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66 Autin Home all 2012
p h o t o s b y p a u l b a r d a g j y
omegrown spAce
on the ceiling, applied in a pain-staking
artisan process: layers o venetian plaster
were painted, hand-stamped in a random
pattern, then hand-colored and glazed.
Drapery abric, hand-painted in shades
o bizque and gray by local artist Carolyn
Ray were then hung on the walls.
Attention to the walls continued with
brick veneers that wrap around the living,wine and guest rooms.
Early and mid-
20th century art completes the nal layer,
with a museum-worthy collection that in-
cludes works by Miro, Picasso and Austin
artists Roi James and Charles Umlau.
Its luxurious without pretension,
Cravotta says. Its a sophisticated yet
comortable mixture o architecturally
interesting urnishings, widely varied
textures and a curated collection o art.
The elegant mix o urniture urther
illuminates the modern-meets-classic
tone, particularly in the living room,
where Lora chairs by Jean de Merry
contrast smartly with Rose Tarlows Hal
Moon chairs. Even the leather and steel
credenza by Jim Zivic brings harmonious
character. Cravottas own custom pieces
are eatured throughout the space, and
include the dry bar, oak and steel diningtable and
leather-wrapped steel bed.
Its all part o a careul design process
or which Cravotta slowly leaks ideas to
his clients so he can take cues and de-
velop the perect, personalized space over
time. I only show clients what Im really
excited about, he says. When I see their
eyes light, I know we have a direction.
Must work well or him, the homeown-
er has since spent the majority o his time
at the downtown residence.
or out-o-towners, TheFour Seasons Hotel on
Lady Bird Lake has always
been a coveted overnight
hangout. And now with its
newly completed residences, the spot is
ast becoming one o the most sought-a-
ter addresses or city dwellers, too. Take
a ormer hedge und exec on the hunt or
a second home and stylish crash pad
to supplement his primary residence, a
ranch 45 minutes rom downtown. To
help put a modern spin on his new 24th
foor high rise, he turned to interior
designer Mark Cravotta.Four Seasons Residences are the most
understated o the new high rises, he
says. Its almost as i they were designed
to be embellished by the owners.
While the design team didnt move any
walls, they pined over every other surace
in the three-bedroom, 4,200-square-
oot space, which includes a wine and
media room. Even the ceiling got the ull
treatment. Cravottas cratsmen used
hand-blocked and hand-glazed wallpaper
F
Bright eyArt and artisan
mingle for a sky-high
design statement
By Melissa JacoBs
Mark Cravotta turned this
Four Seasons residence into a
warm, art-flled masterpiece.
