Wowee zowee!

I can hardly believe we’re here. In less than a year — but really, almost four (I’ll explain) — we built, staged, styled, and launched an entire show home in partnership with one of the biggest names in design media, House Beautiful Magazine. But if you think it was all glossy-magazine magic, think again. Let’s rewind.

Back in 2021, we were all coming off the chaos of COVID and a housing market that felt like the Wild West. Through my development arm, BANDD/DEVELOPMENT, I was hunting for unique properties around Austin that had a story worth telling. Enter: West 9th.

It was the weirdest lot I’d seen — erratic backyard, sprawling heritage oaks, a disjointed house that was seconds from collapse, and (the kicker) an actual bomb shelter filled with artifacts from 1965. I knew it was special the second I saw it. The existing structure was unsalvageable, so the vision shifted from renovation to rebirth. I started assembling a dream team to give the property new life: architect Katie Hastings, who could handle the challenging corner lot and topography, and builders Villani & Graham, who had the precision this kind of project demanded.

Trees, history, and a whole lot of waiting

Then came the real fun — trees and history. Turns out those heritage oaks dictated nearly everything about where we could build. Cue months of arborist meetings, special tree permits, and a timeline that stretched into years. Just when we thought we were in the clear, the city flagged the property for potential historical significance (the original owner was a beloved English professor at UT). That meant review boards, hearings, and… more waiting.

At that point, I honestly wasn’t sure this house would ever see daylight. I hadn’t even started designing interiors yet.

Finally breaking ground

In December 2024, we finally got the green light. Permits in hand, we were ready to demo the old house and begin construction on what we envisioned as an urban treehouse oasis. The plan was to build thoughtfully over 18 months, aiming for completion in summer 2026.

The call that changed everything

Then my phone rang.

House Beautiful was scouting for their 2025 Whole Home — and our little “Bomb Shelter House” caught their eye. After a few conversations (and a suspiciously quiet holiday season), January rolled around and they called again — this time with a single question:

“Can the house be done by Labor Day?”

It was laughable. We hadn’t even poured the foundation. But somehow, my answer was yes.

Full speed ahead

From that moment, we were in full sprint. Our already ambitious build schedule was cut in half. One week of bad weather, one failed inspection, one missed delivery — any of it could’ve tanked the deadline. But we did it. We finished one week early. With a completely checked-off punch list, no less.

Looking back (and ahead)

When I look back now, it’s almost absurd what we pulled off — equal parts adrenaline, stubbornness, and sheer belief in the vision. But standing inside the finished home, surrounded by trees and light and all the textures that make a space feel alive, I can say without question: it was worth every bit of it.

And that’s just the beginning.

Next up, I’ll take you behind the design of the bathrooms — where we turned practicality into sculpture — and the kitchen + laundry, where form and function finally made peace. Stay tuned. 🖤