Name: Kimber Cavendish, co-owner of the Kimber Modern Hotel
Location: South Congress, Austin, Texas
Size: 3,000 square feet
Years lived in: 13 years, remodeled twice
As part owner of Kimber Modern, a modern boutique hotel in Austin, Kimber knows how to make a space feel like an escape. We tour her remodeled residence, where one house was turned into two separate properties to create the elegant multi-level space that serves as her daily retreat.
Before taking a chance on opening her own hotel, Kimber operated a physical therapy practice out of her home. The space that is now the kitchen and dining areas was once a lobby and waiting area, and the bathroom and living space behind them used to serve as patient rooms and offices. A lover of art and travel, Kimber dreamed of founding a hotel that married the modern aesthetic she loved with the comfort and tranquility of a private escape. When that dream was realized, she used her experience and design principles to take on the role of general contractor to create that feeling with her own home's remodel — showing up on site every day to make sure things were done, with the quality and standards she envisioned.
The sprawling space used to be one unified residence with an outdoor breezeway that connected one part of the home to the next. To help finance the remodel and to make the space more intimate the property was divided into two, and the other half of the home sold. That breezeway is now a formal living room whose back wall serves as the dividing line between the two residences.
The finished space is a beautiful peaceful retreat, complete with a rooftop terrace that provides an unbelievable view of the city. Daughters Kenna and Abbey enjoy the space, and you can tell mom's eye for design has rubbed off on each of them, with Abbey having a passion for photography, and Kenna picking out all the furnishings and decor for her bedroom. One of my favorite touches was the large-format tile in the bathrooms. Kimber mentioned that they were put together with very narrow gaps between them to minimize mold and grout issues. The type used in daughter's Kenna's bathroom features an intricate floral pattern that on first glance could be mistaken for wallpaper. I also enjoyed how Kimber was resourceful in using those spare tiles as shelves in the living area and as sofa trays. Kimber's gorgeous selection of art and furnishings makes this remodel a modern masterpiece that is most definitely a dream come true.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Minimal and modern.
Inspiration: My mom.
Favorite Element: Ceiling to floor windows, open spaces, yellow Italian glass kitchen, great lines.
Biggest Challenge: Modern homes must be finished out perfectly, as they show every imperfection. Everything has to line up perfectly. Finding highly skilled craftspeople is challenging at best, and we did it.
What Friends Say: "Wow, this house is a work of art." "So clean, open and light filled." "I thought it was going to be cold and sterile but it's so warm and inviting."
Biggest Embarrassment: Getting caught showering outside by my pool cleaner.
Proudest DIY: Being the general contractor on our remodel.
Biggest Indulgence: All glass Scavolini Kitchen with hand made tile backsplash.
Best Advice: When your home is being built or remodeled, be on site every day and watch everything that is being done. Ask a lot of questions, and don't compromise your standards.
Dream Sources: Modern design furniture stores and local Austin shops.
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- • Pittsburg Paint - Downstairs is Fortune Cookie
• Benjamin Moore - Upstairs is Chantilly Lace
ENTRY
- • Eames Hang It All coat racks
• Shoe racks from DWR
• Custom bench cushion from Iron Thread Designs
• Scavolini Glass shelves
LIVING ROOM
- • 16 x 16 slate floors
• Modern Fan Company ball fans
• Flex Form Italian sofa + womb chair
• Italina round coffee table from Scott + Cooner
• Schimmel baby grand piano
• Twiggy floor lamp
• Nani Marquina area rug
DINING ROOM
- • Saarinen oval dining table with 6 Tulip chairs from Shelton Keller
KITCHEN
- • Scavolini Crystal series yellow glass kitchen
• Miele appliances
• Sub Zero refrigerator
• Bertoia bar stools from Shelton Keller
• Rug from Kush Portland, Oregon
BEDROOM
- • Caresse Italian bed from Scott + Cooner
• Eames rocking chair from DWR
• Two Saarinen bed side tables from Shelton Keller
• Italian credenze/ media center from Scott + Cooner
• Nu loom wool rug from Gilt
BATHROOM
- • Duravit toilets from Ferguson plumbing
• Hansgrohe fixtures, Starck shower fixtures
• Spanish tile from Tile Works of Austin
• Tub Ferguson Plumbing
KENNA'S BEDROOM
- • headboard by Iron Thread designs Austin
• Pink sofa and black ottomans from Nest
• Bed frame DWR
OUTDOORS
- • Pool by Bayside Pools
• Outdoor furniture Modern Outdoor and Caluco
• Fleetwood sliders
Thanks, Kimber, Kenna, and Abbey!
