My Houzz: Modern Urban Oasis in Austin
Rebuilt family home features indoor-outdoor living, a master bedroom 'treehouse' and playful touches
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Jim and Laurie Curry lived in their Tarrytown neighborhood property for 10 years before deciding to take on a complete rebuild of the home. Leaving behind a beautiful Burr Oak tree from the original house, they worked with Brian Dillard Architecture and Pilgrim Builders to turn their modern, relaxing retreat into a reality.
Deciding to tear the original home down was not an easy decision. "We weren't nonchalant about tearing our previous house down; we had many folks determine there was no smart way to remodel on that space, as the foundation was shot," Jim says. "We had to go 35 feet underground and invest more money to make sure our current house can handle the weird clay in Tarrytown."
The result is an inviting yet modern home that includes a gorgeous backyard landscape including an open pool space and a jungle gym for their vivacious 2-year-old. The biggest challenge for the family was efficiently designing the home into the 3,000 square feet space and juggling the neighborhood architecture code restrictions. "We feel pretty settled now," Jim says.
Who lives here: Jim, Laurie and their 2-year old son Beckett Curry (with twins on the way)
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 3,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 baths
Built: Completed in 2011
Architect: Brian Dillard Architecture; builder: Pilgrim Building Company
Deciding to tear the original home down was not an easy decision. "We weren't nonchalant about tearing our previous house down; we had many folks determine there was no smart way to remodel on that space, as the foundation was shot," Jim says. "We had to go 35 feet underground and invest more money to make sure our current house can handle the weird clay in Tarrytown."
The result is an inviting yet modern home that includes a gorgeous backyard landscape including an open pool space and a jungle gym for their vivacious 2-year-old. The biggest challenge for the family was efficiently designing the home into the 3,000 square feet space and juggling the neighborhood architecture code restrictions. "We feel pretty settled now," Jim says.
Who lives here: Jim, Laurie and their 2-year old son Beckett Curry (with twins on the way)
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 3,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 baths
Built: Completed in 2011
Architect: Brian Dillard Architecture; builder: Pilgrim Building Company
| The home is ideal for living in a warm climate as numerous walls in the space slide completely open to turn the home into an indoor-outdoor paradise. From the patio you see views of the landscaped roof, the pool, jungle gym and downtown Austin. Private Comment
"There's nothing cooler than being outside, early evening in warm weather when kids are playing or swimming and we can relax on the side of pool keeping an eye on everyone," Laurie says. "Or Jim can fire up the fire pit in winter and project a movie onto the cabana wall. In the future, we can have movie nights outside and watch from the pool." |
| One of the most amazing features of the home is its indoor-outdoor flow. The living room west wall opens to the pool and a seating area with Crate & Barrel lounge chairs. This is where the couple feel most at home in their urban oasis. Private Comment
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The front door entryway is warm and welcoming, and the clean lines of the staircase beckon visitors upstairs. The staircase and its enlightened reflection were part of architect Brian Dillard's vision.
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| The master bedroom boasts beautiful views and is referred to as the "treehouse" by Jim and Laurie. With two walls of windows, one of which slides open exposing a landscaped patio, it creates a serene and peaceful place to sleep. Private Comment
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| The patio outside their treehouse-like master bedroom is soothing and calm. The entry to the patio is a floor-to-ceiling window wall, welcoming you outside with ease. A simple leather lounge chair sits in the corner, next to a bright blue circular side table, creating simple elegance. Private Comment
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| The living room's west wall opens completely. Considering Austin's beautiful weather most of the year, this creates the perfect flow for a peaceful breeze to enter the home. An outdoor heater warms chilly evenings. Private Comment
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| The white living room glider chair is one of the couple's favorite furniture pieces. Laurie says, "I love my glider that started as my nursing chair but fits nicely into family room — and I'm loving it again with back support because of my twin pregnancy." Private Comment
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| "We like the simple, clean look but that can only go so far with three kids under the age of 3," Laurie says. The table serves as a coffee table at night for the adults, and a play table for Beckett during the day. Private Comment
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A downstairs hallway features a floor-to-ceiling window with green bamboo just outside. A painting of a Spanish matador is framed in an inlet designed into the wall, with soft overhead lighting illuminating the art, lending the feel of a modern museum.
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From the bamboo picture window the house flows into the kitchen and dining room space.
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| The kitchen, like many other rooms in the house, boasts a large picture window with a view of the picturesque backyard. The kitchen features a large island in the middle and a circular flow to the space, making cooking an efficient and peaceful process. Private Comment
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The black shutters near the dining room table create a nice contrast to the soft tones in the room. The black dining table also adds to that feel. Colorful placemats from Ikea add character and a nice splash of color to the tabletop.
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A downstairs bathroom follows the simple and clean design of the rest of the house. A circular patterned wallpaper boldly adds chaos within the modern design.
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Beckett's room features a painted silhouette of the Austin skyline, with moveable cars and clouds he can place along the scenery. Laurie chose gray as the neutral paint color to allow for her to add pops of color for a gender-neutral nursery in the future.
Beckett was an infant throughout the building and design process, which made the experience of dreaming up their new home a bit more challenging. Laurie says, "We still poured so much time and effort into thinking through our design and were very thankful to have our great team."
Crib: Babyletto
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Beckett was an infant throughout the building and design process, which made the experience of dreaming up their new home a bit more challenging. Laurie says, "We still poured so much time and effort into thinking through our design and were very thankful to have our great team."
Crib: Babyletto
| Simple elegance is seen once again in an upstairs bathroom. The petite blue tiled tub creates a soft feel next to the black edges of the window treatment. Private Comment
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A creative touch to the upstairs hallway is a repurposed Ikea clothesline hanger, used to showcase family photos.
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| The pool house is simple and peaceful. The rectangular room opens up facing the pool. The brown leather chairs give a sharp contrast to the white walls, and offer a comfortable alternative to someone not wanting to swim. The wooden chair was a treasure Laurie uncovered at an Austin antique store. Private Comment
Laurie says: "The time it takes to design and build what you want is well worth it. You don't want to rush to buy fill-in items like art or furniture. You'll appreciate them more if you find exactly what speaks to you." |
| Their home was featured in the 2011 American Institute of Architects Austin Homes tour. As Laurie's friends say, "It's the ideal playdate house!" With twins expected this spring, the Currys have a wonderful space ready to welcome them. Private Comment
More: My Houzz: Colorfully Collected in Austin My Houzz: Austin Haven with Amazing Views Houzz Tour: Minimal and Soothing in Austin |
Comments
Valerie Bowles says:
Very well thought out for a small footprint. Love the green roof.
3 months ago ·
Like
190roundtop says:
Does anyonw know who's windows and doors those are. I like the low profile.
3 months ago ·
Like
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