My Houzz: Airy Global-Chic Style for a New Austin Home
White walls and natural light shine a spotlight on this couple’s laid-back minimalist-meets-bohemian style
Heather Banks
May 17, 2015
Houzz Contributor. I’m absolutely obsessed with interior design and architecture. My favorite past time to do is gawk at other people’s homes. I always look forward to attending the home tours that frequently come through Austin, even if it means attaching my one year old crying baby to me to be able to do it.
I’m a photographer by trade - www.eclecticimagesphotography.com but I've also recently been dabbling in interior decorating (as I work towards a certificate degree in Interior Design from The New York Institute of Art and Design). I've also flipped a few houses! You can see some of my design work and homes I've flipped on my Facebook page @CaryPaulStudios as well as on my Instagram @heathercbanks.
I think people’s living spaces are the closest reflections of their true selves....
Houzz Contributor. I’m absolutely obsessed with interior design and architecture.... More
Beth and Ryan Vanderkolk fell in love with a new build in South Austin, Texas, but were outbid with an all-cash offer. At first they were crushed, but they rallied and managed to persuade the builder, Brent Fannin of FIA Homes, to find a tear-down and build them a home in a similar modern style. Beth, a community manager for InVision, says, “We trusted his vision, design and guidance, and he really came through. The build project could not have been easier.” As for the interiors, Beth, together with husband Ryan, who works in business development at SpaceCraft, went with white walls and concrete floors, which are the perfect backdrop for their casual, modern bohemian style.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Beth and Ryan Vanderkolk and their Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Fonzie
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 2,001 square feet (186 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 2014
Big picture windows welcome in a lot of natural light, while white walls create an airy feel in the great room.
Green lounge chairs: vintage; floor lamp: West Elm
Who lives here: Beth and Ryan Vanderkolk and their Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Fonzie
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 2,001 square feet (186 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 2014
Big picture windows welcome in a lot of natural light, while white walls create an airy feel in the great room.
Green lounge chairs: vintage; floor lamp: West Elm
Plants and rugs are among Beth’s favorite things, and they’re the perfect foil to warm up the sealed concrete flooring. The couple is happy they went with concrete instead of wood; a bonus, Beth says, is that the concrete floors are easy to clean.
Double-height hairpin table: Love Ding; Tour de France print: vintage; pendant lights: JCPenney; bar table: vintage
Double-height hairpin table: Love Ding; Tour de France print: vintage; pendant lights: JCPenney; bar table: vintage
The couple splurged on a leather sectional sofa from Pottery Barn. “It has been awesome for entertaining and movie nights,” Beth says.
Coffee table: West Elm; gold turtle-shell box: Nate Berkus for Target; rug: Rugs USA; sheepskin throw: Love Ding
Coffee table: West Elm; gold turtle-shell box: Nate Berkus for Target; rug: Rugs USA; sheepskin throw: Love Ding
Just inside the front door, a simple tray table and mirror create an entry landing zone.
Tray table: One Kings Lane; marble object: West Elm; horn: High Fashion Home; mirror: Off the Wall
Tray table: One Kings Lane; marble object: West Elm; horn: High Fashion Home; mirror: Off the Wall
The sliding barn door that hides the pantry is made of cypress and finished with a natural stain.
Art: “Scribbles in Blue,” Minted; Peekaboo acrylic console table: CB2; barn-door hardware: Specialty Doors
Art: “Scribbles in Blue,” Minted; Peekaboo acrylic console table: CB2; barn-door hardware: Specialty Doors
Fannin helped the couple decide which elements were worth splurging on, such as the Caesarstone countertops and Porcelanosa backsplash tile. He also helped them with other design choices, including replacing part of the backsplash with windows to bring more light into the kitchen.
Counter chairs and dining chairs: Overstock; backsplash tile: Diamond White, Porcelanosa; countertops: Caesarstone in Blizzard, from TreeHouse; dining table: Ross Rustic Tables; antelope rug: Stark Carpet; cabinets: TreeHouse
Counter chairs and dining chairs: Overstock; backsplash tile: Diamond White, Porcelanosa; countertops: Caesarstone in Blizzard, from TreeHouse; dining table: Ross Rustic Tables; antelope rug: Stark Carpet; cabinets: TreeHouse
Beth drew some of her design inspiration from the Texas hotels designed by hotelier Liz Lambert of Bunkhouse Group, owner of Hotel San José in Austin, El Cosmico in Marfa, and Hotel Havana in San Antonio. The hallway is decorated with prints and posters promoting events at these hotels and the hotels themselves.
