Modern Sleekness and Serenity in Austin
After renovating their downtown Austin, Texas, salon,
Chris and Leigh Cortinaz decided it was time to give their house a
modern makeover, too. They just needed a little motivation. "We were
inspired by the visual effects of downtown Austin's skyline changing
before our very eyes," says Chris. "That motivated us to follow through
with our remodel." Working with architect Jared Haas of Un.Box Studio and Ranch Carpentry, they gutted the house and transformed it into a calming oasis.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chris and Leigh Cortinaz and their long-haired chihuahua, Delilah
Location: Old West Lake neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 3,100 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chris and Leigh Cortinaz and their long-haired chihuahua, Delilah
Location: Old West Lake neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 3,100 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
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by Kara Mosher
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AFTER: The couple cleaned up the exterior and put in low-maintenance landscaping. A new walkway with repeating concrete pavers on gravel reflects the geometric patterns on the updated exterior. Charcoal-gray HardiePanels
were added to the second floor, and cream-colored stucco refreshed old
beige painted brick. The new column by the front door is made of ipe — a
hard, weather-resistant and sustainably grown wood.
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BEFORE: Chris and Leigh ditched the traditional shutters; a new concrete retaining wall cleaned up the front landscaping.
The full remodel took 10 months; the couple moved out of the house while the work was being done.
Should You Stay or Go During a Remodel?
The full remodel took 10 months; the couple moved out of the house while the work was being done.
Should You Stay or Go During a Remodel?
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by Kara Mosher
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AFTER: A gold statue of
Tibetan goddess Tara passed down from Leigh's grandmother greets
visitors in the foyer. The renovated kitchen is to the right of the
foyer. "My dream has always been to have an open kitchen to cook and
entertain while guests can hang out on the opposite side of a bar/island
and have drinks," Leigh says.
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BEFORE: The previous kitchen was small and made entertaining difficult.
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by Kara Mosher
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AFTER: New black bamboo
floors replaced the previous laminate flooring. The support beam over
the kitchen island is engineered wood made by compressing several types
of exotic woods together. The cross cut determines the wood's unique
design.
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by Kara Mosher
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This open living room space sits to the left of the entry. The Cortinazes were inspired during a stay at New York's London Hotel a few years ago and continue to incorporate ideas from its luxurious and modern design.
Couch, ottoman: Cindy Crawford collection, Rooms to Go |
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by Kara Mosher
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by Kara Mosher
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The kitchen flows into an open
dining area with a view into the couple's lush backyard. "The inside of
our home is a combination of both our personalities," Chris says. "Leigh
and I gather our decor from glamorous Austin glitz and practical but
funky Craigslist finds."
Table: Cost Plus World Market; orange chairs: Room Service
Table: Cost Plus World Market; orange chairs: Room Service
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by Kara Mosher
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The couple brought in the same
neutral colors and dark woods they used in their salon. "We spun off the
color idea we used at our salon to move forward with our mission to
target a warm, inviting, inner-city, modern, urban space," Chris says.
Bar stools: Craigslist |
by Kara Mosher
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A chrome railing and staircase,
made of the same engineered exotic wood as the support beam in the
kitchen, lead to the master bedroom, guest room, bath and balcony. The
stairs are both Leigh's and Chris' favorite part of the remodel.
Square paintings: Home Goods
Square paintings: Home Goods
by Kara Mosher
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Chris found everything on this second-floor balcony via Craigslist.
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by Kara Mosher
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The master bedroom has a Zen-like
atmosphere. The reupholstered blue couch used to be in the salon. The
paintings of lovebirds above the bed is from one of the couple's
favorite home shops, Four Hands Home.
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by Janet Paik
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BEFORE: The master
bathroom originally felt cramped and outdated. "The old layout wasn't
couple friendly," says Leigh. "[We had to] change that stat!"
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by Kara Mosher
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AFTER: The spacious new
bathroom has twice the amount of space, plus a soaker tub and separate
steam shower. The clean and modern color scheme has the spa feel Leigh
and Chris wanted.
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BEFORE: A backyard and manicured outdoor space were important to the two, and the original yard just didn't make the cut.
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by Kara Mosher
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AFTER: Stucco and a fresh
coat of cream paint gave the exterior a new look. Architect Haas
designed a covered patio area where the pair likes to hang out. The new
second-floor balcony can be seen on the right. Leigh gave Chris a bench
swing that hangs from an oak tree just visible in the corner of this
photo.
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by Kara Mosher
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