Name: Laurel Kinney (& Margot Wolf)
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 1700 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years
In a quaint home on the edge of East Austin reside two very talented women. Laurel Kinney, owner of her own personal styling business (Trophy Boutique), and roommate Margot Wolf, jewelry maker and designer (Margot Wolf Jewelry), are helping to shape the city's style and individuality. As you may have imagined, the home which houses these creative talents is brimming with inspiration.
From the hardwood lined ceilings to the sunlight filled patio, there's a rustic appeal that reminds you of simpler times. Relax… breathe… and take a tour of this remodeled masterpiece.
Most people take on a small project or two upon moving into a new home — painting a bedroom, maybe even install some new flooring. Laurel Kinney takes on a whole home renovation! A willingness to tear down walls, resurface ceilings, and remodel everything from the kitchen to the bathroom requires vision and confidence. Those are two qualities Laurel has in spades, and she uses them every day to provide personal styling services to women and men of all backgrounds and budgets.
The home she has crafted is open and inviting, with a clear sense of community. There's a calm, peaceful energy, and while Laurel channels it to create beautiful oil paintings, her friend (and roommate) Margot Wolf crafts handmade jewelry. Margot sculpts her own custom molds and resins, and effortlessly wields a soldering torch, to create statement pieces cast in various metals such as sterling silver.
A variety of her wares and inspirations can be spotted on both the wooden jewelry shelf and antique dresser in her bedroom. Other accessories and decor found throughout the home — the ones not made by Laurel and Margot — were sourced from fellow creatives in the area. This makes the home both a synergy of skill and a celebration of craft, proving that sometimes a home is more than just a place. Sometimes a home is as alive as the people who live there.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Colorful rustic/industrial, but veering closer to just kind of rustic.
Inspiration: The house I grew up in was built in 1720, so I've always been comfortable with exposed wood and antique elements that show the history of the house.
Favorite Element: The shiplap walls and ceilings FOR SURE. The house would not be half as warm and unique without them.
Biggest Challenge: Finding the time to decorate. I renovated the whole house with my ex, and we just ran out of steam after the first 5 months. It was hard to find the energy to style it all once it was finally painted and liveable.
What Friends Say: They say "can I come over?" :) They think the place is very warm, comfortable, and love hanging out on the porch and in the kitchen.
Biggest Embarrassment: There are more than a few holes in the front bathroom, from when it was retiled, and we still haven't figured out a solution to the lower corner cabinet in the kitchen — there's supposed to be a lazy susan there but I'm too lazy to actually install it. Also, I HAD to paint my room, and I am not a very patient wall-painter. I did a lazy/messy job on taping the ceiling, and every morning I stare at all the mistakes.
Proudest DIY: Several of the paintings are mine, which I suppose could be considered DIY, but I'm also proud of some of the furniture I've found. The mirror in the front living room was found on the street in the East Village in New York — I think it's actually an old headboard from a dismantled bed. I saw it on the sidewalk and lugged it home 2 avenues. It's traveled with me to four different homes over the years.
Biggest Indulgence: Besides renovating the whole house, which was crazy… the couch in the front living room was my first grown up piece of furniture. I wanted custom upholstery, which turned out great because I only had to pay for half up front and the rest when it was finished — the only way I could afford it.
Best Advice: Go for bright color it it's your thing, but use it sparingly to reduce the risk of getting sick of it. It was a risk to install a chartreuse kitchen counter, but since the rest of the kitchen was kept neutral it doesn't fight so much for attention and blends in nicely with the rest of the house's vibe.
Dream Sources: I would love to have custom drapery in every room from my dear friend Stephanie Moore of Cush Cush Design, as well as more original art.
Resources of Note:
• Architect for renovation: Craig Nasso
PAINT & COLORS
- • All Sherwin Williams throughout the house
• Laurel's bedroom: Benjamin Moore opal
LIVING ROOM
- • Couch, rug: Crate and Barrel
• Drapes: Smith & Noble
• Coffee Table/School Desk: made/designed by my friend Gretchen Phillips
• Lamp: vintage
• Mirror: found
• Art on mantle: Paul Ahern
DEN
- • Couch: IKEA
• Table: hand-me-down vintage
• Rug: Anthropologie
• Curtains: Target
• End Table, lamp: Vintage
• Painting: Laurel Kinney
KITCHEN
- • Island countertop: Ceasarstone "Apple Martini"
• Wooden Countertop, pendant lamp: Ikea
• Stools/Chairs (gifted--probably from Garden Ridge)
• Table: Kmart
• Animal Paintings: Gretchen Phillips / Ethan Azarian
• Cutting Board: Edwood, Austin
Margot's BEDROOM
- • Vanity: vintage from Uncommon Objects
• Night table, lamp: vintage
Laurel's BEDROOM
- • Bedframe, night tables, lamps: West Elm
• Chair: vintage
• Green Lamp: Crate and Barrel
• Painting: Sam Sanford
• Drawings: Filmore Sanford (Laurel's grandfather)
• Dresser: bought in Brooklyn (Trade Winds in Park Slope I think?)
• Mirror (on dresser): vintage
→ Visit Laurel's site Trophy Boutique
→ See more of Margot's work Margot Wolf Jewelry
Thanks, Laurel and Margot!
(Images: Chris Perez)
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Love the rustic, cozy vibe of this house. Love the built-ins, the porch and the "you have everything you need" print.
That "apple martini" counter is a knockout! A courageous choice that pays off.
I was surprised by the inside of the house from the outside. Proves you can't judge a book by it's cover. I too really enjoyed this tour and love Margot's jewlery design.
Well done.
This is gorgeous, did it say, are they renting or owning?
Love your ceiling and especially your adorable dog!