Runner rug: vintage kilim from Turkey; art: framed by Framebridge
Runner rug: vintage kilim from Turkey; art: framed by Framebridge
The couple is expecting their first child in June. The nursery decor features an Otomi wall hanging from an outdoor market in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Beth also admires the design work of Los Angeles interior designer Amber Lewis and designed the nursery with a similar aesthetic. “Her vibe is really airy, global and boho while still being super functional,” Beth says.
Rug: vintage from India; crib: Scoot, Babyletto
Rug: vintage from India; crib: Scoot, Babyletto
In the nursery a sofa does double duty as comfy seating and a spot for sleeping, perfect for the anticipated late-night feedings.
Prints above sofa: Art.com; sofa: Crate & Barrel; floor lamp and mirror: West Elm; dresser: Babyletto; wallpaper: Spoonflower
Prints above sofa: Art.com; sofa: Crate & Barrel; floor lamp and mirror: West Elm; dresser: Babyletto; wallpaper: Spoonflower
The Vanderkolks have spent a lot of their time together traveling, and it has been the source of much of their design inspiration. Favorite places include Mexico, Barcelona, the Amalfi Coast, Marfa (Texas), Costa Rica and Istanbul.
Rug: Rugs USA; bed and lamp: West Elm; benches and nightstands: Target; horses print: Z Gallerie
Rug: Rugs USA; bed and lamp: West Elm; benches and nightstands: Target; horses print: Z Gallerie
Beth chose a round mirror to balance out the hard lines in the rest of the bedroom. The jewelry cloche adds a girlish touch. The dresser also holds personal mementos, including the bottle of Dom Perignon that the couple popped when they got engaged, a picture of the two of them and a photo of Beth’s mother being walked down the aisle by Beth’s grandfather.
Dresser: Land of Nod; mirror: Wisteria; necklace stand and cloche: Pottery Barn
Dresser: Land of Nod; mirror: Wisteria; necklace stand and cloche: Pottery Barn
Beth works remotely, so she is at home nearly all the time. The office now resides in their bedroom, as the former office was taken over by the nursery.
Floor mirror: vintage; desk and chair: Ikea
Floor mirror: vintage; desk and chair: Ikea
The couple loves the luxurious, spa-like feel of their master bathroom. Their one regret is that they didn’t put in a bathtub along with a walk-in shower.
A hallway half bathroom features houseplants and other earthy touches.
Pendant: West Elm; glass jar: Target; countertops: Caesarstone in Nougat; tree stump table: custom by homeowner; planter: East Austin Succulents
Pendant: West Elm; glass jar: Target; countertops: Caesarstone in Nougat; tree stump table: custom by homeowner; planter: East Austin Succulents
Above the headboard in the guest bedroom are colorful yarn-wrapped horseshoes from Marley & Alfie, while a cowhide rug adds a traditional Texas vibe.
Chair: Furbish Studio; throw: Anthropologie; tray (on bed): One Kings Lane; side tables: Threshold for Target; Day of the Dead print: Carlos Hernandez; cowhide rug: The Corner Shoppe
Chair: Furbish Studio; throw: Anthropologie; tray (on bed): One Kings Lane; side tables: Threshold for Target; Day of the Dead print: Carlos Hernandez; cowhide rug: The Corner Shoppe
The couple’s boho modern style continues outdoors to their patio, where clean lines and contemporary furniture create comfortable lounging spots.
701 Loungers and side table: Petrified Design
701 Loungers and side table: Petrified Design
When the weather is nice, the couple enjoy making homemade pizzas in their ceramic Big Green Egg.
Acapulco chairs: JM Drygoods
Acapulco chairs: JM Drygoods
The front exterior is clad in stained cedar, providing a natural contrast with the otherwise white walls.
Planters: The Great Outdoors
Planters: The Great Outdoors
Beth and Ryan take a moment to relax outside their front door with Fonzie.
See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
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Aaarrgghhh, rereading this, I must hasten to add that safety in a house with children is paramount. Any blinds must be absolutely free of ties or strings that could pose a hazard.
Rather than bamboo shades above the crib, I would suggest white plantation shutters so that it blends seamlessly with the wall. Maybe the slats could be run vertically to echo the slats in the crib...
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