based Plant People, wine by Austin Hope, and Ubuntu love bracelets. On the app, guests also can watch videos regarding the design vision behind each space in the home, including the state-of-the-art building science techniques and mechanical designs. staybungalow.com
Photos by Avery Nicole
Clockwise from left: The inaugural Stay Bungalow features seamless cabinets that open to Sub-Zero fridges, custom furnishings by A. Ruden, and a sleek design by LaRue Architects.
By Laurel Miller
Now Sea This
Dine in a collaborative coastalinspired dream at Este
With East Sixth’s wildly successful Suerte under his belt, architect Matt Garcia was thrilled to start on its new sister restaurant, Este—and not just because the project meant multiple research and sourcing trips to Mexico with owner Sam Hellman-Mass and award-winning executive chef Fermin Nunez.
“They did their homework,” Garcia says of the time spent dining at numerous seafood restaurants south of the border. “Working with Sam and Fermin for a second time was special in that we were building upon what we’d accomplished with Suerte. They have such a clear vision of what inspires them, and our goal is to create a space that celebrates that.”
Part of Este, which totals 4,000 square feet, was the former Eastside Café, one of Austin’s first hyperlocal-food focused restaurants. Garcia preserved the scale and proportions of the original structure, a 1930s bungalow, which now serves as entry and host area. “I liked the idea of guests moving through the entry into the newly expanded volume of the main dining area,” he says. A 750-square-foot
outbuilding, Bar Toti, serves as an event space and features elevated communal dining tables and wood cladding from the original home.
Garcia’s imprint is visible in the 80-seat main dining room’s clean lines and warm, modernist style. Critically, Hellman-Mass and Nunez wanted the energy from the spacious open kitchen to carry over to the dining room. “The intent was to ensure diners are having a shared experience,” Garcia says. Too, the clean lines and straightforward layout enhance flow and enable the staff to see the breadth of the room from all angles.
The Este team developed relationships with several Mexican artisans, including esteemed tilemaker José Noé Suro of Guadalajara’s Ceŕamica Suro, who helped conceptualize the dramatic tiles for the backbar, chef’s counter, and flooring.
Another design triumph is the dining room’s deep-set skylight. The original low ceiling was canted and raised to open the space. Local artist RF. Alvarez painted the skylight’s abstract, three-dimensional mural in rose tones, to spectacular effect. “When there’s low western light, it casts a glow that looks like neon,” Garcia says.
For Hellman-Mass, Este is everything that he’d envisioned. “Matt is truly a master of his craft, able to size up a situation and arrive at a beautiful and thoughtful design decision,” he says. “His vision has guided Suerte and Este, and I think it’s amazing that the dining public gets to enjoy his work in our restaurants.”
Photo by Casey Dunn
From top: A rosy, Turrell-esque light well sets the tone in the Este dining room. Waves, dunes, and coastal colors informed the statement tilework behind the chef’s counter.
Hot in the Kitchen
Creating a stylish space to suit Viva Magenta, Pantone’s color of the year
The Challenge
We challenged palette-savvy interior designer Killy Scheer to curate a room using Pantone’s color of the year. The result: A droolworthy kitchen that makes us say “Viva Magenta!”
The Challenger
Killy Scheer
Scheer & Co.
HECTOR FINCH
TIBER WALL LIGHT SCONCES
“I love the graceful texture of the swirled glass and mirrored shades. They’re a dressed-up, elegant version of a mid-20thcentury industrial lighting design that works with so many styles.” james showroom.com
CLAY IMPORTS
GLAZED THIN BRICK IN NOIR
“Clay Imports’ glazed thin brick brings a little boldness to a classic shape. The texture gives it a little boost, but it still maintains the characteristic heartiness of brick.” clayimports.com
BLANCO ICON IN ANTHRACITE
“Kitchen sinks don’t have to be white or stainless steel! This Silgranit sink from Blanco comes in a variety of color options and has a unique texture that feels like stone but has the durability of elevated stainless steel.” alexander marchant.com
WATERWORKS
SINK FAUCET
“Waterworks is synonymous with impeccable quality. The beauty of the lines and wide variety of finishes makes them perfect for every kitchen.” alexandermarchant.com
IMOGEN HEATH ANNI STRIPE ROMAN SHADE FABRIC
“This bold print is a modern take on the striking geometric tapestries of Bauhaus weaver Anni Albers. The multicolored stripe is both playful and sophisticated.” supplyshowroom.com
HICKORY CHAIR LAURANT STOOL
“It’s not easy to find a bar or counter stool that’s both beautiful and comfortable, so this one from Hickory chair feels like a lottery win. Inspired by French Moderne chairs of the 1930s, the Laurent has an elegantly contoured back, a finely reeded apron and tapered legs stabilized by a brass X-shaped stretcher.” cocoon-atx.com
ELECTRA EGGLESTON BERLIN WEDDING STOOL FABRIC
“Inspired by Berlin’s striking graffiti and murals, this distinct print is a fun way to bring in magenta without the risk of it feeling trendy. It’s a versatile example of functional art that will stand the test of time.” supplyshowroom.com
LACANCHE RANGE
“Nothing says luxury in the kitchen quite like a Lacanche range. The old-world style with modern cooking capabilities makes them the epitome of form and function. The colors and finishes are at once timeless and showstopping.” appliancegenius.com
By Lara Hallock
The Art of Restoration
This Hill Country ranch rehabilitation is friendly on the eyes and the ecosystem
Motivated by a spirit of conservation, a former chef turned Hill Country homeowner sought out Twistleaf landscape architecture to implement a major restoration. After more than five years of intentional planning and land stewardship, the result is a 130-acre eco-friendly paradise that regenerates environmental health, nourishes local fauna, and looks good while doing it.
