Architecture Wednesday: Spanish Revival Compound

This is the Sanctuary in the Amarra community of Barton Creek—a serene enclave in one of Austin’s most coveted communities. This Mediterranean compound draws inspiration from the world's most enchanting landscapes and the wind-swept, desert-inspired home welcomes you with chiseled granite stone walls framing an open-air entry courtyard with natural features like olive and orchid trees lining the approach to the main entrance.

This home unfolds across three distinct structures: a charming casita, a third garage or fitness pavilion, and the primary residence, all thoughtfully crafted. The single-story home has privacy at its core with four bedrooms and four-and-one-half bathrooms across 5,000 square feet and 1.65 acres, including three terraced lawns that offer space to roam and a lush green space that cascades toward a Barton Creek tributary, creating a veil of privacy for the 60-foot lap pool with dual negative-edges, dining, and lounge terraces.

A Spanish Revival Portico invites you into that central courtyard, where a marble fountain, lemon trees, and a limestone fireplace lull the senses into peaceful stillness. Once inside the simplicity of timeless Mediterranean modern architecture meets artisan craftsmanship with arched hallways found in the living and dining spaces, hand-finished Venetian plaster and historic reclaimed beams with cool, coarse-grained granite floors extend outward to seven glass-paneled doors framing Hill Country views.

Off the foyer, the dining room faces the courtyard through a wall of windows. A large arched opening leads into the living room, with another wall of glass, this one framing the pool and the views; a massive stone fireplace sits at one end of the room, with the kitchen through another archway, and roughhewn beams overhead.

In the chef’s kitchen, refined luxury meets function with top-of-the-line Wolf appliances, like a built-in Wolf grilling station and wet bar to make for seamless indoor/outdoor living. The family, open to both the kitchen and the shaded back porch frame the green spaces all around and highlight the dramatic and breathtaking views and eternity-edged pool.

A small office at one side of the home shares a private patio and views with the primary suite that opens to the pool deck as well. The primary bath features dual sinks, a walk-in shows and a soaking tub with a view. There are three other bedrooms in the house, each with beamed ceilings and Hill Country views. Outside there is another living area, large dining table, as well as an outdoor kitchen for those nights when you want to live outside.

It's peaceful and serene; a true oasis in the hills.

Dwell

Architecture Wednesday: Chislehurst Place

A 1929 Spanish masterpiece, this meticulously preserved residence enchants with sweeping landmark views and timeless craftsmanship.

You enter through a courtyard that features an outdoor kitchen and dining area, arriving inside under a majestic rotunda graced by hand-painted Malibu tiles and intricate wrought iron staircases. Multiple archways, soaring vaulted ceilings, exposed wooden beams, grand fireplaces, and wrought iron balconies evoke an era of refined grace, while stained and leaded glass windows bathe the home in radiant light.

Gather with friends in the sunlit kitchen designed for culinary artistry and open to the front courtyard or relax and read a book by the office fireplace. A dramatic entertaining living room comes complete with a Juliet balcony; downstairs is a home theater, a cozy bar in the family room for your favorite cocktails and then unwind by the cascading saltwater spa before heading off to one of the three en suite bedrooms.

Nestled within the coveted hills of Los Feliz, this estate, formerly owned by actress Olivia Wilde, features four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths in just under 3300 square feet and recently sold for $5M.

Missed it by that much!

Dwell