My Houzz: Clean, Cool and Bright in Austin

After Pam Lindemoen moved for the 10th time in 10 years for her work in information security, she was ready to settle down. A year after taking up residence in Austin, Texas, she met Chris, an account manager, and the couple started building their life together. Wanting to start from scratch with pieces that matched their new lives, Pam sold her year-old furnishings and started over again. This time for good.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Pam and Chris Lindemoen and their bulldog, Blossom
Location: Travis Heights neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 1,657 square feet; 2 bedrooms plus an office loft, 2 bathrooms
Year built: 2008

“Ninety-eight percent of the time, we’re on the same page with everything in life,” says Chris. This made house hunting quick and easy for the couple — which is a good thing, since they had to vacate their rental quickly after their landlords decided to move back in.

Pam and Chris are both drawn to contemporary design, and turned to Tom Baits of Austin Modern Homes to find their dream home. “We only looked for two days, and we were done,” says Pam. “We walked through this space and looked at each other and knew this was it.”

Built by Scott Turner in 2008, the stucco and HardiePlank house was filled with little touches that swayed the couple, like the sweet jasmine growing alongside their front door. “When I lived in San Diego, I loved smelling sweet jasmine, so it made me giddy when I first looked at the property,” says Pam. The couple left all the paint finishes exactly the way Turner designed them. “We love the lime-green door!” exclaims Pam.

Door paint: Golden Cricket 210-5, Pittsburgh Paints


In terms of decorating, Pam says, the couple likes “things airy and bright, and no clutter, as minimal as we can get without losing function.” The only things they brought into the home not bought together were Pam’s artwork and Blossom, the bulldog.

Instead of having a clunky TV in the living room, they opted for a big white wall that turns into a screen for a projected home theater at night. They had the projector’s sound system set up by Next Austin, and enjoy having a hidden entertainment system.

Side nesting tables: Peekaboo, CB2; coffee table: Peekaboo, CB2; art: Pat Bailey (right), “Fontaines” by Michael Flohr (left)


One thing they learned from the previous small rental space was to be aware of size when buying quality furniture pieces. “We tried to think ahead, like what if we get stuck in a smaller space?” says Pam. The sofa started out as two pieces that formed an L shape. The couple bought the third extension only when they knew it would fit well in this space.

Sectional: BoConcept


The dining table folds into a smaller piece — a handy feature if the couple ever has to move. Pam and Chris usually prefer clear furniture but went with the smoky Louis Ghost chairs to give the dining room a hint of color.

Table: BoConcept; rug: BoConcept; art: “Crystal Cafe” by Michael Flohr


Blossom looks out from the second floor.


The floors throughout the living area are polished concrete; this ficus tree is the focal point. “His name is Carlos, and he has moved three times and has never dropped a leaf,” says Chris. “This place wouldn’t be the same without him — he gives the house a whole different character.”


The subtle design choices the builder made really stand out. For instance, all the lighting is cleverly hidden underneath the cabinets to maintain a clean aesthetic. The cabinets are finished with Echo Wood, a veneer made from reconstituted wood fibers.

Stools: Vapor, CB2; Figural Owl Cookie Jar: West Elm; backsplash tile: Storm, Interceramic; countertop: Eggshell, Caesarstone


The entire bedroom set is from BoConcept and was originally used at a W Hotel, so the couple got it at a discount. The vintage blue chaise is the one piece of furniture that Pam could not bear to part with from her previous home.

Bedroom furniture: BoConcept; Wave Chaise: Milo Baughman; duvet cover, pillowcases: Vintage-Washed Belgian Linen in Mist, Restoration Hardware


The two framed drawings of New York City are by Dan Butler. The art on the floor is “Jackson Square,” by Greg Giegucz.


Both Pam and Chris work remotely in information technology and have separate home offices. “The last place we lived, Chris did not have an office, and I told him you really need your own space to collect your thoughts and do your own thing,” says Pam. “So in this space, he has one.”

Desk: Airia, Herman Miller


Pam bought this plush beanbag for Blossom, but it turned out to be too large for the dog to climb on.

Floor lamp: Vidja, Ikea; Grand Luxe Faux Fur Bean Bag Chair: Restoration Hardware


The couple bought matching desks after searching for months to find something that suited their tidy and minimalist aesthetic. The painting is from Art From the Streets, an event where homeless artists sell their work.

Desk: Airia, Herman Miller; art: “Determined” by Pat Bailey, bought at Art From the Streets; cabinet: Bestå, Ikea


Sofa bed: Tillary Sofa, West Elm; rug: CB2; floor lamp: Vidja, Ikea


Although Pam loves to collect and buy art, the piece in the foyer is one of her own. When she lived in Los Angeles, she took a summer art course with Susan Manders and was asked to paint a self-portrait. Taking her inspiration from her favorite artist, Cynthia Colis, and her “Kiss” series, Pam painted this artwork, titled “Kiss for Bloss.”

Desk: Bestå Burs, Ikea


“We’re both very Zen,” says Chris, shown here with Pam. Maintaining their tidy aesthetic means not being afraid to get rid of stuff. “Move it out and make room for something new,” he says. “I get some satisfaction out of passing things off to people. I’d feel better about giving something to somebody that needs it, that has a good space for it.”

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