When work began on the property just outside of Fredericksburg, the primary goal was to rehabilitate a meadow area dominated by invasive grasses. Twistleaf reintroduced an indigenous palette of 59 thriving species of grasses, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs, including the firm’s namesake twistleaf yucca.
To manage water runoff and feed the restoration area, the team implemented a system of land contours.
“The site’s topography determined the placement and size of the berms and swales that we constructed to control and direct runoff,” says Sarah Yant, founder and principal
at Twistleaf. “This is a technique that works in harmony with the natural contours of the land.”
Many of the trees in the existing live oak canopy were already infected with oak wilt, so Twistleaf began working with Heritage Tree Care to plant about 10 new trees on the property each year. The mix of canopy and understory trees—a variety of Mexican white oaks, cedar elms, Texas mountain laurels, Eve’s necklace, and goldenball leadtrees—add species diversity and support the health of the woodland ecosystem.
The relationship with Heritage Tree Care came in handy during the first phase of construction, which overlapped with the historic winter storm in February 2021. After Heritage Tree Care pruned and treated the damage, most of the fallen debris was repurposed to create brush piles in the neighboring arroyo. In addition to filtering the flow of water and building soil, the brush piles provide shelter for local wildlife: One week after the woody mounds were
From top left: Pollinator-friendly antelope horns milkweed are a special draw for monarch butterflies. The landscape design highlights the home’s Central Texas vernacular.
“Limestone is such an emblematic material of the Hill Country region that creates a unique sense of place.”
formed, a flurry of birds could be seen flying in and out of the branches.
“We were so grateful that this fallen material could be transformed into something restorative to the local environment,” Yant says. The team also looked to Javier Booton of Habitats for Nature to custom build eight nesting boxes— two each for screech owls, wrens, finches, and titmice.
Adjacent the meadow, an eroding hillside is lined with rock wiers made of limestone boulders harvested from the property. To construct additional retaining walls and pathways, Twistleaf hand-picked limestone from nearby quarries. “Visiting local quarries is one of my favorite parts of my job,” Yant says. “Limestone is such an emblematic material of the Hill Country region that creates a unique sense of place.”
Cedar open-rail fencing and pea gravel were selected to further support the Hill Country aesthetic. The botanical design introduced plants native and adapted to Gillespie
County for seasonal interest and to highlight the home’s architecture by San Antonio–based Don B. McDonald.
A retired chef and cookbook writer, the homeowner required a functional culinary herb garden. Twistleaf planted selections suited to her favorite dishes, from sage and basil to salad burnet, a Mediterranean herb whose flavor reminisces cucumber.
In keeping with the property’s ethos, the herb garden also nourishes local wildlife. “We took advantage of a shadier corner of the herb garden to plant a white mistflower,” Yant says. “This fall flowering Texas native explodes into a profusion of fuzzy white blooms that butterflies and hummingbirds can’t get enough of.” The pollinator-friendly perennials also include antelope horns milkweed, which has secured the property a royal nod of approval. Because the plant serves as host for caterpillars and its flower provides an essential source of butterfly nectar, it encourages year after year of visiting monarchs.
Clockwise from top left: The 59 plant species include Twistleaf’s namesake Yucca rupicola Rock wiers help prevent erosion.
Limestone retaining walls were handpicked from Hill Country quarries.
By Laurel Miller
On the Road Again
A Southwest-inspired camper van conversion goes green
When Austin designer and artist Rachel Farrington and her husband Mark purchased a 2019 Ford Transit van in 2021, the interior was … nonexistent. “It was a bare metal work truck,” Farrington says. “I budgeted $5,000 to renovate it, despite never having done a recreational vehicle before.”
sustainability to offset the van’s carbon footprint. All the materials she used meet the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS standards, a program that builds on the organization’s Energy Star requirements for new homes. “Most RVs don’t look, feel, or smell natural—there’s a lot of plastic,” she says. “It’s tough to keep the air healthy so you’re not sucking up VOCs.”
into the owners’ full frame helps form a bed for their son.
The couple planned to use the van for “glorified glamping” for their family of five, which includes son Jonah, 15, and dogs Thatcher and Midge. To maximize space, Farrington turned the bottom half of the couple’s full bed platform into a bed for Jonah and a cabin for the dogs. “Cabinetry, storage space, and a dedicated nook for the dogs were our priorities,” she says. “Efficiency in a small setting is always tough, but luckily we weren’t trying to live in it.”
Farrington completed the job in three months, coming in $2,000 under budget despite her strict adherence to
The entire interior was created from recycled materials, many of which were left over from Farrington’s other projects. Baltic birch plywood and a birch remnant form the paneling and butcher block, while the midcentury parachute curtain at the rear belonged to Farrington’s grandfather, a former pilot. Even the insulation is naturally derived. “We chose wool because it’s breathable and absorbs the moisture from condensation,” she says.
The van’s palette was selected to match the family’s favorite destination: the Southwest. “I wanted to evoke a sense of place and reflect the colors of sandstone and prairie grass,” Farrington says. The pièce de résistance?
The aromatic, flax-backed wallpaper festooned with dried Alpine flowers, leaves, and grasses, made in the Austrian Tyrol by Organoid.
Despite the challenges, Farrington couldn’t be happier with the results. “This entire process was a blast,” she says. “Everyone should try it.”
Clockwise from below: Birch on the panels and countertops creates a warm, cohesive glow. Aromatic wallpaper made of dried Alpine botanicals accents the interiors. A niche built
Heritage Site
A Hill Country childhood home goes through a natureinspired renovation
A goal to bring the Hill Country landscape indoors focused interior designer Allison Jaffe during a remodel to existing spaces of a client’s childhood home along with new construction that expanded the footprint. “We were inspired by the natural beauty of the ranch and wildlife,” explains Jaffe, owner of Allison Jaffe Interior Design. She credits the heritage trees outside the three-bedroom and three-bathroom ranch house as a muse. “We used a lot of branches and leaves in the fabrics of this home,” she says.
