Practical Minimalism in an Austin Family Home
Practical Minimalism in an Austin Family Home
Name: Ruth Snell
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 1,300 square feet
Years lived in: Owned 6 years

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Ruth Snell and her family have lived in their bright, 1300 square foot home for almost six years. As you enter her organized entryway, you wouldn’t guess that controlling family clutter is her biggest challenge. Ruth’s best advice for a tidy home? Practice picking up daily, have a place for everything, and keep baskets around to collect items that need to go back to their homes.
The house is filled with vintage furniture Ruth has collected over time. “I can take years to move on something, so I just keep looking until I find what I want,” Ruth says, citing Room Service as one of her favorite local shops. Her home boasts the fruits of those finds with vintage dressers, sideboards, and an amazing master bed from Heywood Wakefield. Her home has plenty of storage to keep her design style minimalist, but practical for a growing family of four.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Practical Minimalism
Inspiration: I look at AT and Remodelista regularly, and Elizabeth Mayhew’s FLIP! for Decorating book: It’s not style specific, which is great.
Favorite Element: The windows
Biggest Challenge: Controlling family clutter
What Friends Say: You’re an accountant, but your house looks so good.
Biggest Embarrassment: We still haven’t painted the baseboards
Proudest DIY: Photo of the kids above the sofa; “backsplash” above the stove (copper painted stretched canvas); son’s “bedside table” (shelf attached to bed)
Biggest Indulgence: Our simple human trash can. Stupid expensive but with an older house there’s no place for a built-in.
Best Advice: Put everything away every evening, clean the kitchen after breakfast and before bed every day, and have a place for everything. AND, a basket in the living room to collect items that need to go back to their homes.
Resources:
ENTRY
Ikea TROFAST shoe storage
IKEA shelves and brackets
IKEA coat hooks
Pendant light – urban outfitters
LIVING ROOM
Four Hands Sofa
Murphy Sofa – Room and Board
Everett Armchair – West Elm
Conran by JCPenny footstool
Svalsta nesting tables – IKEA
Lovbacken side table – IKEA
TV cabinet – onefortythree
Console – vintage
Pendant light – IKEA
Curtains – IKEA
Floor Lamp – CB2
Rug – ecowhides.com
DINING ROOM
Parsons Table – West Elm
Sideboard – vintage
Knockoff Eames chairs – Overstock
LaFitte Pendant – Ylighting
Wall sconces – IKEA with shades from Home Depot
Art – Michelle Armas (I have the original, but here’s a link to the print)
KITCHEN
Bistro Table – West Elm
Benches – IKEA
Pendants – West Elm
Art – Hubblesite
BEDROOM (Master)
Art – Michelle Armas
Bed – vintage Heywood Wakefield
Bedding – Marshalls, Target and IKEA
Throw Pillow – IKEA
Dresser – vintage
Table Lamp on dresser – West Elm
Table Lamp on bed – Target
Industrial Wall Sconce – West Elm
Curtains – IKEA
BEDROOM (DAUGHTER)
Crib – Walmart
Storage – IKEA
Curtains and Bedding – IKEA
Art – botanical prints
Rug – World Market
BEDROOM (SON)
Bed – IKEA
Storage – IKEA
Rug – Urban Outfitters
Bedding – IKEA and Target
Thanks, Ruth!
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