Urban contemporary Austin home perfect for entertaining

Blanco House is a single family residence designed by James D. LaRue Architects in 2012 in Austin, Texas. The glow of the lantern-like foyer sets the tone for this urban contemporary home. The open floor plan invites entertaining on the main floor, with only ceiling transitions separating the Living, Dining, Kitchen, and Breakfast rooms. Open to the Outdoor Living, glass wraps these spaces, making it seamless from inside to out.

Photos: Coles Hairston

Stunning Lake LBJ Retreat by Dick Clark Architecture

Lake LBJ Retreat has been designed by Dick Clark Architecture, situated near Marble Falls, just outside of Austin, Texas.  The retreat is sited on a peninsula that served as a private fish camp since during the second half of the 20th century.  After spending some time in an existing house on the land the clients decided to create a new space that supported their evolving lifestyle.  Wind patterns and the existing tree canopy were crucial influences on the project’s design development.  Exterior circulation paths and separate living spaces encourage a connection with the outdoors.  Project materials include cast in place concrete, ipe siding and Rheinzink metal siding.

Photos: Courtesy of Dick Clark Architecture

Under Tree House showcasing brightly colored interiors

Situated on a lot with nine mature post oak trees, Under Tree House has been designed by architecture studio Loop Design in Austin, Texas. The architect designed the home for clients that are good friends, which is a big part of why they were hired for the project. They wanted the house to grow from this bond, to be a place that feels particular when you walk through it, because it was conceived with people who know them and love them. They wanted it to feel like home before they even moved in. The home features a modern exterior and a streamlined, brightly-colored interior, which is comprised of only 1,900 square feet, but feels quite spacious due to its outdoor areas like the breezeway, decks, second floor terrace, and courtyard.

The lot had never been developed and was covered with mature post oak trees; nearly every buildable square foot was in a root zone. The architect protected the trees by designing around them—they are as integral to the house as its walls and windows. To minimize root zone compaction, the driveway is short, with the carport set to the front of the lot. The house floats behind on concrete piers with cedar decks that terrace down to the ground. The screened breezeway is a front porch, an entry foyer, and a pleasant place to play cards even on a hot summer night.

The house is thin and uses a pier and beam foundation so as not to disturb the trees—light, air and views of tree and sky reach in from all sides. The approach to sustainability is largely low–tech: build in an existing neighborhood where you plan to stay, keep conditioned spaces small through good connection to outdoor spaces, make the sun and shade work for you, collect the rain, plant a garden. On this shady lot, the garden had to move upstairs, where it is the railing of the roof terrace. It is here, up in the only spot of open sky, your perspective of the site and the house changes—no longer under the tree canopy, you’re up in it.

Before Renovation:

 Photos: Whit Preston

Lake Austin Residence showcasing brilliant design

This beautiful Lake Austin Residence is a modern property designed by Jauregui Architecture, situated in Austin, Texas. The home boasts just over 8,200 square feet of living space and is chalk full of trending and simple design features. With clean lines and attention to details and a perfectly manicured landscape has made this home picture perfect. The residence is nestled in a coveted estate neighborhood with plenty of privacy and a small putting green as well as an outdoor swimming pool. With a fabulous open plan design, the interior spaces are elegant yet cozy and the kitchen is a chef’s dream!

Beautiful Hill Country Residence in Austin

The Hill Country Residence is a modern single family home designed by Cornerstone Architects in Austin, Texas. The key emphasis in the design for this home was taking advantage of the stunning downtown views the lot offered, as well as centering the home around the family. The heart of the home became the kitchen, dining and family rooms.

Photos: Andrew Pogue

Fabulously Hip Hollywood Redux in Austin

An Austin, Texas landmark built in the 1930’s, this fabulous house has quite a past. Interior design firm Fern Santini and architect Paul Lamb stripped this Greek revival beauty down to its great bones, and together elaborated on the building’s classicism. Their no-holds-barred, ingenious approach reveals a wild alter ego: the showcase staircase with PlexiGlas balusters sets a scene that defines glamour in today’s world.

What do you think of this design style, let us know your thoughts!

An eco-friendly hobbit home: Edgeland Residence

Edgeland House has been developed by Bercy Chen Studio in a rehabilitated brownfield site of Austin, Texas. The home was commissioned by a science fiction writer enthralled with 21st century human habitation in the urban frontiers of abandoned industrial zones. The design is inspired by the vernacular of the “pit house”, one of the oldest housing typologies in North America used by Native Americans through the ages. Typically sunken, the building takes advantage of the earth’s mass to maintain thermal comfort throughout the year.

The residential home’s relationship to the landscape both in terms of approach as well as building performance involves an insulating green roof and a seven‐foot excavation ‐  raising awareness about a diminishing natural landscape and its finite resources by creating a balance between the surrounding industrial zone and the natural river residing on opposite side of the site. Both visually and functionally, the residence touches on architecture as site‐specific installation art and as an extension of the landscape. The program is broken up into two separate pavilions, for the living and sleeping quarters, and requires direct contact with the outside elements to pass from one to the other.