For the palette, Jaffe focused on natural materials and limestone to mimic the softness of the outdoors. “The client loved antiques, William Morris, and little nods to Art Deco, like the custom-made tiles that surround the double-sided fireplace in the living/dining room,” Jaffe says. Read on for more highlights of this roughly 4,000-square-foot home’s nature-inspired decor.
From left: Art collected from the client’s travels and a stone mantle form a family room focal point. Delicate, nature-inspired patterns resound through the home.
FAMILY ROOM
The newly built family room centers around a custom, hand-carved marble limestone mantle flanked by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that are adorned with family photos and keepsakes. The peacocks that roam the ranch served as muse for the blue velvet sofa. Art and treasures collected from the owners’ travels abroad decorate the walls.
KITCHEN/BANQUETTE
A custom-built banquette maximizes space in the newly built kitchen. The cranberry-colored woven fabric by Jab Anstoetz adds a splash of color to the room and matches the bar stools. Taj Mahal quartzite counters are lined with a backsplash of handmade porcelain tiles made in England by Winchester Tile Company.
GUEST BATHROOM
“Given we were heavily relying on nature, it only made sense to introduce a bold statement like green,” says Jaffe about the cabinetry in the guest bathroom. The vibrant paint color choice, Sherwin Williams Inverness, was a nod to the property’s heritage trees. The theme continues with the flowering branches on the wallpaper, Thibaut’s BUDS in pearl. The countertop is Calacatta Eureka quartz, while the flooring is a basket-weave pattern of Carrara marble.
ENTRYWAY
A custom iron door leads to the entryway, Jaffe’s favorite space. Forest-themed William Morris wallpaper lines the walls above the warm mahogany-stained hardwood floors. The client’s fondness for soft lines and curves inspired Jaffe to create the flooring’s intricate inlay design, which mimics the pattern of the wood while offsetting the boards’ hard edges and straight lines. The space is anchored by an antique inlay chest and a pair of chairs covered in velvet.
GAME ROOM/GAME TABLE
When the client requested a multipurpose space in the family room to serve as a game table and second eating area, Jaffe selected Edgewood armchairs by Designmaster and a custom-made wood table. Scenic views of the ranch are framed by floor-to-ceiling window treatments made from Waves Ombre drapery fabric by Groundworks.
FEATURES
THE WARMEST WELCOME page 44
SISTER ACT page 52 IN THE FLOW page 58
THE GREAT OUTDOORS TOUR page 66
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENTS page 68
Photo by Leonid Furmansky
The
By
Warmest Welcome
Designed for quality time with friends and family, a contemporary Lake Austin home uses mass timber to create an inviting place to gather
Rachel Gallaher Photos by Casey Dunn
SSometimes in life, it’s all about who you know. Such was the case when assembling the design team for a rustic-modern new build on Lake Austin. After spending decades in California and raising their family between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, the homeowners—a couple with three grown sons— were looking to reconnect with their Texas roots.
Over the years, the duo had worked on several projects with formerly Texas-based interior designer Diana Vincent of High Camp Home—she understood their vision and lifestyle—so when they purchased a plot of lakefront property in Austin with the intention to build, they reached out to get her on board.
“This was the team’s fourth project with these clients, and we are already working on the fifth,” says Vincent, who, in addition to running a design firm, owns an interiors store in Lake Tahoe. “We met more than a decade ago when they came into my shop and started talking to the staff, who mentioned that I was in Texas at the time. They are Texans through and through, so we connected over that shared background.”
To build the new home, Vincent helped the homeowners select Austin construction company Foursquare Builders, who, in turn, recommended local architecture firm Breckstudio.
“My practice was taking flight at the time,” says Breck Craparo, founder of Breckstudio. “I had no website,
Previous spread: The heart of the living room is a floor-to-ceiling fireplace with a custom surround made from dry-stacked Lueders limestone. This spread: The interior designer used very little color, aside from splashes of gray-blue (the wife’s favorite color is blue).
Opposite page:
The entry has a striking 12-foot-tall, concealed cedarclad pivot door and a glass-fronted stairwell that creates a welcoming, lantern-like glow in the evenings. This page: Opting for no baseboards keeps the oak floors feeling modern.
but we had a good relationship with Foursquare Builders, and they thought we’d collaborate well with the clients and understand their vision.”
That vision was all about gathering with family.
Although the homeowners’ three adult sons no longer live with them, they—as well as other family members and friends—come to visit on the regular. According to Craparo, when the clients described what they were looking for in a house, it was more about a feeling or intention than a specific style.
“They wanted a home that the entire family could come together in,” he says. “It was really about being social and having leisure time. It had to be casual, comfortable, and not precious at all. I started to think about the architectural typology of a ski lodge, which has one large, central gathering area built around a fireplace blanked by a few secondary spaces.”
Instead of the stick-frame or stone-forward construction prevalent around Texas, Craparo presented the idea for an expressive roof form built with engineered wood—a decidedly Pacific
Northwestern approach to materiality. (Before landing in Texas, Craparo spent time in Seattle, where he worked at renowned architecture firm Olson Kundig.) “Knowing that they had lived in Central California, I thought they would be more open to that,” he says.
The residence is divided into two levels. The ground floor includes public spaces on one side (living room, kitchen and dining area, and a game room complete with golf simulator, climbing wall, and bar) and the primary and guest suites on the other. Upstairs are three private bedrooms, a bunkroom that sleeps eight, and an open lounge overlooking the living room downstairs.
“When their kids are away at university, the clients can live completely on the first floor, and they don’t feel like they are in a big, sprawling estate,” Craparo says.
A row of mature pecan trees on the property’s border influenced the form of the mass timber roof and serves as a backdrop for the interiors.
“We tried to create a connection with the outdoors wherever we could,” Craparo says.
