Rental Revamp: A Brazilian Architect Enlivens Her Austin Apartment With Boho-Chic Flair

When Brazilian architect Guta Louro, of Splice Design, left New York City for Austin, Texas, on December 31, 2020, she was forging a new path in her life—and she wanted her home to reflect where she’d been, and where she was going.

At first, she didn’t think she’d ever leave the Big Apple, but she says, "the pandemic really took a toll on the city." Having visited Texas a few times, she began to look at Austin as a "great place to call home." Not quite sure how long she’d stay in Texas, Guta decided to rent an apartment.

"I had numerous desires, and I visited many buildings that had available units within my size preferences," she says. "Finally, I found one that checked nearly all my boxes." The 920-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment is perched in a high-rise in downtown Austin. "The view of Lady Bird Lake and the evening sunsets over the water are what truly spoke to me," Guta says.

It took 45 days for Guta to transform the space into an upscale boho-chic sanctuary, full of colorful and textural design elements. The architect brought only artwork to Austin, leaving her furniture behind in New York City. These pieces speak to her past, while the apartment’s new furnishings and design reflect her next chapter.

"I wanted to tell the story of who I am, and translate my personality into the space," she says.