Fresh Touches Bring a Classic 1920s House Back to Life
See how contemporary decor, antiques and thoughtful updates transform this Austin, Texas, home
Sometimes less truly is more. For their 1920s neoclassical house in Austin, Texas, these homeowners wanted a renovation that highlighted the home’s beautiful original details while adding fresh, contemporary touches through paint, upholstery and decor. “We didn’t want to do anything that would take away from the home’s original character,” designer Anne Grandinetti says. The result is a house that emphasizes the beauty of stylish restraint with thoughtful dashes of color, texture and pattern that elevate the original design.
Since the house opens into the living room, Grandinetti set the scene by placing a custom tufted settee covered in lilac crushed velvet along the wall directly across from the front door. Four framed photographs by James Evans hung in a grid pattern and a pair of shaded wall sconces complete the picture.
All of the original oak floors were refinished and stained dark brown in a semigloss finish.
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All of the original oak floors were refinished and stained dark brown in a semigloss finish.
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“Most of the common areas feature walls in different shades and finishes of white,” Grandinetti says. “The subtle contrast draws attention to the original architectural details.” The original fireplace mantel, molding and walls are covered in a flat white and the ceiling is covered in a lacquer finish that draws the eye up. The new marble fireplace inset replaces the original one, which had begun to yellow and crack.
A pair of new upholstered club chairs in navy blue face a pair of antique slipper chairs covered in black-and-white-striped silk. A round convex mirror above the fireplace and a silk damask Roman shade on the window to the left of the fireplace finish off the look.
Wall paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
A pair of new upholstered club chairs in navy blue face a pair of antique slipper chairs covered in black-and-white-striped silk. A round convex mirror above the fireplace and a silk damask Roman shade on the window to the left of the fireplace finish off the look.
Wall paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
The antique dining table and chairs are family heirlooms. Grandinetti and her team reupholstered the seats in a cream velvet blend that complements the sisal area rug. A vintage crystal chandelier adds a sophisticated note. “It’s a pretty grand dining room, but it’s not one of those dining rooms that’s rarely used,” the designer says. “It’s centrally located, so the whole family uses it for dinner, homework and just hanging out.”
Wall paint: Adobe White, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Adobe White, Benjamin Moore
The lovely sunroom features walls of paneled windows and original geometric floor tiles. “The original floor tiles were in amazing shape for their age; all we had to do was clean them up and buff them a little,” Grandinetti says.
An eclectic mix of furniture is centered around a large hammered brass coffee table. A pair of alabaster pendant lights give off a warm glow at night. “The sunroom is a popular hangout sport for the family; it gets great natural light,” the designer says.
An eclectic mix of furniture is centered around a large hammered brass coffee table. A pair of alabaster pendant lights give off a warm glow at night. “The sunroom is a popular hangout sport for the family; it gets great natural light,” the designer says.
Even the newly remodeled kitchen emphasizes the beauty of restraint. White Shaker-style cabinets and honed black granite countertops provide a classic look that works well with the home’s traditional architecture.
The island countertop is made of mesquite wood, native to Texas. The custom range hood is covered in a light gray plaster that provides a softer and more sophisticated look than stainless steel.
The island countertop is made of mesquite wood, native to Texas. The custom range hood is covered in a light gray plaster that provides a softer and more sophisticated look than stainless steel.
The family room is a cozy yet refined space where the whole family likes to relax and take in a movie. The large custom sectional is covered in blue velvet. The walls and ceiling are covered in grasscloth wallpaper. “Extending the wallpaper to the ceiling creates a warm, cozy vibe,” Grandinetti says. An antique Chinese coffee table and a Moroccan leather pouf add some global flair.
“The wife’s favorite color is blue, so it made sense to paint the bedroom walls in a soothing shade of the color,” Grandinetti says. The windows feature custom valances and curtains in a multicolored stripe. An ochre velvet armchair stationed next to the original woodburning fireplace makes for a cozy spot to read a book.
The newly remodeled master bathroom features a bevy of classic materials, including marble countertops, small marble subway tiles for the backsplash and marble floor tiles featuring an interlocking pattern. The vanity cabinet is painted in a warm white to break up the cooler whites of the marble.
Vanity paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
Vanity paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
In the twin boys’ bedroom, the restrained sophistication found throughout the rest of the house takes a hiatus. This whimsical space features a bold ceiling in stripes of electric blue and navy. The design team powder-coated the lantern-style pendant in yellow to pop against it.
The bed wall includes new custom bookshelves and a pair of alcoves sized to fit the beds. “All of the colors in the room were inspired by the framed Jasper Johns print on the wall,” Grandinetti says.
Bookshelf paint: California Blue, Benjamin Moore
The bed wall includes new custom bookshelves and a pair of alcoves sized to fit the beds. “All of the colors in the room were inspired by the framed Jasper Johns print on the wall,” Grandinetti says.
Bookshelf paint: California Blue, Benjamin Moore
The backyard features a new swimming pool with an integrated remote-controlled cover. A pair of modern white outdoor chaises and green ceramic stools provide spots to take in the sun and dry off.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with three kids
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Designer: Anne Grandinetti, Mark Ashby Design
Architect: Tim Cuppett Architects
The exterior of the house received a fresh coat of paint in a custom shade of light gray. To create a dramatic contrast, the front door is covered in a high-gloss coat of Benjamin Moore’s Black Onyx.