Modern Elegance in Austin: Irene and Jim Snyder’s Bespoke Austin Home

“I love it every time I walk into my house. It’s beautiful, it’s finished, and it feels like us.” – Irene Snyder

For Irene and Jim Snyder, moving to Austin was more than just a change of scenery. After years of living in Illinois, Minnesota, and Florida, the couple was ready for a fresh chapter—one filled with sunshine, sophistication, and a home that reflected where they were in life now. What they didn’t expect was how working with John-William Interiors would completely transform the way they saw and experienced their living space.

Modern Elegance in Austin: Irene and Jim Snyder’s Bespoke Austin Home

A New Chapter In Texas

When Jim’s company opened an office in Austin, he and Irene saw the move as an opportunity. Their children were grown and mostly out of the house, and the idea of relocating to a vibrant city with year-round warmth was appealing.

Their past homes had leaned traditional—an English Tudor, a red-brick colonial with black shutters, and even a penthouse apartment. But this time, they were drawn toward something lighter, brighter, and more contemporary.

“This home is probably the most transitional-contemporary space we’ve ever lived in,” Irene explained. “It feels fresh and full of light, which suits sunny Texas perfectly.”

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Discovering  John-William Interiors

Irene and Jim have worked with designers in past houses and value the perspective that a designer brings to the design, layout, and function of a space.

The path to John-William Interiors was, as Jim puts it, “a bit random.” While scouting furniture for their apartment at the time, the couple wandered into several stores—including John-William Interiors—and immediately noticed a difference.

“The furnishings spoke to us,” Irene said. “And then we met Terry. She introduced herself, offered to come see our space, and from there, everything just clicked.”

When the couple transitioned from apartment living to a whole home, continuing to work with Terry was an easy decision. “This house was right up her alley in terms of style,” Irene said. They trusted Terry to help bring their vision to life.

Jim added, “She has opinions, but at the same time, she listens to you. She’s good at figuring out what we don’t like as much as what we do, which makes all the difference. It was a balance that worked really well for us.”

Meet Terry

Designing with Modern Elegance in Mind

The Snyders envisioned a home that was modern but elegant—contemporary without feeling cold, sophisticated without being impractical. During the move, they retained some pieces from their previous homes but were open to incorporating new elements into their space. Terry guided them through the design process, creating detailed floor plans and presenting carefully selected furniture and fabric options.

“She just gets it,” Irene shared. “Almost everything she showed us, we loved. And the best part was seeing it all come together in the actual space—it worked just as beautifully as it did on paper.”

Durability was just as important as style. With grandchildren in the mix, Irene wanted pieces that could withstand real life. “I didn’t want to worry about a leather sofa getting ruined by snacks or spills. It had to be elegant but practical.”

Jim’s perspective was more analytical; it was a sense of fulfillment in accomplishing the project. Watching the project come together step by step felt a bit like cooking—you invest in the process and then enjoy the satisfaction of the result.

Living in the Finished Space

Now that they’re settled, the couple is enjoying their home in new ways. “It’s calming,” Irene said. “It’s where we spend most of our time, and I love it. Every time someone visits—like my sister recently—they walk in and say, ‘Wow, this is so different.’ It feels good to hear that.”

For Jim, the finished home represents both style and thoughtfulness. “It looks like adults were involved,” he laughed. “Every piece feels chosen with intention, not just picked because it was safe or neutral. That, to me, is timeless design.”

What Timeless  Design Means

Timelessness is a core value that John-William Interiors holds, and it resonated deeply with Irene and Jim.

“To me, timeless design means a space that still looks good twenty years from now,” Irene explained. “It’s not about chasing trends that fade quickly—it’s about creating something that lasts the test of time.” 

Jim agreed, adding, “Timeless design feels sophisticated. It’s design that people will appreciate over time.”

Tips for Working with a Designer

For Irene, the number one piece of advice is simple: use a designer if you can. She’s quick to point out that design help is available at many levels—whether it’s an in-store consultant at a retailer or a dedicated interior designer. “Whatever your budget is, a designer will help make it look its best,” she shared.

Just as important, Irene believes in building a real rapport with your designer. The back-and-forth collaboration is where the magic happens, and the end result is always stronger when both sides are engaged in the process. And if that relationship isn’t working? Don’t be afraid to make a change. “You’ll get a better end product when you work together,” she explained.

Jim agrees wholeheartedly, adding that the value of a designer goes beyond aesthetics. To him, it’s about avoiding costly mistakes and re-dos. “It doesn’t actually mean you’re spending more,” he noted. With the right guidance, every decision becomes more intentional—and the overall investment stretches further.

Together, they’ve seen firsthand how design expertise elevates a space. Whether the look is minimalist, transitional, or more layered, a designer ensures it feels polished, cohesive, and truly finished.

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A Home That Reflects Their Story

What began as a brief stop into John-William Interiors has become a relationship—and a home—that Irene and Jim truly cherish. With Terry’s guidance, they’ve created a space that feels elegant, functional, and undeniably theirs.

Beyond the furniture and finishes, what they value most is how intentional the process felt. Every detail, from the textures they touch daily to the way the rooms flow when they entertain, carries their fingerprints. The home tells their story—not by replicating a trend, but by weaving together comfort, sophistication, and longevity in a way that fits who they are now and who they’ll be in the years ahead.

As Irene summed it up, “I love it every time I walk into my house. It’s beautiful, it’s finished, and it feels like us.”