{"id":393675,"date":"2026-07-31T17:27:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T17:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/393675\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T17:27:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T17:27:23","slug":"a-publicist-and-her-designer-client-turned-this-austin-house-into-a-joyful-family-retreat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/393675\/","title":{"rendered":"A Publicist and Her Designer Client Turned This Austin House Into a Joyful Family Retreat"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated7 min read<\/p>\n

caroline Pinkston is surrounded by no shortage of beauty. As owner of her namesake firm<\/a> and publicist for some of the brightest stars in the interior design industry, she knows her way around paint decks, fabric swatches, and architectural plans by proxy. Still, when she and her husband, Christopher, found themselves bursting at the seams of their 1930s Austin home, where they\u2019d been living with their growing family in a modest 1,700 square feet, the solution was unclear.<\/p>\n

The obvious answer was to move, but the pair were reluctant to take on ballooning interest rates and dreaded leaving behind the Austin neighborhood they loved, with its tree-lined streets, familiar faces, and beloved schools. Put simply, packing up and upgrading never quite felt like the right solution. Instead, the couple dared to ask a different\u2014albeit arguably more difficult\u2014question: What if the home they already had could become the one they truly needed?<\/p>\n

The answer unfolded over the course of an 18-month renovation led by Pinkston\u2019s client, designer Shannon Eddings<\/a>, whom she calls \u201ca master of color.\u201d Together, the pair transformed the family\u2019s modest bungalow into a 2,850-square-foot home that feels layered with history despite being almost entirely reinvented. A full second-story addition provided enough room for five bedrooms, while a complete reworking of the first floor brought new life (and far better flow) to the spaces where the family spends the most time.<\/p>\n

We didn’t want to strip the home of its character; we wanted to add to it.<\/p>\n

When Eddings proposed treating buttery yellow as the home\u2019s prevailing neutral, Pinkston didn’t hesitate. That instinct\u2014to choose whimsy over convention\u2014became the design duo’s guiding principle for every decision that followed. \u201cWe didn’t want to strip the home of its character; we wanted to add to it,\u201d Eddings says.<\/p>\n

That philosophy is visible everywhere, from arched windows and built-in benches to beadboard detailing and vintage lighting sourced across Europe. The home\u2019s original bungalow bones remain intact, now joined by a distinctly British sensibility expressed through fearless color, antique finds, and thoughtful craftsmanship. \u201cA lot of clients make decisions from a fear-based standpoint,\u201d Eddings says. \u201cBut with Caroline, it was, \u2018What\u2019s cool? What\u2019s fun? What\u2019s happy?\u2019 It felt very free.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps that\u2019s why the renovation reflects the Pinkston family so perfectly. Rather than chasing square footage, they invested in a house that could grow alongside them, creating room for a trio of children, visiting grandparents, impromptu gatherings, and everyday rituals. As Eddings puts it, \u201cThey\u2019re a fun, young family, and they didn’t want anything too precious or uptight.\u201d The finished home is exactly that: joyful, welcoming, and full of life\u2014a colorful reminder that sometimes the best new beginning starts in the place you already call home.<\/p>\n

FAST FACTS<\/p>\n

Designer: Shannon Eddings<\/a>
Architect: Logan Architecture<\/a>
Builder: The United Renovations<\/a>
Landscape Designer: Mathis Designs <\/a>
Styling: Margaret Zainey Roux<\/a> and Chanel Dror Tarlo<\/a>
Location: Austin, Texas
The Space: A five-bedroom, three-bathroom home across 2,850 square feet<\/p>\n

KITCHENThe new location allows this space to open up to the backyard.\"AJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Creamy White, Benjamin Moore. Cabinet paint: Skylight, Farrow & Ball. Island paint: Java, Benjamin Moore. Countertop stone: Carrara marble, Alpha Granite. Sconces: Etsy. Pot rack, cabinet hardware: Rejuvenation. Sink fixtures: Signature Hardware. Stools: Amber Lewis for Four Hands, with cushions in Etsy fabric.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur architect kept saying, I really think the kitchen wants to be at the back of the house, opening to the backyard\u2014and he was right!\u201d says Pinkston. \u201cThe flow is so much better and lends itself to entertaining when kids are asking for snacks or new glasses of water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though the space is very open, the footprint of the kitchen remains compact, with Eddings focusing on a smart cabinetry layout to maximize space, and bespoke details to lend a sense of English charm. \u201cI don\u2019t love to cook, so I was more focused on hiding as much clutter as possible,\u201d adds Pinkston. \u201cStorage was huge in the kitchen\u2014we have so much closed cabinetry, it is a dream to stuff so much kid junk out of sight!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/p>\n

Jeff Jones<\/p>\n

\"Light-filled<\/p>\n

Jeff Jones<\/p>\n

\u201cCaroline and Christopher did not want this home to read as \u2018modern renovation\u2019 but really wanted something character-driven,\u201d says Eddings. \u201cCaroline loves English kitchens, so we added bookshelves between the cabinets looking into the dining room\u2014it\u2019s so cozy and collected.\u201d<\/p>\n

