HGTV Designer Showcase-July 2015

Paula Ables Interiors is excited to be included in the HGTV Designers Showcase Series.  This wonderful article by Morgan Galbraith features our Spanish Oaks Hill Country Contemporary House on the outskirts of Austin, Texas.

Comfortable, Contemporary House Blurs Lines Between Indoors and Outdoors

A young newlywed couple wanted a comfortable, contemporary home that complemented their outdoor lifestyle. Designer Paula Ables drew on the property's surrounding nature as she created a home that the couple could enjoy for years to come.

When a young couple approached Paula Ables for help creating a home where they could feel comfortable for a long time, the Austin, Texas designer looked to their love of the outdoors for inspiration.

The newlyweds' property was the perfect spot to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living thanks to its proximity to a greenway and wildlife.

“It was all about bringing the outside in, keeping that comfortable feel, making sure all of the furniture was oriented in the right direction so that you were able to enjoy the wildlife and enjoy the green belt beyond with the quietness and serenity of the area,” Ables says.

Soaring ceilings and oversized windows let in bright, natural light and views of the surrounding Texas landscape. Ables maintained an open floor plan among the kitchen, living and dining rooms to take advantage of the light and the views.

To further blend inside and out, Ables selected a neutral color palette for the home that complemented its surroundings and kept windows bare of coverings.

“We tried to keep the color palette fairly similar so that walking from one space to the other wasn't a shock to your senses,” Ables says. “It was always just a nice soft even flow from one space to the next.”

A stunning swimming pool and outdoor living room with fireplace offer spots for the couple to be outside with their friends and family. Inside, Ables selected easy-to-clean materials so that the constant movement between indoors and outdoors wouldn't result in hard-to-clean messes.

"We like to try to take the feel of the outside and bring it inside so that the house flows really softly and simply for entertaining as well as for their general use."    -Interior Designer Paula Ables

Ables helped accentuate the separation of the master bedroom and other private living areas from the more public living spaces with a breezeway to offer the couple privacy when they want it and to give the home the look of one that had evolved over time.

  “They wanted to feel like the house was pieced together like it had been built over time rather than all at one time,” Ables says.

Small details such as mismatched flooring tiles, rectangular sinks and hidden tape lighting seem almost insignificant up close. As a whole, they offer a sense of history to the home.

“I think it's those little details and hidden elements that give it so much more character and so much more interest,” Ables says.

To read more about Interior Designer Paula Ables, see link below.

Click here to see more Publications featuring Paula Ables Interiors.

Helen Thompson - "Windows on Our World"

Helen Thompson is an Austin-based writer, producer, stylist and blogger, and she recently featured Paula Ables Interiors in an article! We love the Lake Austin Contemporary project she wrote about, and are so happy to have it published again! You can read the full article here, or on her website.

WINDOWS ON OUR WORLD Posted by Helen: May 11th, 2015

This limestone-and-stucco house by architect James LaRue and project manager Emily Marks is for an active family that enjoys hunting, fishing, swimming, and entertaining. Its location on Lake Austin is ideal for the enjoyment of the outdoors, but LaRue and Marks also created space for privacy. They designed a series of rooms and courtyards, in part to focus the view on the lake, and interior gardens that are extensions of the main rooms. They arranged the most-used spaces—the screened porch, living and dining rooms, and the master suite—to take advantage of the views. Garage and guest rooms were positioned closer to the street.

The exterior walls are made of antique Lueders limestone; stucco from Waterloo Plastering is finished in a putty color.

The house is sliced through by a dog trot, which also serves to point the view to the lake and the nature preserve beyond.

Landscape is by Tim Benton and Ramon Suarez, Land Restoration.

Interiors are by Paula Ables, who used a Radici USA wool rug to anchor the dining table by Lundon Furniture from Room & Board. The McCreary Modern chairs are also from Room & Board. Pendants are by Hubbardton Forge.

The house is linked by steel-gridded Portella doors and windows. Entry floors are ivory travertine; in the dining room they are white oak.

