ANNIE DOWNING INTERIORS WAS GIVEN TWO guidelines while designing this home: fun and no white walls. The homeowners hoped to add soul to their newly constructed 2,956-square-foot home and make sure nothing was too precious for their boisterous family life. Annie Downing came on board very early in the process to collaborate and be a part of the overall design.
“This project is in the charming, family-friendly Allandale neighborhood of Austin,” said Annie. “Allandale is some to many long-standing establishments, restaurants and shops, and its residents enjoy a quiet, relaxed lifestyle. The home was a spec house, but the clients purchased it after the slab had been poured. They hired us to make the spec house a custom house.” Each of the four bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths employ a fearless approach to color and pattern. The homeowner’s San Antonio roots and love of travel inspired many choices, like the green stucco exterior. A few pieces of art and furniture they already owned were repurposed; the rest were purchased new.
“My clients are fun, smart and worldly. They were wonderful collaborators. Their young children came to a few meetings and were very excited about the home,” said Annie.
The homeowners each had their own preferences. The wife had always wanted to add more color to her home but never had the confidence to fully commit. Annie gave her the courage to go for it. The husband leaned more towards modern design, and was impressed with Annie’s ability to create a modern space that wasn’t all white. Unique tiles, special textiles and wallpapers from artists like Paule Marrot and Kelly Wearstler paired with personal art framed throughout the home makes this space truly oneof-a-kind.
“We sourced every piece for them and presented the entire home at once,” explained Annie. “They only made two changes: they wanted funkier fabric on the bed in the primary and on the dining chairs.”
In the kitchen, a Tabarka concrete tile inlay with brass peeks out of a marble-topped waterfall island, illuminated by orb-shaped fixtures from Lighting Urban Electric and surrounded by modern yet comfortable stools from Stowed Home. The cooking nook is surrounded in white Cle tile as a backdrop for colorful utensils and collectibles.
In the dining room and breakfast nook, round tables facilitate easy conversation. The custom banquette was one of Annie’s favorite areas to design. It’s decked in Imogen Heath fabric and Moore & Giles leather, wrapped around a modern table by Williams Sonoma Home and chairs by Stowed Home. Art by Natural Curiosities and a drape in matching fabric tie the cozy nook together.
A special treat for the kids was the upstairs playroom, a great space to watch TV, read and play with friends. The room has wonderful natural lighting, so the design team opted for a light, bright palette with touches of color. Annie Downing was able to understand the client’s needs for functionality, addressing their love for color and whimsy in a gorgeous design for this active family’s home.
ANNIE DOWNING INTERIORS
512-651-5742 | AnnieDowning.com