My Houzz: Bright White and Color in Austin
White paint, treasured vintage finds and a fresh boho interior refresh this couple’s 1990s Texas brick house
“The house had a pretty standard 1990s suburban feel when I purchased it,” Katie Taylor says of the Austin, Texas, home she shares with boyfriend Phillip Anderson. “I wanted to create a unique space that reflects who we are — without having to change the footprint too much.”
Taylor, who works for the local government and is a home decorating enthusiast, says the house didn’t match the style she was after. “I initially wanted a one-story ranch-style home,” she says. “I ended up with a large two-story red brick house. It was in the neighborhood I wanted, and I knew with that much space there was a lot of potential.”
She and Anderson gave the interior what she describes as a “light remodel” by repainting the walls, installing new flooring and renovating the kitchen and bathrooms.
Taylor, who works for the local government and is a home decorating enthusiast, says the house didn’t match the style she was after. “I initially wanted a one-story ranch-style home,” she says. “I ended up with a large two-story red brick house. It was in the neighborhood I wanted, and I knew with that much space there was a lot of potential.”
She and Anderson gave the interior what she describes as a “light remodel” by repainting the walls, installing new flooring and renovating the kitchen and bathrooms.
The couple are big fans of Willie Nelson, and displayed on top of the mantel is a framed black-and-white photo of him. “I’m a major Willie Nelson fan, and I found the image online and had it blown up years ago. It’s from one of his famous Fourth of July picnics in the 1970s,” Taylor says.
The fireplace, originally red brick, was painted in Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White. The couple also replaced the existing mantel with a more modern-rustic one they found online.
Andes Terminal chaise sectional: West Elm; “Blue Cactus” and “Summer Yellow Cactus” wall art: Wilder California
The fireplace, originally red brick, was painted in Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White. The couple also replaced the existing mantel with a more modern-rustic one they found online.
Andes Terminal chaise sectional: West Elm; “Blue Cactus” and “Summer Yellow Cactus” wall art: Wilder California
Several pieces throughout the home are vintage, found at flea markets or some of Austin’s great vintage shopping spots, including Revival Vintage and the City Wide Garage Sale.
Vintage table and brass base chairs: City Wide Garage Sale; Span floor lamp: Target
Vintage table and brass base chairs: City Wide Garage Sale; Span floor lamp: Target
After. The couple replaced the flooring and backsplash and had the cabinets painted in Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams. They also added new brass hardware. The upper cabinets on both sides of the sink were replaced with open floating shelves.
The countertops are quartz and the island includes an extra 24 inches so it can accommodate bar stools.
The total renovation cost, not including labor, paint, electrical and custom cabinet replacements, was $9,900.
The Pros and Cons of Upper Kitchen Cabinets and Open Shelves
The countertops are quartz and the island includes an extra 24 inches so it can accommodate bar stools.
The total renovation cost, not including labor, paint, electrical and custom cabinet replacements, was $9,900.
The Pros and Cons of Upper Kitchen Cabinets and Open Shelves
Quartz countertops in Iconic White: Silestone; Freestone cabinet pulls: Emtek; Cayden globe pendants, Zipcode Design; find globe pendant lights
Venatino polished marble backsplash tile: Anatolia; reversible fireclay farmhouse sink: LaToscana; Trinsic single faucet in champagne bronze: Delta; single sconce with funnel flared glass shades: Permo
With the renovations complete, the couple now thoroughly enjoy their new living space. “As the saying goes, ‘The kitchen is the heart of the home,’ and that’s certainly the case for us,” Taylor says. “Although we have a breakfast table and a formal dining room, we end up eating 99 percent of our meals at the kitchen island.”
Cowhide rug: vintage; sputnik chandelier: West Elm; modern wood dining chairs: homedotdot; table: Chairish
Cowhide rug: vintage; sputnik chandelier: West Elm; modern wood dining chairs: homedotdot; table: Chairish
Deep teal paint on the dining room walls and chair rail create drama at the entrance to the home.
Wall paint in Bermuda Turquoise: Benjamin Moore; Aqua Virgo burl dining table: CB2; Melrose brass table lamps: Crate & Barrel; cotton luster velvet curtains in Wasabi: West Elm; Frederick sputnik chandelier: Corrigan Studio; see more sputnik chandeliers
Wall paint in Bermuda Turquoise: Benjamin Moore; Aqua Virgo burl dining table: CB2; Melrose brass table lamps: Crate & Barrel; cotton luster velvet curtains in Wasabi: West Elm; Frederick sputnik chandelier: Corrigan Studio; see more sputnik chandeliers
By doing the design work herself as well as managing the tile and electrical work, Taylor found room in the budget for a few splurges, including this pineapple-patterned wallpaper in the powder room.
Pineapple wallpaper in ebony: Hygge & West
Pineapple wallpaper in ebony: Hygge & West
“One of my favorite aspects of the house is the wood-effect tile that we laid throughout the entire first floor,” Taylor says. “Not only was it cost-effective, it’s proven to be extremely durable! People are always surprised when I tell them it’s tile, because it really does look like wood. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who’s considering new floors — especially those with children or pets.”
The stair railing is painted in Caviar by Sherwin-Williams.
36-by-6-inch Summer Wheat oak porcelain tile: Lumber Liquidators
The stair railing is painted in Caviar by Sherwin-Williams.
36-by-6-inch Summer Wheat oak porcelain tile: Lumber Liquidators
The guest room features a moss green accent wall and a mix of new and old pieces.
Wall paint in Lichen and Liverwort: Sherwin-Williams; Riga panel bed: Three Posts; metal tripod lamps: Target
Wall paint in Lichen and Liverwort: Sherwin-Williams; Riga panel bed: Three Posts; metal tripod lamps: Target
Framed Willie Nelson records in one of the bedrooms give another nod to the couple’s love of the musician.
Abbott sofa: Four Hands Home
Abbott sofa: Four Hands Home
Taylor knew she wanted to use black-and-white cement tiles in the guest bathroom before starting the remodel, and she serendipitously found some on Craigslist for less than half the retail price.
The homeowners painted the master bedroom walls a soft pink.
Wall paint in Peach Parfait: Benjamin Moore; Kedric gold accent end table: Inspire Q Bold; tufted wingback bed in velvet navy: Target
Wall paint in Peach Parfait: Benjamin Moore; Kedric gold accent end table: Inspire Q Bold; tufted wingback bed in velvet navy: Target
After. The newly installed floors feature a herringbone pattern. The couple installed a new double vanity, a freestanding tub and a frameless shower door (seen in the next picture).
Double-sink 78-inch vanity set in white: Design Element; Croft brass wall mirrors: CB2
Double-sink 78-inch vanity set in white: Design Element; Croft brass wall mirrors: CB2
“In addition to the kitchen being one of my favorite places in the house, the master bathroom is a close contender,” Taylor says. “While there are some things I would have done differently in hindsight, I really do love how the space turned out. The TV above the bathtub was a feature most people snubbed their nose at, but I absolutely love it.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Katie Taylor and Phillip Anderson, plus their cat, NoNo, and terrier, Edie
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 2,993 square feet (278 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 1994