The design of this project was close to home…both literally and figuratively. Jenna Barton—of the eponymous design firm, Jenna Barton Interiors—began the project as a friend of the homeowner, and became even closer throughout. “While so much gets easier when working with a close friend, if you’re a people pleaser like us, it’s also natural to feel the added pressure of making sure they’re really, really happy,” the design team laughs. “And you also hope they feel as comfortable as any client should be to give feedback and request changes, without fear of jeopardizing the friendship. We’re happy to report that we successfully navigated this throughout the project and maintained a great relationship with our clients.”
The house is in Austin’s Rosedale neighborhood, an area well-loved for its proximity to downtown while maintaining a sense of calm. The homeowners are a young family of four, and they hoped for a home that would be cozy, kid-friendly, functional, and timeless.
The Jenna Barton Interiors team provided full-service interior design for the custom new construction, from the architecture phase to furnishing and styling the details at the end. In the kitchen, custom cabinetry is painted in Soft Linen by Magnolia Home. Both the hood and the island feature rounded corners, lending a softness to the space. Complementing the taupe plaster is a Taj Mahal quartzite, and Rohl plumbing fixtures in unlacquered brass. The pendants are by Natalie Page, the sconces are from Schoolhouse Electric, and the McGee and Co. barstools offer room for the family to gather.
In the dining room, natural light bathes the space. A custom wall cabinet offers plenty of extra storage, and a 21 Tonnes pendant adds an organic touch. The table was sourced from Banana Republic Home, while the chairs are from RH. The art was a last minute lucky find from artist Karley Brogan.
Moving to the living room, the concept of “form meets function” is on full display—it’s cozy, yet durable for the family of four. The fireplace is finished in a smooth stucco, paired with a chiseled raw-edge stone hearth. On one side, custom shelves offer a space for family photos, while the other has an under-window bench for extra seating. The sofa is from RH, while the plush chair is from Jenni Kayne. Adding to the organic appeal is a vintage coffee table sourced from Round Top.
The bedrooms and bathrooms all take a similar approach, where custom pieces sit alongside vintage treasures and offer a sense of serenity. However, in the pool bathroom, they added a hearty dose of color with a red tile from Zia and Benjamin Moore’s Walnut. A Lostine pendant finishes the look.
Overall, it took about 18 months. “One of the homeowners, now our dear friend, was completely speechless and could not go inside for a full 10 minutes,” the designers recall. “She was in such disbelief of what she could see through the front door! This family is the sweetest, salt of the earth people, and never dreamed they’d be in a position to build their own home. At every turn they were incredibly gracious and grateful.”
Take a tour in the slideshow.
