What was once an anchor to this 1930’s Austin neighborhood, is now a fully updated home for a vibrant family. Inside, each room brims with unique personality while being simultaneously anchored by a respectively retro feeling; sensitive material selections and a vast array of salvage items – either from this property or sourced elsewhere provide instant patina and loads of character. The exterior looks much as it has since the 50’s, fully restored and water-tight; while the former semi-conditioned mudroom is now fully enclosed and conditioned.

On the interior, big design interventions include reconfiguring the central stair and relocating the kitchen. The original kitchen was both small and inconveniently positioned; the new and beautifully appointed kitchen is larger and anchored by a custom dark zinc vent hood surrounded by intricate stone mosaic. Opposite the range & hood, is an all-new walk-in pantry. The kitchen ceiling is clad with shiplap salvaged during the renovation – bringing warmth and a visual reminder of the home’s past. The shiplap also flows through to the mudroom ceiling and wall, visually stitching the spaces.

The home had been renovated and added on to a few times over the course of its life, leaving some awkward and under-utilized spaces – particularly on level 2. A complete rework of the central stair allowed for bonus storage on level 1 as well as a laundry space and entertainer’s bar on level 2. Beyond the programmatic improvements, the new stair allowed for a more gracious entry foyer and a stronger connection between the foyer and the living room in addition to more borrowed light filtering in from level 2 above.

In the primary bathroom, a new vanity adds much-needed storage, including recessed medicine cabinet with convenience outlets and improved lighting.

A new screened porch and landscaped backyard evokes casual evening dinners al fresco watching fireflies in the garden beyond. With a sloped ceiling, ceiling fan and upper-level screen panels, the porch offers shelter from Texas’ abundant mosquitos, shade and cooling.

As a counterpoint to the summer respite of the screened porch, the ‘big freeze’ prompted the addition of a gas fireplace in the living room. Reusing the salvaged mantlepiece, the shell of the fireplace was reborn to be a heat source and focal point for the formal living space. While being new, the fireplace feels at home in the bright space fully enveloped in a mix of salvage and newly milled wall panels.