(Tour Images: Chris Perez Last image: Kimber Modern)
And check out Kimber Modern if you're interested in learning more about the boutique hotel Kimber started.
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Absolutely love it.
This is a great place! I really love the stairs.
Very cool space. Who makes that walnut and white lacquer desk?
Wonderful!
don't know if i would like the sink & bath all open in the bedroom.
but it wouldn't prevent me from moving in.
beautiful & i LOVE the color of the outside cushions.
Really well done but high end design can be so predictable most of the time. However I do think the kitchen in this home tour was more original than most other high end kitchens I've seen AT feature. Don't mean to knock it but it really isn't that interesting when you think about it. It's not very difficult to go around to showrooms and choose new furniture pieces that work well together when money isn't an issue. It's almost too tasteful in a way which is what I meant by my saying how high end design tends to be so predictable. It's safe without any aspect being daring or unexpected. I imagine her hotel is decorated in a similar fashion. I wouldn't object to living here by any means but if I did I would at least paint the pool an unexpected color and or hang a few large paintings from another period (classical comes to mind) with ornate gold frames, at least something memorable for friends to ponder why she would do such a thing. But, hey that's me. Good job!
That's one great kitchen! I like the mustard or straw yellow cabinets, and the backsplash.
What gets me about Bertoia chairs is how much padding you have to put on them to make them comfortable. They look nice with the pillows here, but I've always wondered why they are considered good design when they need to be altered to be usable. Without pads, I think they are painful.
Good Lord, your art collection is amazing!
The house is beautiful and, echoing Rexrayfan, the art collection is amazing. I'm wondering where they keep their books, as I'm sure they are readers.
really like it.. wish i had something similar.. love the safari art piece on the credenza and the musicians on top of the cabinets in the kitchen :)
Love the outdoor space, the glass walls and the staircase.
The desk is from Herman Miller.
http://store.hermanmiller.com/Products/Airia-Desk
Very nice place and a nice job on the photography. The inclusion of the family was done very well. It's a bit too feminine and pastel for me. I think the best interiors have a nice balance between the feminine and the masculine.
And can we get interiors from other cities too? There's too much of a focus on Austin.
Stunning place! Personally I would not ever divide my house and sell half of it in order to pay for a designer kitchen, etc. I'd rather live with Formica and privacy, but that's me. That kitchen just might be worth it, so beautiful. The art and furniture are some great choices.
@RURAL AND RUEFUL Bertoia chairs were made in fiberglass too for one year (1962). I have 6 of them, and they're real, and they're spectacular.
Since posting my earlier comments I had a chance to check out the photos of your hotel... Very nice indeed! Outstanding choices of art and furniture pieces as well. I especially liked the bathrooms done in the pale blue and the use of so many of the Egg chairs by Jacobsen through out. Your hotel looks inviting and comfortable. If I ever get to Austin I'd love to see it in person. Thanks for sharing your home by the way. My critique wasn't meant to be offensive so I hope none was taken. Cheers!
What is the blue sofa/bench? That doesn't seem like an entryway, but I can't really tell. Point is, WANT.
well done... pool envy is setting in.
kimber: if you're following comments... source of the tan sofa in the "den"? adjacent to the red ottoman...
Serious art envy
@GRETCHENKJER
that's the Twilight Sleeper Sofa from DWR.
http://www.dwr.com/product/twilight-sleep-sofa.do?sortby=ourPicks
Nice layout and flow of the first floor. The exterior might be in competition for one of the ugliest homes I have ever seen. How can someone with such good taste live in a place that looks like that from the outside?
Does anyone know where I can find the sculpture that is on the living room table, with the large legs? Thank you so much!!
Great light and color! I love your sculpture collection, especially the musician in the kitchen. And what a view front the deck.
Stunning home and art collection. Really hard for me these days to look at so much wealth. Decorating tastefully is rather easy when money is no object.