Marble Falls Retreat

When our clients first spotted this rustic gem on the shores of Lake Marble Falls, they saw the immense charm of this lakeside retreat. Despite being outdated and a little rough around the edges, the house reflected all the best things about Hill Country living: informal charm, a gorgeous waterfront setting, and plenty of space for indoor/outdoor entertaining. They snapped it up and brought Next Level Austin on board to create their vision of the perfect relaxed retreat space for extended family gatherings.

The Next Level Austin team immediately saw the potential in the bones of the home, especially in the main living space.

Its classic Hill Country features include dramatic structural beams and a fireplace and columns made of native stone.

Next Level Austin decided above all to honor the original character of the house, while making strategic design decisions to update, modernize, and improve its flow.

Any home designed for casual family gatherings can’t be too fussy about fabrics and finishes, but we didn’t want to sacrifice elegance for functionality.  Next Level Austin selected custom furnishings that would wear well over time, including the sectional and dining chairs upholstered in performance fabrics, an architectural Taracea coffee table, and leather Whittemore Sherrill lounge chairs in front of the fireplace (all from Objets, Ltd).  A vibrant rug from Black Sheep Unique adds a little punch and ties the living space together.

Custom interior and exterior light fixtures were created in partnership with one our favorite local design partners, Two Hills Studio.  The updated Texas-traditional designs and range of finishes complement the rustic wood and stone elements of the home with polish and presence.

With hosting family gatherings as the clients’ top priority, the first design challenge was to open up the cramped and outdated galley-style kitchen.

Next Level Austin, with the help of Architect Walter Toole, removed a column and borrowed space from the utility room to nearly double the square footage of the kitchen. They added windows to the back wall to bring in the light, and moved the appliances to create a more natural workflow.

Walter Toole designed a welcoming island with farmhouse sink, storage, and seating to connect the kitchen to the main living space.

One of our clients’ favorite features of the property is the Texas Pink Granite boulders along the lakeshore, and they dreamed of matching the kitchen countertops to the local stone.  Next Level Austin found the perfect material in Crema Bordeaux granite.  

The original master suite was cozy… perhaps a bit too cozy.

The vanity was completely redesigned for clean lines and efficient storage.  A freestanding vessel tub, placed at an angle, makes the room feel spacious and takes advantage of stunning lakefront views. With surfaces chosen for maximum simplicity and serenity, the master bath finally feels like a true home-away-from-home.

One closet was expanded and another became the walk-in shower seen here.

Another design challenge was updating the cramped bathroom in the Mother-in-Law’s suite to be fully ADA-compliant.

Next Level designed a roll-in shower with grab bars, bench, and hand-held controls, as well as a bi-level vanity. The tile selection is a playful nod to the home’s rustic origins, while staying aligned with the updated brighter, more modern feel.

Our clients love the results of their remodel.  While staying true to the original rustic Hill Country feel, Next Level Austin managed to completely reimagine and update the home.  Now it truly is the perfect getaway for modern family living!