This Austin home is, by all accounts, “upside down.” The kitchen, living room, dining room, and primary suite are on the main floor, while four bedrooms and a big game room are on the lower garden level which opens directly to a pool. “Due to the upside-down layout, one feels like they are in a treehouse on the main level, which is so peaceful, as you just look out over the treetops,” says interior designer Jennifer Greer Hartmann. Her firm, Greer Interior Design, was tapped by a family of five to make it work for their busy lifestyle. “Their top requests were that the house be comfortable and inviting,” she recalls. “And to utilize mostly soft neutral tones with added color, contrast and textures—and plenty of places to display artwork.”

The architecture for the house was pre-designed before the client purchased it, so the interior architecture was originally fairly simple in nature. “It was important that we added layers of detail not just in the furnishings, but architecturally in the cabinetry, wall finishes, ceiling treatments, and stone details to make the home feel more unique and tailored to our client’s taste,” Jennifer explains. “Then we designed a full custom furnishings package, selecting all of the fabrics, area rugs, window treatments and wallpapers, layering in both new and vintage lighting.” 

It was a three-year project, including design and permitting, and the clients were thrilled with the new construction—and also that the house feels very warm, layered, and inviting. “I think it can be challenging to add soul and patina to new construction projects, especially in Texas where room sizes can be quite large and feel a bit overwhelming,” the designer explains. “We were very cognizant of adding warmth by incorporating wood finishes and live metals—and sprinkling in vintage lighting and furniture pieces in each room to add charm and patina.”

Now, every family member has their own favorite spaces, which the designer feels like they checked all the boxes.

Take a tour in the slideshow.