Oh My Styled Life

Tucked into the quiet folds of Texas Hill Country, just outside Austin, this newly completed home by Olson Defendorf Custom Homes is more than a custom build—it’s a reflection of the land, the people who live there, and the belief that luxury design should feel as natural as it is elevated. With Senior Designer Heidi Feliz-Grimm and Lead Designer Tatum Madden at the helm, this story began long before the front door was installed. 

“When you’re standing on that property, it’s hard not to be moved by the view,” Heidi recalls. “The Geschke team made sure every window framed the landscape as if it were a painting. From the beginning, we knew our job wasn’t to compete with the scenery—it was to honor it.” 

Artisanal Architecture Meets Layered Luxury 

This Hill Country interior design project began with a strong architectural foundation, designed by the team at Geschke Group Architecture. The exterior was clad in a fossilized stone—an intentional departure from Texas’ ubiquitous white limestone. “The stone felt like a personal gesture,” says Heidi. “It had texture and depth, and it told a richer story about the homeowners and their vision.” 

Inside, that same sense of texture carried through, but with restraint. “We wanted to avoid the overly thematic palette you sometimes see in Hill Country builds,” Heidi adds. “No sage green walls or heavy rustic aesthetic. Instead, we leaned into neutral tones—creams, taupes, and greys—with enough contrast to keep things dynamic, but still serene.” 

That balance between bold and organic is central to OHI’s Austin ethos: artisanal luxury with Hill Country influence. You’ll find it in the sculptural great room chairs made from faux bone, echoing the landscape in both texture and tone. Or in the checkerboard tile backsplash—a bold design choice that paid off with its modern scale and earthy neutrality, delivering a nod to country heritage without falling into cliché. 

Featured in Austin Home: From Houston to Hill Country, Unbeatable Views and an Open Layout Define this O’Hara Interiors, Geschke Group Architecture, and Olson Defendorf-Designed Home.

Building Trust, Then Beauty 

From the very first meeting—appropriately, a plumbing walk-through—the homeowners weren’t quite sure what the home would become. Heidi didn’t shy away from their uncertainty. “We clicked instantly because we were both very honest. I told them I had a vision, and we were able to build trust to see it through.” 

That trust proved essential. As the home moved from blueprints to reality, Heidi and the team made strategic updates that preserved the architectural intent while refining the livability. “It wasn’t about changing the floor plan—it was about shaping the experience,” she explains. Small decisions, like converting a swinging door into a pocket one, made a big impact on the flow of the home. Each revision was a collaboration between the builder, designer, and client—an alignment that Heidi describes as a true dream team.

Where the Furniture Enhances Our Lives 

One of the most distinctive features of this Hill Country interior design project? The furnishings weren’t an afterthought—they were integrated into the design from the start. 

“After our initial selections, I always bring up the furniture plan,” says Heidi. “We talk about scale, flow, and how the pieces will interact with the architecture. That way, when it’s time to furnish, we’re not just filling a space—we’re enhancing it.” 

In the great room, that approach is unmistakable. The faux bone lounge chairs add structure and substance without overwhelming the openness of the space. “Without those chairs, it would feel unfinished,” Heidi notes. “They bring in texture and help frame the view, rather than distract from it.” 

The primary bath takes a similar cue. A striking quartzite slab wall, chosen for its distinct veining, adds quiet drama and a sense of permanence—subtle, but deeply intentional. 

Holding the View and the Heart 

Of course, in a home with sweeping Hill Country views, it would be easy to let the landscape do all the talking. But this interior holds its own—not through loud statements, but through thoughtful curation. 

From custom millwork to warm, earthy palettes, each design decision was made to complement the surroundings while offering something tactile and personal. “We didn’t want to bring the outdoors in,” says Heidi, “but we did want the interiors to feel in conversation with the landscape.” 

At its heart, this home was created for a family—one that valued trust, honesty, and the art of living well. “They were dream clients,” Heidi smiles. “They really appreciated what we brought to the table. And in return, we appreciated how open and collaborative they were throughout the process.” 

Discover more of our Hill Country Interior Design: Modern Hill Country Home 

The New Language of Hill Country Design 

This project captures everything we believe Hill Country interior design should be: bold yet grounded, sophisticated yet soulful. It honors the land without mimicking it, and creates spaces that feel both refined and inviting. 

As the Hill Country region continues to emerge as a design destination of its own—bridging the artisanal energy of Fredericksburg with the modern edge of Austin—O’Hara Interiors is proud to bring a curated point of view to this unique landscape. 

Because in the end, a home in Hill Country doesn’t just deserve beautiful views. It deserves interiors that rise to meet them. Connect with your designer today.