Best Austin Interior Design Shops When You Live in Westlake
I have a problem.
I can almost never walk into a design shop and simply:
Look.
I’m moving things around in my head.
That chair with a different table.
That lamp in a client’s house.
That weird little sculpture on a bookshelf.
That textile at the end of a bed.
That vintage piece mixed into a completely modern room.
As an interior designer and Realtor, I spend a lot of time thinking about houses.
But more importantly, I think about what makes a house feel like someone actually lives there.
And that’s where shopping gets interesting.
So if you’re moving to Westlake Austin and wondering where to shop for furniture, lighting, art, vintage pieces and those strange little objects that make a room feel collected rather than decorated, these are some of the Austin design shops I’d put on your list.
Some are close to Westlake.
Some require crossing the river.
Some are polished.
Some require digging.
Good.
The best rooms usually need a little of everything.
Quick Answer: Where Are the Best Interior Design Shops in Austin?
My Austin design-shopping rotation includes places like:
Four Hands Home for contemporary furniture and a huge amount of inspiration.
Nannie Inez for modern design, objects and pieces that feel considered.
Scott + Cooner for serious contemporary and European design.
Urbanspace Interiors for elevated contemporary furniture and design.
Jean-Marc Fray for European antiques and vintage pieces with history.
Room Service Vintage when you want something with personality.
Uptown Modern for midcentury modern furniture and vintage finds.
Uncommon Objects for the thing you didn’t know you needed.
Wildflower Organics for natural, tactile bedroom and home pieces.
Mockingbird Domestics for Texas-made furniture, art and objects.
And then there are the places you discover accidentally.
Those are often my favorite.
First: My Design Rule
Before we go shopping, I need to tell you something.
Please don’t buy everything from one store.
Even if it’s a really good store.
A room needs tension.
Old + new.
Expensive + inexpensive.
Polished + imperfect.
Modern + organic.
Quiet + strange.
Something that makes absolutely no sense until you put it in the room.
That’s when it starts feeling like you.
If everything comes from one showroom?
It can be beautiful.
But sometimes it feels like a showroom.
I want a home to feel collected.
1. Four Hands Home: Start Here for Scale
Four Hands is one of Austin’s homegrown design success stories and a very useful place to understand what’s happening in contemporary interiors.
Their aesthetic often moves comfortably between:
Modern.
Organic.
Textural.
California.
European-inspired.
Warm minimalism.
And pieces that work beautifully in Austin architecture.
Why I Like It
Scale.
You can look at a lot of furniture.
Sofas.
Dining tables.
Chairs.
Case goods.
Lighting.
Outdoor furniture.
Accessories.
And when you’re designing an entire home, seeing pieces together helps.
But Don’t Buy the Entire Room
This is where my earlier rule applies.
Maybe the sofa comes from Four Hands.
Great.
Then let’s find:
A vintage coffee table.
Art somewhere else.
An old object.
Different lamps.
Something handmade.
That’s how the room becomes yours.
2. Nannie Inez: When You Want Something More Interesting
Nannie Inez is one of those stores that reminds you that design can be playful.
And intelligent.
And weird.
In the best possible way.
The shop is known for a highly curated collection of modern furniture, lighting, objects, accessories and gifts from designers and brands around the world.
This isn’t where I’m going because I need:
“A beige decorative object for shelf number three.”
I’m going because I want something that makes the room better.
The Object Matters
People underestimate small objects.
A room can have:
Great sofa.
Beautiful rug.
Expensive table.
Perfect lighting.
And still feel completely dead.
Then you add one:
Unexpected object.
Piece of art.
Vintage sculpture.
Funny thing.
Personal thing.
And suddenly:
Life.
That’s the difference.
3. Scott + Cooner: Serious Design
If you love contemporary European furniture, Scott + Cooner belongs on the list.
This is where you start encountering the kind of pieces that aren’t simply furniture.
They’re design.
The showroom represents major international contemporary brands across:
Furniture.
Lighting.
Seating.
Tables.
Storage.
And architectural interiors.
This Is Where I Go for Education Too
Even if you’re not buying the $15,000 chair, go look at it.
Seriously.
Sit in it if they’ll let you.
Look at:
Proportion.
Construction.
Material.
Joinery.
Shape.
Why does it feel better?
Why does it look better?
Why does it still look relevant 20 years later?
Great design trains your eye.
4. Urbanspace Interiors: Contemporary Austin Done Well
Urbanspace is another strong destination for modern and contemporary design.
Their interiors side brings together furniture, lighting and accessories from a wide range of contemporary brands.
This is a good stop if your taste leans:
Architectural.
Modern.
Clean.
European.
But you don’t want your home to feel sterile.
Modern Doesn’t Mean Cold
I say this constantly.
Modern can still be:
Warm.
Textural.
Layered.
Emotional.
Comfortable.
The problem isn’t modern design.
The problem is bad modern design.
5. Jean-Marc Fray: Give the Room Some History
Now we need old things.
Jean-Marc Fray specializes in European antiques and vintage furniture, including French and Italian pieces.
This is where a room starts getting interesting.
Why Vintage Matters
Imagine:
Modern white-oak kitchen.
