After renovating their downtown Austin, Texas, salon, Chris and Leigh Cortinaz decided it was time to present their house a modern makeover, too. They simply had a little motivation. “We were inspired by the visual effects of downtown Austin’s skyline changing before our very eyes,” says Chris. “That prompted us to follow through with our remodel” Working with architect Jared Haas of Un.Box Studio and Ranch Carpentry, they gutted the house and transformed it into a relaxing oasis.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Chris and Leigh Cortinaz and their long-haired chihuahua, Delilah
Location: Old West Lake neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 3,100 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
Kara Mosher
AFTER: The few cleaned up the outside and put in low-maintenance landscaping. A new walkway with replicating concrete pavers on gravel reflects the geometric patterns on the updated exterior. Charcoal-gray HardiePanels were added into the second floor, and cream-colored stucco refreshed old beige painted brick. The new column by the front door is constructed from ipe — a tough, weather-resistant and sustainably grown wood.
Before Photo
BEFORE: Chris and Leigh ditched the traditional shutters; a new concrete retaining wall cleaned up the front landscaping.
The full remodel took 10 weeks; the couple moved from the house while the work was being done.
If You Stay or Move During a Remodel?
Kara Mosher
AFTER: A gold statue of Tibetan goddess Tara handed from Leigh’s grandmother greets people from the foyer. The renovated kitchen is on the right of the foyer. “My fantasy has always been to have a open kitchen to cook and entertain while guests can hang on the opposite side of a bar/island and have drinks,” Leigh says.
Before Photo
BEFORE: The previous kitchen was small and created entertaining difficult.
Kara Mosher
AFTER: New black bamboo floors replaced the preceding laminate floors. The support beam over the kitchen island has been engineered wood made by compressing several kinds of exotic woods together. The wood’s unique design is determined by the cross cut.
Kara Mosher
This living room area that is open sits to the left of the entry. The Cortinazes were inspired during a stay at New York’s London Hotel a few decades back and continue to incorporate ideas from its lavish and modern design.
Couch, ottoman: Cindy Crawford set, Rooms to Move
Kara Mosher
Kara Mosher
The kitchen flows into an open living area with a view to the couple’s lush backyard. “The inside of our house is a combination of both our personalities,” Chris says. “Leigh and I gather our decoration from glamorous Austin glitz and practical but amazing Craigslist finds”
Table: Cost Plus World Market; orange chairs: Room Service
Kara Mosher
The few brought in the same neutral colours and dark woods they used in their salon. “We spun off the color idea we used at our salon to move forward with our mission to target a hot, inviting, inner-city, modern, urban area,” Chris says.
Bar stools: Craigslist
Kara Mosher
A chrome railing and staircase, made from the same engineered exotic wood as the support beam from the kitchen, direct into the master bedroom, guest room, bath and balcony. The stairs are equally Leigh’s and Chris’ favourite part of the remodel.
Square paintings: Home Goods
Kara Mosher
Chris found everything with this second-floor balcony through Craigslist.
Kara Mosher
The master bedroom has a Zen-like atmosphere. The reupholstered blue couch was from the salon. The paintings of lovebirds over the bed is from one of the couple’s preferred home shops, Four Hands Home.
Before Photo
BEFORE: The master bathroom originally felt cramped and outdated. “The old layout wasn’t couple favorable,” says Leigh. ” [We had to] change that stat!”
Kara Mosher
AFTER: The new bathroom has double the quantity of space, plus a soaker tub and separate steam shower. The clean and modern color scheme gets the spa texture Leigh and Chris wanted.
Before Photo
BEFORE: A garden and manicured outside area were significant to the two, along with the original yard simply didn’t make the cut.
Kara Mosher
AFTER: Stucco and a fresh coat of cream paint gave the outside a new appearance. Architect Haas made a covered terrace area where the pair likes to hang out. The new second-floor balcony could be seen on the right. Leigh gave Chris a seat swing that hangs from an oak tree only visible in the corner of this photo.
Kara Mosher
Leigh, Chris and Delilah relax in their new terrace. “Be patient and stay focused on the end result,” Chris indicates to new remodelers. “It will all be worthwhile in the end.”
Your turn: Please share your remodeled house