Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Cozy, Colorful Retreat in Texas
A first-time homeowner turns a 750-square-foot South Austin space into a cool and colorful haven amid stands of bamboo
Surrounded by lush bamboo, this quaint and collected space feels right at home in South Austin's eclectic Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Austin native Andrea Pimental was thrilled to find the perfect home in one of her favorite parts of the city, and in the past year she's transformed it into a colorful and peaceful retreat.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Andrea Pimentel; dog Harley and cat Mr. Gray
Location: Bouldin Creek neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 750 square feet; one bedroom; one bath
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Andrea Pimentel; dog Harley and cat Mr. Gray
Location: Bouldin Creek neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 750 square feet; one bedroom; one bath
Harley enjoys the smooth indoor-outdoor transition of the dark green- stained concrete floors. "I like the openness of the living room space coupled with the French doors that extend into the backyard," says Pimentel. Texas weather means the rooms are almost always flooded with natural light.
Pimentel chose a bold red as an accent wall color in the main living space and framed vinyl albums to break up the solid wall.
The antique wooden carving above the sofa is one of Pimentel's favorite pieces. "It was badly weathered and falling apart when I found it, but its delicate carvings still retained its unique, great beauty," she says.
Throw pillows: Pier One Imports; sofa: Gage Furniture; record frames: Michael's
The antique wooden carving above the sofa is one of Pimentel's favorite pieces. "It was badly weathered and falling apart when I found it, but its delicate carvings still retained its unique, great beauty," she says.
Throw pillows: Pier One Imports; sofa: Gage Furniture; record frames: Michael's
"Most of the time I buy items with little regard to how they will fit with the rest of the decor," Pimentel says. "Each one is something that I’ve found myself drawn to singularly. They all just somehow end up fitting well together. All of my rooms are a blend of antiques and contemporary items."
Black wall shelves: Ikea
Black wall shelves: Ikea
"When I moved in, the home had two fixed colors: the teal kitchen countertops and dark green-stained concrete floor. I loved the teal in the kitchen," she says.
Dining room table: Furniture in the Raw
Dining room table: Furniture in the Raw
Pimentel choose a muted green for her bedroom walls. "I’ve always loved green and have used it as a paint color many times over the years, playing around with different shades," she says. "This has been one of my favorites — not too strong or too bright, so the art can really stand out."
Bookshelf: Oak Express
Bookshelf: Oak Express
The metal bird sculpture above her bed is one of Pimentel's favorite art pieces. "I think it’s a beautiful composition and is the central piece to the room," she says. "I think whatever you put above your bed is usually something that is very special and speaks to you in some way."
Rug: Pier One Imports
Rug: Pier One Imports
"I love that I can relax with a book in the hammock, sit with a group of friends at the picnic table, sip coffee in the morning in the Adirondack chair or have a chat over a glass of wine at the bistro table," she says.
Pimentel appreciates that all of the homes in her neighborhood were built in the 1950s and '60s, many still occupied by the original owners. "It’s wonderful to feel like I’m a part of Old Austin," she says.
Houzz call: Do you live in a small, creative space? Share it with us!
Houzz call: Do you live in a small, creative space? Share it with us!
Green mosaic table: Pier One Imports