Clean plaster walls.
Contemporary sofa.
Beautiful lighting.
Then:
An antique French chest.
Or old European chair.
Or strange little table with 100 years of life on it.
Now we have tension.
I love that.
Perfect Is Boring
I don’t want every object in a home to look like it arrived Tuesday.
Something should have:
Patina.
History.
A scratch.
A story.
A previous life.
That’s what gives a new house soul.
6. Uptown Modern: Midcentury Without the Time Machine
If you love midcentury modern furniture, Uptown Modern is worth knowing.
The shop specializes in vintage midcentury furniture and home pieces, particularly from the 1940s through 1970s.
Midcentury Works Beautifully in Austin
Especially when you don’t turn the entire house into:
MAD MEN SET, 1964.
Take:
One chair.
Credenza.
Dining table.
Lamp.
Mix it into something contemporary.
That’s enough.
I love pieces that reference an era without turning the room into a costume.
7. Room Service Vintage: Personality
This is where we’re going to loosen up.
Room Service Vintage has been part of Austin’s vintage landscape for decades.
Furniture.
Art.
Lighting.
Accessories.
Things you absolutely were not planning to buy.
Perfect.
You Have to Dig
This is not:
Walk in.
Point to entire room.
Deliver Thursday.
That’s why it’s fun.
You might find:
A lamp.
Side table.
Piece of art.
Chair.
Ceramic.
Mirror.
Something slightly bizarre.
Those are often the pieces people ask about later.
8. Uncommon Objects: Go Without a Plan
This is important.
Do not go to Uncommon Objects looking for:
“A 36-inch-wide console table in white oak.”
That’s not the assignment.
Go because you want:
Something.
You don’t know what.
Yet.
The shop is known for antiques, curiosities, architectural pieces, vintage objects and the wonderfully unexpected.
Your House Needs Something Weird
I’m serious.
Not everything should be:
Tasteful.
Coordinated.
Approved.
Something should make someone say:
“What is THAT?”
And then you get to tell the story.
That is design.
9. Wildflower Organics: Bedroom Energy
Wildflower Organics is one of my favorite kinds of home store because it focuses on how things:
Feel.
Natural bedding.
Organic materials.
Textiles.
Mattresses.
Soft goods.
The tactile layer of a home.
Bedrooms Should Feel Different
Your bedroom should not feel like:
Living room with bed.
It’s the most intimate room in the house.
I want:
Texture.
Softness.
Quiet.
Weight.
Natural materials.
Something that makes your nervous system say:
We’re done now.
That’s design too.
10. Mockingbird Domestics: Texas Without the Cliché
One thing I never want when designing an Austin house is:
THEME: TEXAS.
No.
But I do love incorporating things made here.
Mockingbird Domestics has built its concept around American-made furniture, art and home goods, with a strong connection to Texas makers and artists.
That’s a much more interesting way to make a home feel rooted in place.
Local Doesn’t Need to Look Rustic
Texas design can be:
Modern.
Sculptural.
Sophisticated.
Minimal.
Organic.
Colorful.
Unexpected.
That’s the Austin I find interesting.
What About Art?
This deserves its own article.
Actually, we’re doing that next.
Because art is where a house stops being:
Decorated.
And starts becoming personal.
But here’s my rule:
Don’t buy art because it matches the sofa.
Please.
Buy it because:
You can’t stop looking at it.
It makes you uncomfortable.
It makes you happy.
It reminds you of something.
It represents something you’re becoming.
You don’t even completely understand why you want it.
That’s enough.
My Favorite Design Shopping Day From Westlake
If I had a free Saturday and wanted inspiration, I wouldn’t try to hit 14 stores.
That’s exhausting.
I’d do something like:
Coffee.
Two design shops.
Lunch.
One vintage stop.
Maybe art.
Home.
Then I’d start moving furniture around.
Because that’s apparently what I consider relaxing.
Don’t Forget Antique Malls and Estate Sales
Some of the best things in my own homes weren’t found because I Googled:
Best luxury furniture Austin.
They were found because I wandered.
Estate sale.
Vintage shop.
Antique store.
Travel.
Flea market.
Artist.
Random object.
Something somebody was getting rid of.
The best homes aren’t always designed.
Sometimes they’re accumulated.
This Is Especially Important in a New Build
New construction can be beautiful.
But everything is:
New.
New floor.
New cabinets.
New stone.
New lighting.
New windows.
New paint.
New furniture.
And suddenly the whole house feels like it was born yesterday.
Because it was.
Add Age
Bring in:
Vintage.
Antique.
Art.
Old wood.
Patina.
Something handmade.
Something inherited.
Something from a trip.
Something imperfect.
That’s how you give a new house memory.
What Should You Splurge On?
This depends on the room, but generally I’m more willing to spend on:
Sofa.
Dining table.
Great chair.
Lighting.
Original art.
Rug.
Pieces you touch constantly.
Pieces that establish the room.
Where Can You Save?
I am completely comfortable mixing in:
Affordable side tables.
Found objects.
Vintage accessories.
Simple frames.
Mass-market pieces.
Secondhand.
