Inspired not by the familiar Spanish Revival of Texas Hill Country but by the rugged elegance of a distant highland terrain, this Austin residence reimagines tradition with a refined yet understated sensibility.
At its heart, a courtyard by Jim Hyatt Studio seamlessly bridges architecture and nature, where Lake Austin’s raw limestone finds harmony with the home’s crisp modernity. An antique limestone trough, softened by climbing ivy, lends a patina of age, evoking a quiet sense of permanence.
“The design reflects a desire for beauty without ostentation,” notes architect Michael Imber, capturing the homeowners’ effortless sophistication. The living room, an artful balance of antique European and bespoke pieces, is enveloped in luxurious yet restrained textiles by Kravet, Bruder, and Taktil, while a sculpted plaster fireplace exudes an austere elegance. A Mehraban rug grounds the space, as chandeliers from Jonathan Browning Studios cast a warm glow.
At the entry, Imber orchestrates an intimate, enveloping welcome that unfolds into moments of grandeur. A vaulted ceiling crowned by Orphan Work’s alabaster chandelier enhances the sculptural architecture, while stained glass windows filter dappled light into the moody, atmospheric space—an interplay of shadow and serenity that defines the home’s poetic rhythm.
