BULL CREEK RESIDENCE
A Wide-Open Renovation Reveals a Vintage Home’s Modern Side
ARCHITECT
Carey Dodson
INTERIOR FINISHES
Carey Dodson
THE GOAL
To transform the interior and exterior of a Ranch-style residence built in 1950 into a Craftsman-style home to accommodate a 21st-century lifestyle (with pets)
THE PROCESS
Though drawn to older homes built using authentic materials and fine craftsmanship, the client needed more functionality for this tiny house in an older Austin neighborhood. To gain modern-style utility, we added a master bathroom and a two-car garage, laundry, and screened-in porch to the existing structure. The remaining house was deconstructed to the studs and its floor plan was reconfigured into an open concept that includes vaulted ceilings in the kitchen and living area. The exterior was refreshed with new cladding, a combination of stone veneer and Hardi Artisan Series siding. Custom details—such as cabinets with wood trim detailing that matches the Craftsman style of the exterior, hand-scraped Texas Post oak flooring, honed limestone tile laid in a herringbone pattern, Carrera marble countertops in the kitchen, a dry-stack limestone fireplace surround, and MetroQuartz surfaces in the laundry room—create an inviting two-bedroom, two-bath home that feels much bigger than its 1667 square feet. Other details include a custom dog wash, a hidden room designed as a sanctuary for the owner’s cats, and insulated Pella windows with integral blinds that discreetly accommodate the presence of pets.
THE FINAL RESULT
Thoughtful custom details and a spacious-feeling floor plan imbue this little house with a lot of livability—including making the homeowner’s pets feel welcome—while maintaining the proportions compatible with other houses in its neighborhood.