Chez Chimpanzé

Young at heart. Into color. Loves primates.

This could be both the dating profile and design brief for our Chez Chimpanzé clients. We were called in to amp up the first home of a successful young couple who loves socializing, and loves monkeys. And amp it up we did. To eleven.

Their all-white modern duplex was beautiful, but also boxy and stark, and lacked any hint of our clients’ personalities. Over the course of the project, we touched every room with paint, wallpaper, art, furnishings, lighting, and accessories. We papered five walls and two ceilings. We used 12 paint colors, including a neon yellow staircase, and peekaboo colors on the edges of doors.

The kitchen held a couple challenges that led to some design gems. There’s a large corner bump out that eats up a lot of energy and breaks up the counter and cabinets. Instead of trying to make it disappear, this became what we call an “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” moment. We went big and papered it in oversized black and white polka dots. We upgraded the small existing floating shelves with bent-metal orange shelves that add energy to the white subway tile.

The other star of this colorful show is the art. Our clients love supporting independent artists, so the house is full of original works by six Austin artists, including origami and spray paint artists.

We snuck orangutans, bonobos, and gorillas into art, pillows, lamps, wallpaper, and decor. Now this is not only the perfect home for delightful entertaining, it comes with the party trick of “count the primates” and reflects the fun-loving personalities of our clients.