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MAY/JUNE 2017 DISPLAY UNTIL 07/03/17

 HIGH
STYLE
A DESIGN TEAM REIMAGINES
THE COMFORTS OF HOME
IN AN AUSTIN HIGH-RISE.
WRITTEN BY TATE GUNNERSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYANN FORD

INTERIOR DESIGN / MARK CRAVOTTA, CRAVOTTA INTERIORS

ARCHITECTURE / CHRISTOPHER SANDERS, SANDERS ARCHITECTURE
HOME BUILDER / DAVID WILKES, DAVID WILKES BUILDERS

Mark Alexander fabric from Culp Associates covers a
Minotti sectional from Scott + Cooner in the living room
of a high-rise Austin apartment decorated by designer
Mark Cravotta. Barton Springs Upholstery fabricated
the sofa pillows, which wear Zinc Textile fabrics from
Culp Associates and Opuzen fabric from Allan Knight
and Associates. The artwork on the far wall is by Morris
Broderson from Dragonette Limited in Los Angeles; on
the right is a piece by Rick Shaefer from Sears Peyton
Gallery in New York. The McEwen Lighting Studio ceiling
fixture is from Dennis Miller Associates in New York.
D
avid and Melissa Rubin knew a few trade-offs would
be inevitable when they decided to move their family
from a large house in the suburbs to a high-rise
apartment near parks, restaurants and music venues
in burgeoning downtown Austin. Although content
with having a little less square footage to experience the
excitement of urban living, there were two things they
were not willing to sacrifice: a sense of comfort and a full-
size billiards table. During college, people would often
call the pool hall looking for me, David says. I spent a
lot of time in school playing pool, poker and chess, and I
still do on a regular basis. To preserve the Rubins familiar
luxuries of home in their new abode, the couple enlisted
the help of designer Mark Cravotta, architect Christopher
Sanderswho had contributed to the design of the
building itselfand builder David Wilkes.
At first glance, the high-rise didnt appear to have the
space to accommodate Davids love of billiards. But
Cravotta found a clever workaround, customizing a
blackened mahogany billiards tablein collaboration
with United Kingdom-based Hamilton Billiardsthat easily
converts into a dining table, paired with Jim Zivic Design
folding chairs. To ensure minimum clearances for the cue, Living room armchairs (above, left)
from Randolph & Hein in Mark
Cravotta and Sanders replaced a standard stud-framed wall
Alexander fabric flank a tray side
with a thinner steel-framed alternative installed by Wilkes that table by Dennis & Leen from Holly
showcases colored glass panes arranged in a Mondrian- Hunt and a Fuse Lighting floor lamp
from Dennis Miller Associates; the
inspired design. We fired sketches back and forth until we rug is from Tai Ping and wall art is by
finalized the pattern, Sanders says, adding that this process Tom Hammick from Flowers Gallery
was a favorite memory from his collaborations with Cravotta in New York. The rooms custom
oak-slab coffee table by Stefan
during the project. Bishop (above, right) features a burnt,
An additional detail in the dining-meets-billiards room wire-brushed and waxed finish.
is the subtly domed ceiling with polished Venetian plaster,
which supports a custom chandelier by Codor Design that
lowers for game-play spot lighting at the touch of a button.
The plaster adds texture and helps define the area within the
residences open layout, contributing to the homelike feel
the Rubins desired. The plaster is an organic application
with a softness perceived differently from wherever you
view it in the room, explains Sanders, who brought on
project manager Jena Hammond and project designer Amy
Ulmer. We worked hard to define spaces and often used
the ceilings to do that when there were no partitions.
Ceiling fixtures by The Urban Electric
Co. and a backsplash of glass-
covered Missoni Home fabric from
Urbanspace Interiors complement
sleek kitchen cabinetry. Atop
DuChteau flooring, barstools by
Powell & Bonnell from Dennis Miller
Associatesin Theo leather from
Allan Knight and Associatesline
Silestone countertops. A Glen Hansen
piece from Miami Beach-based
Fischbach Gallery hangs to the left.
Builder David Wilkes constructed
the highly lacquered ceiling panels.

