Name: Lauren Wilkins & Josh Block
Location: South Congress neigborhood — Austin, Texas
Size: 950 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 — rented
The South Congress neighborhood of Austin is one that has gone through massive transformation over the last few decades. As it goes, there are so many unique, quirky and old homes and apartments that seem to ooze personality. Add in a hip and lovely boutique owner, and you've got a great combo! Filled with character and interesting details, Lauren and Josh have made this place their own.
Lauren owns and runs Bows + Arrows, the sister store to Spartan, featured on Marketplace. Both shops are replete with the latest trends and classic furnishings, tchotchkes, clothing, and accessories and that style clearly overflows into Lauren and Josh's home. While Lauren admits that when she really loves something, she often ends up bringing it to the shop, she's definitely left just enough behind at home to give us a great idea of her personality, interests and style.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style:
I want my house to be a collection of things I love. I guess I would say anything that catches my eye - I like to take a found vintage piece and build around that.
Inspiration:
I'm inspired by everything around me - it changes all of the time. I basically just want it to be comfortable and filled with things that mean something to us - i.e. records, books, art, knickknacks form a trip, a tear out from a magazine, a found crate...
Favorite Element:
I love the original hardwood floors and especially the original sea foam colored tile in the kitchen.
Biggest Challenge:
The biggest challenge is probably that I bring everything to the my shop! I feel like I live as much in my shop as my actual house - I have to remind myself to buy things for me!
What Friends Say:
That it looks just like us.
Biggest Embarrassment:
My paint job. It was my first time to paint all by myself - its pretty janky - just don't look too close...
Biggest Indulgence:
My Navajo rugs and a few other Native American antiques. I'm happy to spend money on good historical vintage - it's like art. As long as you keep it in good shape it's an investment. Oh and my painting by Thomas Campbell.
Best Advice:
I guess the best advice I've been given is actually what I said up above- my dad always taught me to invest in art and objects that mean something to you rather than putting money in objects that lose value - but of course you have to fill in with inexpensive things here and there.
Dream Sources:
BDDW - I dream of one day purchasing something - just something - from them.
Resources of Note:
Uncommon Objects
Medicine Man Gallery Santa Fe
SPARTAN
Roundtop - antique week
Thanks, Lauren and Josh!
Images: Jessica Tata
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Love the wooden bookcase in the living room! Can you tell me more about it?
Your house is so cool! It looks like fun!
Austin house tours are always my favorite. (I live here, too). The rugs and art are my favorite.
I like this place--it's sort of ordinary & not ordinary at the same time. Simple things are thrown together in a way that's practical & striking. The objects have resonance. The little shark painting on the wall + the sleeping mutt made me laugh. & I adore the beautiful piles of books. The only room that didn't work for me here is the bedroom--it looked a little too arranged & decorated in comparison to the more improvisatory feel of the rest of the house; & also the deep blue wall color gave me the heeby-jeebies....
Where's that little clock / radio from?
Thanks!
I know everybody hates it when people say this, but your dog is A-DOR-ABLE. (Reminds me of my dog.)
And the place is nice too. You have wonderful art.
This place looks awesome, its too bad that I didn't get to see it because of all the close ups of the stuff. Don't get me wrong, the stuff is cool...but I feel let down because I actually wanted to see the whole layout and flow.
Where did you get your coffee table? :)
Eclectic... fun... quirky... very Austin. I love the painting above the wire rack in pic no. 12 - a woman at a table. Who is the artist?
mrmcfarlane - the radio is the Vers 1.5R radio by Vers Audio.
What a great find in the South Congress area! The kitchen is freakin adorable!! Knotted curtains drive me a bit batty, but I suppose that's my own weird hangup. I really really miss being able to walk to Vulcan. Is Boulden Creek cafe still around? Sigh
I love the quirky little touches. And I love how it looks lived in.
Beautifully done. Absolutely. Those bungalows are a very important part of Austin's charm. I am so glad on the one hand that there are people with the means to afford to rent them. On the other hand, it's sad that they are no longer affordable to others as they once were. Oh well that is the way of today's world. At least the interest in them will keep some from being demolished for ugly new construction.
Lauren - I think we were separated at birth! I gave my friend an autographed photo of Nancy Sinatra for Christmas, I have the same Rex Ray book, etc.
Cute place - and who IS the artist on the painting about the wire rack? It is familiar,,,,
Loving the Milt Kobayashi painting. I've seen his work at some galleries in Santa Fe, Phoenix, etc. Really great.
Charming, all throughout.
Blue Tick Coon Hound...used to have one named "Danger". Great house. I love that it doesn't look so staged. Gives me hope that AT might look at my place someday, :).
This looks like home. Very nice. I loooove your kitchen. That tile is so homey. Also, the painting of the woman is just gorgeous.
Beautiful--could you please let us know what brand/color blue paint you used in the bedroom?
Wow! This is so Austin. It is warm and cozy and pretty without being too perfect. I like the blue in the bedroom. I would so like to live in place like this.
@hippyvieja - I agree. I used to live right on S. Congress, but I've escaped farther north up Lamar. My old stomping grounds are way over my budget.
I think the owners are very brave to forgo curtains in the bedroom and living room.
I loved this home - filled with books, art and music. Such a personal and comfortable space - not to mention thoughtfully curated. And the bones of bungalow itself are lovely, too. That kitchen is very special. Thanks for sharing here.
-maria
Love it! So personalized and eclectic. Like the comment above says, it's full of books, art, and music, which always a good home makes.
One of the most intriguing and originally designed living spaces I've seen on AT: retro, eccentric and very artistic. Love the BR paint color, and those stacked wooden blocks, in particular.
Just finished browsing the rest of your photos. Absolutely ADORE that kitchen tile - please don't ever change it!
that stack of books with cervantes and kafka just reminded me that i should be finishing the book i started last week instead of sitting here with envy while looking at your adorable place!
your dog stopped me short, he's beautiful (as is the apartment!)
Love the combo of the A's hat hanging on the antlers with the two cowboy hats... (Let's go Oakland!).
This house is definitely Austin - what a great SoCo find...athough not my style, I do LOVE the wooden bookcase!
Sweet, charming home!
Cute! And somebody musta had a special on turquoise tile back in the day -- your kitchen tile is all over my bath here in Dallas! :)
I also love the wall color in the bedroom. What is it? Thanks for sharing your home!
nice to see books allover!
Great bedroom. It glows.
i love your home.... your kitchen is amazing!
Had the opportunity to visit the South Congress area last year during a vacation in Austin and loved it. This terrific living space totally evokes the vibe and quirky charm of the area. Nice!