Making Solution for a Modern Marvel
Kelly and Lino Mendiola did not plan on beginning from scratch. The couple had approached Jamie Chioco for a remodel but soon recognized that a teardown was the only means to acquire the open design they wanted. So they knocked the existing house into the floor, starting a 16-month construction process. The outcome is an open and bright design that takes full advantage of the site’s slope and native live oaks.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Lino and Kelly Mendiola, brothers Cecelia and Isabel
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 3,780 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms including an attached guest house
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The exterior combines grey Lueders Limestone with white stucco from LaHabra and vertical Douglas fir siding. The layouts of the guest house (to the left of the main house) and carport (to the right) follow the down slope of the lot.
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An energy-efficient layout was significant to the family. They opted to install a high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and also to glaze all the windows to block out 95% of UV light. All regions with a parapet have a white PVC single-ply membrane roof.
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In the home’s entryway, a dramatic floor-to-ceiling bookcase displays the household’s literature collection and exaggerates the ceilings and vertical windows. The end on the staircase is the exact same walnut that is carried throughout the house.
Seat, ottoman: Mercury Design Studio; rock: Vintage Lueders Limestone; ladder: Produced by Chioco Design, built by Steel House MFG, Light fixture: LBL lighting, Lumens
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Chioco made the vertical-grain Douglas fir entrance door, and Jason Miars of Miars Construction brought it to life.
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A small, classy powder area sits next to the entry. A tall corner frosted-glass window creates an airy texture. Playful gray and gold Petal Pusher wallpaper made by blogger Oh Joy! Traces the walls.
Countertop: Patagonia Ice, Permastone; vanity: habit rift sawn white pine; chrome faucet: Ferguson; sconces: Mini Glo-Ball, FLOS
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Strong 5-inch-wide walnut floors run throughout the living spaces. The timber floors are 3/4-inch thick and are completed in an organic water-based polyurethane.
Couch: Five Elements Furniture
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“I am in awe of good interior designers, and that I understand enough about interior layout to understand that I don’t understand anything,” Kelly says. “I try to keep things easy and have been collecting furniture I love through time.” The most crucial matter to the couple is having art they like on the walls. “We splurged on a few new paintings by one of my favourite artists, René Norman, and used our own artistic abilities to make the majority of the remainder of our art,” she says.
Fireplace: Spark Fires
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Kelly attributes her love for collecting and art handmade items to her parents. “My father did a variety of things to create a living while I was growing up, however, was trained as an artist,” she says. “I heard from my father and my mom (who’s a talented quilter and seamstress) an appreciation for well-made, handmade things. Both of my parents are also very good curators of things, and they helped me adore carefully displayed collections”
This geometric painting in the dining area is one of Kelly’s original pieces.
Ceiling pendant: Petra Pendant Lamp, Crate & Barrel (no longer accessible); table and seat: Pacifica, Crate & Barrel (no longer available)
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The family wanted a clean kitchen that opened into the remainder of the space. With this design, Kelly and Lino may give rise to the celebration, even if they are preparing meals to their guests. Silver screen vein-cut polished and honed marble from Daltile constitutes both the bar and kitchen backsplash.
Stools: Red in Fredericksburg, Virginia
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While the kitchen palette remains modern and neutral, the timber, textured marble and polished white quartz vary only enough in colour and texture to make a true contrast.
Counters: Patagonia Ice from Permastone Granite & Quartz; timber bar: habit walnut slab by Vintage Material Supply; faucet: High Profile Watercare kitchen faucet, Ferguson; cabinets: custom rift sawn white oak
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Kelly wants to redesign the master bedroom adjacent. “I’ve failed the master bedroom and would like to acquire a brand new headboard and side tables, however I’m overwhelmed with all the choices,” she says.
On the wall are Lino’s photographs of indigenous girls at a market in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Wallpaper: Lovely Leaves, Hygge & West; bedding: Urban Outfitters
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The couple’s master bath uses the very same elements as the kitchen, making a smooth transition of spaces.
Vanity: Patagonia Ice, Permastone Granite & Quartz; sinks and faucet: Ferguson; sconces: Tilee Wall Sconces, FLOS
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A corner window streams light into the room, along with the glass shower opens up the bathroom even more. Champagne limestone tile from Artistic Tile covers the flooring.
Bathtub: Tea for 2, Kohler, Ferguson
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Kelly and Lino wanted a separate guest house that was connected to the main property. A complete kitchen and small living room feature views of the backyard to family and visiting friends to enjoy.
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The guest house kitchen re-introduces elements from the main kitchen, making flow and emphasizing the home’s clean, modern palette.
Countertops: Patagonia Ice, Permastone Granite & Quartz; wall tile: Classy and matte Modern Dimension White Tile, Interceramic
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A colorful seating area next to the guest kitchen highlights the following of Kelly’s original pieces. Kelly found these Thonet dining chairs at a garage sale in Austin for $5 per year. After sanding and refinishing the chairs, Kelly upholstered the seats in pattern from Fanny’s Fabric in Austin.
Ceiling pendant: Lexington Pendant, TECH Lighting
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Kelly hired Room Fu to help design and furnish her daughter Isabel’s bedroom.
Duvet: Garnet Hill; coverlet: Red in Fredericksburg, Virginia
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All of the main furniture pieces in Isabel’s area were stored white. Kelly refinished this classic desk, including vibrant accents for a couple of girly touches.
Mirror: Uptown Modern
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The backyard centers around a modern pool, creating the perfect venue for family gatherings.
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Floor-to-ceiling windows line the rear walls of the house, opening up the house to the backyard’s landscape and pool area.
“My mum moment was completing our home’s construction knowing that we had done a pretty good job of compromising so that every person got the things that were significant to them,” Kelly says.
Architect: Jamie Chioco of Chioco Design
Landscape architect: Dani Swayne
General contractor: Jason Miars of Miars Construction
c: Do You Reside in a modern, creative residence? Discuss it with us.
