Preserving the Little Blue House
The evolution of a Cozy Cherrywood Bungalow
Words by Abby L. Johnson Photos by Ashley Haguewood
What happens when a family outgrows their dream home?
That was a question the Bowling family had to answer for themselves when they suddenly realized that the 1000 square-foot home they lovingly renovated and restored was simply too small. With two growing kids, the house they moved into in 2008 no longer suited their needs. But the idea of selling in a rapidly changing neighborhood was a bit unsavory. “When we first moved in, neighbors, delighted that we were not tearing it down, brought us agaves and cookies and all kinds of things,” homeowner Ashley recalls fondly. “That kind of stuck with us. It has been important to us to maintain the integrity of the house— not only because we love it but also because we love our neighbors.”
Built in 1947, the concrete walls of this three-bedroom, one bath property have lived many lives, and under the careful hands of its current owners, it will continue to do so. From the first changes made in the home, which included an efficient kitchen layout, installing hardwood floors throughout, opening the highly segmented floor plan, and converting the garage into a room for their daughter (the aforementioned third bedroom), the Bowlings’ goal was always to retain the character of the home while tailoring it to modern-day functionality. For example, despite initial reservations, they kept the exterior bright blue, a signature feature of the home and the neighborhood, which is dotted with colorful façades. This small nuance has become a characteristic they cherish and a nickname of sorts.
After enjoying the home for many years, they finally made the decision that it was time to move into something a bit more spacious. Ashley and husband, Will, decided to keep the blue house knowing there was a good chance it would be torn down if they were to sell. They had a positive experience renting the home to long-term tenants, but in September 2022, when their lessees moved out, they found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. With property taxes quickly outpacing their mortgage, the need to raise the rent on the home was pressing. This didn’t sit well with the pair, but they had to find a way to feasibly hang on to the property. Ashley notes, “We love this house and want to move back in one day, ideally.”
The solution, it turns out, was quite simple. Located in the charming Cherrywood neighborhood and no more than ten minutes away from anything visitors could possibly want to experience in Austin, the Blue House was a perfect candidate for a quaint Airbnb stay. Within a long weekend, the house was furnished and ready for its first booking. With Ashley’s keen eye for interior design (being one of her past occupations) and Will’s handyman capabilities and the tools he inherited from his grandfather, the home hangs on to its warm and inviting atmosphere.
From 1947 to 2022, this quaint home has seen many changes, housed happy families and is now waiting for guests to enjoy the sights and sounds of Austin, Texas. If walls could talk, the little Blue House probably has more than a few stories to tell.
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