In the living room he opted for a lifted, cantilevered roof that frames the tree canopies and lets in lots of natural light. Since the sun sets at the rear of the house— which has the most transparent facade—the architect designed deep overhangs of cross-laminated timber panels to help shade the interior living spaces.
When it came to finishes and furnishings, Vincent notes that the clients opted for a natural-toned palette, with moments of blue (a backsplash in the kitchen, couches in the living room) being the exception.
“We were trying to blend styles,” Vincent says. “The wife leans much more towards a rustic Texas look. Give her a hair on a hide, and she’s happy as can be. The husband on the other hand, tends to favor the contemporary.” A compromise was found through materiality: ark steel window frames and steel detailing on the staircase are modern, while vertical cedar cladding in the entry and living room bring a sense of Southern warmth to the interiors. Standout moments include a massive square Caesarstone island in the kitchen, an entryway featuring a 12-foot-tall, concealed cedar-clad pivot door, and a striking, floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the living room. The surround is made from locally sourced, dry-stacked Lueders limestone, a construction technique that makes the mortar between stones nearly invisible.
A connection to the lake was important—the family spends a lot of time on the water—so the design team built an elevated, steel and mass timber framed entertaining space.
“They wanted their friends to feel like they could just walk right down to the dock from the street,” Craparo says. Much like the house, “It was a balance of modern design with that feeling of a warm Texas welcome.”
Floor-to-ceiling windows with dark steel frames reveal the elevated dock and entertaining space, shaded by a cantilevered mass timber canopy.
SISTER ACT
A second home becomes the perfect vacation sanctuary between Austin and Houston for two siblings
By Erin Quinn-Kong
Photo by Leonid Furmansky
Houston-born sisters Megan and Michelle Carney have always been close, and some of their best childhood memories are from time spent on their maternal grandparents’ expansive ranch in South Texas.
Six years ago, the sisters decided to buy a piece of land together. “The idea was to make some sort of small version of what the ranch had been for us growing up,” Megan says.
Megan, co-founder of MUHLY furniture company based in Austin, and Michelle, a professional organizer in Houston, wanted to buy something together halfway between the two cities. They settled on a 13-acre plot dotted with oak and cedar trees in Paige, Texas.
Previous spread and opposite page: The cedar-clad exterior harmonizes with its surroundings. This page: Smooth burnished stucco was selected for a serene kitchen backsplash.
When it came to what they were going to put on the lot, Megan took the lead. “I came in with a very clear idea of exactly what I wanted,” she says. Her vision was a non-permanent residence geared toward outdoor living and designed in three different zones: living room and kitchen, bedrooms, and pool area.
Because Megan shared mutual friends with architect Andrew Logan (it turns out they went to the same summer camp when they were younger), she asked him to bring her vision to life. They were on the same page from the start. “It’s rare to find an architect who has their own firm and is open to working 50/50 in that way,” she says.
For Logan, it was the perfect project to take on. “At the time, I believe, I was a one-man shop, so it was a great opportunity for me as a small firm,” he says. (Logan Architecture now has nine employees.)
“Our values on keeping things simple, material pallettes minimum, and construction straightforward were in alignment.”
Megan agrees. “We wanted it to be modern but not feel like we dropped something in that felt
disconnected to its environment,” she says. “Andrew is Texan and really gets the material and aesthetic language of the area.”
The home, which the Carneys now call Paige House, is a petite 1,100 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. “It’s designed as a retreat,” Logan says. “It’s different than a typical home because when you are there, you spend most of the day doing communal things with everyone else. The bedrooms were kept to a minimum, and the rest of the house is about being outside and being with others.”
There are also concrete floors, a screened-in porch at the front of the house, and a large back porch adjacent to the
main living area with large sliding glass doors that provide uninterrupted flow and a view of the pool. “We designed it knowing that people would be in and out and wet,” Megan says. “A lot of it is geared to outdoor living, so there is no formal dining area. Instead, there is a big table I built under the awning and the kitchen has barstools at the island.”
Since Megan owns two large dogs—“they run the show,” she says—the zones of the house are connected by two intersecting dog trots. Bonus: “At any time of the year, one of the dog trots captures the prevailing breeze and funnels it through the home,” Logan says.
The inside is just as streamlined. Megan, who has been designing and building furniture for 10 years, built most
“Every area that was designed gets occupied: sunrise on the screened-in porch, kitchen in the morning, the pool all day.”
of the furniture in a separate barn on the property that she uses as a workshop. The rest of the furniture, rugs, and textiles were bought in from Round Top. “I wanted it to feel very regional and be clean but still have a bit of a hand touch,” she says. “How small it is afforded it to be tightly curated.”
To display their family bond, the sisters commissioned an oil painting by Texas artist Sam Sanford for the living room. “It’s myself and my sister as children with our mom,” Megan says. “She passed away when I was in middle school.”
As luck would have it, the house was completed the week that COVID hit in March 2020. “It was so nice to have the house that summer,” says Megan. “Every area that was designed gets occupied: sunrise on the screened-in porch, kitchen in the morning, the pool all day. And the sun sets right to the west of the pool, by the big oak trees. It’s a thoughtfully oriented house for the sun.”
These days, the house is available for rent when either sister isn’t there. Even though Megan isn’t in Texas full time right now, she has more ideas for the property.
“I have larger plans of building other things,” she says. “It has a lot of potential.”
Clockwise from opposite page: Light filters over a plywood bench made by the owner. For a softer, more feminine touch, an arch was designed above the fireplace. Large sliding glass doors connect the living areas with the yard and pool.
By Chris Warren
A midcentury home gets back to its roots with a nature-loving renovation
In the Flow
Photos by Clay Grier
Afterraising their family in Northern California in a home with views of Mount Diablo and spending two years in Singapore, Michelle and Mark Edmunds had one prerequisite when buying a new home in Austin: a stunning view.