The slate fireplace surround is from Stone Solutions. The American Leather sofa is from Room & Board; the recycled pine coffee table is from Four Hands.

The green chairs in the living room are a pop of color taken from the homeowners’ favorite tapestry, hanging above the fireplace (see below).

Pendants are by Kichler Lighting. Rug is by Stanton Carpet.

Kitchen, dining, and living room open on to each other—the view of the pool and nature preserve are the focus of the room.

Another good view—this house borders on a drainage ditch on one side and has encroaching neighbors elsewhere, but LaRue focused every room on the assets of the lot and the nature preserve across the lake.

The pool makes a visual connection to the lake.

Tropitone chaises are ready for lounging.

The connection between indoors and outdoors is seamless.

The screened porch (on the right) is faced with Spanish cedar siding and is connected to the main house by a roof that creates another outdoor space.

The garage is on the left; guest suite on the right. Landscape is by Tim Benton and Ramon Suarez, Land Restoration.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DROR BALDINGER

Click here to see more Publications featuring Paula Ables Interiors.

Winning Window Treatments

Whether your windows look dated and old, your hardwood floors are fading due to sun exposure, or you just need a little more privacy...we have a solution for your needs. There are hundreds of reasons to cover windows in your house, and even more ways to do so!

Today we are going to show you some of our favorite treatments that are not only functional, but also decorative and adorning.

1.  Roller Shades/Roman Shades

If you are looking for something to provide a little color and privacy when needed without blocking your view, these are great options to consider.

  

Roller shades are simple and can often disappear behind a valance or in a drapery pocket.

Roman Shades are considered a little more decorative, yet just as functional as the roller shade.

For example, in the image above (on the right) we remodeled a client's bathroom and used the Roman shade to add color and personality as well as privacy.  This particular shade is a top down/bottom up shade providing the client privacy and openness in any form they wish.

Roller Shades and Roman Shades are both offered in a variety of material from slightly see-through to black-out depending on your personal needs.

  

 2.Window Film

Window films are a great alternative to shades and drapes.  If you are wanting a less fussy look, this is the way to go.  Window films are available with UV protection, frosted, colors and patterns. The options are endless.

 

Though films are not that easy to install properly yourself, they are still an economical option to consider when covering your windows. Just as you wouldn't tint the windows on your car yourself, the house is the same thing.  Hire a company like Sunsational Solutions to get a bid and start the path towards a more comfortable room.

Great uses for films are: to provide privacy in an office space, for a conference room or glass office, but also to adorn a plain and boring environment.

They are also great for small windows next to your shower, because they allow light to come in but shield from outsiders.

3.  Wooden Blinds/Wooden Shutters

Next are a couple of classics--blinds and shutters. Though they have fallen out of favor in the last 5 years, wooden blinds and shutters are still a clean and simple option for your window coverings.

   

Wooden blinds are great for little nooks, and shorter windows. If your whole house is covered in wooden blinds it can start to look really dark and heavy, but using them sporadically can provide cozy accents.  (using a light color such as white rather than the stained wood tones will help prevent the feeling dark and heavy feel.)

Shutters function very similarly to blinds in that they easily block out light, but can be "too much" if used all over.  Stick with lighter painted colors and use in areas you need more privacy.  Avoid installing shutters in public spaces with views when possible.

4.  Drapery

Drapery adds color, accentuates your style and gives the room a little personality when needed.

No matter the use or function, drapes always make a statement.  The question is, what is the statement you are wanting to make about yourself and your room?

Are you wanting fun and airy? Luxurious? Privacy?  Blackout?  There is so much more to installing the perfect drape then a quick run to Bed Bath and Beyond.  Make sure to measure the space & know how you want the drapes to function (regular rod or traversing?) (how does the material hang?) (how easy is it to clean? and on and on).

No matter which window treatment you like the best, getting that perfect finish to the room can sometimes require a little extra help.

If you are interested in updating your windows, we can help you find the right treatment! Feel free to reach out to us.

*For more product details, click on the photos.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.