House Beautiful Whole Home Pause Parlor
Every home should have a space within that’s your own personal getaway. One where you can escape the world, looming deadlines, and any noise that distracts you from the peace you deserve. I call it a “Pause Parlor.”
When approached by House Beautiful to participate in their annual designer showhouse, Whole Home, I was ecstatic! I’d participated in two showhouse in the past - Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles’ Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse in Atlanta, GA in 2022 and Real Simple Home Brooklyn, NY in 2024 - and although showhouses can feel daunting, stressful, and get really expensive, I knew that if House Beautiful ever called, I’d immediately say “YES!” And so they did… :-)
I was assigned the Flex Room on the main floor of the “adult treehouse,” a beautiful, new construction, 3,800 square foot, 3 story, 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home nestled in the forest-filled Deep Eddy neighborhood in Austin, TX. For those new here, I started Blessed Little Bungalow when I lived in San Antonio, TX, so I’d visit Austin often as it was a little over an hour away. Known for its classic music scene, youthful population, and “staying weird,” I missed the vibrant tech-friendly city and was thrilled to return. In House Beautiful’s words, the home would be a “TreeTop Social Club, an adults-only retreat made for gathering with friends before the night begins and winding down long after it ends.”
Knowing that the home would be an entertainer’s playground, I pitched an idea to the editors to create a “Pause Parlor” in the blank space. I wanted it to serve as an office for creative focus when working from home and an artsy escape for an intimate conversation during those boisterous guest gatherings. They loved the idea of a “time out retreat.” As much as we love being surrounded by friends and family, sometimes we just need a minute. When entertaining, this space would give the homeowner a breather without sending guests out the door or straight to bed! And so, the Pause Parlor was born and I got straight to work.
We were given a generous list of sponsors to select products from to execute our thoughtfully designed spaces. When I think of Texas, I think of the heat, but also how enjoyable the sunshine is 365 days a year. Austin gives you a sense of freedom - from the music to the tech scene - where anything is possible if you’re willing to be authentically you. With all of that in mind, and inspired by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges’ timeless tune, Texas Sun, the design of the Pause Parlor was created.
First, I wanted to create a transformative entrance with the hallway space using Phillip Jeffries’ Villa Vibes in Como on Marshmallow Manila Hemp. The artsy graphic wallpaper paired beautifully with Sherwin-Williams’ Henna Shade on the ceiling and in the hosting pantry hidden behind the wooden sliding pocket doors. It felt like you were walking through a medina in Marrakesh with the tan and terracotta hues surrounding you.
Once you entered the main space, the terracotta, sunset vibes continued on the angled ceiling above. As the ombre wallpaper, Phillip Jeffries’ Mirage in Sunbaked on Marshmallow Manila Hemp, on the ceiling draws your eyes up, you’re immediately wow’d by the stunning Visual Comfort Nyra chandelier. Designed by Sean Lavin, the illuminating geometrically shaped acrylic LED panels are a work of art, reminding me of a dragonfly’s wings, the perfect blend of nature and technology. I painted the walls a deep navy blue, Sherwin Williams’ Dark Night, a beautiful contrast between surfaces, and a gorgeous backdrop for all the pattern, art, and textures I’d layer on top of it. Lastly, I’d cover the sixth wall, the floor with a geometric patterned rug from Jaipur Living. The Aakar Natural rug by Kavi gave “neutral” with its blush, gray, and natural hues, but offered pops of color in navy blue, magenta, gold, and magenta. Soft to the touch, you’d immediately kick off your shoes if not already off.
On to the furnishings! Four Hands and Lee Industries offered endless options to furnish our spaces. I wanted to add pattern with the seating, and warmth and texture with the surfaces added in the room. With all of the angles in the room, I wanted the seating to be curvy and feminine. I covered the sofa with an Opulent Peacock polka dot fabric, and the swivel chair in Sanctuary Apricot for a fun floral moment to layer over the geometric shapes in the area rug. For the library shelving, I selected the Reza Wide Bookcase finished in a smoked honey finish of solid acacia, providing ample open shelving and closed storage for books, records, and decor. As a centerpiece under the chandelier to act as both a workspace and dining table, I selected the Figueroa table from fellow showhouse designer Amber Lewis’ collection with Four Hands. I love the warmth, stature, and movement of the travertine table and the beauty it offers in the space.