The linear courtyard down the center allows fresh air to flow between the  bluff and the river below. The courtyard is a theater for observing migrating humming birds,  monarch butterflies, even ant colonies,  heightening one’s awareness of nature in an urban setting.

The architects collaborated with the Lady Bird Wildflower Center to reintroduce over 40 native species of wildflowers and grass to preserve the local ecosystem.

Photos: Paul Bardagjy

Skyline House amidst nature with impressive city views

The Skyline House is situated on a sloping site in West Lake Hills, Texas. Designed by Dick Clark Architecture, this house is nestled between mature Live Oaks to create a strong connection to nature and establish a unique sense of place.  The form of the house is long and linear, following the natural topography of the site and directing the perspective towards impressive views of downtown Austin.  A stretch of sliding glass doors pockets completely into the walls, creating a 40 foot wide opening between the living area and outdoor spaces.

Stucco, stone and zinc create a natural and low-maintenance exterior, while floor-to-ceiling glass and deep overhangs create spaces that are both dramatic and comfortable.  From the grey porcelain tile floors to the extensive black walnut built-ins, the house was designed and detailed to be easygoing and flexible.  The result is a home that functions equally well for a large party as for a quiet moment taking in the sunrise.

Photos: Paul Bardagjy

Majestic Moorish-style Castle in the Woods

Designed by renowned Shiflet Group Architects and brought to life by the unequivocal builder Gary Reissig, “The Castle in the Woods”, exudes splendor and prestige. Spotted on Sotheby’s Realty, this luxurious 16,722 square foot, 7 bedroom estate spans 5 premium lots in stately Barton Creek, just a few miles from downtown Austin, Texas. The home took five years to complete, costing $22.5 million to build and designed to reflect two centuries of Moorish design. The Castle captures that time period and delivers it in 21st century luxury with details including a top-of-the-line clay flat tile roof, Zeluck custom mahogany lancet style windows, hand glazed plaster walls, designer plush carpets, hand scraped exotic wood floors, mahogany and cherry custom cabinetry, artist crafted iron railings and extraordinary light fixtures.

The Castle includes a state of the art media room, game room and two huge, private executive offices to accommodate the work at home resident. Never find yourself without electricity with the commercial size generator. Four additional private retreats offering rich wood details, opulent finishes and en-suite baths round out the main house. The estate includes a well-equipped, detached coach house with a generously appointed, two bedroom residence complete with a washer, dryer and private garage. This is the perfect getaway and guest home in one.

This stunning property is listed for $10,900,000, from here.

A massive fireplace adorns the handsome library which was created to resemble a chapel and features an incorporated safe room for storage.

The masterfully designed kitchen includes every upgraded stainless steel appliance imaginable, a large island and a home management center. The well-appointed catering kitchen is off of the formal dining room along with the 1,500 bottle wine cellar and fully stocked bar which form a spectacular space for entertaining.

Set away from the entertainment space is the master suite comprised of the salon, luminous spa bath, two expansive dual closets, wet bar and reading nook. Find a secluded patio off of the master which boasts a private hot tub.

Located adjacent to the 6th green, the home has many elevated patios with views of the exclusive Barton Creek Country Club Golf Course. The Castle is surrounded by sumptuous outdoor living venues.

Spread over 5 different elevations the main patio features a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and a warm, intimate fireplace.

Discover the beautifully landscaped English gardens with spectacular views. The exquisite resort-style infinity edge pool is second to none complete with beach front entry and a large commercial spa. A private cabana with a shower, private bathroom and wet bar completes this outdoor oasis.

Attached is a 4,000 square foot, world class gym with complete cardio and bathroom. This completely air-conditioned escape includes additional garage space, ample storage and large space which serves as office, living room or lounge.

Opulent French-chateau inspired castle in Austin

Malinard Manor is a luxurious dream home situated in Austin, Texas, designed by Cravotta Studios. This spectacular project took six years to complete, with a castle-like interior and impeccable detailing that is out of this world. The architect designed this dream home for a retired couple with a rather large budget and extraordinary ideas. The inspiration for the decor and finishes of this dream home required research into Tudor, Jacobean and Gothic architectural styles, as well as incorporating the client’s love for dark and macabre theater. This luxurious home displays remarkable artisanship and historical design in every detail. Every piece of woodwork and stonework was drawn out and created by skilled artisans. The furnishings are a mixture of custom pieces that were designed by the architect, as well as European antiques and a few pieces brought in from high-end manufacturers. The bar sits on the upper level and was inspired by post-Renaissance and Gothic periods. The home’s light fixtures were hand-picked, a combination of antique fixtures and the architects own designs, if he couldn’t find it, he had it made.

An upstairs bar with a balcony looks down over the kitchen and adjoining family room.

The limestone fireplace took a year to complete; the stone was given a unique aged look with olive oil, applied by hand.

French limestone was used for the countertops and backsplash, while the cabinetry is solid walnut.

One of three individually climate controlled wine bays within the cellar.

A cellar at the bottom of the house holds the couple’s impressive wine collection.

Detail of leather flooring.