McWalters Collaborative’s Modern Baroque Masterpiece in Downtown Austin
Old-world opulence meets contemporary minimalism in this sky-high sanctuary
When a couple came to principal architects Lindsay Maki and Tom McWalters of McWalters Collaborative to design their first shared home, they were ready to fully integrate their daily lives and their wildly different personal styles. Her love for European-inspired grandeur, intricate detail and dramatic elements contrasts with his preference for modern simplicity, practicality and comfort. The home was designed to celebrate this unique blend, creating an environment where luxury meets contemporary minimalism to harmonize their unique personalities.
Its location within a contemporary high-rise presented challenges that Maki and her team transformed into opportunities for creativity. Despite the building’s modern constraints, they skillfully merged traditional baroque elements with sleek, minimalist details, creating an aesthetic that is as extravagant as it is functional. The couple’s desire for a home that reflected both of their personalities pushed Maki and McWalters to embrace unconventional artistic elements and personal artifacts.
One of the home’s focal points is the “champagne room,” a unique reinterpretation of a traditional dining room. The space exudes glamour, featuring a deep burgundy wrap-around sofa and cast-brass tables that easily transition from a relaxed lounge area to an intimate dining setting. This room exemplifies the couple’s desire for luxurious and adaptable spaces, embodying what Maki calls “a harmonious blend of old-world extravagance with contemporary simplicity.”
In the kitchen, bold materials underscore the couple’s distinct tastes. The space features rare Calcutta Turquoise countertops, which Maki had long wanted to incorporate into a project. This seldom available material fortuitously surfaced just in time for the build. The kitchen also showcases lacquer cabinetry and sculptural bronze trees that ingeniously conceal structural piping.
“If it’s going to be out, it needs to be special,” emphasizes Maki, reflecting the husband’s desire for every visual element to have both visual and practical impact.
The 18th-century Madame de Pompadour apartment at Versailles inspired the office and guest room. The McWalters Collaborative team collaborated with a French textile mill to recreate an exclusive silk fabric that mirrors the original, the like of which had not been woven in centuries. It took 18 months to make, now infusing the historic grandeur of Versailles into a contemporary residence.
Whimsical touches that echo the couple’s passions are thoughtfully integrated throughout the space. An albino peacock named Louis hangs on a swing in the office.
“They just were about breaking every rule,” says Maki.
Ultimately, the modern baroque home is an artful fusion of two seemingly opposing styles, representing the couple’s journey to find common ground in their tastes and aesthetics. Maki describes the process as one in which the clients “created their own language with the project,” resulting in a “physical representation of their love story.” Each customized piece came together to create a truly one-of-a-kind home that celebrates the union of the couple’s love, quirks and history.