DINING ROOMTrim in a buttery yellow reinforces the home\u2019s signature shade. \"ElegantJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Trim paint: Hay, Farrow & Ball. Rug: Jake Arnold for Lulu & Georgia. Table: 1stDibs. Chairs: Serena & Lily. Mirror: Soho Home. Art: vintage via Shannon Eddings Interiors, framed in Frambridge frames. Drapery: custom, in Rubelli fabric.<\/p>\n

Pinkston always knew she wanted to wallpaper the dining room; it was choosing the exact pattern that tripped her up. \u201cOne of the best parts of my job is that I get to review beautifully designed homes from my clients daily, but it also means I\u2019m privy to what is \u2019trending\u2019 in the design world,\u201d she explains. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to choose anything that might feel dated. We went from a forest mural to floral to a hand-blocked pattern, but when House of Hackney launched this striped pattern, I knew it was the one. It felt classic but also organic, with stripes that felt hand-painted.\u201d<\/p>\n

LIVING ROOMA mix of old and new helps this family hub hum with personality.\"CozyJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Creamy White, Benjamin Moore. Art: Alexandra Valenti. Rug: Jaipur Living. Pendant: 1stDibs. Armchairs: Lulu & Georgia. Couch: vintage, in Block Shop fabric. Coffee table: Soho Home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the central spot of the home and can be seen from the front door and the back door, so it was key to make it visually exciting but also subdued enough to flow with the surrounding spaces, like the entryway and the kitchen,\u201d explains Eddings. \u201cI try to approach open floor plan designing with a more artistic mind, thinking more big picture about how colors and scale work together like you would with the composition of a painting.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pair balanced the living room aesthetic through a range of eras and budgets, mixing custom upholstery pieces with finds from vintage purveyors and big box stores alike. \u201cShannon had this vintage sofa in her storage for months before we started working together,\u201d adds Pinkston. \u201cWhen she pitched it, I approved it without being able to see it and trusted that it would fit the space and vibes\u2014and it did!\u201d<\/p>\n

OFFICEColor drenching ups the cozy factor in this inspiring workspace. \"AJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Saybrook Sage, Benjamin Moore. Rug: vintage, Charish. Desk: Facebook Marketplace. Desk chair: vintage, sourced at Round Top and reupholstered in Kufri fabric.<\/p>\n

Originally slated as a playroom, Pinkston and her husband began to rethink how to use this space as they found themselves working from home more often. \u201cWe were very inspired by one of Shannon\u2019s past projects, with paneled walls, an oval window, and a pitched roofline that makes it a very cozy space to get work done,\u201d she adds. \u201cI really wanted this space to feel happy and adaptable\u2014it could even be a tiny bedroom someday if needed. For now, we fight over who gets to claim it!\u201d<\/p>\n

MEDIA ROOMBy keeping the rooms small upstairs, the family could fit in bonus hangout spaces. \"CozyJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Rug: Jaipur Living. Side table: 2Modern. Sectional: Four Hands. Roman shades: custom, in Michael S. Smith Inc. fabric.<\/p>\n

\"CozyJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Normandy, Benjamin Moore. Picture lights: Pooky.<\/p>\n

\"Google\"<\/p>\n

Add House Beautiful as a preferred source in your Google search results.<\/p>\n

Use your Google account to add this to your settings.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Add to Google settings<\/p>\n

Edding and team reworked the existing layout downstairs and started from scratch on the second floor, favoring rooms with a smaller footprint in an effort to get more usable space. \u201cThis media room is really intimate but so cozy for movie nights,\u201d the designer adds. \u201cI loved selecting the Roman shade fabric for this space with Caroline. We had to sell Christopher on it a bit, but we balanced the feminine floral with a clean-lined sectional, grid rug that is more masculine, and a leather chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

PRIMARY BEDROOMCustom drapery adds a hotel-worthy luxury touch. \"CozyJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Rug, dresser: Lulu & Georgia. Bed: Community Manufacturing, in Zak + Fox fabric. Nightstands, table lamps: Soho Home. Art: vintage, Eneby Home.<\/p>\n

Located on the first floor, Pinkston and her husband sacrificed several feet of space in their primary bedroom in order to enlarge their dining room. To play into the intimacy, the team chose a cozy, cashmere-like hue for the walls. \u201cI was so happy when my husband went for the Farrow & Ball pink paint color [Setting Plaster] that reads so calming in person,\u201d says Pinkston. \u201cShannon pushed us on the custom drapery in here, and the curtains might be my favorite part of the whole room\u2014the floor-to-ceiling feel is so luxe and hotel-like, and the Kufri pattern is my favorite fabric of the whole house.\u201d<\/p>\n