Once the furniture was all selected, it was time to dress the windows and walls. I decided to add Hunter Douglas’ electronic roller shades in Umstead Semi-Opaque Persimmon to each window. They offer a natural hue with pops of pink and red in the textured fabric, which was both fashionable and functional to block the sun and give the homeowner ample privacy. I also wanted to add additional pattern and flair with roman shades and drapery using Fabricut’s Gianni fabric in Cinnamon. The colorful stripes reminded me of soundwaves, an ode to rich music that flowed throughout the city. I also added colorful tassel fringe on the edges for a fancy custom touch.
Lastly, it was so important to me to add meaningful artwork in the space that would inspire and start a conversation. Our art sponsor, Minted, had a plethora of pieces to select from, so I picked a few creative, nostalgic, and music-related pieces that would give the room a vintage feel. In addition to the gallery wall I created to float up the angled wall in the reading corner, I was determined to find a local artist, specifically a woman of color, to commission a piece that would be the star of the show in my designed space. After putting an SOS message on Threads, I received a response from Penelope Savannah a.k.a. Nelly Nell, and from there, the magic started. In our introductory conversation, I shared my desire to honor the Black history in Austin, TX either through working with a Black artist in the city to create a masterpiece to put on display in the space, and/or an art piece that would honor the rich culture, history, and music scene of Austin. When researching famous Austinites, I came across singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Stevie Ray Vaughan. I loved his look, style and smile, and thought showcasing him in the space was needed. I later found several images of him and Buddy Guy, a blues guitarist and singer that performed with Stevie Ray Vaughan several times before Stevie’s tragic death. I learned about Buddy Guy after his appearance in the recent blockbuster film, Sinners. He’s truly a living legend. Seeing them jamming out and grinning from ear to ear in photos gave me the same warm feeling that being in Austin gave me. I was committed to honoring them both in this portrait Nelly and I would create together.
We chatted for weeks, and later months, as she painted the image of the pair, and added iconic sites and attractions Austin was known for to the back and foreground, including Austin City Limits a.k.a. ACL Fest, Paramount Theatre, and Shakespeare's Pub on Austin's historic 6th Street a.k.a. “Dirty Sixth”. We’d also add sweet details like Austin’s Ladybird Lake, Texas Longhorns, Bluebonnet florals, and Austin’s beloved bats that live beneath the bridges on the water. I also had her include one of my favorite flower, Proteas, Ankara print to Buddy’s pants to honor our African roots, and my Mitchell Black wallpaper pattern, Abstract Attraction, to Stevie’s denim jeans. I still tear up thinking about how it all came together.
In September, it was time for our installation, in preparation for House Beautiful’s photography and the opening party and tours happening in October. As we near the showhouse’s end and breakdown in November, I’m thrilled to show you our final imagery before the November/December issue of House Beautiful magazine hits newsstands. Here she is, in all her glory. I present to you, the Pause Parlor!
Thank you to the House Beautiful team and all of our incredible sponsors for making this experience seamless, enjoyable, and fun from start to finish. I’m so honored to be one of the eight women interior designers to design within House Beautiful’s eight annual Whole Home. To see more of our beautiful adult treehouse and read the stories behind each space, visit HouseBeautiful.com.
Be Blessed,
Amber
Design Deets:
Paint - Dark Night and Henna Shade by Sherwin Williams
Wallpaper - Villa Vibes and Mirage by Phillip Jeffries
Area Rug - Jaipur Living
Runner Rug - Fibreworks
Chandelier - Visual Comfort
Sofa - Lee Industries
Swivel Chair - Lee Industries
Dining Table - Four Hands
Drapery and Roman Shades - Fabricut
Drapery Hardware - The Finial Company
Roller Shades - Hunter Douglas
Bookcase - Four Hands
Records - Amazon
Record Player - Crosley
Pillows - Fabricut, Four Hands, Maaribu Home
Accessories - Maaribu Home, HomeGoods, Four Hands
Side Table - Four Hands
Time Stood Still Art - Minted
October Moon Art - Minted
Ava 2 Art - Minted
Mr. Moonlight Art - Minted
Memphis Art - Minted
Alchemy II Art - Minted
Call Me Maybe 2 Art - Minted
Call Me Maybe 3 Art - Minted
Guitar - Cash America Pawn
Commissioned Art - Penelope Savannah
Professional Photography - Andrea Calo and Marc Mauldin