Two leading designers are brought together to create a family home with a nuanced blend of grandeur and effortlessness.
When two creatives collaborate, there’s always an element of the unknown. A new build in Lake Austin flung together Texas-based architect Michael Imber with Alexander Design principal and founder Vanessa Alexander. “The client brought us in to work with Michael to integrate modern and relaxed energy into his traditionally grounded design,” Alexander says, who’s interior design firm has offices in New York and LA.
A spectacular setting created the perfect springboard for the project. “The owners were familiar with Austin and specifically wanted to build their forever home in the Lake Austin area,” Alexander recalls of the young family returning to Texas after a long stint in New York. The expansive property is ideally located, looking out over the city, but in close proximity to downtown, sitting on the Bluffs above the lake.
The family wanted a home that suited them. “Their brief called for understated luxury, elegance grounded in warmth and comfort, which is exactly who the clients are, and a home that reflects their approach to living,” the designer says. Located on a 6,000 square metre block, the two-storey house is arranged around a central courtyard. The layout creates an easy flow between inside and out and strikes the balance between sheltered spaces and those with sweeping views.
In the kitchen is a casual eating area made up of a 19th-century Danish cigar factory stool from Gallery Rath, Stahl + Band Eight table and Nickey Kehoe Spindle dining chairs. Above the table hangs a RH Guild Oscar pendant while over the kitchen are a trio of Rose Uniacke Plaster Cone hanging lights.
Within the Mediterranean home with terracotta-tiled roofs and arched windows is a youthful, elegant and light-filled interior complete with custom stained-glass details and hand-hewn locally made timber carpentry. “We leaned into the Spanish Colonial aesthetic but pared it back with an edited amount of detailing and materials that created a strong and beautiful but more minimalist approach to that form of architecture and therefore the interior detailing as well,” Alexander explains. This is evident in the simple curves and lack of ornamentation throughout.
The interiors feel effortless despite being a carefully considered mix of custom and vintage pieces juxtaposed with modern elements. The selection was also embedded in the locale where appropriate. “We tried to use as many local galleries and artisans as possible for the custom items as there is a great talent pool from Texas,” Alexander explains.
Layered finishes, fixtures and furniture add interest to the generous spaces. “The home is large, but it has a strong sense of intimacy,” Alexander says, who has artfully combined wire-brushed oak millwork and aged steel with polished finishes. “There is a level of quality and detail and thoughtfulness that went into everything from the hand-formed stair rail to the beams,” the designer says. The dramatic two-storey living room with an overscale fireplace is a good example of this. “It really is a special space because it’s quite big yet feels unbelievably inviting,” Alexander says.
“I think we helped bring a new energy and perspective to Michael’s work and the collaboration was really stellar and enjoyable,” Alexander says. The result speaks for itself—a gracious family home that is grand but intimate, classic yet modern with a seamless transition between inside and out.
This piece originally appeared in est magazine issue #57: ‘Kitchen Expressionism‘.
The dramatic ceiling height of the dining room is grounded by a custom oiled walnut and brass dining table, vintage Dan Johnson Viscount chairs from DEN and ‘Spell Me, Bleed Me, Be Me’ by Claire Osw. Decorative elements such as the Paul Matter Tryst 3 chandelier from Garde, custom curtains in Designs of the Times Ehbirra and the Suzu ceramic bowl from Rembaum Hanau complete the picture.
The study combines an eclectic mix of furniture including a custom burlwood desk, contemporary chair from 1st Dibs and a Charlotte Perriand stool from Gallery Rath. An Aramis XL suspension light hangs above and on the floor is a La Manufacture Cogolin rug in Jardin Intérieur.
The main bedroom features a vintage Mama Bear chair and a custom headboard and bench. A mix of ambient lighting is created by Danish Studio pottery lamps from Lucca Antiques, Louis Poulsen VL Ring Crown chandelier from Rewire Gallery Inc and a Zac Library light. The art is by Tyler Guinn.
A custom oak vanity, Apaiser Haven bath and Calacatta Vagli marble are artfully combined in the expansive en suite. It is suitably layered with a vintage Moroccan runner from Atlantica Organica, a vintage stool from Gallery Rath and a Libeco linen towel. Rose Uniacke Frosted Lantern pendants and Apparatus Studio Tassel 1 sconces softly light the space.
The powder room combines a slick custom travertine vanity with textured reclaimed terracotta hex tiles from Country Floors. Decorative elements such as the McEwen Egg suspension lamp and Italian brass and Murano glass sconces from 1st Dibs add interest to the soulful space.
The belvedere stairs are as equally highly detailed as the interior with custom brass light fixtures and handrail and an antique olive jar from Olive Atelier.
The outdoor living space is well appointed with a custom reclaimed Douglas fir dining table, Phantom Hands dining chairs and Thomas Hayes Pepe stools. The space moves from day and night thanks to the Lumfard brass pendants that hang above the island bench and a pair of vintage Mexican iron candlesticks from Casita Amada on the dining table. Unique finds are scattered throughout such as an antique Swedish vessel from Galerie Provenance, vintage stump table from Gallery Rath and antique olive jars from Olive Ateliers.
