Once closed off and dark, this late 1970s Austin, Texas house is now as bright and cheery as its owners. Upon purchasing, a low budget renovation was done to make things more functional. Several years later, the owners decided to open up their home and turn this colonial style into a midcentury modern haven. In 2014, with the help of Interior Designer Becca Stephens, renovations began by grinding down the concrete floor put in during the previous renovation. Plank ceramic tile was used throughout the house as a scratch-proof solution for a family with a son and dogs.
Connecting Spaces
The colonial’s many closed-off rooms were re-imagined into an open floor plan. “We just had to put beams in and take walls down,” recalls Becca of the major demolition. Unable to remove as much as they wanted from a wall that is now the sitting area, the team had to get creative. “We wrapped the wood planks around it to make it a feature,” explains Becca.
Looking into the dining room, a new West Elm table is set against a vintage hutch.
A Retro Welcome
New doors with symmetrical slats were put in to achieve a midcentury welcome from both interior and exterior. As you walk through the door, a custom rectangular staircase sets the tone for the house. Once colonial turn spindles, this new banister design was sketched out then built to code by a carpenter.
Old and New
With the floor plan allowing for a mid-mod feel, the task of decorating to suit the owner’s love of retro style came next! Becca used a seamless blend of vintage and new throughout the house—a styling tool she utilizes for contrast. “I pair something vintage with something a little more modern and sleek,” explains Becca. “It was very collaborative… I wait for them [the clients] to tell me something they love and I design the room around that,” Becca continues, regarding plans for the renovation. Many of the vintage pieces in the house are from local vintage shops, or were already on hand while the new pieces were sourced everywhere from West Elm to Etsy. With Becca’s help, this family now has a bright and inspiring home to match their welcoming personalities! Make sure to visit Becca’s website for more inspiration www.beccastephens.com.
