A Jewel Box Bachelor Pad in Historic Austin

Design: Avery Cox Design | Photography: Lindsay Brown

Nothing has ever felt more quintessentially Austin than this entertainer’s jewel box bachelor pad. Designer Avery Cox transformed this <800 SF historic bungalow into a show stopping gathering place for this Texas native man-about-town. Heidi Caillier once told me, “You never want someone to walk into your house and ask who your designer is. You want them to walk in and say ‘Wow, you have great style.’” I’ve never felt that more true than when browsing Avery Cox’s inspired portfolio.

First, a little background on the property. Having just celebrated its 100th birthday, this jewel box bungalow sits in one of Austin’s most charming historic districts, Clarksville. This bachelor pad sits just blocks away from some of my favorite diners, night caps, and bistros. Its fantastic location is equidistant from the shores of Lake Austin to the steps of the Capitol building.

The client came to Avery Cox Design as a consummate host and entertainer, needing to make the most of the 768 square feet. The top of the wish list: room to host elaborate 5 course dinner parties inside and live music outside. Equally as important to the client was preserving the historic elements of the home with little waste.

THE RESTORATION

As with most historic bungalows in Austin, the original wood windows are precious works of art. Avery Cox strategically designed around having the windows refurbished and maintained. You’ll see throughout the property that the wood windows with brass hardware profoundly add to the layers of charm in this jewel box bungalow.

A surprise secret, Avery stripped away layers of materials on the walls to reveal the original shiplap boards forming the interior walls and ceilings. Proof that careful deconstruction beats mindless demolition any day. Finally, after careful foundation repair, Avery Cox Design was able to properly restore the original hardwood floors.

OPTIMIZING THE SPACE

Unlike the typical bachelor pad, no crevice of this space was unthought of. One things I particularly admire about the furnishings in this project, is their scale. Often, people feel smaller spaces require smaller furniture, and consider this your masterclass in the alternative. Handsome arm chairs envelope their guests and a giant single slab of marble invites diners to gather round.

Deep, comprehensive color add dimension to the small bungalow, while also distinguishing public and private spaces. The balance of color and mass brings old world design into a modern era. Speaking of modern – all lights, window treatments, locks, and sound systems are tied into a central Lutron control system. We installed Lutron switches and locks in The Austin Tudor, and I’m excited to research more about these additional automation options.

VINTAGE ROOTS

As with every Avery Cox design, vintage and bespoke are the foundation to the space. She constantly pushes the boundaries with an emphasis on custom tailored and site specific design including these custom elements: the rug, banquette, dining table, kitchen lights, bed, and even the bi-swing door to the bathroom. The antiques in the space pull from every decade, but heavily lean toward the 20’s and 30’s – giving it a nod to its 100 year old roots paired with a speakeasy vibe.

Avery says this client’s jewel box bungalow bachelor pad is always brimming with joyful gatherings, freshly cut flowers, and the occasional swing band on the front porch. I’m just wondering – how do I get on that guest list?

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