Clare Kennedy’s Austin Masterpiece: A Neutral Palette with Depth

Interior designer Clare Kennedy recently completed a stunning custom home project in Austin, Texas, showcasing her talent for creating spaces that are both modern and timeless. This 11,000 square foot residence, built for a family relocating from the East Coast, perfectly demonstrates Clare’s design philosophy and her ability to balance contemporary aesthetics with enduring elegance.

An expansive modern house with a pitched roof features a swimming pool, sun loungers, umbrellas, and well-manicured lawns under a clear sky.

*All photography by Lindsay Brown Taunton @lindsay_brown

The Inspiration

The project began when Clare’s clients, Michael and Jon Adams with their four young children under the age of six, decided to move their business to Texas to be closer to family. As Clare explains, “Michael was coming from a more transitional, preppy, east coast [style] and she wanted this house to be more modern. She still wanted that classic, timeless feel. Not too trendy.” 

A Neutral Palette with Depth

One of the key challenges Clare faced was creating a neutral space that didn’t feel flat or lifeless. “They wanted their home to feel very peaceful and quiet,” she notes. “So basically, I didn’t want to lean in to all white but more warm colors. We tried to warm it up with textures and warm neutrals. Get that depth with those materials.”

A minimalist living room with a beige sofa, textured chairs, a large floor lamp, wooden tables, a black fireplace, and sheer curtains.

The Perfect Flooring Choice

For this expansive home, Clare chose European White Oak flooring, with a special focus on durability and design. “Looking for a neutral, light floor that didn’t have a lot of orange tones come through,” she explains. The choice of Textures Foundation European White Oak F-03 provides a perfect backdrop for the home’s design, offering durability for a busy family of six while maintaining a light, airy feel. Clare elaborates on her flooring decisions: “Durability was really a focus. As you go wider with a plank, engineered is a good option for longevity.” This choice aligns perfectly with the needs of a family with four young children, ensuring that the floors will stand up to the wear and tear of daily life.

A serene, spacious child's bedroom with built-in bunk beds, wooden ladders, playful furniture, a swing chair, and soft natural lighting.

In addition to the practical considerations, Clare also incorporated unique design elements in the flooring. “She [the client, Michael] really wanted herringbone pattern somewhere. So, we did it in the primary hallway as a design feature,” she notes. This attention to detail adds visual interest and a touch of elegance to the space. The designer was so pleased with the result that she admits, “It turned out so well I wish we had done the whole bedroom!”

The combination of durable, stabilized wood flooring for the main areas and the herringbone pattern as a design feature showcases Clare’s ability to balance practicality with aesthetic appeal. This approach aligns perfectly with Textures Nashville’s philosophy of using high-quality, handcrafted hardwood flooring to add both functionality and character to a space.

A serene hallway with herringbone wood floors, neutral walls, delicate curtains, a framed artwork on an easel, and a sculptural wall piece.

Balancing Wood Tones

Clare was extremely thoughtful with her integration of various wood tones throughout the home. She believes that using different wood tones adds depth and character to a space. As she explains: “I think having different tones is beautiful. It’s a way to add depth to a space and adds variation and texture. I love those warmer, darker wood tones so it adds more character.”

Clare’s approach to wood tones extends beyond just the structural elements of the house. She considers the entire project holistically: “As a designer, you’re looking at a project as a whole – not just the structure of the house – but what else you’re bringing into the house. And we knew the furniture coming in was walnut and espresso – we’re also throwing in an additional five wood tones so these all need to be working together.”

In specific areas of the home, Clare made deliberate choices to create visual interest and depth: “Michael really wanted the breakfast table to be a light white oak, so I knew I didn’t want the dining table to be the same. And we went with a dark walnut, and the coffee tables were more warm oak, and then we did a walnut bench behind the sofa. I really wanted to bring in darker wood tones because we weren’t doing color anywhere. And so, when we were pulling all those together, I was really looking for warmer, darker woods to go with our oak floors, oak cabinets, and then our beams of solid wood Douglas Fir to try to bring in those rich wood tones.” This careful balance of wood tones throughout the home creates a rich, layered look that adds warmth and character to the space. Clare’s attention to detail in this aspect of the design demonstrates her commitment to creating a cohesive and harmonious environment that feels both designed and livable.

