Suzanne mcfayden's art sanctuary: a muse-like home in austin
Philanthropist and art collector Suzanne McFayden has unveiled her latest creative venture: a stunning home in Austin, Texas, designed by Paul Lamb and Jennifer Vaughn Miller. This sanctuary is a love letter to her art, her heritage, and her future.
Austin oasis
After selling her 7,000-square-foot Brutalist concrete house, featured by Architectural Digest, McFayden sought an intimate space to showcase her extensive contemporary art collection. She found the perfect canvas in a Hill Country lot surrounded by majestic Red Oak and Live Oak trees. The result is a 4,000-square-foot residence that seamlessly blends nature and art.
Upon entering the five-foot-wide, ten-foot-tall front door, crafted by local artisan Hawkeye Glenn, visitors step into a light-drenched foyer painted in Domingue limewash. A vintage Isamu Noguchi Akari light sculpture hangs above a custom wool rug by Pierre Augustin Rose. The space is furnished with a 2014 Senegalese tribal chair by Babacar Niang, a Haas Brothers Monkey bench, and a Studio Van Den Akker ottoman.
A gallery within
The walls of McFayden's home are a testament to her passion for art, featuring works by Sanford Biggers, Frida Orupabo, Ayana V. Jackson, and others. Her collection is a vibrant tapestry, layered with historical and contemporary pieces. The interior design team skillfully integrated these artworks into the space, creating a dynamic dialogue between form and function.
From the library, painted in Farrow & Ball's Radicchio, to the living room, a Pierre Augustin Rose sofa sits atop a Pierre Frey mohair carpet. Each room is a carefully curated, immersive experience that celebrates McFayden's life journey: daughter, student, wife, mother, and now, empty-nester embracing her third act.
As she navigates this new chapter, McFayden finds solace in her art-filled sanctuary. 'I'm excited to see what happens next,' she says, her voice filled with anticipation and gratitude for this space that embodies her evolution.