Inside Spaces Designed’s French Country Project in Lakeview Ateliers
Overview
At Lakeview Ateliers, in Austin, Texas, interior designer Komal Sheth of Spaces Designed has transformed a previously simple home into a layered, highly personal retreat that has French country influences and is contemporary living ready. From its manicured entrance and antique-filled interiors to its terraced gardens and lake views, the home has been designed around the way its owners live, entertain and connect with family. “Every corner in this house is really thoughtfully designed” Sheth explains, with vintage finds, custom details, art and unexpected moments of whimsy giving the property its distinctive character.
Brand
Spaces Designed
Type
Luxury Home
Location
Austin, Texas
Services
Full Feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok
Presented by
Komal Sheth
A French Country Arrival
The transformation begins outside, where the original home has been given the presence of a French country estate. Manicured gardens, a redesigned staircase, custom gate and extended driveway create a more established arrival, while large limestone paving and grass inlays lead towards the front door.
One of the most personal details is a mosaic reading “this must be the place”, chosen after Sheth discovered that the phrase was also the first lullaby her client sang to her children. “As soon as I showed it to her, she immediately said, this is the lullaby, the first lullaby I sang to my kids” she recalls, making the entrance feel less like decoration and more like an expression of belonging.
A Foyer of Old and New
Inside, the foyer defines the design language all throughout the home. Black and white checkerboard marble floors are paired with an 18th-century French antique, a vintage rug and artwork by a local female artist, while a sculptural light fixture brings a more contemporary note. The combination of collected pieces and new additions is deliberately relaxed rather than overly formal. Sheth describes the approach as a balance of “the vintage and some of the new things”, giving the spaces a naturally layered and collected character.
A Great Room with Elevated Detail
The great room underwent a significant transformation, with the space extended by four feet. Instead of turning the kitchen and living area into one large open-plan room, Sheth deliberately kept them separated, allowing a piano to anchor the great room as its focal point. Large-scale wall covering, emerald green marble, custom millwork and a redesigned electric fireplace bring together pattern, texture and architectural detail. “We wanted the detailing, we wanted the layering” says Sheth.
Dining with Personality
The dining room was extended to accommodate entertaining, replacing an underused butler’s pantry with a larger dining area and dedicated bar. An Italian-made chandelier, copper-topped dining table, Art Nouveau-inspired chairs and a French antique mirror create an eclectic composition, while hammered copper, brass and glass add warmth to the bar. A custom mural introduces another layer of pattern, while playful monkey figures and butterfly motifs bring an unexpected sense of humor. “We wanted to introduce a little bit of fun, a little bit of whimsy in this house” Sheth says, making the sophistication feel effortless.
The Kitchen at the Heart of the Home
The kitchen was redesigned around family life, with the island becoming the central point for gathering, entertaining and everyday use. Dramatic Calacatta Viola marble runs across the island, backsplash and perimeter counters, while existing cabinetry was repurposed and refreshed not replaced. A scullery provides additional storage and appliances, while a 48-inch range and hand-blown Gabriel Scott light fixture add both practicality and visual impact. For Sheth, the project demonstrates that luxury does not necessarily mean starting again: “Thoughtful design does not always have to start from scratch.”
Spaces Designed for Everyday Living
Throughout the main level, previously overlooked areas were transformed into purposeful and characterful spaces. A hallway from the garage combines storage with wall panelling, patterned wallpaper and French-inspired lanterns.
The powder room was converted from an ordinary bathroom into a richly layered experience of color, texture and pattern. In each space, antique pieces sit alongside contemporary elements, reinforcing the home’s overarching dialogue between past and present.
A Study with a Story
The study builds on the home’s layered character, combining repurposed existing cabinetry with lighter wall panelling, blue-grey color and whimsical wallpaper. A church pew sourced from a local consignment store provides unusual seating, while the client’s grandmother’s mirror adds genuine family history. A vintage desk from Round Top sits alongside a contemporary chandelier, while artwork sourced from England and elsewhere gives the room an international character. “We have found unique things from all over the world that helps give this house the character and personality that it has” Sheth says.
