Guesthouse East

Exterior and Interior Remodel

We gave this 1920’s structure a full update. Originally a boarding house, the building was later converted into a duplex with up- and downstairs units. When we began the design process, the rooms were uninspiring with bland finishes, a dark stair, and an awkward hall that linked the two bedrooms. We worked with our client remotely to honor the building’s historic character while accommodating modern living. These photos showcase the 636 sq. ft. upstairs unit, which serves as a guesthouse and rental.

The Guesthouse East living room, furnished with a leather couch and modern bohemian decor

The Guesthouse East kitchen, complete with light blue cabinetry, primary color accents, and a stainless steel fridge.

A corner dining area in Guesthouse East. A wide bowl of fruit sits on the table and the scene is lit by sunlight from a nearby window.

We fully updated the small kitchen, complete with new cabinetry and Miele appliances. Banquette seating was added to the kitchen space providing a cozy gathering area in a once underutilized corner of the kitchen.

A scene from Guesthouse East, showing some built-in cabinetry, a small dining area, and a doorway to a bedroom.

Retro blue shades were selected for cabinetry, doors, and trim through out the unit. In addition, we kept the original hardwood floors in place and left them untouched.

A view of a bedroom in Guesthouse East. The central bed is set with clean white bedding and accented with primary-colored pillows.

In Guesthouse East, a built-in vanity is accented with a bold blue and pink floral wallpaper.

We designed both bedrooms to have their own character and personality. In the larger bedroom, we focused on a wildflower theme in a nod to the Austin landscape.

Unit A’s bathroom is very small and doesn’t provide much room for getting ready for the day. So we added vanities in both bedrooms to create a dedicated space for getting dressed. The layered finishes and fixtures all came together to create this fun and handsome dressing vanity.

An alternate angle of a bedroom in Guesthouse East, showing clean white walls accented by light-blue woodwork and colorful decor.

A stairwell in Guesthouse East. The walls feature light blue wainscot combined with white walls scattered with gold sun motifs.

An alternate angle of the Guesthouse East stairway. The walls feature light blue wainscot combined with white walls scattered with gold sun motifs.

The dark stair hall was re-imagined with a new wainscot, an elegant mirror, and these graphical decals.

The bathroom in Guesthouse East features white walls and fixtures accented by blue hexagon tile.

We fully transformed this teeny, tiny bath with the remodel. Bright white paint and subway tile serve as the backdrop to these darling blue hex floor tiles. And we hung the shower curtain from a beaded chain both to let in additional light and to provide a more aesthetic alternative to the standard curtain rod.