Outside the Box {Moontower Home}
A Home Designed as an Urban Getaway
Words by Jessi Devenyns Photos by Daniel Cavazos
An oft-quoted aphorism is “less is more,” but although this is a popular aspirational saying, it is one that can be difficult to execute in the design realm. After all, simplicity is not only about the number of items that one owns, but it is also about the attitude surrounding the use of space.
Wisely using the surface area of a home has become an important point of consideration for many homeowners in Austin where space is becoming a precious commodity. However, even if there are physical limitations confining the design possibilities, Frank Farkash and Jessica Cain of design-build firm Moontower explain that a show-stopping home is less about the square footage listed on a floor plan and more about the home that the space becomes.
When Moontower was contracted for the Bachelor Pad project, the original neighborhood had already been replaced with a compact tract home that occupied the majority of the lot. So the question quickly became how to do more with less. “The footprint is small; the bathrooms are small. How do we make it feel more luxurious – like a hotel kind of vibe?” explains Jessica.
To set the stage for a luxurious getaway from the everyday, the team chose to focus on a material-rich palette that drew from Japanese influences, modern touches, and family heirlooms that were woven together throughout the open floor plan with a tasteful dedication to quality.
In fact, Jessica remembers that the homeowner offered her a carte blanche when it came to design, even though it was her first project with the firm. While she admitted that having a blank slate on which to create was a tall order, she assumed the task and created a space that not only took advantage of the interior but also the front yard.
Unusually, the street-facing outdoor space of the Bachelor Pad was chosen to allow for larger living on a small lot. By expertly employing the view through the large panes of the double French front doors, Moontower flipped the traditional living script on its head and created an outdoor living oasis through which all guests must pass before actually entering the home.
Upstairs, the balcony was enclosed using slatted cedar screens covered in jasmine that allowed for the installation of an outdoor soaking tub. The smooth texture of the wooden bathing barrel plays with the dappled shadows, and strategically placed bathrobes lend a sense of intimate privacy to an urban living space. “It’s like you’re getting away with something a little taboo, and the homeowner was for it,” smiles Jessica.
This sense of indulgence permeates throughout the space. From crushed velvet couch cushions and deep plum carpentry to sheepskin rugs contrasting with chestnut parquet, stepping into the Bachelor Pad is a transition that gives the impression of instantly arriving in that vacation state of mind.
It’s All in the Details.
When designing the Bachelor Pad, Moontower took on the task of furnishing the home, selecting not only the couches and chairs but also the little details, including the bed linens and the soap.
Moontower works to tap into existing neighborhood scale and aesthetic when designing; however, since every house is a unique home, the team works with individuals to make sure that the space fits each family.
Contact:
(512) 524-7253
828 Airport Blvd.
moontoweraustin.com
