Nature Shines In An Austin Home With Contemporary Interiors

From the fjords of Iceland and Norway to the beaches of Fiji and Seychelles, Africa, Margaret Webb has experienced the kind of natural splendor that most can only imagine. But despite having traveled to some of the world’s most exotic locales, she unequivocally admits that, for her and her family, there is simply no place like home.

“We wake up to beauty every day,” observes Webb, who shares the residence in Austin’s Spanish Oaks neighborhood with her husband, son and three Jack Russell terriers. “With every sunrise and sunset comes a new piece of art for us to admire just by looking out our windows.”

Architects James LaRue and Patrick Mobley suggested this strategic site for the 5,200-square-foot abode and worked with builder Robert Bays to capture the sweeping views of the Hill Country and Barton Creek Habitat Preserve. Externally the house presents a sleek silhouette, with a long, hipped roof that spans the length of the building. The main floor extends beyond the stone base, cantilevering above grade and imparting a sense of lightness. A mélange of hardy regional materials that include roughback Lueders limestone, stained sapele siding, metal paneling and stucco makes up the exterior. This combination creates a striking juxtaposition to the sleek floor-to-ceiling windows that stretch across the back, blurring the boundary between indoors and out.

“At street level, you see the main façade but don’t yet appreciate the intrigue of the home until invited in,” says interior designer Kelle Contine, whose firm was tasked with the four-year project. The front door opens to a direct view through the back, past its expansive glass to the verdant canopy and hills beyond. “It’s like stepping inside of a tree house,” she describes. Wanting to expand on that feeling, Contine and senior designer Erin Judge incorporated authentic materials that reflect the rustic setting without compromising the owners’ refined aesthetic sensibility.

Polished concrete floors stained on-site provide a solid foundation for the sunlit rooms that compose the open layout. Custom walnut millwork subtly defines spaces while maintaining a sense of cohesion. Cabinetry painted a rich shade of iron ore in the kitchen offsets the grain movement and helps the blackened-steel floating shelves, vent hood and structural details pop.

“There is nothing fragile or fussy here,” Contine explains. “Our clients are active, so they didn’t want to tiptoe around the house or keep any part of it off limits.” The designers sought out materials that are equal parts attractive and easy to maintain, which will not only endure but age gracefully. “We love that the wood will weather, the concrete will crack, and the steel and stone accents will patina over time just as Mother Nature intended them to,” she adds.

The furnishings and finishes also emphasize durability and comfort. In the great room, an oversize sectional upholstered in a forgiving performance-grade fabric wraps around a 6-by-6-foot coffee table. Topped with rough-cut reclaimed wood, it can camouflage any imperfections thanks to its inherent nicks and knots. In the kitchen, wipeable leather counter stools in a generous scale are perfect for perching with a glass of wine at the nearly indestructible white quartz island.

Although the decor is tough enough to withstand dirty paws and the daily grind of family life, the color palette feels soft and easy on the eye. Warm whites, creams and hints of rust balance the cool gray hues that span from the subtlest shade of stone to the deepest, darkest charcoal with flecks of copper, brass and chrome thrown in for a little luxe. “Decorative lighting acts like polished jewelry against a more subdued backdrop,” Contine adds.

Threaded together, these tones form a setting upon which the homeowners’ art can shine. Every piece Contine helped procure was carefully curated to match her clients’ interests. A mangrove root sculpture attests to the couple’s love of nature, just as a set of drawings depicting wine accoutrements speaks to their appreciation for a fine vintage. However, of all the works in their collection, the most precious ones were not acquired but discovered.

“Our most cherished pieces of art are the found objects and landscape photographs we’ve brought home from our travels,” Webb says. “Our selections are primarily based on the feelings and memories they represent.” Now, thanks to the home’s elegant design, these treasured items help create new moments inside a family dwelling deeply rooted in place.