Judges Hill

Judges Hill

Overview:

Judges Hill is a 5,500-square-foot residential remodel located in Austin, Texas, completed in 2021. The project involved updating a mid-century home that had undergone several renovations over the years. The goal was to refresh the interiors, make thoughtful improvements, and honor the homeowner’s taste for color, personality, and timeless design elements, all while maintaining a practical budget.

Project Goals:

The client, a long-time collaborator and friend, sought to enhance the home’s existing character and mid-century charm without overhauling its fundamental layout. The remodel focused on elevating aesthetic details, selectively introducing new finishes, and reusing many existing pieces. Key improvements included refining the primary suite’s stone finishes, adjusting the back porch for better connectivity, removing outdated features like a urinal in the primary bathroom, and personalizing the interiors with custom elements.

Design and Implementation:

  • Layout/Structural Changes:
    While no significant structural overhauls were undertaken, the remodel included a careful extension of the back porch to create a more continuous outdoor living space. In the primary bathroom, an outdated fixture was removed and replaced with cabinetry to align with the home’s updated style.
  • Materials and Finishes:
    The existing stone and other finishes were largely preserved where possible to respect the budget and the home’s established character. Newly introduced elements—such as a custom-designed rug and a standout dining room light fixture—added layers of visual interest, reflecting the homeowner’s passion for color and distinctive design details.
  • Key Elements:
    • Back Porch Extension: Enhanced the home’s outdoor flow and increased usability of the exterior spaces.
    • Primary Bathroom Refresh: Replaced an unnecessary fixture with functional cabinetry, improving the room’s look and utility.
    • Custom-Designed Rug and Light Fixture: In the dining room, a unique rug and carefully placed lighting addressed spatial challenges (like centering the table) and enriched the overall aesthetic.

Challenges:

  • Pandemic-Era Coordination:
    With the client mostly off-site due to health concerns and travel restrictions, a significant portion of the collaboration occurred via Zoom. Clear communication, digital presentations, and flexible scheduling ensured that decisions were made efficiently and confidently despite the circumstances.

Solutions:

  • Adaptive Communication:
    Regular virtual meetings allowed the client to remain closely involved, resulting in a truly collaborative design process that benefited from her insights and personal style.
  • Strategic Reuse of Materials:
    By reusing existing elements and focusing on selective updates rather than complete overhauls, the team maintained the budget and achieved a refreshed look that honored the home’s original mid-century essence.

Outcome:

The Judges Hill remodel successfully balanced respect for the home’s legacy with the homeowner’s desire for comfort, personality, and subtle modernization. The result is a refined space that feels authentically mid-century yet distinctly personal. The updated dining room, in particular, stands out as a testament to the value of thoughtful adjustments—both aesthetic and functional—that improved the home’s livability and style.

Client Feedback and Satisfaction:

The client, having worked with J. Fisher Interiors multiple times over 20 years, expressed deep satisfaction with the result, praising the harmonious blend of existing elements and new additions. Their long history of collaboration fostered a level of trust and understanding that ensured this project met and exceeded expectations.

Documentation:

Judges Hill’s redesign earned a feature in Lux magazine, including a 14-page spread and cover placement. This recognition highlighted the project’s quality, attention to detail, and appealing mid-century influence.

Awards and Recognition:

High-quality photographs, floor plans, and before-and-after images capture the transformation. Testimonials from the client further illustrate the project’s success and the strong working relationship behind it.

Future Considerations:

While no immediate new projects are planned, the long-standing client relationship and the successful outcome of Judges Hill ensure that J. Fisher Interiors remains a trusted partner should the homeowners consider further updates down the road.

After

Before

``Working with Jen was fantastic. She was extremely professional and finished on time and on budget. Very creative, efficient, accountable and I love the outcome. I was very pleased with the experience and highly recommend her to transform your home.``
JEFF HOPKINSPROJECT DATE: SEPTEMBER 2015
"Jennifer Fisher has a true passion for interior design, and it is evident in her work ethic. She is a professional with the artistic ability to produce exceptional results. That is why I can strongly recommend J.Fisher Interiors for any decorating needs or projects you may have."
Dean Crassas
"Very professional, reasonable and creative services. Worked within my budget and was always timely on requests and suggestions while meeting the decor selections for my contractors scheduling deadlines. I would recommend J.Fisher Interiors to all of my friends."
Marc Buffkin
The whole experience working with J.Fisher Interiors was excellent. My home looks amazing and there was a nice balance between brand new pieces and the vintage treasures that Jen was able to find. Unlike past experiences with designers, where my budget was ignored, she took great care in working within the budget and delivering a stunning space that I enjoy living in and get tons of compliments on…"
Kevin Warden
"Jennifer is helping us with a full remodel of our house. She has been instrumental in helping us with fixtures, colors, inside and out, our pool remodel, the entire project. She has been extremely professional, available, communicative and has really listened to our feedback and what we are looking for. She has kept our deadlines and budgets on track and really gives us a variety of options to consider. I am so thankful to have her, I do not know where we would be without her!"
Kristina Weiss
"Jennifer jumped in to do a project for our office, and we couldn't be happier with the level of professionalism and skill with which she operates. She got the job done in a timely manner, her pricing was reasonable, and now, our team has been enjoying the space so much more. I'd highly recommend her expertise to other companies or individuals looking to freshen up their space."
NadaMoo Ice Cream
"As a recent divorcee, I rented a condo in a rush and it was a mess -- dark with an odd mixture of colors and styles. Jennifer worked quickly to completely transform the space using cost-effective options that made sense given that I might only be in the unit for one year. In addition to designing the space, she also served as a project manager for the work. She is very dedicated, works quickly and efficiently, and has a very professional and pleasant demeanor. She has a definite style and sensibility but also adapts well to her clients' tastes. I couldn't be happier with the result."
Jeff Binder
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J.Fisher Interiors’ studio is located in  Austin. To schedule your consultation appointment, please fill out the contact form or call us at 512.954.0904. We would love to hear from you!

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