Lake Austin

Mediterranean-inspired residence by Alexander Design and Michael G. Imber in Texas

Date

October 6, 2025

Alexander Design and Michael G. Imber completed a 10,500-square-foot house on 1.6 acres in Austin, Texas. The residence wraps around a central courtyard, with multiple wings connected by covered walkways and terraces.

The structure uses traditional Mediterranean elements: terracotta roof tiles, light-colored plaster walls, and arched openings sized for Texas heat. Custom stained glass panels filter western light, while carpentry details use locally sourced wood that builders shaped by hand. These specific craft elements distinguish the project from standard Mediterranean-style developments common in Austin's suburbs.

Materials mix rough and refined surfaces throughout. Wire-brushed oak millwork sits against smooth plaster walls. Limestone floors run through main living areas, meeting Calacatta marble in the kitchen. Aged steel appears in window frames and hardware. This combination creates texture without overwhelming the light-filled rooms. The designers selected each material for how it ages in Austin's climate: limestone developing patina, oak darkening gradually, steel oxidizing at controlled rates.

Furnishings combine custom pieces with vintage finds. Tufted sofas share rooms with slipcovered chairs and French coffee tables from the 1960s. Contemporary lighting hangs above traditional dining tables. This mixing of periods and styles creates rooms that feel assembled over time rather than purchased complete. The approach works because consistent materials and proportions unite the different elements.

Designer/Studio

Alexander Design

Dallas-based interior design studio led by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. Residential projects combining traditional architecture with contemporary furnishings and collected vintage pieces.

Designer/Studio

Michael G. Imber

San Antonio architecture firm established 1991, specializing in residential work rooted in regional traditions. Known for Texas ranch compounds and climate-responsive Mediterranean designs.

Photo Credits

William Jess Laird