Last weekend I went on the 10th annual Tribeza Interiors Tour, a tour of Austin homes that shows off the work of interior designers. I look forward to this tour every January. Color, pattern, jewel-toned tile, bold wallpaper, art, and textiles combine to create beautiful living spaces, and I found inspiration in every house. (The people-watching on a design tour isn’t bad either.) Huge thanks to the generous and brave owners for opening their homes to the public and to the designers for their gorgeous and creative work.

Ten homes were featured this year, more than ever. The tour hours seemed ridiculously short (noon to 5 pm), but all the homes were open both Saturday and Sunday. I decided to see as many as I could on Saturday and maybe dash through the rest on Sunday. As it turned out, most of the houses were clustered in Tarrytown and Bryker Woods, with little driving required, and I saw all ten in one afternoon.

The only off note of the tour was the disposable bootie situation. Upon checking in at my first house, I was offered a box of torn, stained, stretched out, obviously used booties to pull over my shoes before going inside. Gross, plus torn booties don’t do much to protect homeowners’ floors. I hoped to find a pair of fresh booties at the next house, but it was the same story. Come on, Tribeza. At $55 a ticket, you can provide tour-goers with new booties.

Aside from that, the tour was terrific, and I came away inspired! I took a ton of photos, which all the homeowners generously allowed. Over the next three posts, I’ll show you the spaces that caught my eye.

Hatch Works – Ash Street

My first stop was the personal home of Hatch Works‘ husband-and-wife team. Their Gothic farmhouse new-build fits in with the 100-year-old houses on their East Austin street. It’s always fun to see what designers do with their personal spaces. Their playful style is evident as you step over the threshold, where a mosaic Howdy greets you in the tiled floor.

Far Out proclaims framed art on the entry wall.

In the kitchen, a soaring beadboard ceiling painted black, Kelly green cabinets, and a huge copper pendant light make a memorable space.

Monstera leaf wallpaper on an accent wall is the perfect finishing touch.

Playful planters on the counter add to the plant-lover vibe.

A geometric tile fireplace provides good heating for the living and dining room, the owner told me. Wingback chairs offer a cozy spot to sit by the fire. Over by the television, a skeleton perching on the sofa arm made me smile.

At the other end of the room, a black piano…

…shares space with a small dining table. Nothing pretentious here.

The black-and-white theme continues in the powder bath, where star tiles, an elegant chandelier, and an old rotary wall phone mingle farmhouse style with old Hollywood.

In an art space/guest room, twigs and feathered birds transform a mesh pendant into a whimsical birdcage.

Climbing upstairs, I spotted stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries and another old telephone on the landing.

That wallpaper! I think it’s Jungle Dream by Anthropologie.

Triangular doorways into the bedrooms echo the Gothic peaked gable on the exterior of the house. Yes, the doors are triangular too.

The primary bedroom is dramatic in cantaloupe and black, with a dazzling glass chandelier. Notice how the drapes are color-blocked to match the walls.

The bed is tucked into a bay window with built-in bedside tables.

The bathroom is airy with a glass-walled shower and lots of windows. I love the starburst floor tiles. I believe this is the Dandelion Patterned Encaustic tile by Marrakech Design.

Triangular door

Down the hall, a bold pink floral wallpaper and peaked ceiling turn the laundry room into a fun hideaway.

In a child’s bedroom, neon coral throws, pillows, rug, and wall hangings brighten white walls and beds.

Up a few steps, coral curtains frame a kids’ lounge with a small sofa and hanging chair. Lucky kids!

A third-floor home office maximizes space under the peaked roof with a long desk on each side. A door in a glass wall opens onto a covered porch with a view of downtown.

That Gothic arch shows up everywhere, even in a supply cabinet. Leftover monstera leaf wallpaper greens up the interior.

Hatch Works – Ramshackle

Next door, Hatch Works also renovated and designed the astonishing Ramshackle house. You walk into a vaulted vestibule, where stairs lead down into a rare Austin basement. Building down instead of up is how Hatch Works expanded the 1883 historic, 850-square-foot house without making it look huge on the outside.

Looking into the vestibule from the living room

An open floorplan offers a long view across the kitchen and living room.

Peeking into a bathroom water closet, I recognized Katie Kime‘s Marfa Toile wallpaper.

There’s the famous Prada Marfa store, plus dogs, cattle, horses, bison, tepees, cactus, and yuccas. A Marfa fantasy.

Herringbone blue tile dresses up the sink backsplash. Under-cabinet lighting adds ambience or maybe a night light?

In another bathroom, green Gucci wallpaper with an oversized heron and dragonfly design wowed me. What a bold move in a small space! And look how one bird’s neck curves around the oval mirror.

Green floor tile in another bathroom reminded me of Barton Springs Pool. On the walls, Brooklyn Toile in mint green adds humor.

Mike Diamond of the Beastie Boys came up with the idea for the tongue-in-cheek Brooklyn Toile. You can read about it here.

Now let’s head down to the basement, where a lounge area around a stove beckons.

Looking up

The stove was lit and cozy, warming up the lounge. Around the corner (not pictured) was a bar, screening room, music recording studio…

…and fancy golf simulator. In short, an entertainment complex!

Cole & Son’s Leopard Walk wallpaper, set off with black trim, makes a striking view into a bathroom.

Rawr

I peeked outside and saw a glass-walled swimming pool! There are surprises around every corner in this luxurious home.

Coming up next: Part 2 of my Tribeza Interiors Tour coverage, featuring 3 more houses.

I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox!

__________________________

Digging Deeper

Attend the annual Budding Out Plant Sale & Festival on March 15th at the John Fairey Garden in Hempstead. Shop for rare plants from the garden’s nursery and select plant vendors. Local artists and artisans as well as food, drink, and demonstrations will also be featured. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members, children under 12 free. Hours: 10 am to 4 pm; members get early admission at 9 am (memberships available on day of event).

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here!

All material © 2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.