We Spoke with Amy Lutz Bryant, founder and Principal Designer at Butter Lutz Interiors, and Mark Carlson, AIA, founder and Principal Architect of Austin Studio Architects about their Modern Mediterranean project – a 2026 Austin Modern Home Tour Featured Home
Images: Ryann Ford, Interior Jamie Leasure, Exterior
When a home is described as “Mediterranean,” people may often think of a more traditional design. How did ASA transform the traditional idea a Mediterranean home into a contemporary Austin home?
MC: This Mediterranean home has been thoughtfully reimagined as a Modern Mediterranean residence. The transformation begins with the exterior, where a crisp white stucco façade replaces the traditional cream tone. The stucco finish is smooth and refined, rather than sandy or heavily textured, creating a clean architectural presence.
Black aluminum window frames introduce contrast and a contemporary edge in place of traditional wood windows. The roof has been updated from classic red or orange barrel tile to a flat-profile tile in a subdued tone, reinforcing the modern aesthetic. Fascia elements are painted white to blend seamlessly with the stucco, while stucco soffits replace traditional wood detailing to maintain a streamlined look. Exterior lighting features simple black fixtures with clean lines, replacing ornate coach-style lanterns.
Inside, the home continues this evolution with sleek cabinetry and smooth wall finishes. Lighting selections are contemporary, including integrated LED accent strips that enhance architectural details. Hardware and vanity profiles are streamlined and minimal. Flooring and countertops reflect a clean, modern sensibility, replacing rustic wood floors and heavily ornamented tilework. Expansive sliding glass doors and large panes of glass strengthen the connection to the outdoors as is befitting a Mediterranean home, while reinforcing the home’s modern character. Decorative lighting fixtures are sculptural yet restrained.
Furnishings, rugs, artwork, and décor are curated to support the modern Mediterranean aesthetic, emphasizing soft textures, subtle contrast, and a refined simplicity throughout.
“Mediterranean” often invokes visions of a sun-kissed ocean paradise. Here, this amazing home is perched on the edge of Lake Austin to maximize beautiful water views of the lake and the city beyond. How did the views and the siting inspire the interior finishes and design choices?
ALB: The unobstructed views of the sprawling Austin skyline and the lake were everything on this project. From the beginning, we knew the home needed to feel completely connected to the water. Indoor-outdoor living wasn’t just a feature—it was the primary focus.
We kept the interior finishes intentionally neutral and layered in natural textures so nothing would compete with the view. The lake and skyline are the artwork. Warm plasters, soft stone tones, and organic materials reflect the landscape rather than distract from it.
Both the primary bedroom on the main level and the second-floor suite were positioned to capture those stunning down-lake and skyline views. Waking up to that perspective was important to the homeowner, and we designed the spaces to feel calm, open, and oriented outward.
The pool was one of the earliest and most impactful design decisions. Its glass wall allows it to be seen from the lake below, creating a visual connection between the home and the water. It reinforces the idea that this house isn’t sitting next to the lake—it’s living with it.
The lower level of the home is uniquely suited to/reflective of the homeowner’s vision. What was the goal here, and how did you work with the homeowner to make it happen?
ALB: The lower level was entirely driven by the homeowner’s lifestyle. He loves to host, he’s a big boating enthusiast, and after a long day on the lake he wanted a place where everyone could come in, unwind, and settle into a different energy.
The goal was to create a speakeasy-style game room—something moodier and more intimate than the light-filled main level. A place to watch a UT game, play pool, have a drink, and relax. It needed to feel like a destination within the house.
It’s also the one space in the home where the view isn’t the focal point. Because we weren’t orienting everything toward the lake and skyline, we had the freedom to play with pattern, texture, and bolder tones. The room is intentionally dark and enveloping, with limewashed black walls that add depth and movement. The bar is wrapped in marble, grounded and substantial, with ribbed wood detailing that brings warmth and rhythm.
It’s layered, masculine, and immersive—completely reflective of how he lives and entertains, and a deliberate contrast to the lighter, view-driven spaces above.
What specific part of the house should Tourgoers look for to best understand the Butter Lutz philosophy of design?
ALB: I actually think this entire house represents how we approach every project. It always starts with intent—what matters most to the homeowner, how they truly live, and how the spaces will be used. From there, we begin weaving a color story that creates a cohesive experience throughout the home.
In this case, the lake and skyline were the focal point, so much of the palette is light and layered, allowing the outdoors to be the showcase. But cohesion doesn’t mean monotone. We build depth through texture—plaster, wood, stone, wallcovering, and flowing drapery. We love using wallcoverings and soft drapery panels to frame views, not block them. They add warmth and softness while still honoring the architecture.
Although the home leans neutral, we intentionally chose a few moments to step outside that palette. Those moments feel special because they’re selective.
Tourgoers should pay attention to the details—the two beautiful bars upstairs and down, the custom-designed wine room in the dining room, and the stunning Bocci chandelier over the island. The primary bath upstairs has the most amazing Kelly Wearstler tile. Those elements aren’t competing with the architecture; they’re layered into it. That balance—restraint with intentional moments of impact—is very much the Butter Lutz philosophy.
And don’t miss the outdoor shower and the pool bath!