“We lived in a high rise with an urban view that was spectacular and inspiring,” Michelle says. “After 25 years of living in places where you could see something that inspires you when you look outside, you realize how much you love it and rely on it. The most critical thing here was to have visual touchpoints with nature.”
Which is exactly what they found in a 1950s, midcentury-style ranch house that looked out on Taylor Slough Creek. The problem, however, was that the home didn’t take full advantage of its idyllic location and needed an upgrade. To help solve that problem, the Edmunds turned to Furman + Keil Architects and interior design firm Ashby Collective.
Philip Keil, principal at Furman + Keil, knew he had an interesting challenge when he first studied the existing house. On the one hand, attractive aspects of the home’s midcentury style were intact. But an early 2000s remodel had significantly diminished the flow and livability.
“It was a house with decent bones,” Keil says. “But the remodel was clunky. When that happened, they wanted more square footage, so they tacked on a large primary bedroom and big living room in the back and turned what was an I-shaped house into a big blob with rooms trapped in the middle. It killed the flow of the house and its spatial clarity.”
Previous spread: The backyard was reimagined for optimal enjoyment. This spread, from left: Honed limestone walls and porches anchor the home to the ground. The interior designer sourced Arabescato marble for the kitchen island and backsplash.
“We wanted to have a home that was elegant yet simple and non-traditional.”
From bottom left: Sliding doors to an elevated outdoor deck give a treehouse feel. A velvet banquette in the music room provides ample seating.
For Keil, the first step was to fundamentally reconfigure the layout of the home to better align with the Edmunds’ lifestyle and their desire to usher the surrounding environment inside. The most important decision was to relocate the kitchen—which had been at the perimeter of the house—and make it the core of the home. “We moved the kitchen to the center and added skylights to bring in natural light. And the old location of the kitchen made for a really elegant place to put in a new entry to the house,” Keil says.
Instead of having rooms islanded off from one another, the dining room, kitchen, and living room all flow together. “By moving the kitchen
to a central place, everything made more sense in terms of the relationships and adjacencies of the rooms,” Keil says. “Instead of being separated and removed from the home’s activity, which doesn’t make sense with how people live now. Everything now revolves around the kitchen.”
In addition to the relocation of the kitchen, Keil also created a dedicated music room—which was especially important to the Edmunds, whose children are musicians—as well as a reimagined backyard with views to the water and a pool.
“You get so much pleasure and calming from seeing the pool and the luminescence of the light on the tile,” Michelle says. “You don’t even have to swim.”
Clockwise from top left: Regency wallpaper and sconces find a balance with modern countertops.
Chairs by Sossego sit around a custom dining table by Mockingbird Made.
The primary bathroom vanity is composed of rift-sawn white oak and Saint Clair limestone.
Another important fix to improve the flow and feel of the home came from recalibrating ceiling heights.
“In the back of the house, the additions had very tall roofs, but they felt really disjointed and there was no clarity for the ceiling to be high other than they wanted it high. And in the front the ceiling was low,” Keil says. By inserting a new ceiling in the kitchen, Keil was able to create a natural feeling of unfolding as people move from the front of the house to the back.
“The low ceiling in the front is sheet rock, and so is the high ceiling in the back. The middle ceiling is stained wood, which gives it a warmth that flows into the rooms connected to it,” Keil says.
Ample windows in the living room deliver on the Edmunds’ desire to be connected to nature. So, too, does a second-story addition, which also has a screened-in porch. “Our upstairs room we dubbed ‘the tree house.’ It’s literally in a tree canopy and is everyone’s favorite room,” Michelle says. “We have a long desk where we can work, and it’s comfortable for reading and watching TV. This became magical after we moved into the house.”
Just as Keil was able to reconfigure the layout of the house to align with the Edmunds’ lifestyle, the couple says Michele Lorenz, principal at Ashby Collective, perfectly translated their priorities and style into the interior design.
“We wanted to have a home that was elegant yet simple and non-traditional,” Michelle says. “We really loved Michele’s design vision for the home.”
That vision arose out of conversations between the homeowners and Lorenz, who delved into their time in California and Asia as well as their hobbies and interests. For instance, as music is a big interest for the Edmunds, Lorenz designed the music lounge to host the family’s piano and other instruments.
“The music room is a very narrow space and wouldn’t lend itself to having a lot of furniture, even though they had enough space for people to collect there,” Lorenz says. “We used a built-in banquette as a way to utilize the limited space, maximize seating, and still have it be cozy.”
In addition to the banquette, which is upholstered in gold velvet, the room features a vintage coffee table and swivel chairs from Round Top.
As enticing as the inside of the house is, Michelle still finds the most enjoyment in what first drew her to this spot near Taylor Slough Creek. “It’s all about looking out those windows and getting so much from it,” she says.
The Great Outdoors Tour
Join Austin Home in its inaugural tour of the splashiest local landscapes
Austin Home is excited to present the new Great Outdoors Tour, presented by Leaf Landscape Supply! On Saturday, March 25, design enthusiasts will have the chance to tour impressive properties throughout the city. Discover outstanding outdoor kitchens, dazzling decks, the prettiest pools, and more. Read on for a sneak peek at some of our favorite featured spaces.
To purchase tickets and see the most up-todate lineup, head to austinhomemag.com/ greatoutdoorstour.
Developed on the principles of texture, contrast, and functionality, this urban garden seeks to balance aesthetic beauty and utility with a combination of hardscape and softscape elements. The landscape offers intimate moments through a series of articulated spaces: The front includes separate areas for relaxation and entertaining; the rear garden envelops the pool area and establishes a lush getaway. A combination of succulents, bunch grasses, flowering vines, and perennials shift with the changing seasons, support local pollinators, and foster a sensory experience through aromatic blooms.
