7 Years of Design Decisions Went Into This Architect Couple’s Breezy Bungalow

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Some people’s house hunts are driven strictly by location; others by amenities. But for architects like Annie-Laurie Grabiel and Arthur Furman, the couple behind Austin-based firm Side Angle Side, it was all about footprint. At least, that’s what initially drew them to their double-courtyard, H-shaped bungalow, situated just down the street from Furman’s parents’ home in Texas. Despite a giant oak tree shrouding the front yard in shade, they could tell that the house’s layout allowed natural light to seep in from all angles. I think most architects are attracted to courtyard homes,” admits Grabiel. “They’re just universally awesome.”

tree over a house
Chairs, Russell Woodard via DWR.

While the 1939 property had its downsides—for starters, there were only two bedrooms for their family of four—it was ultimately the demise of a very quirky dishwasher that sparked a seven-year-long renovation. The one that came with the house was portable, requiring a sink hook-up, and made a ton of noise. “We called it our party trick,” Grabiel says, recalling wheeling it out at the end of the night in front of friends. When the appliance eventually conked out, the pair first sought a double-drawer replacement. But if they were going to have to re-do the cabinets, why not update the countertops and the lighting while they were at it? And if they had to touch the electrical, wouldn’t it be a good idea to vault the ceilings and upgrade the roofing, too? 

bungalow with large tree
Paint color (exterior), Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams.
dog in front of door
Art, Rich Cali; Floor Tile, Clay Imports.

Figuring out what needed to change wasn’t the problem, it was simply starting. “We had all of these ideas, but there was also a feeling of being paralyzed,” shares Furman. So, one day, he just started dismantling the cabinets. “It was creating some chaos. Then it was like, ‘Okay now we have to dig our way out of this,’” he says. The architects brought in Waller Building Co. and Fort Structures to help turn their vision into a reality. 

white kitchen
Floor Tile, Clay Imports; Stove, Cooktop, and Refrigerator, Fisher & Paykel.
white kitchen
Faucet, Dornbracht.

Temporarily moving out of the house allowed them to make one serious adjustment: a 200-square-foot addition. It doesn’t sound like a ton of space, but because of it, they were able to add another bedroom and bathroom to the floorplan. Better yet, during construction, they were able to reuse many of the original steel casement windows. (One is now situated in the front courtyard, adjacent to the new pivot door and sidelight, which offer a straight view into the backyard).

When the couple bumped the house forward a smidge, they decided to absorb what was once the old facade into the foyer, siding and all—a decision that “just felt honest” to the home. Plus, “In architecture, it’s so nice to have a sequence of arrivals,” Grabiel adds. The once faded blue exterior got a modern update with Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn, a black-gray shade with blue undertones. 

rocking chair
Sofa, Milo Baughman; Painting, Alexandra Valenti.
kids on white sofa
Pendant, DWR; Sofa, RH.

As you walk into the formal living room, you’re greeted by the family’s vinyl collection. The kids have become experts at flipping the records, especially when Sabrina Carpenter’s album is up next. “We listen to records probably every single day,” says Grabiel. “It’s become a ritual.”

gray bedroom wall
Bedding, Parachute.
gray plastered bathroom

To avoid decision fatigue, Furman and Grabiel tried to stick to as few materials as possible. The same Saltillo tile can be found in the entryway, kitchen, bathrooms, and exterior courtyards, while reclaimed longleaf pine boards add a layer of warmth to the living areas and bedrooms. The kitchen cabinets and countertops are a crisp white, keeping all the focus on their vibrant greenery, both inside and out. “I like to have a kitchen backdrop that’s pretty clean, and for the daily things (objects, art, plants) to be the noise,” she says. 

sliding kitchen door
Firepit, Bold MFG & Supply; Chairs, Russell Woodard

The swimming pool, an extensive project that didn’t kick off until more recently, is made out of chukum, a type of resin that’s popular in Mexico. One of its perk is that it can be used on every surface—no fussing over coping or waterline tile. “And that’s a slam dunk,” says Furman. 

plastered pool
Landscaping Consultant, Campbell Landscape Architecture; Chaises, DWR;

Because the rear half of their land climbs more than 10 feet, they had to excavate in order to fit the pool and incorporate terraces and cement retaining walls behind it. That undertaking amounted to hauling away 30 dump trucks-worth of dirt. Grabiel was terrified nothing would ever grow in the yard again. Thankfully, it’s now a mini oasis. “I don’t know if it’s a Texas thing, but even if it’s cold or hot, everybody always wants to be outside,” she says. “We wanted to make sure the garden was inviting and the courtyard was a place where we could sit, read books, cook, and talk for hours.” With no hum of a portable dishwasher, they can hear those late-night conversations loud and clear.

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Lydia Geisel

Home Editor

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.