Austin-based…
interior designer Christina Cole believes that furniture and accessories should be able to ‘breathe’ within a space, so that points of interest are equally distributed between furnishings, objets d’art, and architectural structures for a feeling of cohesiveness, security, and openness. Her eponymous practice dedicates itself to crafting visually balanced and volumetrically optimized spaces using a strict neutral palette and natural materials. In this 5000-square-foot family home located in the picturesque town of Rollingwood, Texas, Cole has matched the living room’s expansive high ceilings with large, low-profile furniture pieces, including two sandy-colored sofas and a daybed designed by her own studio, as well as a blackened steel coffee table by contemporary German designer Fabio Vogel and an oak two-seater bench from The Future Perfect.
To make…
the most of the floor plan and ensure a proportionally appropriate composition, Cole has used soft curved edges wherever possible to counter the strict lines of monolithic blocks that comprise the fireplace. The furnishings direct attention towards the horizontal axis, preventing the room from feeling divided.
Unexpected…
shapes punctuate the dining room, complementing the box-like linearity of the space. Furniture pieces are simple yet impactful, as if they are part of a stage set, a style reinforced by sweeping gossamer curtains in a soft pink hue. Key pieces include a set of vintage Danish teak dining chairs designed by Johannes Andersen for Uldum Mobelfabrik, reupholstered with smooth linen velvet, a Neo-Impressionist ‘bunny’ painting by American painter, sculptor, and printmaker Hunt Slonem, a sculptural 1950s Murano glass pendant light, and an organic mirror by Vogel Studio.
Cole often…
talks of ‘missed opportunities’ in a home: areas that are all too often overlooked because they have been assigned as purely functional. For her, a corridor can do much more than serve as a connector between two spaces. Here, she has created a little niche with colorful artwork and a dark wood vintage table, highlighting the rich textural look of Elizabeth Dow’s pale grey linen wallpaper.
A study…
has a gentleman’s club feel, with bespoke millwork throughout and a refurbished mid-century chair with a sleek zig-zag wooden structure.
The main…
bedroom brings softness and femininity into focus with muted and pastel tones, tactile fabrics, and more linen wallpaper by Elizabeth Dow. Once again, careful curation is the winning formula, resulting in a ‘breathable’ space that’s welcoming and airy rather than sharp and minimalist. A bespoke pale pink headrest and side tables from Cole’s own design studio provide an elegant match to vintage Japanese screens, while a slightly curved vintage bench at the foot of the bed enhances the gentle and organic feel of the room’s decor.
Spacious…
and serene, the primary bathroom is designed to feel like a luxury sanctuary stripped back to its bare essentials. It features a custom-made oak vanity, polished gunmetal Longton scones by Volker Haug Studio, a Macchia Vecchia marble sink top, and a matching shower base.
The handmade…
vase is by D’Haene Studio, a Brooklyn-based workshop inspired by traditional Korean ceramics. Little touches like this mean a lot in a home full of personality but devoid of clutter. Indeed, every element chosen by Cole and her team serves to guarantee the house’s permanence, championing a stylish language of design that reflects a synergy of architecture, craft, and functionality.
Tap the look…
Design: Christina Cole Studio
Builder: Burnish & Plumb
Photos: Lindsay Brown
