We are well aware that this two story, five-bedroom Mount Bonnell Village home displays many defining decorative trademarks from the early aughts—notably, pearlescent mosaic tiles, dramatic pendant lamps, cylindrical hardware, maybe the over-large house numbers, and definitely the prodigious use of birch.
Thankfully, these are some of the things we liked best about the era, and the way Austin architect Travis Young uses them to tie in the midcentury house's bones—it was built in 1957, and seems pretty clearly meant to a family home, not a show one—reinforces idea that good design can contribute to the security and vitality of those who live with it.
Hardwood and cork floors, a floating staircase, built-ins, and big sliding glass doors opening to a big pool and play area energize any lingering nostalgia right out of the place, as do features like solar panels and an on-demand water heater.
The unrepentant hippie murals and stenciling might cause a bit of a nostalgia blowback, but no matter. There's always more paint where that came from.
The 3,441-square-foot home has four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, several living areas, and, if you squint, a view of the UT Tower.
• 3409 Mount Barker Drive [Redfin]
• Studio Momentum (Travis Young)