Amber’s Art-Filled Austin Apartment

updated Dec 19, 2019

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Name: Amber Abramson, Associate Director at New Image Art Gallery and owner of Busy-Being, her son, Angelo, and pets Pigeon (AKA Maiden of Anarchy) the cat and Paper the turtle.
Location: Cherrywood neighborhood — Austin, Texas
Size: 900 square feet
Years lived in: Rented, 1 year

It’s hard not to be envious of a woman who can turn a blank space into a fascinating, art-packed apartment in just under a year, but then again, not all folks can claim as many creative hats as Amber. As the associate director of a hip Los Angeles art gallery and the owner of one of the most authentic spots to find secret art gems in Austin, Amber’s got a lot of resources to pull from in creating her beautiful home — and a whole lot of natural style, too.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Upon learning the names of the two very prominent pets of the home — the pudgy black and white cat named Pigeon (though previously known as Maiden of Anarchy) and Paper, the turtle — you realize what a warm, fun, and laughter-filled home Amber shares with her intelligent and polite 15-year-old son Angelo. All of that is to say that you don’t need to fill a home with a lot of stuff when you’ve got so much people (and pet) personality. Luckily, Amber understands the less-is-more theory quite well: walls are white, furnishings are simple and the real color and interest comes from the stunning array of art from friends and clients.

It doesn’t hurt that the apartment they live in is one of many in a neighborhood filled with 1940s structures full of charm — did you get a look at that great kitchen floor? Amber’s done a brilliant job of respecting the character of the structure and melding modern details seamlessly with existing style.

(Image credit: Adrienne Breaux)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Easy.

Inspiration: A plethora of things on a list that is way too long. Color and nature are the big ones. Blues, greens, woods.

Favorite Element: The natural light and the kitchen floor.

Biggest Challenge: The tiny closets and trying to create a separate workspace.

What Friends Say: “You have so much art.”

Biggest Embarrassment: The grey plastic feet on my Ikea/Craigslist couch, the surplus of artwork stashed behind the couch, and the stack of boxes in my room that I still haven’t found a place for.

Favorite DIY element: It’s going to be the fold-down worktable that I’ll soon be building in my living room.

Biggest Indulgence: High quality bed sheets and my ergonomic side sleeper pillow.

Best Advice: Too little is better than too much.

Dream Sources: SVPPLY. Pinterest.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:

FURNITURE
• Found-on-the-street items
• Craigslist
• Flea market
• Angelo’s shelves: 2 Helix Shelves from CB2
• Wooden chair in Angelo’s room, made by Angelo

ART
Mostly gifts from artist friends and/or artists I’ve worked with.
• Phil Frost
• Date Farmers
• Retna
• Corita Kent
• Craig Stecyk
• Albert Reyes
• Richard Colman
• Tim Kerr
• Sean Cassidy
• Ashley Macomber
• Jo Jackson
• Chris Lindig
• Neck Face
• Ed Templeton
• Clare Rojas
• Kime Buzzelli
• Brion Rosch
• Fafi
• Matt Furie
• Os Gemeos

LIGHTING
• Living room: Edison bulb from Home Depot

RUGS & CARPETS
• Bolivian rug and bathroom rug: Lost & Found (Los Angeles)

BED
• Custom made mattresses from Hotel Havana, San Antonio

(Image credit: Adrienne Breaux)

Thanks, Amber!!

(Images: Adrienne Breaux)

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