◄
ecotopes
This imaginative landscape has a low dining deck cantilevered over a concrete patio, seeming to float above the ground. Just across the terrain of a dry creek is a cowboy’s campfire perfect for roasting marshmallows on cool nights. A pint-size sports court nestles into the native understory. Rounding out the space is an outdoor cooking arrangement beneath a modern steel shelter that features a custom concrete countertop, Green Egg cooker, and gas grill. Sprinkled around the property are a variety of steel planting vessels, vertical screens, custom benches, and creative lighting fixtures.
▲ ADLA Studio
► Jane Reece Interiors
This custom build emphasizes that outdoor living is as important as the inside. With a mix of contemporary furnishings and organic pieces, the poolside patio, grill, and covered outdoor dining area feel like a natural extension of the home.
◄ Texas Tiny Pools
The Arpdale Tiny Pool is the centerpiece of a cozy and colorful backyard retreat in the middle of Austin. The 11-foot-by-18-foot pool features Clay Imports Deep Blue Wilmar tiles and Stonescapes Mini Pebbles plaster. A pergola by Levack Outdoors shades the homeowners. When the pool isn’t in use, a patented sliding deck cover provides extra useable space and safety for kids and pups.
Presented by Leaf Landscape Supply
We polled homeowners and industry pros to create this list of the top Realtors in the Austin area
Michelle Adams, Air Property Group 512-574-2969 airpropertygroup.com
Beni Aguirre, The Listing Firm 9300 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Bldg. A-500, Ste. 420 512-576-1349 beniaguirre.com
Meredith Alderson, The Heyday Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-969-1260 theheydaygroup.com
Jamie Avila, TCP Real Estate 5114 Balcones Woods Drive, Ste. 307-462 512-356-9393 jamieavila.com
Linda Baddour, Bramlett Residential Real Estate 5025 Burnet Road 512-865-4891 bramlettresidential.com
Theresa Bastian, Let’s Move Austin 7008 Colberg Court 512-297-3442 letsmoveaustin.com
Chelsea Bucklew, Hawkins Bucklew Property Group 9101 Villa Norte Drive 512-736-0811 instagram.com/ hawkinsbucklew
Todd Burgener, Twelve Rivers Realty 700 Rio Grande St. 512-588-1453 twelveriversrealty.com
Jen Buterick, Legacy Real Estate Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-537-3905 legacyrealestategrp. com
Katie Collins, The Heyl Group | Keller Williams 1801 S. Mopac Expy., Ste. 100 heylrealestate.com
Arion Crenshaw, Giles Group | Moreland Properties 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 501 512-646-6412 gilesgroupaustin.com
Katie Daniel, Legacy Real Estate Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 281-224-8687 legacyrealestategrp.com
Stacey Deville, Compass 15511 W. Hwy. 71, Ste. 110-543, Bee Cave 512-650-6364 staceydeville.com
Neil Diaz 512-699-0819 neildiaz.com
Mandi Fulton-Flores, Schmitz & Smith Group | Keller Williams 1611 W. Fifth St., Ste. 100 512-948-2019 schmitzandsmith.com
Cindy Garcia, Spyglass Realty 2130 Goodrich Ave. 949-295-8895 spyglassrealty.com
Donna Garel, Keller Williams 900 Quest Pkwy., Cedar Park 512-565-4499 donnagarel.com
Anthony Gibson, Austin Properties Group | Keller Williams 1801 S. Mopac Expy., Ste. 100 512-699-8507 austinpropertiesgroup.com
Wade Giles, Giles Group | Moreland Properties 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 501 512-646-6412 gilesgroupaustin.com
Carly Gonzalez, Carstin Realty 2904 Winding Shore Lane, Pflugerville 512-378-0483 carstinrealty.com
Justin Gonzalez, Carstin Realty, LLC 2904 Winding Shore Lane, Pflugerville 512-663-3964 carstinrealty.com
Luke Graves, Luke Graves Realty 7706 Mullen Drive 512-771-7819 lukegravesrealty.com
Monica Guerrero, AustinRealEstate.com 3103 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 102, Rollingwood 512-944-0101 austinrealestate.com
Desiree Gutierrez, Douglas Elliman 100 Congress Ave., Ste. 1445 512-866-3795 elliman.com
Tina Hambly, The Heyday Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-426-6998 tinahamblyrealestate. com
Lisa Harrell, The Heyday Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-773-1514 theheydaygroup.com
Sherry Hendrickson, Realty Austin 14010 N. Hwy. 183, Ste. 400 512-554-1946 realtyaustin.com
Holly Holmes, Realty Austin 14010 N. Hwy. 183, Ste. 400 512-554-1946 realtyaustin.com
Lauren Hoy, Spyglass Realty 2130 Goodrich Ave. 737-215-4213 spyglassrealty.com
Ed Hughey, Moreland Properties 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 501 512-940-0950 edhughey.com
Katie Jackson, Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-627-1625 compass.com
Cody Julian, Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-318-0075 codyjulian.com
Russ Kendrick, Let’s Move Austin 7008 Colberg Court 512-576-5026 letsmoveaustin.com
JoAnna King, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty 3303 Northland Drive, Ste. 100 512-517-5899 joannakingrealtor.com
Nanette Labastida, Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-965-6339 nanettelabastida.com
Nissa LeSage, JP & Associates Realtors 400 W. Main St., Ste. 210, Round Rock 512-662-5094 jpar.com
Christy Levy, Levy Properties 2501 Spring Lane 512-470-3188 levy-properties.com
Nicole Marburger, Legacy Real Estate Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-653-9999 legacyrealestategrp.com
Scott McCord, Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-745-2285 scottmccordrealtor.com
Terence McNeil, T Mac Realty | Keller Williams 12515-9 Research Blvd., Ste. 100 tmacrealty.com
Tamara Moritz, Coldwell Banker 9442 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. 1-625 512-422-3706 austinareaproperties. com
Hanalei Myers, Coldwell Banker 9442 N. Capital of Texas Hwy. 512-573-1432 hanaleimyers.com
Lindsay Neuren, The Speed & Neuren Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-913-6987 speed-neurengroup. com
Annette Patterson, Bramlett Residential Real Estate 5025 Burnet Road, Ste. 201 512-910-7497 bramlettresidential.com
Heather Powell, Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-921-3417 compass.com
Matt Richard, Moreland Properties 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 501 512-963-4003 moreland.com
