A Family Cottage Reborn
Words Codi Chen | Photos Leonid Fermansky
In a lush East Austin neighborhood just steps from hike-and-bike trails, a 1910s family cottage has been lovingly transformed into a soulful, modern retreat. Once a modest four-room bungalow, the 700-square-foot home now spans 2,100 square feet, reimagined to accommodate the great-grandson of the original owner and his wife as they return to his family’s longtime roots.
The home’s evolution is a careful blend of reverence and renewal. Original features, like the teardrop siding, roofline, and front porch, remain intact, while a dark-painted two-story addition houses a primary suite, guest accommodations, and a serene office that looks over Lady Bird Lake and the treetops.
“These heirloom pieces connect the dots throughout the home. They bring soul and history to each space.”
This home design, layered with intention and restraint, balances clean lines with collected details. Vaulted ceilings clad in custom-stained poplar add warmth and dimension to the living spaces, while reclaimed pine boards from the original structure bring history to the stairway. White oak flooring and patterned tile enhance the natural foundation, while heirloom pieces and thoughtful furnishings define the home’s next chapter. “Even though much of the original structure couldn’t be saved, the legacy of the home guided everything we did,” interior designer Kasey McCarty explains.
Kasey McCarty Interiors curated the furnishings and art, integrating heirlooms that make the new space feel like home. That legacy is most clearly displayed in a custom shadowbox mounted near the stairs, which includes the home’s original deed, lovingly restored, and bits of antique wallpaper uncovered during the demolition. Each room features a carefully chosen heirloom: a cocktail table in the living room, a tea set in the powder room, and an altar in the bedroom.“These pieces connect the dots throughout the home,” Kasey notes. “They bring soul and history to each space.”
With a soft architectural palette of limestone, gypsum, and light-painted cabinetry, Kasey introduced warmth through texture and color with burnt orange leather, watery greens, and cozy textiles. “The colors are neutral but still joyful,” Kasey gushes. “It was important to keep the space light and open but still deeply personal.”
Rooted in memory and shaped by family history, this once-humble cottage now stands as a graceful bridge between generations, ready for everything that comes next.
A Natural Nod: Knowing the homeowner had spent his career as a wildlife biologist, Kasey subtly incorporated art that quietly echoed his connection to nature. A cast iron plant triptych by local artist Elizabeth Child anchors the dining space, while an abstract oak tree painting offers a subtle tribute to the surrounding Eastside landscape and a life rooted in the outdoors.
Contact:
Kasey McCarty Design
kaseymccarty.com
@kaseymccarty_design
FAB Architecture
fabarchitecture.com
@fab_architecture_austin
Oakman Building Co.
buildoakman.com
@oakmanbuildingco
