Urban Homestead

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photographer(s): paul bardagjy, stephen karlisch

The Urban Homestead is located in central Austin but offers a private retreat for a couple with adult children and a growing family. They entertain often and need the house to feel as comfortable with 50 occupants as it does with two.

Unlike its street facing neighbors, this house is rotated parallel to the site’s natural contours. As a result, views from and through the house are to wooded property corners rather than the street and adjacent homes. This one room deep house is also oriented for optimal day lighting and natural ventilation.

Traditional mouldings are minimally employed to organize lighting and conceal mechanical systems. Reclaimed wood floors provide the new home with an immediate lived in patina. The house is rooted in traditional forms of hearth and home interpreted in a quiet modernism.

The vignette of a stair railing detail captures the essence of the home's design aesthetic, which marries classic warmth with contemporary lines. The stair treads and handrail are crafted from a rich, warm wood, their tones and grains providing a nat

The exterior walls of this two-story home are clad in a light-colored brick, offering a timeless appeal. The roof features dark slate, providing a striking contrast to the lighter walls and complementing the black-framed windows that punctuate the fa

This well-defined entrance to a powder room is distinguished by an arched opening. The arch reveals a small foyer with rich, dark wood paneling, complementing the warm tones of the hardwood floor. A small window, inset within the stained wood panelin

This aerial view of a winding staircase showcases a harmonious blend of materials and design elements. The staircase treads are made of wood with a light but warm hue, matching the hardwood flooring below. A dark metal railing ascends alongside the s

The stair treads, in a natural wood finish, are accompanied by a series of simple, dark steel balusters topped with a smooth wood handrail that curves gently with the ascent. Alongside the staircase, the wall is wainscot paneling painted in a subtle

This thoughtfully composed interior vignette, demonstrates a classic design approach within a wood-paneled room. Central to the composition is a Louis XV style armchair, with ornate carvings and a distressed white finish, upholstered in a neutral fab

The living room's design is anchored by a distinctive ceiling with geometric moulding details, creating a sophisticated focal point. The walls are painted in a soft, neutral tone, harmonizing with the natural light oak flooring. The living area is fu

This paneled hallway leads to the dining room, offering a perspective rich in architectural detail and design sophistication. The hallway is characterized by its classic wall paneling painted in a glossy, light shade that enhances the reflective qual

The dining room is flooded by an abundance of natural light. The focal point of the room is a custom wall-to-wall tufted bench couch in a neutral color that serves as unique seating along one side of a substantial wooden dining table with a minimalis

The library is lined with rich, dark wood bookshelves filled with a large collection of books, showcasing an inviting array of colors and sizes that speak to an extensive reading collection. In the center lies a large, antique-style wood desk with tu

This well-lit second-floor hallway doubles as a photo gallery, featuring a series of framed photographs arranged in a thoughtful composition along one wall. The hallway is defined by its architectural detail—a rolled drywall ceiling—which elegantly b

This wood-paneled game room radiates warmth and classic design. The space is defined by rich, dark wooden panels covering the walls and a low, paneled ceiling that adds architectural depth and luxury to the room. Natural light streams in through the

This intimate corner of a main bedroom is composed with a soothing palette and thoughtful lighting. The bed is dressed in fine linens, with a prominent striped texture, and is decorated with plush pillows in rich purple and a patterned accent, contri

This corner of the main bedroom artfully combines vintage and modern interior design. A prominent feature is the vintage wardrobe, boasting intricate carvings and a subtle, distressed finish in a shade that complements the room's muted color palette.

The main bathroom is rich in materiality and craftsmanship. The space is enveloped in warm-toned wood paneling. The eye is drawn to the striking marble floor, featuring a checker pattern inlaid with hardwood, a sophisticated design that marries the d

The bathroom features rich, dark wood paneling that reaches halfway up the walls, capped with a simple molding that transitions to a lighter wall color, creating a balanced contrast.

The focal point is an elegant freestanding bathtub with a glossy e

The base of this spiral staircase offers a glimpse of its elegant simplicity and architectural beauty. The staircase is characterized by its smooth, flowing lines and the absence of ornate details, embodying a minimalist design approach. A simple met

At the top of the spiral stair, a striking feature is the stained-glass skylight, casting a warm, dappled light that enriches the space with color and vibrancy. The skylight's design adds an artistic element to the room while also functioning as a na

This spacious screened porch blends indoor comfort with the beauty of the outdoors. The porch is structured with light-colored brick walls, complemented by a ceiling painted in a soft white that enhances the natural light flowing in. The floor is fin

The home is constructed with a warm-toned brick facade. A prominent screened porch spans the width of the house on the ground level, serving as an intermediary space that connects the indoors with the natural environment of the garden.

The porch is