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A South Austin Sunny and Sophisticated Home!
House Tour

102809suziepage-34.jpgName: Janie Flemming, daughters Ally and Kat
Location: South Austin, Texas
Size: 2,400 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months

This home is a surprising and delightful mix of traditional and modern elements infused with feminine details and lots of texture. The thing we love the most is how smartly it was decorated: rooms aren’t filled to the brim with décor elements, yet they feel full, layered and sophisticated...

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After purchasing the home, renovations of the kitchen and bathrooms took place, as well as giving all the walls and trim fresh coats of paint. Next there was the challenge of marrying the home's older features with the homeowner's desire for a more mixed-style space. Janie turned to Suzie Page of Twenty Three 07, a designer with a great eye for proportion and detail who used her years as a decorator and antique store owner to invest in neutral basics in lots of textures, collect colorful and unique accessories and splurge on luxury fabrics and fixtures where they counted the most. The result is a modestly decorated space that shines for a reasonable budget. We asked Suzie Page for her input on the home for our survey:

AT Survey:

My/Our style: Classic contemporary with the use of eclectic, collected objects. We wanted to reflect a contemporary life style without looking trendy. This home is comfortable, sophisticated and fresh.

Inspiration: Travel and discovering new designers and architects. I love Vicente Wolff for his collected style – mixing antiques with modern elements.

Favorite Element: The timeless open floor plan and the cozy, elegant living room in Navy Blue Lacquer.

Biggest Challenge: Low Ceilings

What Friends Say: "Can’t believe the transformation!"

Biggest Embarrassment: The laundry area by the back door is hidden by a linen curtain hung on a ceiling track.

Proudest DIY: Keeping the style of the home while incorporating the great new look. We also re-purposed most furniture and only bought a few necessary pieces.

Biggest Indulgence: Great lighting, mirrors and wall papers

Best advice: Stay true to yourself (Great advice for life and decorating the home!)

Dream source: I love Donghia! Also our local to-the-trade design resource center, Stockton Hicks Laffey.

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Resources:

Furniture: Mixture of both custom pieces and antiques. Belgian Linen on sofas and chairs in the living room and den. The dining room chairs are upholstered in a Sunbrella with the look of linen on the seats and Kaplavitch & Zimmer cut velvet on the backs of alternating chairs.

Accessories: Collected. Zimmer and Rohde fabric for living room pillows. Schumacher fabric in the den.

Lighting: Antique

Window Treatments: Silk Taffeta, Chocolate Velvet and linen shades in the kitchen

Rugs and Carpets: Thames Sisal and Madeline Weinrib in the Family Room

Tiles and Stone: Carrera Marble in the kitchen

Artwork: Collected – Lance Letscher, Beth Hammack and Betty Gold; Antique Map of Paris – a nod to her teenage daughter’s recent extended summer stay in Paris

Paint: Pittsburgh Antique White in enamel on both trim and walls throughout the house. Living room Benjamin Moore paint in Hale Navy in a lacquered finish.

Flooring: Hardwood

Hardware: Restoration Hardware

(Thanks, Suzie and Janie!)

Photos by Adrienne Breaux

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We've had amazing response to our Apartment Therapy House Tour Submission Form. While we will work with homeowners of our favorite homes to feature full tours, we will also share the best as

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House Tours, AT Austin, modern, house tour, traditional, feminine, austin, sophisticated, south austin

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Comments (52)

wow..i'm in love. just the color scheme i'm wanting to achieve in my living room but I painted my walls a dark slate grey. thanks for the inspiration.

posted by alicia13z on October 28th 2009 at 4:17pm
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Beautiful!

posted by Nephthys on October 28th 2009 at 4:23pm
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Not my style, but I still think it's incredibly gorgeous.

posted by fabulissime on October 28th 2009 at 4:29pm
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great space! love the colours.

posted by vicsiris on October 28th 2009 at 4:30pm
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I love the blue walls in the den. What is the paint color called?

posted by mei-ling on October 28th 2009 at 4:38pm
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I'm in with fabulissime. A bit too formal for me, but wow...
really done magnificently.
I LOVE the kitchen "island"...the openness and airy feel of the island is simply beautiful. Nice change from the typical chunky and heavy closed cabinet type of island.
Very very nicely done.

posted by zoee on October 28th 2009 at 4:43pm
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Not my style either but so beautiful. Love that blue and yellow are used throughout. The blue/white embroidered pillows on the sofas are stunning as are the dining room chairs.

posted by Bridget212323 on October 28th 2009 at 4:46pm
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This isn't my style, it looks a little too styled and not enough lived in, but I'm happy to see an Austin house tour. Please bring on more!

posted by BadJuJu77 on October 28th 2009 at 4:49pm
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I really loved the grandfather clock, the gold (brass?) chandelier, the small sofa by the entrance way and the framed maps. However, the remainder of the furnishings were a little too "mature" for me. The porcelain dogs on the mantel were also nice. Its funny that the items in this tour that I like, I really like, however everything else is far from my taste. The kitchen is of course, wonderful. But I don't understand all the various seating/dining areas. I suppose this would be a dream house for entertaining. I'd suggest moving the sofas further apart in the main living room and removing the stools from under the painting. I'd also get rid of the heavy wardrobe.

