The Skittles House in East Austin, a celebration of color and creative renovation.
In East Austin, a creative couple has renovated their 700-square-foot home into the vibrant ‘Skittles House.’ This colorful transformation, sparked by pandemic-induced need for more space, showcases their artistic talent through a unique blend of design and functionality. Working with Page Paul Architecture & Interiors, they added a 600-square-foot rear addition, enhancing energy efficiency and creating a joyful living environment with 19 different paint colors. Their home now reflects love for art and community, embodying resilience and creativity during challenging times.
In the vibrant city of East Austin, a creative couple has turned a challenging time into a burst of color and inspiration by transforming their 700-square-foot home into the lively “Skittles House.” With the pandemic changing the way many people think about their living arrangements, these homeowners took on a renovation project that not only expanded their space but also showcased their artistic flair.
When COVID-19 hit and the world shut down, most people scrambled to adjust their living spaces. In the case of this artistic duo, home became a full-time workspace. As the husband transitioned to remote work, his wife—who is both a local artist and DJ—needed a dedicated area to delve into her mixed-media art. This need sparked a significant renovation of their charming 1961 house that originally offered two bedrooms and one bathroom.
The couple enlisted the expertise of Page Paul Architecture & Interiors. This husband-and-wife team brought fresh ideas and practical solutions to the table, aiming to create a more spacious home while sticking to a budget. One of the first steps was enhancing the existing structure’s energy efficiency and insulation. This was especially important because their original home sat on East Austin’s clay soil, known for lacking the structural integrity of homes built on West Austin’s limestone.
The renovation journey was extensive; the couple decided to gut the original house down to its studs to ensure a solid foundation for their new vision. A remarkable 600-square-foot rear addition added much-needed space, focusing on wellness and functionality. This new layout carefully separated the public areas—like the inviting kitchen and entertaining spots—from the private zones, enriching how they utilized their home for hosting. Before this transformation, large dinners were squeezed into a cramped kitchen and a carport, but now they can stretch out and relax in their new surroundings.
The renovation effectively doubled the size of the house and introduced a vibrant palette—making it a feast for the eyes. An open-concept living area boasts nearly 11-foot ceilings, a significant upgrade from the prior 8-foot ceilings. Ensuring the addition blended seamlessly with the original structure required the architects to be mindful of neighborhood aesthetics, creating a harmonious balance between old and new.
As the pandemic presented challenges, such as delays in sourcing materials, the couple remained undeterred. Multiple trips to IKEA for kitchen components added to the adventure. The home’s design evolved significantly, pivoting from a proposed sophisticated walnut-clad ceiling to a lively array of colors inspired by the couple’s creativity and a magazine image of a fruit bowl. The Skittles House now flaunts 19 distinct paint colors, including a Barbie-pink porch, zesty tangerine accents, and unique tiles sourced from Clay Imports.
Every room in this delightful abode embodies resourcefulness, local craftsmanship, and the joy of design. The updated bathroom features a skylight that brings in natural light, all while framing breathtaking views of a majestic live oak tree. Meanwhile, the couple’s art studio/bedroom remains untouched, ensuring the best possible lighting for the creative juices to flow. Each vibrant corner of the Skittles House stands as a testament to the owners’ passion for art and the community around them.
This colorful transformation in East Austin exemplifies how creativity can flourish even in trying times. The Skittles House is not just a home; it is a celebration of imagination, resilience, and the joy of living life in color.
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