Lilly Rockwell, Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-413-1975 lillyrockwell.com
Kaylee Romantic, Holm Team | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-230-4767 holmteamaustin.com
Zac Sagay, Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 949-278-9501 compass.com
Adrian Salas, Vince Young Realty 2005 S. Fifth St., Ste. 10 512-589-2677 atxhomes.co
Preston Salce, Legacy Real Estate Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-721-8760 legacyrealestategrp.com
Shannon Schmitz, Schmitz & Smith Group | Keller Williams 1611 W. Fifth St., Ste. 100 512-426-9069 schmitzandsmith.com
Amy Seely, The Seely Group | Keller Williams 1801 S. Mopac Expy., Ste. 100 512-943-2572 seelyproperties.com
Morgan Smith, The Larkam Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 713-553-9391 compass.com
Ross Speed, The Speed & Neuren Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-913-6987 speed-neurengroup.com
Joshua Swan, Legacy Real Estate Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-662-0143 legacyrealestategrp.com
Alex Tapp, The Tapp Group | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste 200 512-563-6240 tappgroupatx.com
John Teinert, Austin Fine Properties 1201 Baylor St. 512-731-8884 austinfineproperties.com
Sean Tipps, Spyglass Realty 2130 Goodrich Ave. 512-883-0973 spyglassrealty.com
Stacie Watts, Holm Team | Compass 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200 512-987-5339 holmteamaustin.com
Christine White, The Agency 828 W. Sixth St., Ste. 150 512-784-6684 theagencyre.com
Jane Wiley, Keller Williams 1801 S. Mopac Expy., Ste. 100 901-626-0684 kw.com
Lee Wood, Magnolia Realty 2700 Dryden St. 512-675-0142 magnoliarealtyaustinhc. com
How This List Is Made
Using an online survey, Austin Home solicited public nominations, asking voters to nominate up to three real estate agents they’ve worked with or know to be outstanding. Austin Home then tallied the results, selecting the top percentage of vote recipients before submitting the list to our fact-checking process. Companies do not and cannot pay to be a part of the list. We recognize that many good real estate agents are not included on the list; this is only a sampling of a huge array of talented professionals within the region. We encourage all consumers to do their own research before selecting a Realtor. Austin Home uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. It does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. Austin Home does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from Austin Home. If you see an error in the information listed, contact editor@ austinhomemag.com. Real Estate Agents: Congratulations! If you’d like to display this accomplishment with a plaque, please visit austinhomemag.com/ plaques.
Lilly Rockwell Broker Associate at Compass
Born and raised in Austin, Lilly offers an extensive knowledge of the Central Texas real estate market to her clients, bolstered by her background as a local journalist.
A great listener and a fierce negotiator, Lilly is committed to representing her client’s best interests. Seasoned buyers, first-time homeowners, sellers, and renters alike rely on Lilly’s experience. She uses well-honed research skills, local connections, and a historical knowledge of the Austin area to help clients maximize their investments.
Lilly, who holds multiple degrees and certifications, has received numerous awards for her customer service and production, including twice being voted as “Best Real Estate Agent in Austin” by readers of the Austin Chronicle.
Lilly currently lives in South Austin with her husband, Mark Hollis, and her beloved cat Winston, also known as Poofy, and her sweet dog Hannah. In her free time she enjoys running with Gilbert’s Gazelles and singing in the SoCo Women’s Chorus.
512-413-1975
2500 BEE CAVES ROAD, BLDG. 3, STE. 200, AUSTIN, TX 78746
LILLY.ROCKWELL@COMPASS.COM
LILLYROCKWELL.COM
@LILLYROCKWELL
Consistently ranked within the top 1% of agents in Austin, Alex is known for his extensive local market knowledge and unmatched devotion to his clients; Alex’s success is based almost exclusively on referrals and repeated business. He earns the respect of his clients and colleagues by working tirelessly on their behalf and providing the highest levels of customer service.
Alex has built a reputation for his refreshingly friendly approach, energy, and commitment to his clients. His proven ability to guide buyers to obtain the best value for their dream home and to assist sellers in a smooth, stress-free sale of their home has earned him rave reviews.
Originally from London, England, Alex is a former professional soccer player. He represented his country at the youth level and then rose through the ranks of Wimbledon F.C. before playing for MK Dons. Here in Austin, Alex played for the local professional soccer team, the Austin Aztex. He credits his dedication, work ethic, and competitiveness to his former career.
Last year, Alex started The Tapp Group to serve a larger customer base and build out the team dynamics he’s known his whole life, fueled by passion, partnership, and the desire to provide the highest levels of client service. Representing buyers and sellers daily, Alex considers trust, communication, local market knowledge, and understanding his clients’ needs to be the backbone of his business. A 15-year Austinite, Alex resides in Central Austin with his wife Meghan and their three children, Matilda, Charlie, and Quincy.
Alex Tapp Lead Agent at The Tapp Group
Nanette Labastida
Realtor at Compass
Nanette is a longtime Austin resident of over 30 years and has been a Realtor for 16 years, this experience has enabled her to embrace the true culture of Austin and marry that with her professional expertise. Her goals are to make all aspects of the buying and selling process as informative and easy as possible, have fun along the way, and to work hard for the best outcome. Her specialty is the luxury experience for creative people, working with musicians and artists to experience the best of what Austin has to offer.