posted by saucymonkey on October 28th 2009 at 6:19pm
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I love, love the coffee table and the round bamboo side table! I would love to know where I can buy these two pieces. Does anyone know? Also, Kudos on the color scheme.

posted by ebeemars on October 28th 2009 at 6:34pm
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Is there a source for the kitchen island and the dining room light fixture? I'd buy both of those in a second.

posted by palindrome on October 28th 2009 at 6:40pm
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Who makes those white chairs in the blue room? They are awesome! And just what I am looking for (except maybe not in white as I would destroy that).

posted by mickeysbeach on October 28th 2009 at 6:45pm
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What a rich space! I love that there are so many fun details, but nothing looks too cluttered or messy - it's beautifullly done! Too formal for me, as well - but wow, so gorgeous!

posted by AnnaSkates on October 28th 2009 at 8:28pm
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It is clearly beautiful, but too "together" where is the life?

posted by CKBH on October 28th 2009 at 8:48pm
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Beautiful and rich looking. BUT where are the signs of human life? Maybe a little toooo perfect.

posted by Volvoguy on October 28th 2009 at 9:27pm
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this looks like an elle decor spread. it's really well done!

posted by sophieso on October 28th 2009 at 9:34pm
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I believe the side table is the same as the "Twig" that I coveted from Jayson Garden and Home. I love the airy feel of this home and would be quite content with the "mature" look.

posted by jacasi on October 28th 2009 at 9:35pm
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mickeysbeach - the white chairs in the blue room look like this one from room and board (select the solid fabric):

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19413&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuSubcategory=201206

posted by design.va on October 28th 2009 at 9:41pm
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I like the living room occupied with sofas. The way it is designed is simple superb! I have bought an old property in Minnesota; I am planning for some home improvement for that property. I will remodel the living room similar to the living room shown here. On the whole the entire home is looking fabulous.

posted by 1800ceiling on October 29th 2009 at 4:32am
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To die for! I just wish we'd seen the upstairs...

posted by Catherine W on October 29th 2009 at 8:26am
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a cohesive and brilliantly executed take on updated tradition... i love it.

posted by matchjames on October 29th 2009 at 11:30am
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thanks so much design.va!

posted by mickeysbeach on October 29th 2009 at 12:19pm
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I don't usually like professionally designed spaces but this is well done. I love the dining room chandelier but wish that they would remove the stickers (photo 20).

posted by leadingedge on October 29th 2009 at 1:44pm
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I have seen the curtain hardware in many issues of House Beautiful, but have yet located a source that sells them. Could someone assist? TIA!

posted by shiftyfamily on October 29th 2009 at 1:48pm
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Perfectly edited. Bravo!

posted by medusa12120 on October 29th 2009 at 9:44pm
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The navy room is ridiculously gorgeous!!! Yummmy. So warm and cozy with lots of personality :) Also love the dark hardwood floors.

posted by greekgoddess18 on October 30th 2009 at 1:12am
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Beautiful home - but you seriously named your daughters Ally and Kat?!?! They must groan at you constantly, LOL.

posted by H L I on October 30th 2009 at 2:30am
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Ok, I've decided. This is my official home inspiration :)

posted by lili09 on October 30th 2009 at 9:43am
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When is Austin going to get a branch on Apartment Therapy?

posted by sarahisaghost on October 30th 2009 at 11:00am
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ebeemars, I think the table looks like something made by Global Views..

http://www.accent-furniture-direct.com/Global-Views-8977-GXV1220.html

posted by vicsiris on October 30th 2009 at 11:05am
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I like the light fixture in the kitchen over the table. Anyone know where it's from?

posted by margauxpeaches on October 30th 2009 at 11:29am
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The kitchen is amazing. Really smart to anchor all the white (and sunlight) with dark wood floors.

I really love the indigo wall color but it seems like a really small room to attempt that with. The map art while creative I think increases the sense of loss of depth. Perhaps that could be overcome with lightening. A manergerie of small mirrors in it's place would add light, depth, and glamour.

posted by Dawnmeshell on October 30th 2009 at 11:29am
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Nice design. Shame there's not more color. But, that's just my taste.

posted by blondrea on October 30th 2009 at 11:34am
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What a joy to see something so absolutely beautiful. Lovely job of decorating - congratulations.

posted by Betty14 on October 30th 2009 at 11:43am
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Love, love, love the color scheme!
This house is beautifully put together!

posted by rhianna on October 30th 2009 at 12:14pm
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Very nice...especially love the blue swedish clock. Can you tell us where you found it? Thanks!

posted by kt3637 on October 30th 2009 at 12:21pm
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First thing I noticed: Ally Kat? How can you write that and not comment?! Second: Granted, the ceilings aren't high, but the bulbs in the white living room are just waaay too close to the ceiling.