I really like this. It's not a style I would normally consider myself drawn to, but it looks very cozy and functional--and nice! I would love to have all of those built-ins.
And the dachshund is just too cute.
Love your whole space, especially the kitchen. So many times people remodel an older home and the kitchen just never looks like it fits, but yours does. I can understand why friends ask about coming over. It is definitely a happy space.
definitely one of my favorite tours. so lovely!
I love the jewelry hangers made from driftwood! very peaceful and comfortable home.
I love three things about your house:
The green countertop
The pink princess telephone (whee!!)
Your oh so cute dachshund. They are the best little dogs.
When there are cute dogs in a house tour I don't even know how to live anymore, plus a green countertop??? I die.
Beautiful wood ceilings! I would have thought keeping wood unpainted would be dark, but it is really light and natural looking....
Are you thinking of painting the outside too? The beautiful inside is a surprise...
Im concerned her hair is going to catch fire
Odd, but the first thing I thought was....are they safe? Those windows are "climb-in" level and they dont look secure. Perhaps its the jaded NYer in me that must always have safety in mind. I thinks it awesome that people can live like this and feel comfortable. As Im typing this Im realizing my grandmothers house (in rural MD) was alot like this. It's just hard to fathom, and Im a little annoyed that that was my first thought.
Great house. Love the artsy touches.
So shabby on the outside and so luxe on the inside. These women look like they have so much fun working and living in this space.
For some reason, I love that the outside of the house is peeling but the inside is spic-and-span perfect. Love the green kitchen island too. And a lot of other stuff.
cool house! I usually hate ceiling fans, but living in Texas we kind of need them. Where are yours from? They look pretty cool!
Love all the wood on the walls and ceiling. Definitely gives the house character. And how great to see color used. The blue living room and green in the kitchen. Just lovely. PS. And sorry but your dachshund was the star of the show!
my favorite hometour for sure, I love everything about it and it feels good too.
I burned my quiona dinner while watching the tour...
I love how self-assured their style is. The home is beautiful without being fussy. Great advice about use of color. Give that pup a scratch behind the ear for me!
Very relaxing home. I really like the walls in the kitchen. I love how the use of color is still soothing. I agree that the home is very functional. I really enjoy how everything isnt "finished" perfectly. The porch clearly, looks like a fun place to hang out on a lazy summer day off with a friend, or at night with some beers and a houseful.
Great tour!
The kitchen is gorgeous. The apple martini counter top is yummy.
hahahah I thought the exact same thing! When I had long hair I caught it on fire twice so I always think that when I see a similar photo.
Nice house - very cozy feeling :) what kind of wood is on the kitchen island?
Thanks! I (Laurel) own the house, and Margot rents her room and studio (so both)!
The wood on the island was salvaged from the walls which were torn down between the kitchen and den. Both rooms were bedrooms before the remodel, and Margot's room was the old kitchen.
I hate the way most ceiling fans look too, so we picked ones that would blend into the ceiling--these are super inexpensive ones from Lowes I think (if not, then Home Depot).
BEAUTIFUL
I can always tell from the pictures when a tour is going to be in Austin. This is no exception. Exemplary Austin style.
Love so much about this place. Has alot of personality. Thanks for sharing!
Not at all my style but the outside of the home needs a serious paint job. It almost looks like an abandoned home. Pulling up those weeds pretending to be a lawn and replanting the grass would also help tremendously when it comes to curb appeal.
Ignore the complaints about "curb appeal". Maybe if you had unlimited funds you would do more outside but it is a work in progress. Once you pass the front door you live inside and it is awesome!
Love it inside and out. Would bring a bottle of wine to share around that kitchen counter or the fire pit outside anytime!
Is that lavender paint on the paneled walls in the room with the TV? What is the paint color name please?
Loving how comfortable it looks. Such a warm homey feeling :)
Great place! Looks bright and airy, which you need in Austin. I esp. love your dog (I have a doxie mix, always on the lookout for doxies!). Terrific job and love your jewelry as well!
Very interesting. There certainly is a strong and pleasant touch of personality in that home.
I love the painting one of the owners is working on!
Tant de perfection m'énnnaaarve!!! Bravo aux deux. C'est un rêve. Caroline de Québec.
Great home. My favorite things are the purple-washed walls and the orange chair in the bedroom! I also love the wildness of your house's exterior. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely. Very comfortable and homey; what a wonderful place to spend your days and nights.
It's surprising to see it so large on the inside, I love the kitchen and your doxie. Aren't they the most loving dogs ever?
Where´s the obligatory "that´s the hottest house tour in a long time, and the decor aint bad neither?" Ah, there it is. Seriously, that kitchen island looks great with the side wood. Ash or SYP?
I need to leave NYC
I bet that record collection is AMAZING. I mean, if the hat and boot collections are anything to go by, it has to be. Love this home.
One o my favorites - love your use of color and the ambience you've created.
I second the love of your color choices. They show confidence without going overboard. Lovely!
OMG - Laurel! I went to Reed with you! I graduated in '02 - I think you were right around the same year. You were one of the nicest people at Reed. Your house is so lovely. Do you sell your artwork?
Hey, @ali07! That's so crazy that you remember me and I'm so glad that I was nice! I guess niceness sort of stood out there :)
I haven't sold my artwork but that's mostly because I don't have a lot of it, and haven't really tried....Find me on FB and let's be friends!
Shoot, @goddess, I'm so sorry I didn't reply sooner--the paint in the living room is the same light blue that we used in the kitchen, it's just a wash over the orange-y wood, so it's looked purple after the one thin coat...
Laurel,
This is such an inspiring home! I'm at Sherwin Williams trying to find the paint colors used in both the bedrooms and the kitchen. Do you remember what they were called and what finish you used?