Marketplace finds.
Something from your grandmother.
Something your kid made.
Great design isn’t about proving how much everything cost.
The High-Low Mix
One of my favorite rooms might contain:
$12,000 sofa.
$200 vintage table.
Original painting.
Target basket.
Antique chair.
$40 object from a flea market.
Custom drapery.
Book from your last trip.
That’s a room.
Not a catalog.
What Should Westlake Homeowners Buy Before Selling?
Much less than you think.
This is where my designer brain and Realtor brain become one person.
Before selling, I am not trying to design your dream home.
I’m trying to create:
Clarity.
Emotion.
Flow.
Scale.
Light.
Buyer confidence.
Sometimes the answer is:
New lighting.
Better rug.
Different art.
Larger mirror.
Fewer objects.
Different furniture placement.
Not:
Buy an entirely new house worth of furniture.
Read our guide to what to fix before selling a Westlake home before you start spending.
Design Is One of the Biggest Opportunities in Westlake Real Estate
I see houses all the time where buyers can’t get past:
Paint.
Bad furniture.
Dated lighting.
Strange tile.
Awkward room.
And I think:
Are you kidding? This could be incredible.
That’s where being both a Realtor and designer changes how I look at property.
I’m not only looking at what the house is.
I’m looking at what it could become.
Ugly Is Not the Same as Bad
I’ve said this before because it matters.
Ugly can be fixed.
Bad location?
Harder.
Bad lot?
Harder.
No privacy?
Harder.
Awful orientation?
Harder.
Major structural problem?
Different conversation.
Our guide to buying a dated home in Westlake explains how I separate cosmetic problems from expensive ones.
Design for Who You’re Becoming
This is the philosophy behind my book, Intentional Design.
I believe your home can function almost like a three-dimensional vision board.
Not because:
Buy this chair and manifest a yacht.
That’s not what I mean.
I mean your environment reinforces:
Who you are.
How you live.
What you prioritize.
What you see.
How you gather.
What you create.
Where your attention goes.
Before You Buy Anything, Ask This
Not:
Does this match?
Ask:
Does this belong in the life I’m creating?
That question changes everything.
Maybe the giant dining table makes sense because you’re becoming the house where everyone gathers.
Maybe the beautiful desk matters because you’re finally writing the book.
Maybe you need less furniture because you’re trying to create calm.
Maybe the artwork represents something you want more of in your life.
That’s when design becomes intentional.
Frequently Asked Questions About Interior Design Shopping in Austin
Where are the best interior design stores in Austin?
Austin has a wide range of furniture and design destinations, including Four Hands, Nannie Inez, Scott + Cooner, Urbanspace Interiors, Jean-Marc Fray, Uptown Modern, Room Service Vintage, Uncommon Objects, Wildflower Organics and Mockingbird Domestics.
Where can I buy modern furniture in Austin?
Four Hands, Scott + Cooner and Urbanspace Interiors are useful starting points for contemporary and modern furniture, while individual stores vary considerably in price point and aesthetic.
Where can I find vintage furniture in Austin?
Jean-Marc Fray, Uptown Modern, Room Service Vintage and Uncommon Objects are among Austin shops to explore for antique, vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Where should I shop for furniture if I live in Westlake Austin?
Westlake residents have access to design showrooms and shops throughout central Austin, North Austin and the broader city. Because Westlake is close to central Austin, many design destinations are part of an easy weekend shopping rotation.
Is Austin good for interior design shopping?
Yes. Austin’s design scene ranges from major contemporary furniture showrooms to independent boutiques, vintage dealers, antiques, locally made pieces and architectural resources.
Should I buy all my furniture from the same store?
You can, but I generally prefer mixing sources, periods, price points and materials. That tends to create a more personal and collected interior.
Where can I find unique home accessories in Austin?
Independent design boutiques, vintage stores, antique dealers, estate sales and stores like Nannie Inez and Uncommon Objects are good places to search for distinctive pieces.
Should I renovate a dated Westlake house or buy something already finished?
That depends on the purchase price, scope of work, lot, location, architecture, your tolerance for renovation and the cost of creating the finished result. Read our renovated vs. fixer-upper Westlake guide for a deeper comparison.
My Best Advice?
Don’t try to finish your house in a month.
Leave some empty walls.
Leave a corner unresolved.
Wait.
Travel.
Find something.
Fall in love with a piece.
Let the house tell you what it’s missing.
Because when you buy everything at once, you’re designing for the person you are on moving day.
But your home should have room for:
The places you’ll go.
The people you’ll meet.
The art you’ll discover.
The things your kids make.
The books you’ll read.
And the person you’re becoming.
That’s what makes a house feel alive.
And that’s why my favorite Austin design shop might actually be:
The one where you find the thing you weren’t looking for.
Who are local real estate experts in 78733, Westlake and Eanes ISD?
The Council Real Estate Group at Compass is led by Natasha Antonioni (512-988-1741), Holly McCormick (512-699-5590) and Albina Rippy (713-443-6466), who live, work and raise their families in the Westlake and Eanes community. Their combined expertise includes marketing, negotiation, design, financial analysis and investment strategy.
