Austin Modern Home Tour

We love peeping into the homes of others -- in a legal way, of course. Well, a week ago Launch787 presented their third annual Austin Modern Home Tour, and where were Karly and I? Uh, not there. As K-Dawg herself would say: lametron. Thankfully, our good friend and awesome photographer Cory Ryan was Johnny on the spot with her trusty camera in tow. Cory was kind enough to let us use her fabulous images to wow you with some highlights from this year's tour. So, bust out your coffee and donuts because this is one long, mouthwatering post, and we can't have you drooling on your keyboards, now can we?

austin modern home tour cory ryan

Concrete and steel get the sexy treatment with acres of gorgeous glass windows.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

Wild horses couldn't stop me from moving into that snazzy house on the left, but the affordability index probably will. Too bad, because those limestone and gently pitched roofs set me a tingle.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

Did I already mention gorgeous glass? Add in a fabulous indoor/outdoor living space and I'm sold. Also, after seeing this, I am never ever showing you people what my own backyard looks like. Its shame shall remain secret until the day we move.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

Don't know about you guys, but I am all about the kitchen and bathroom pics. Bathrooms first.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

I love, love, love, the clean lines and wide range of materials used in these homes. It's so hard to pick a favorite, but the skylit shower and double travertine showers are making me want to rip out my own perfectly serviceable, but snoozy bathrooms.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

The kitchens ain't too shabby, either. Look -- even the rich and famous use Ikea cabinets (bottom image). Of course, they also use carrera marble counters and back splashes, as well as custom wood cabinets. Marble backsplash, you are a fancy bitch for making me love you.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

Have I already mentioned that Cory is an awesome photographress? Check out this shot.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

I have to admit that I find some of the living spaces to be kind of boring -- a little too cleaned up and soulless. But these dining areas have some nice pieces in them, especially the wooden trestle table and artwork in the right image.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

I also dig the painting in this bedroom.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

And this wall/curtain treatment is interesting. How long do you think it took them to match up the stripes? I guess you hang the curtains first, then tape and paint the wall, then rehang the curtains. It would be awesome if there were 10 million stripes that matched...

austin modern home tour cory ryan

Some cute details of furnishings for your viewing pleasure.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

Honestly, though, it is all about the windows. If we didn't have limestone exterior walls, I would totally get crafty with a jigsaw and start cutting.

Ok, ok, ok, I'm about to pee in my pants with excitement over these last images. Did you get your donuts ready, like I told you to? Because you're going to need to bite down on something to keep from screaming...

austin modern home tour cory ryan

THAT IS A MOTHERBLEEPING CANTILEVERED POOL.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

With a view of lake Travis, of course. Do you think I got a little carried away with the images? Neither do I.

austin modern home tour cory ryan

One last view from the pool. Hey, guess what? This little honey is for sale. Situated on Mt. Bonnell, she is 3.5 million dollars worth of awesomeness, and worth every penny that I don't have. Actually, the tour was presented by my old buddy David's marketing and PR firm Wyatt Brand, and I'm a little concerned that he didn't feel the need to ring me up and offer this gem at a deep discount (like, free). Dude, we've known each other since high school. It's the least you could have done.

So, how excellent was that tour? Don't you feel like you were there in person? Thanks so much to Cory Ryan and her magnificent camera skills for inviting us along! You can check out the rest of the modern home tour on her Flickr set. Also, Cory is truly a multi talented lady, so be sure to take a look at her online portfolios and services here and here. Lucky Austinites can view her Holga photography until February 28th at Thunderbird Coffee on Manor. Not in Austin? Buy her Holga prints here.

Whew, all that lust has exhausted me. My head is spinning and I've broken a sweat.

Wish I were floating in that pool right now.

Heads and Holgas

Something really bizarre is happening this week:  I'm starting to develop this thing that most people call "a life."  Between the outing with our blog buddies, the book reading Monday and the art show I'm attending this evening, one may be fooled into thinking that I do more than work and watch America's Next Top Model.  (I'm a master at smiling with my eyes BTW) Are you in Austin?  Perhaps you would like to play my new favorite game, have a life, as well.  Here's how:  Head south to Austin Art Garage tonight to check out the latest work from two of my favorite ladies, Cory Ryan and Hope Perkins at their show, Heads and Holgas.

Austin Art Garage is located at 2200 S. Lamar Blvd.  Not in Texas?  Here's a peek at what you'll be missing.  Sorry, I don't have any photographs of free booze.

A few of Hope's older pieces.  The bobcat on the bottom right started it all.  Her name is Tanya, she wears a tierra.  I happen to know from my many trips to Round Top with Hope that Tanya has since gained a sister, Zatarans McGillicutty, who's just as cute as a stuffed button.

The piece on the left is "So you DO know Betty Blackwell?" If you live in Austin and have ever found yourself watching tv past 11:00 at night, you will know that this is the funniest title for a neon pink taxidermied deer with a telephone ever in the history of the planet.  I'm not sure what the one on the right is called, but, knowing Hope, I'm sure it's hilarious. 

It should be noted that I tried to find a video clip of the Betty Blackwell commercial to share with you all, but it doesn't exist online.

Cory will be displaying photographs from her extensive Holga portfolio.  She's spent the last year obsessively shooting Austin from angles I've never seen (normally I can name almost any street corner in an Austin shot, but most of these leave me guessing).  

I'm not sure if I should be beaming with pride over having such talented friends or spending my energy commanding that you hit the show this evening... perhaps a bit of both.