KIDS\u2019 BATHROOMPrimary hues play into this room’s inherently youthful energy. \"AJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Soft Chamois, Benjamin Moore. Vanity paint: Mustard Olive, Benjamin Moore. Floor tile: Cemento. Wall tile: Otto. Sconce: Etsy.<\/p>\n

Shared between the family\u2019s three children, this charming bathroom has Dad to thank for its graphic striped tile. \u201cMy husband\u2019s favorite color is blue, and the only thing he felt strongly about was the blue and white striped tiles for the kids bath\u2014it\u2019s his favorite design element of the home,\u201d says Pinkston.<\/p>\n

DAUGHTER\u2019S BEDROOMAn antique rug grounds the room, adding depth and vintage charm.\"CozyJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Pink Drab, Farrow & Ball. Bed: Wayfair. Bedskirt: Piglet in Bed. Rug: Etsy. Draperies: custom, in Rose Cummings fabric.<\/p>\n

For her five-year-old daughter\u2019s room, Pinkston and Eddings leaned into the pint-sized occupant\u2019s favorite thing: pattern. \u201cMy daughter\u2019s vibe is more is more, so all of the patterns are a delight to her,\u201d adds Pinkston. \u201cThis was originally the entryway, so Shannon had the idea to add the beadboard to the nook to make it more purposeful and add charm.\u201d<\/p>\n

PRIMARY BATHROOMA standout slab of stone informed the whole room\u2019s scheme.\"ModernJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Soft Chamois, Benjamin Moore. Wallpaper: House of Hackney. Vanity paint: Vintage Charm, Benjamin Moore. Floor tile, shower tile: Otto. Shower curtain: West Elm.<\/p>\n

An afternoon at the stone yard found Pinkston and Eddings oogling over this pink Norwegian Rose marble slab, which they loved so much that they scrapped the room\u2019s original plans to make it work. \u201cWhen they showed us the pink, Shannon immediately convinced me to change our Carrara marble to the pink slab,\u201d adds Pinkston. \u201cOnce I was on board, I was fully on board\u2014it worked out, and now it\u2019s our pink bathroom for the Pinkstons.\u201d<\/p>\n

SON\u2019S BEDROOMBunk beds make weekend sleepovers even more fun. \"BrightlyJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Wall paint: Santorini Blue, Benjamin Moore. Rug (top): Etsy. Bunks: Living Spaces. Dresser: Urban Outfitters. Mirror: Anthropologie.<\/p>\n

With bunk beds high on the wishlist for Pinkston\u2019s son, Eddings promised she would find a \u201cchic\u201d version\u2014and she delivered. \u201cThese bunks are basic but in a stylish, primitive way that works well for a boy\u2019s room,\u201d the designer adds. \u201cWe really wanted to save money in here but have fun at the same time. Sometimes, those end up being the rooms that shine.\u201d<\/p>\n

PATIOA stucco fireplace adds subtle texture and depth. \"Light-filledJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Armchair, couch: Four Hands. Coffee table: Dusty Deco<\/p>\n

Designed around the Clay Imports terracotta floor tile, the patio is the spot to be during Austin\u2019s more temperate months, with comfortable furniture for lounging.<\/p>\n

PATIONative plantings create a natural, low-maintenance backyard escape. \"StylishJeff Jones<\/p>\n

Decking: TimberTech. Chairs: Wayfair. Cushions: Anthropologie. Pendant: Lulu & Georgia.<\/p>\n

Built for entertaining a crowd, the shaded backyard patio is centered around a sprawling textured sand concrete table from Four Hands, with enough room for eight or more.<\/p>\n

About the Designer<\/p>\n

Shannon Eddings Interiors<\/a> is a Texas-based interior design studio founded in 2011 by native Texan Shannon Eddings. Shannon was “born into the business,” with an interior designer mother and a grandmother with impeccable taste. She followed the pull towards a vocation in fine arts after graduating from UT Austin but quickly circled back to what was always there\u2014designing and decorating interiors. Shannon pulls her inspiration from various design styles and eras and describes her studio’s style as \u201cold world meets contemporary.\u201d With experience in both commercial and residential design, she has a diverse portfolio highlighting her ability to stay true to her aesthetic while keeping her projects unique and client-driven.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"7 min read caroline Pinkston is surrounded by no shortage of beauty. As owner of her namesake firm…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":393676,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133,70489,24576,138499,24578,100445,24577,119581,138498,129359,70488],"class_list":["post-393675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-austin","tag-austin","tag-austin-headlines","tag-austin-news","tag-collection-latest-home-design-updates","tag-content-type-feature","tag-contentid-517e719d-eddd-4b64-8e03-91b5c6c83dcf","tag-displaytype-long-form-article","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-us","tag-read_time-8","tag-shorttitle-a-publicists-joyful-family-retreat-in-texas","tag-sponsored-false","tag-subsection-house-tours"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=393675"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393675\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/393676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=393675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=393675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=393675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}