Kim Lewis’s Guide to Austin
East Texas-born designer, Kim Lewis, leads the Austin–based multidisciplinary studio Kim Lewis Designs, transforming spaces into personality-driven stories through vibrant color, layered vintage finds and masterful craftsmanship. Her work spans hospitality — commercial and residential projects, including restaurants, boutique hotels, condominiums and retail spaces.
Lewis spent seven years as lead designer for ABC’s Emmy-winning “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and her work has appeared on ABC, HGTV, TLC, National Geographic and FYI Networks. She also provides creative direction for set design, styling and product development, and has partnered with nonprofits to design therapeutic art centers for children in Ghana, Cambodia, Thailand and Honduras. She serves on the advisory board of Art Feeds, an art education nonprofit for children.
For TRIBEZA’s Curators series, Kim Lewis shares his favorite places and hidden gems around Austin.
How long have you lived in Austin?
Collectively, I have lived in Austin for 14 years.
Where are you from and what brought you here?
I was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. I always tell people I come from a line of strong East Texas women. I am the first to have a passport in my family. Travel and culture have always inspired me. After graduating from Texas A&M University, I was offered an internship with T3 Ad Agency in Austin. I quickly realized Austin had the diversity I was looking for in a city, while still staying grounded to my Texas roots. The job quickly evolved into a full time position. I was happy to stay in Austin, so I started calling this place home! The second time I moved to Austin was after living in Los Angeles for work for eight years.
What do you love about Austin?
This city has a creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit. People genuinely want to help each other succeed here. The ever-evolving food and design scene, appreciation for the arts, diversity, culture and curated style keep me inspired. On the flip side, the community, friendly nature and warmth of the people here keep me grounded. There is an edge to Austin that defines us. This quirky, unique city has so much personality.
I chose East Austin for our design studio because I’m drawn to the artistic grit of the neighborhood. Even though our city is growing, there is still a small–town vibe. Within our design community, I find the population to be kind, inherently approachable, supportive and connected. Constant change within the city can be hard to watch, but it’s also the very pulse that keeps us inspired, engaged and joyful to be here.
What’s your perfect day in Austin — from morning to night?
We live out toward Jester King Brewery, so my day starts with a drive across U.S. 290, headed straight into a pink Texas sunrise. The overpass merging onto I-35 is where I always have a, “I get to live here” moment. I take in the buzz of the early morning the downtown skyline casting brilliant citrus shades. I make my way straight to Flat Track for coffee on Cesar Chavez. They know my drink — a vanilla latte — hot or iced depending on the season. Sometimes I grab a veggie kolache or taco. Then I’m off to the races. Our team works out of a 1916, two–story house across from Juan in a Million. We joke that I should build a zipline from my office window to their door for my chalupa plate.
On a business day, I get to spend it with incredibly creative people — my team, artisans, builders, carpenters, restaurateurs, installers and subcontractors. The list spreads wide, but the impact of our relationships is deep. I love connection.
After a busy day at the office and buzzing around town, I’m headed West to be with my family. We might grab dinner at Matt’s El Rancho or listen to music at Central Machine Works. In fact, the very first person we shared our first baby’s name with was our server, Veronica, at Matt’s El Rancho! To this day, we ask for her area. Sunny gives her a hug, and we order a Bob Armstrong queso to kick off the meal!
Another favorite spot we might wind down is Jester King Brewery, in our neighborhood. The kids love to see the goats, and our Sheepadoodle, Jazzy, turns into the best playground babysitter for our friend group. I live down the street from friend and vendor, Tyson Pendergrass of Petrified Design, so I might drop off a sample at his shop on the way home. A day in my life in Austin is always balanced with work and family.
Where do you take out-of-towners to show them the “real” Austin?
When people visit I want Austin I want them to experience ‘NAPS’! Nature, art, people and service. We have some of the best trails in Texas, art everywhere, humble people and a service industry in restaurants that competes with the best in the country.
I might take them to South Congress to smell the boots in Allens, but we’ll be stumbling into an unexpected vintage pop-up shop around town. We love taking people to Barton Springs and not just the pool, but walking up the creek further where there are less people.
They’ll have to eat barbecue or tacos before they leave town. If they are a foodie, we’ll hit that best latest restaurant in town, whatever it currently is.
If they are looking for a boutique hotel experience, I love shamelessly plugging Frances Modern Inn — we designed the space! Every room is unique and different, and the hospitality is unmatched.
If you really want to leave an impression, take your guest to C-Boy’s “Chicken Sh*t Bingo”! I took my Aunt Betty and she won $200. We’ve never laughed harder!
Are there any lesser-known Austin gems that you’re willing to share?
Full Circle Vintage, owned by Joey Medina, is my secret to the best vintage boots in town! The Equipment Room at Hotel Magdalena on South Congress has an incredible Japanese kissa style vibe. Jupiter Supper Club has an insanely beautiful speakeasy style jazz club that sets you back in time.
What do you hope never changes about Austin, even as the city grows?
I want our city to evolve, be progressive, innovative, interesting and unique … growth can be viewed in a beautiful lens. It’s the people that live here who will determine the direction and heart of our beloved city. I want us, as a community, to stay humble, creatively collaborative and supportive to one another. There’s an unmatched energy we all love, but we must protect the staples — the landmarks like Zilker Park and groups like Preservation Austin who work to protect and honor our historical architecture. Historical staples in culture give our city the very pulse we are all drawn to. The family–friendly festivals, the honor toward nature, the diversity and sincerity in connection here runs deep. I hope this never changes.
Lewis’ Austin Favorites
Favorite tacos: Taco Deli (Potato, egg & cheese), Juan in a Million, Veracruz All Natural and Nixta Taqueria
Favorite music venues: Central Machine Works, Opa’s Greek Cafe, Whitewater Amphitheater and Antone’s
Favorite art galleries: CloudTree Studios & Gallery, Preacher Gallery, Hangar Art Studios, Blanton Museum of Art and West Chelsea Contemporary
Favorite parks or trails: Common’s Ford Ranch Metro Park, Lady Bird Lake Trail, Pease Park and Barton Creek Greenbelt
Favorite BBQ: As a vegetarian, I’m judging on the sides offered. Terry Black’s, Style Switch, KG BBQ, InterStellar and Mickelthwait
Favorite date night spots: Salsa class at Corazon Latino, music and dancing at The White Horse, paddle boarding together at Lady Bird Lake, Goldie’s at Austin Proper, Ski Shores Cafe, P6 at The Line Hotel, Commodore Perry Estate and Honeymoon Spirit Lounge
Favorite coffee shops: Flat Track, Stouthaus, Flitch Coffee and the Coffee Bar at the Carpenter Hotel
Favorite stores or places to shop: American Drifter, Take Heart, Feathers, Retrofit Vintage, Mabel Divine, Eyejoy, Revival Vintage, Heath Ceramics, Vivero Growers and Frond Plant Shop
Favorite places to unwind or relax: Powder Room, the pool at the Carpenter Hotel, a staycation at Austin Proper, Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller, ballet class at Premiere Dance Center
Favorite festival or annual event: Willy Nelson’s Luck Reunion, ABC Kite Festival, Zilker Theatre Productions‘ summer musical, Lights Spectacular in Johnson City, Preservation Austin Homes Tour, City-Wide Vintage Sale and Rodeo Austin
Favorite nonprofits: Mosaic Church, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Preservation Austin