Sculpting the Soul of Mesa House
Mesa House is an East Austin sanctuary that celebrates the "human and the handmade." Heavily influenced by the design language of Guadalajara and Mexico City, the project explores the juxtaposition between rugged desert textures and a soft, feminine glow.
The home is a showcase of artisanal conviction, featuring a site-specific plaster installation hand-sculpted by a local artisan and a curated collection of ancient vessels that bring a primitive rawness to the modern kitchen. Notable architectural pivots include a James Turrell-inspired vanity room and a reclaimed vintage cinema in the attic, designed to restore intentionality to the art of storytelling.
Mesa House is more than a residence, it is a tactile experience of hospitality, rooted in the belief that the most beautiful spaces are those touched by the human hand.
Photos by Jeremy Doddridge
The Human Blueprint
Devin Dang | Head of Hospitality: Every time we’re in Mexico City, we end up at Tierra Garat. We’re usually strung out… up early scouting the markets and out late listening to music, but that shop always resets me. It’s not just the caffeine, it’s the hospitality. The way they use those terracotta bricks and that warm, sleek lighting... it makes you feel held. When we started Mesa House, I kept telling you, I want guests to feel that same physical "kick" of comfort the moment they walk in.
Charles Vesley | Head of Design: It’s funny you say that, because subconsciously, Tierra Garat was actually a major reference for me when I was sketching the logo and the lockup for Mesa House. I wanted that same organic, grounded branding. But the real soul of this project came from my encounter with Tlaquepaque in Guadalajara. The first time I went I was instantly obsessed with this idea of "handmade and human"... everything I saw was hand carved, hand stitched or hand painted. A huge departure from the norm in the states.
Rugged & Refined
DD: And then we found Sam. That felt like a total God-moment. Here is this self-taught sculptor, painter and artisan who had been operating in the shadows of the digital world but was itching to get his hands dirty. I remember Tim showed him that plastering inspiration, and within three days, he had hand-sculpted that installation in the living room. It’s the heartbeat of the house now. You can literally see the thumbprints and the effort in the texture.
CV: And then there’s the surrounding paint we applied that is a direct nod to the desert landscapes in Tequila, Jalisco. I wanted to reflect that ruggedness of the agave fields directly onto the walls. But there’s this beautiful juxtaposition at Mesa House… it’s rugged, but it’s also the most feminine, warm space we’ve ever built. That pink terracotta limewash on the first floor, matched with the sofa... it exudes this glow, like being inside a pink Himalayan salt lamp.
"I wanted guests to feel that same physical 'kick' of comfort the moment they walk in."
An Artifact Aesthetic
DD: It’s a mood, for sure. And the kitchen, I love that you remixed those ancient relics with the modern cabinets.
CV: You know my obsession with those ancient vessels and oil jars. Using the space above the cabinets to display a collection of different shapes and sizes... it’s like showing off a vintage car collection from 2,000 years ago. It brings this raw, primitive weight to a brand-new build.
“It’s like showing off a vintage car collection from 2,000 years ago.”
The Optical Illusion
DD: It’s about those unexpected pivots, too. Like the "Speakeasy" vanity. We were honestly on the fence about gutting a perfectly good closet, but we went for it.
CV: Between the custom wood counters, the color-drenching, and those backlit organic mirrors, it turned into this accidental James Turrell exhibit. The way the light bounces off the glass simultaneously... it’s an optical illusion we couldn't have even planned.
"It’s an optical illusion we couldn’t have even planned."
Reclaimed & Rewound
DD: But if we’re talking about "intentional" space, the Cinema is the crown jewel for me. We live in this era where people are distracted, scrolling on a phone with a laptop open while the TV is on in the background. You aren't actually consuming the story. Converting that tiny attic space into a dedicated movie room was our way of making cinema sacred again. You go up there to be present.
CV: And you can’t talk about the cinema without talking about the infamous "Waco Run." You, Tim and Nelson renting that Home Depot truck, driving two hours north to track down those vintage theater seats... that’s the definition of Reclamation. We brought a piece of Texas history back to East Austin and gave it a second life.
Felt into Existence
DD: That’s what makes the experience. No one else has those seats. No one else has that sculpture. It’s a home that wasn't just built… it was felt into existence.
"We brought a piece of Texas history back to East Austin and gave it a second life."