A kitchen and dining room with a table and chairs

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Standout Features

When asked about her favorite elements of the home, Clare enthusiastically describes the breakfast room: “I love the breakfast room. I love that giant light fixture – it’s a custom light fixture. Very grand but very neutral. It’s such a statement in a soft, organic way.” She goes on to describe her personal design style, “I think I walk the line between modern and transitional. I think lighting is super important to me. I want them to be organic and feel soft, and if they’re a statement they’re usually pretty neutral. Lighting is one of my favorite aspects in every house.”

Clare also speaks fondly of the unique staircase design: “​The staircase is tucked and hidden and it’s really pretty and organic and curved.​ The wood stairs are really beautiful. It’s got a little kids playhouse underneath it. I really love that feature as well.”

A modern hallway featuring a curved wall, wooden stairs, an open door, a wall-mounted light fixture, and a decorative llama toy on rockers.

Livable Luxury

Clare’s design philosophy shines through in this project, perfectly balancing luxury with livability. She explains, “I think that’s part of my aesthetic in general is that nothing is too precious and the houses, although they might be high-end and expensive, they still look like a place that you could live in.” This approach is evident in her careful balance of current design trends with timeless elements.

“They really wanted a pretty white house, but I pushed to do some darker moodier rooms,” Clare reveals. “In the media room we did a mid-toned greigey plaster on the wall… I wanted it to feel textured and warm and not just a white box.” This strategy creates depth and interest while maintaining a neutral palette that won’t quickly date.

Clare’s approach to trends is thoughtful and measured: “I’m not a trend chaser, but I myself am always trying to grow and change. I want everything to always feel timeless.” The result is a home that feels both current and enduring, luxurious yet comfortable. It’s a space where a family can truly live and grow, surrounded by beautiful, thoughtful design that will stand the test of time. This project exemplifies Clare’s talent for creating spaces that are not just visually stunning, but also deeply functional and personal, truly embodying the concept of livable luxury.

A serene bedroom with a large bed, tan linens, two armchairs, wooden furnishings, a pendant light, and a view of greenery through a window.

A final note on inspiration, travel, and future aspirations

Clare draws inspiration from a variety of sources and has exciting plans for the future. Her approach to design and her personal aspirations offer insight into what makes her work unique and where she sees her career heading. Clare’s inspiration comes from a diverse range of sources and she emphasizes the importance of client input: “I think the client inspired this design and I found things that worked for her aesthetic.”

Travel also plays a significant role in Clare’s creative process: “I go to market and travel and go to showrooms. Getting out into the world and traveling abroad always inspires me. I feel inspired by different types of design.” When it comes to travel, Clare has clear favorites: “I love New York. One of my best friends is Lauren Bradshaw; she’s a designer in Nashville. And Sarah Trammell who owns Collective Matter, which is a little vintage shop. The three of us go to New York every year and hit all the showrooms in our favorite places. And I’m always inspired in New York. I just love it. I just went to LA for a client, and I’m obsessed with LA…it’s so cool. Lots of good design there. And then London, my husband is from England, so we travel there to visit his family.” These vibrant, design-rich cities fuel her creativity and inform her work.

Looking to the future, Clare is excited about pushing her design boundaries: “I feel like I’m wanting to use more pattern and color and within the constructs of my aesthetic, which is more modern stuff. But I love the use of richer, deeper colors.” She’s not afraid to take on new challenges: “I just finished a house in Nashville, and we used a lot of caramel tones and dark greens and I’m hoping I can attract people who are more adventurous. I want the challenge of stepping into the next thing and the next level and just stretch myself.” Clare is also open to new types of projects: “I’m also interested in partnering with people on specs or showhouses. When I don’t have a specific client, you have the freedom to go for it.” She adds, “I love to travel and love out of town jobs. It’s really fun to start from scratch somewhere so I hope to get more jobs in cool places.”

This forward-thinking attitude and willingness to embrace new challenges suggests that Clare Kennedy’s future in interior design will be as dynamic and exciting as her current work! Her passion for travel, diverse inspirations, and desire to continually evolve her style promise to bring fresh, innovative designs to homes across the country and perhaps beyond.
Check out Clare Kennedy Interiors at https://www.clarekennedyinteriors.com/ and follower her on IG https://www.instagram.com/clarekennedyinteriors/.

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