A Private Primary Sanctuary
The primary bedroom was designed as a retreat from the pace of everyday life. Landscape wallpaper, layered wall treatments, brass detailing and a dramatic light fixture featuring hand-blown glass birds create a richly atmospheric setting.
The former balcony was incorporated into the bedroom to create additional space, including a seating area overlooking the surrounding landscape. “We are now walking into our primary bedroom, which is a real sanctuary for our clients away from all their busy lives” says Sheth, capturing the purpose behind the room.
A Spa-Like Primary Bathroom
The primary bathroom was similarly rethought around how the owners actually use the space. A former bathtub was removed in favor of a generous his-and-hers shower, and additional wardrobe space and a dedicated makeup vanity improve functionality. Natural white oak, reeded cabinetry, black granite and botanical wallpaper continue the home’s balance of natural references and contemporary detailing. Instead of imposing a conventional luxury bathroom onto the space, Sheth designed it around the client’s daily routines, creating a private spa-like environment that is elegant and practical.
Bedrooms Full of Character
The additional bedrooms continue the home’s individual approach, with each space responding to its occupant while remaining connected to the wider design scheme. The son’s bedroom combines layered color, ceiling wallpaper and a vintage tapestry, while his bathroom uses handmade glass tiles and repurposed cabinetry.
The daughter’s bedroom takes a softer direction through pinks, coral tones, patterned wallpaper and a monochromatic palette. Existing furniture was also reused where appropriate, reinforcing Sheth’s belief that meaningful design can come through transformation instead of replacement.
A Home for Creativity and Entertainment
Downstairs, a formerly exterior area was enclosed and transformed into a flexible rehearsal and entertainment space for the homeowner, who is a singer-songwriter. Designed to accommodate rehearsals, private events and performances, the room combines colorful furniture, artwork and playful accessories with practical additions including a kitchenette. A piece of art called Crescendo, purchased by the client and Sheth for the client’s first Austin home 20 years ago, now occupies a prominent position. The space captures one of the project’s most important qualities: luxury is not simply about appearance, but about creating rooms that support the lives lived within them.
Bringing the Landscape In
Nature is a recurring theme throughout the home, appearing in wallpaper, textiles, artwork, lighting and decorative details. Birds, flowers, butterflies and botanical patterns create a visual connection between the interiors and the surrounding landscape, particularly in the breakfast area, where views towards the lake and pool inspired floral fabrics and wallpaper. This connection becomes even stronger outdoors, where the landscape has been transformed from a steep, underused area into a series of terraces designed for entertaining and relaxation.
An Outdoor Sanctuary
The exterior is now an extension of the home, with terraced gardens, an infinity pool, covered cantilevered porch and multiple areas for gathering.
A striking Tree of Life mural provides a dramatic backdrop, its greens, pinks and purples echoing the interior palette. The mural itself emerged from a request to move away from simply repeating the home’s floral motifs, pushing the design into something more unexpected. “We wanted to create a sanctuary when they have guests and for the family” says Sheth, and the outdoor spaces fulfil that brief with areas for entertaining, relaxing or simply enjoying the views.
A Home Designed to Bring Joy
From its French-inspired entrance to its layered interiors and landscaped terraces, this property demonstrates how a luxury home can both be highly considered and deeply personal. Antique furniture, family heirlooms and collected art sit comfortably beside contemporary lighting, custom millwork and modern technology, while moments such as the mischievous monkeys and horse lamp ensure the home retains a sense of play. For Sheth, that emotional response is an essential part of good design: “Design every time does not have to be fully functional. It could also just bring joy and a smile on somebody’s face when you’re walking past it.”
Spaces Designed is an award-winning luxury interior design studio based in Austin, Texas, founded and led by Komal Sheth. The studio works across residential and commercial projects, bringing together interior design, remodeling, architectural planning, and construction management. Its approach focuses on creating highly personal interiors tailored to each client’s lifestyle, with an emphasis on custom details, distinctive materials, artwork, and furnishings.
For more information, visit Spaces Designed or follow @spacesdesigned on Instagram.
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The Finer Details.