THe first floor is gorgeous, but it does bother me to read a comment about a "reasonable budget". This home has FOUR sofas, not to mention the two living rooms and two dining rooms. (And with a couple of teenagers, either there's a public room with a TV that we haven't seen, or Wow! how'd you pull *that* off?!)

And a house tour should be a house tour, not a first-floor tour or a public-rooms tour, especially if there are lots of worthy homes that have been submitted. That said, your Austin photographer did a good job.

posted by kushkush on October 30th 2009 at 12:37pm
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Love love love this home. Thank you so much for sharing. To those that don't think it looks lived in... when I know I have company coming, I put all my crap away too. Now if I knew some one was coming to take pictures and posted it on a website for all to pick a part.....I would have them come to this house to take the pictures.:)

posted by English Accent on October 30th 2009 at 12:46pm
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I would check this website for window hardware. Use to sell this brand and it was very very nice.
http://www.antiquedraperyrod.com/

posted by English Accent on October 30th 2009 at 12:52pm
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Tha house is lovely. It really has the perfect balance between styles, not too much decorated with lot of elements, but cozy enough. I like this very clean style, and the big map (I believe from Paris city) it's just gorgeous.

posted by wearaddiction on October 30th 2009 at 1:00pm
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Thank you for all the great feedback. I am the homeowner, and adore this home. We have lived here for 2 months, so the home is still being tweaked. The upstairs is not complete, but will be amazing. The bathrooms are very dreamy and my bedroom, very Elle decor. Maybe AT will post in the future along with a photo of the outside and downstairs study. Yes, this home is more mature than what I see on this site, but I am 49!

Regarding Ally and Kat, their names are Alexandra and Kathleen. Nicknames appeared in elementary school......sue me!

Also, the t.v. is in the armoire.

Again, thanks and thanks to the amazing decorator, Suzie Page and Apartment Therapy/Adrienne for posting. Adrienne, I love the photos you took and wish we could have met.

posted by antiquejunkie on October 30th 2009 at 5:51pm
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i love the banquette in the dining room; what was the fabric used? it makes me so happy!

posted by curvatura on November 1st 2009 at 2:26pm
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Well, you can always tell when a professional decorates a home. And what a lovely home it is too! Without being over done, just plain nice & comfy & well edited (edit, edit, edit). You get what you pay for, my compliments to those professionals.

posted by Delberson57 on November 2nd 2009 at 7:30pm
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re: Ally and Kat, I wondered if it was a reference to your lovely kitten, because I couldn't figure out how you could have gotten the house so together in 6 months while being a single mom. Heh. After reading the comments it made sense. :-)

I'd want a warm color in the dining room, like deep, earthy orange/terra cotta.

posted by wigglebutt on November 3rd 2009 at 7:52pm
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Love the stiff fabric of the curtains. The kitchen marble is beautiful. I feel like I could sit at the kitchen table all day long.

I do feel though that there is a bit of an Alice and Wonderland feel to the proportions of the house. The low ceilings are obviously a big challenge, but I feel like the designer could have played with them differently to give us the illusion of space. Many of those lighting fixtures are overbearing and hung at odd heights. The plant scraping the ceiling makes me feel like I have to duck my head. Also, I'm shocked by the generous square footage because everything is so cramped in there, and there is sooo much furniture, it seems like a tiny house claustrophobic house.

Never the less, there is an incredible sense of continuity to it and I can imagine you must have a hard time prying yourself away from home!

posted by thorndale on November 4th 2009 at 6:36am
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Yes, where is the COFFEE TABLE from?? Does anyone know? It is beautiful!

posted by Gerbil on November 4th 2009 at 6:25pm
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The moira clock is exquisite and I love how she didn't shove gustavian into every cranny. There are just enough hints.

That blue is perfect *photo 33 really shoes some texture* for such a hot climate. I'd love to use the same in my kitchen, but it faces East and I'm in a cold climate.

I also love the contrast between the tiny formal public rooms and the larger relaxed private areas.

It must be comforting to know there are two rooms always ready for visitors.

posted by JoeyBrill on November 8th 2009 at 11:42pm
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'shoes' s/b 'shows'.

posted by JoeyBrill on November 8th 2009 at 11:42pm
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Just gorgeous! I saved so many of these pictures for my inspiration file :)

posted by Coralia on November 9th 2009 at 11:40am
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www.jewelryonline.me, www.wholesalesteeljewelry.net, www.wholesalejewelrycorp.com
Really nice, but the roof, walls, and windows don't seem to be insulated. Seems like the money was spent on making it livable, but not necessarily green.

posted by steeljewelry on November 12th 2009 at 10:12am
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this house is lovely!! it maintains such a nice balance of appearing well-designed and lived-in. it's not entirely my personal taste, but I love about 90% of it. very grown up with a handful of playful touches. the kitchen is GREAT.

thanks for sharing!

posted by my little apartment on November 12th 2009 at 4:12pm
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The light fixture over the kitchen table??? Anyone?? :)

posted by jennybasel on November 15th 2009 at 3:32am
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