Windsor Residence
Austin, Texas
Located in the hilly West Austin Tarrytown neighborhood, the Windsor Residence renovation embraces the artistic and adventurous spirit of the artist who owns the home. Originally built in the early twentieth century, the one-story brick house is transformed with the addition of two modern boxes and entirely new interiors. The additions, which expand the kitchen area and add a studio library, are small blue boxes inserted into the white brick facades.
Interiors are playful and inspired by client’s travels and collection of colorful artworks. Design moves are refined yet don’t take themselves too seriously, letting subtle and bold colorways and textures work together throughout the home.
The primary living area is now expanded with the new studio and library space where custom wood shelving and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on to the garden. The primary living space opens up on to the new light-filled dining room and adjacent kitchen where a lighter palette of earth tones in greys complements the wavy pink hues marking the floor tiles and the rose quartz countertops. A curved zellige-tiled hood above the stove, copper sink, and custom millwork are just a few of the elevated details in this highly functional and delightful kitchen. The lighter colors of the kitchen transition into darker and richer palettes with floral motifs in the bathrooms and laundry area where deep greens and blues take over.
The textures of many of the materials add depth and interest to the rooms. The handmade feeling of the zellige tiles and their perfect fit without the interruption of visible joints creates a play of light as the sun moves across the rooms. In the kitchen the tile is light and playful, while the deep greens of the primary bath are moodier and more tranquil. Fluted details, found on the curved plaster fireplace in the living area and on all of the millwork in the kitchen, add depth and a rich feeling to the finishes.
