Contemporary Mediterranean Villa

Contemporary Mediterranean Villa 

This Preston Hollow home is a contrast in architecture: a traditional Mediterranean villa pared down with modern lines and furnishings.

Approaching the home, the traditional form of a Mediterranean villa is evident. Faced in cut Texas Shell Stone, the facades of the house are without the decorative stone cornices, entablatures and ornament found in Italian architecture. The arches are without keystones or plinth blocks, and the stone mouldings are simplified.

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Upon entering the house, the curved staircase and flowing lines set the stage for the pairing of traditional and contemporary. The entry hall greets guests with punctuated arched openings that flow into the public areas of the home and allow for easy entertaining.

 

With seating for 12, the dining room flows off the entry hall. Polished marble floors are used throughout the home’s first level.

This sculpture by Austin artist Shawn Smith fits nicely in the niche that culminates the groin vaulted gallery, which leads from the entry hall to the Master Bedroom suite.

The vaulted ceiling of the Family Room extends out past the glass wall and forms the vaulted ceiling of the Outdoor Covered Living Space in attempting to make the two spaces one when the french doors are open. The exposed timber trusses are detailed very simply and cleanly.

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The limestone fireplace surround contrasts with wood-paneling in the study, the most detailed room in the home.

The master suite is flooded with light, as is most of the home. Notice the clean lines and lack of ornament.

Turquoise, being the daughter’s favorite color, was used in her bath and in her bedroom. The bold use of color enlivens these otherwise subdued rooms.

The Douglas Fir exposed timber trusses in the family room extend to the outdoor covered living space, linking the interior and exterior spaces. The rear facade showcases the stylized, Mediterranean Villa architecture that the client desired.