This proper posh penthouse has unexpected pops of color at every turn.

Kelly Wearstler wallcovering in the living room makes a statement. PHOTO STYLIST: ADAM FORTNER

THE PROJECT

This penthouse is the primary home for the client, who also owns a home in the Hill Country where they retreat on weekends. Originally a Kelly Wearstler design, McCray & Co., led by husband-and-wife team Chris McCray and Grace Hall, aimed to accentuate the elegance and create a stark contrast between the city home in the sky and the country home in the hills.

THE PROCESS

This stunning transformation took nearly two years to complete. McCray & Co. teamed up with David Wilkes Builders to start the redesign in late summer of 2021, and finished in late spring of 2023.

THEMES & INSPIRATION

One word to describe this rebuild is elevation. From wood textures and jewel tones to layers of sophistication, this space creates a light and cozy yet elevated atmosphere. Feeling inspired by Kelly Weastler, McCray and Hall built a space that they say hugs you in and opens up at the same time.

An Apparatus Studio chandelier adorns the dining table by Sam Accoceberry. PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYANN FORD

THE CHALLENGES

Typically, a project like this at an easily accessible home takes around one year, but since this project was located in a high-rise downtown, it was expected for the whole process to last almost two years. “Working on a high floor in a high-rise building takes much more coordination than a single-family home,” notes Grace Hall, “and we were grateful for the expertise working in high-rise buildings that the David Wilkes team brought to the table.”

MuleStudio bed and dresser add to the country home feel. PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYANN FORD

THE FUN DETAILS

Purr-fection according to the felines! “The client has cats, and they totally rule the roost,” says Hall. “Every material was cat-tested before it was approved, and we even built a little kitty sling into the media center for them to have a sleeping spot!”

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE

Penthouse

LOCATION

Austin

DESIGNER

McCray & Co., mccray-co.com

BUILDER

David Wilkes Builders, davidwilkesbuilders.com

RESOURCES

APPARATUS STUDIO

Chandelier in dining room, apparatusstudio.com

ANGELA NAVARRO ART

Art in the primary bedroom, angelanavarroart.com

ART + LOOM

Rug in living room, artandloom.com

BLACK SHEEP UNIQUE

Rug in the primary bedroom, blacksheepunique.com

COLLECTION PARTICULIERE

Table in the dining room by Sam Accoceberry, collection-particuliere.fr

CUSH CUSH DESIGN

Draperies throughout, cushcushdesign.com

DESIGN WITHIN REACH

Eames lounger in living room, dwr.com

EGG COLLECTIVE

Sectional sofa in living room, eggcollective.com

KAREN GAYLE TINNEY

Vessels in the living room, karentinney.com

KELLY WEARSTLER

Wallcovering in the living room, kellywearstler.com

MATT KAPLINSKY

Art in the living room, mattkaplinsky.com

MULE STUDIO

Bed and dresser in the primary bedroom; media shelving, side table, record credenza and ottomans in the living room, mule-studio.com

RAYNEWARES

Upholstery in the primary bedroom and living room, @raynewares