Tucked into the leafy slopes of Tarrytown in West Austin, the Windsor Residence, designed by Clayton Korte, is the sort of renovation that understands restraint. The original structure – a modest brick house dating from the mid-20th century – has been carefully expanded rather than overblown, with two quietly modern additions that slot into the existing architecture like thoughtful footnotes.
From the street, the intervention is subtle. Two box-like volumes extend from the white brick façade, adding space for a kitchen expansion and a new studio library. Their geometry is simple and deliberate, allowing the original home to retain its presence while introducing a crisp modern edge.
Inside, however, things become more expressive. The interiors reflect the sensibility of the home’s owner, an artist whose travels and collection of colourful works shape the palette and mood throughout. The design balances precision with a sense of playfulness. Refined architectural gestures sit alongside bold colour, tactile finishes and unexpected materials.
The main living area now unfolds into a studio and library space framed by custom wood shelving and tall steel windows that look onto the garden. Natural light pours through these openings, giving the room a calm, gallery-like quality.
At the centre of the living space, a fireplace becomes a sculptural moment. A curved wall wrapped in reeded plaster softens the geometry of the room and introduces texture, catching the light as it shifts across the day.
Functional yet joyful
From here, the house flows into a bright dining area and kitchen that feels almost Mediterranean in spirit. Earthy greys and pale neutrals form the backdrop, while wavy pink floor tiles and rose quartz countertops introduce warmth and personality. Above the stove, a curved hood clad in zellige tile creates a focal point, complemented by a copper sink and finely detailed custom millwork. Functional and joyful in equal measures.
Beyond the social spaces, the mood deepens. Private rooms adopt richer colours and more enveloping materials, moving into shades of deep green and blue.
The primary suite is perhaps the most atmospheric of all. Green terrazzo tiles sweep across the floor, while softly textured plaster walls wrap the room in gentle colour. A curved wall rises toward a skylight, allowing daylight to shift across the surfaces throughout the day, animating the space with subtle changes in tone.
In the adjoining bathroom, forest-green zellige tiles and darker plaster finishes create a cocoon-like setting. The centrepiece is a freestanding hammered copper bathtub positioned near a window, its warm metallic glow standing out against the cool emerald backdrop.
Outside, the layered approach continues. Terraces step through the garden, lined with built-in planters filled with native and drought-tolerant planting. These outdoor rooms connect the house to a new terracotta-toned breeze-block carport, extending the palette of colour and texture into the landscape. The overall result is a 2,100-square-foot home that feels contemporary and unique, but also like it belongs.
