Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine, Spring 2010

7/30/2019 Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine, Spring 2010

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A U S TI N + S A N


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I N T E R I O R D E S I G N Mark Cravo

H O M E B UI L D E R David Wilkes, D

ARCHITECTURE Doug Frey, Fre

BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS 5

W R I T T E N B Y MARISA SPYKER

PH OTOG RAPH Y BY PAUL BARDAGJY AND THOMAS MCCONNELL

B O U T I Q U E R E T R E A TBEFORE THE WOOD FLOORS

ART INS TAL LED , A LON ELY R

T H E B A N K S O F L A K E A UST

FA M IL Y T O SN A T C H IT UP A

and-stone structure was the brainchi

to build a contemporary spec hom

handle the design, he brought in a


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Frey Architects, Inc. I had the idea of maximizing the views of the lake

and focusing the home on the indoor/outdoor experience, Frey says.

That outdoor connection immediately spoke to a young Texas family

in search of a comfortable vacation retreat, but the existing stained

concrete floors, finishes and stone fireplaces didnt quite feel like

home to the couple. Craving a warm environment with soft contemporary

touches, they purchased the residence and hired design pro Mark Cravotta,

owner of Cravotta Studios in Austin, to revamp the interiors to fit their

personalities. One of the most important things I do is really learn who my

clients are and read beyond what they say, he explains. Then there emerges

in my mind a picture of what I think will express who they are.

B R E A T H IN G R O O M

A close-up of the living room highlights

the Venetian plaster and limestone

fireplace, designed to appear as if

its floating. The cocktail table was

designed by Mark Cravotta, and the

black-and-white, oil-on-linen artwork

is by Austin artist Roi James.


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Cravottas immediate vision f

similar to that of a boutique

new. This meant an overh

notably in the finishes, floo

were dark-stained concrete, a

builder David Wilkes, owner

was recruited by Cravotta to a

it a warmer, less commercia

replaced with wide-planked,

fireplacesone in the mas

roomwere reframed in V

Cravotta also replaced the

repainted the ceilings and w

The designer made minor adj

for a seamless flow from the iof two columns that original

W I N D O W T R E A T M E N T

Thehousetakesadvantageof thesprawling viewsof

LakeAustin throughstrategically placed,expansive

glasswindows.Theexterioriscraftedinstuccoand

stonewithmetalroofingamodernadditiontothe

traditionalneighborhoodin whichthehomeresides.


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R E S O R T I N S P I R E D

Theserenepaletteof themasterbedroomis

accentedby acoolbluepainting behindthebed

thatCravottacommissionedfromAustinartist

ArturoMallmann.The bedwaspurchasedat

AllanKnightandAssociates;the sidetablesare

NuhouseFurniture,andthedesk isHollyHunt.

and living room. Mark took t

became one big room, Wilke

blocked views from a landing on

a light and contemporary glass

Furnishings and accessories we

modern boutique hotel. I kn

design would appeal to the wif

serene palette of creams with ea

guided the furniture choices, w


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from high-end showrooms, like George Cameron Nash and Allan Knight

and Associates, to sleek wooden accents that Cravotta custom designed for

the home. Bolder statements were made with the contemporary collection

of artwork, the majority of which was commissioned and purchased from

local artists, and eye-catching decorative light fixtures from manufacturers

like Pagini Studios and Fuse Lighting. We didnt pull the trigger until we

knew exactly what each piece was going to be, Cravotta says.

While the homeowners were there during every step of the process, it wasnt

until they finally set foot in their newly renovated home that they truly

understood Cravottas vision. When the husband walked in, he didnt say

anything for about 10 minutes, Cravotta recalls. The wife finally asked him

what he thought, and he just turned to her and said, I knew it was going to

be good, but this is way beyond anything I had imagined. It was the greatest

compliment I couldve hoped for. L

S T Y L E S E L E C T I O N

The layered look of this walnut side table

by designer Mark Cravotta keeps with the

soft yet modern elegance of the interiors.

Three-Tiered Moderne Table, price upon

request; cravottastudios.com

Documents

Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine, Spring 2010