The ceiling treatment in the open kitchen is another

example. Dropped 18 inches and clad with highly
lacquered dark blue panels, it defines the space and
draws in light from the northern exposure. We spent a
lot of time both on-site and in the fabrication shop to pull
off that ceiling, Wilkes says, emphasizing the difficulty of
the design. We had to be very careful not to scratch the
panels while on-site, because that meant wed have to
send them back to the shop to be resprayed. Elsewhere
in the kitchen, faceted flush-mount ceiling fixtures lend a
traditional touch. They are like jewels hanging from the
highly reflective automotive-finish ceiling, Cravotta says.
Theres a feeling of home and a sense of intimacy. A
punch of color is found over the cooktop in the dynamic
backsplash, which consists of woven and embroidered
Missoni Home fabric under glass.
In the nearby living area, a wood ceiling framed with
a thin line of blackened steel and a section of exposed
concrete wall interject an urban sensibility, while a thick
sisal rug and plush furnishings maintain a high level of
comfort. The clients have always lived in traditional
houses, and although they were finished with that, they
didnt want to give up soft fabrics or furniture evoking
relaxation, Cravotta says. With that in mind, he also
decorated the master suite with a silk rug and a wool
fabric wall, which balances the adjoining glossy white
walls. Cast-bronze pendants flanking the bed add a unique
lighting effect. It has a luminescent quality, the designer
says. The space glows with daylight, and at night it has
a moody feeling that reflects the warmer artificial lights.
 DuChteau wood on the floor,
walls and ceiling defines the office,
which houses a desk featuring rift-
sawn white-oak cabinetry wearing
Deltana hardware from Hardware
by Design. Above it is illuminated
blackened-steel-and-wood shelving,
with lighting overhead by The Urban
Electric Co.; Audio Zeal handled
the home automation. Art from the
homeowners collection overlooks
a Design Within Reach desk chair.

Below, left: During renovations, the

removal of drywall exposed pipes
in the office. To enhance their look,
Cravotta and architect Christopher
Sanders conceived the idea of
covering them with Holly Hunt
leather that has a hand-stitch detail.

Below, right: The powder bathrooms

Fuse Lighting sconces from Dennis
Miller Associates illuminate a 19th-
century gilded Louis Philippe mirror
from Judy Frankel Antiques in Troy,
Michigan. Studio E wallpaper from
David Sutherland complements honed
absolute black granite countertops.
 The master bedroom sports a
rug from Black Sheep Unique, a
Phillip Jeffries wallcovering from
David Sutherland and a Holly Hunt
bed; bedding is from Wildflower
Organics. Fuse Lighting pendants
above BDDW nightstands are
from Dennis Miller Associates,
as is an Anees Upholstery swivel
chair with cushions in Loro Piana
cashmere from Allan Knight and
Associates. The Pagani chandelier
and floor lamp are from Baker.

The quality of light was also critical to create warmth and

functionality in Davids office, a converted storage closet.
Illuminated steel-and-wood shelving extends to an exposed
concrete wall and incorporates a pair of plumbing pipes
discovered during the renovation that the team wrapped
with leather. They look very intentional and integrated,
David says. When Mark and Chris face a challenge, they
turn it into something spectacular. It was fun to see it all
come together. European oak floor planks travel up the
wall behind the desk, onto the ceiling and down the wall
on the other side, continuing the effort to create well-
defined spaces throughout the home.
From working with the design team, the Rubins also
developed a new interest: art collecting. We are accidental
art collectors, Melissa says. Through the process and
with Marks guidance, we now have a great collection.
Their new home includes pieces by artists such as Morris
Broderson, on display in the living room, and Glen Hansen,
decorating the kitchen.
Happily ensconced in their fresh and modern high-rise
apartment, the Rubins now fully take advantage of city
life, walking the five short blocks to work, dining at new
restaurants and taking in shows at the music venue just
downstairs. This will be our twelfth home in 25 years,
David says, and its our favorite yet.
The master bathroom, which has
an expansive view of downtown
Austin, required minimal updating,
as Cravotta and the homeowners
were happy with the original
elements in the serene space.
The Tech Lighting pendant is from
California-based YLighting.

A vibrant wood construct by Roi James complements striped throw pillows from West Elm
in a sons bedroom. The wooden bed and side table, which holds a Roost desk lamp,
are from Design Within Reach. The Peacock Alley coverlet is from Wildflower Organics.