NANETTELABASTIDA.COM
512-965-6339
NANETTE.LABASTIDA@COMPASS.COM @ROCKNREALTY
As one of Austin’s top-producing Realtors and a longtime practicing architect, Ed’s well-rounded residential background grants him a unique advantage in providing exceptional service to his clients. Ed understands that buying and selling a home is an important, personal, and often challenging process that requires honest and steady advice every step of the way. Communicating clearly and consistently as well as listening to each client’s specific needs or goals are the cornerstones of his service. Ed enjoys sharing his love for Austin, working with an array of clientele whose real estate goals are wide-ranging, including historic preservation, fixer-uppers, new construction, investment and development, and first-time buyers. Calling Austin home for 20 years, Ed looks forward to helping Austinites—both new and old—find their place in this great city.
512-940-0950
EDHUGHEY.COM
ED@MORELAND.COM
@EDHUGHEYATX
Ed Hughey Realtor
at Moreland Properties
Matt Richard
Realtor at Moreland Properties
There are not many people you meet quite like Matt Richard. His personable, approachable personality coupled with his attentive ear and straightforward communication style make him as much of a friend as he is a real estate professional. Matt prides himself on his attention to detail and deep knowledge of the market, while his ability to remain calm and collected under pressure is what sets him apart from other agents. His clients attest to his sharp negotiation skills and his ability to take the stress off their shoulders and make the home buying and selling process enjoyable.
Matt has always had a passion for people. Placing customer service at the forefront of each interaction, he’s known for his thoughtfulness and setting realistic expectations for his clients at the beginning, ensuring a win at the end of every transaction. Matt is well respected among other agents and maintains great working relationships with his peers in the industry.
He’s not all work and no play though. When not working, Matt loves spending time exploring Austin with his wife and daughter, trying new restaurants, running around Lady Bird Lake and playing golf.
512-963-4003
3825 LAKE AUSTIN BLVD., STE. 501 AUSTIN, TX 78703 MATT@MORELAND.COM MATTRICHARDATX.COM
Kaylee Romantic and Stacie Watts are shaking up the traditional real estate scene in Austin by putting relationships at the forefront of their business. As Austin transplants, they understand the importance of building connections in order to have a fulfilling life, which is a principle they also apply to their work as real estate advisors. They offer a unique benefit to their clients: not just a new home, but also a lifelong friendship.
In the real estate industry, transactions can often become impersonal and lack the emotional connection that is inherent in the process of buying and selling a home. Kaylee and Stacie’s goal is to make sure that every client feels heard, seen, and ends up in a place where they can grow and thrive for years to come. By prioritizing relationships, they have been successful with helping a wide range of clients, including first-time home buyers, seasoned investors, and commercial real estate clients.
Kaylee Romantic & Stacie Watts
Realtors at Compass
Jen Buterick, Katie Daniel & Nicole Marburger
Realtors at Legacy Real Estate Group
Legacy Real Estate Group was born out of Nicole Marburger’s passion for guiding clients, friends, and family through the home buying and selling process. Our team has extensive experience working in a variety of transactions, specializing in the luxury home market, relocations to Austin, first-time home buyers, and investment properties.
With over $200M in sales, Legacy Real Estate Group knows the importance of building trustworthy, long-lasting relationships, and strives to surpass expectations through superior real estate service and a high level of dedication to our clients. Therefore, our clients’ successes are our successes; last year alone we were able to achieve $1.3M+ over asking price for our sellers and even in a tough market, negotiate $690K+ in savings for our buyers. Jen, Katie, and Nicole— along with the entire Legacy team— understand home ownership is also so much more than investing or building wealth, it’s a place where so many special memories are made. It’s with this level of care and concern they assist clients—and future generations to come—in some of the most important decisions of their lifetime.
JEN BUTERICK
512-537-3905
KATIE DANIEL
281-224-8687
Desiree Gutierrez
Realtor at Douglas Elliman
Desiree has called Austin home for 23 years, and she tells people it’s ‘for good reason.’ For her, Austin means LIFE—it means community, bringing open-hearted and open-minded people together to build and create as one. Austin is a hub for startup founders, tech gurus, and entrepreneurs. It’s one of the world’s tech capitals and quickly becoming the wellness capital—a place where all visionaries and creatives can create from a space of living well. This is the Austin Desiree has always envisioned. Everyone Elevating Together!
As a top real estate agent in Austin, Desiree Gutierrez is well known and loved throughout the city. Her background is in holistic medicine and she facilitates breathwork. She is an incredible negotiator and is known to win, creating a space where everyone wins and wins gracefully. Desiree sits at the top with over $30 million sold in 2022. She changes what being a Realtor means, one connection at a time. 512-296-5651
Raised in Central Austin and a resident for over 28 years, Christy understands the numerous intangible benefits of life in Austin with its unmatched culture, scenery, and diversity.
She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and then lived and worked in Washington, D.C., and Houston. Christy’s move back to Austin in 2004 was the beginning of her more than 18-year career as a dedicated Realtor and Broker.
After working at a local residential boutique for four years, Christy started Levy Properties in 2008 and has grown it into a team of 11. Christy’s extensive knowledge of the market and dedication to her clients has led to a career based on repeat business and referrals.
Christy is currently a member of the Austin Luxury Network and the Global Luxury Group and serves on the ATXelerator Board. She lives in Tarrytown with her two children.
512-470-3188
LEVY-PROPERTIES.COM
CHRISTY@LEVY-PROPERTIES.COM
@LEVYPROPERTIES
Christy Levy Broker/Owner at Levy Properties
Soft Palette
When actress Odette Annable moved to Austin and began redecorating her house, she quickly discovered the all-too-relatable decision fatigue. She worked with interior design and e-commerce platform Havenly to form a cohesive vision for the home. The new space balances eclectic accents such as a statement Amber Lewis chandelier over the dining room table with organic raw woods while providing ample space for her expanding family.
By Lara Hallock
See more of her home and get inspiration to upgrade yours at austinhome mag.com.
Photo by Kylie Fitts
