Peek Inside 5 Funky Texas Houses
The Land Up Country Living Series
While the city of Austin sees itself as funky, our experience looking at real estate across the entire state of Texas has shown us weirdness isn’t just limited to the capital; especially when it comes to houses.
From the unconventional Bloom House with its mind-blowing structure, to the enchanting Sand Dollar house overlooking Lake Travis, these unique houses will leave you in awe (seriously, buckle up buttercup).
Join us on an adventure as we peek inside 5 of the funkiest houses in Texas. These residences perfectly embody the state's offbeat charm and showcase its residents' imaginative spirit. Also, they’re just fun to look at.
1. The Bloom House in Austin, Texas
“So, the look we were going for was melting ice cream.”
If you're searching for a funky living space that instantly grabs attention and leaves passersby in awe, the Bloom House in Austin is an absolute standout. Tucked away in the hills of West Austin, this 1984 architectural gem draws inspiration from various aspects of nature's beauty. With its enchanting floral exterior and carefully crafted design, the structure is meant to integrate with its outdoor surroundings.
Guided by the vision of owner Dalton Bloom, and the expertise of architect Charles Harker, the goal was to create a harmonious connection between human creativity and the natural world. Prepare to be entranced by the charm and incorporation of art and nature within the Bloom House.
The fireplace makes us feel like we’re in the Smurfs movie.
When you step inside the little cottage in the woods you'll find a living room full of quirky designs that are as whimsical as the exterior coupled with bright walls and contemporary furniture. The interior decor may look similar to your Amazon Prime Wishlist but when it's in this fanciful house, it creates an almost modern art museum feel.
The shelves provide an abundance of room for all your culinary aspirations. But, you’ll probably just always crave marshmallow fluff.
Moving on to the kitchen, you'll find a unique combination of vintage and modern design with retro kitchen appliances, trendy hipster kitchen stuff (duh), and some cool shelves complementing the ambiance.
“The bedroom is across the melting hallway, down the mushroom stairs, and into the trippy cave.”
The cozy corner bedroom has the best outdoor views… and the charm of Fred Flintstone’s place.
We always wondered what a plant hallway would look like.
Before we make our way to the next funky house in Austin, let’s take a moment to appreciate the unusual materials and shapes that went into this build. The structure was coated in layers of polyurethane foam and sculpted with a hand-held pruning saw in over seven months. Not to mention it’s remarkably well-insulated and eco-friendly. If the term “well-insulated” makes you feel some type of way, then make sure you head on over to our DIY Insulation blog for a spelling binding tour through the captivating and diverse world of home insulation. Did we sell it enough??
And next time you’re in Austin and want to fantasize about what it’s like to be the humanoid mushroom, Toad from Super Mario, book this place on Airbnb and get funky.
2. Casa Neverlandia in Austin, Texas
This Texas house is straight out of a storybook. But not the creepy old ones about witches eating children in the woods.
Witnessing how someone's passion for art manifests inside a living space is always captivating, so when we stumbled upon Casa Neverlandia, the home of James Talbot—an artist, architect, and Rice University grad—we couldn't resist sharing this extraordinary (and funky) find.
This place isn’t just Talbot's home; it’s his artistic canvas and a living experiment in sustainable living. He’s chosen a variety of design themes, like an intricate doorbell made from a xylophone and homemade bells decorating the front porch.
Casa Neverlandia’s living room with blue air altar featured on the far window.
The decor is charming, new age-ish, and all very meaningful to Talbot. The stained glass walls and lamps transport you to a different realm.
In this kitchen, even the pots and pans have a touch of enchantment.
Yellow is a strong color choice, but it does seem to give the quirky kitchen a sunny personality. And the magic doesn't stop there! The kitchen is decked out with colorful teapots, cups, and even more stained glass accents hanging on the walls. If this doesn't make you feel like you've stumbled into a wonderland, then we don't know what will.
Seeing this room makes us want to go out and buy a gong.
Taking the staircase upstairs, you’ll find a cozy open loft for sitting and sleeping. This room was designed to remind the owner of a place he lived while he was getting his life in order.
With its Chinese-red bamboo poles and rope handrails, this loft is the perfect spot to relax, reflect, and maybe even practice your gong-playing skills. Just be careful not to wake up the neighbors with your newfound gong enthusiasm!
We’re officially in Never Land now.
From the top-floor balcony - about 3 stories above ground - you'll find a swinging bridge leading to an observation deck among the treetops. It's your very own adventure course: zip across the bridge or take the scenic route through the house to meet in the backyard.
The creator of this home snagged it for a steal of a deal in the 70s, but he's been on a never-ending renovation spree to shape it into the masterpiece it is today.
Talbot's creativity extends beyond his piece of Texas land. You can also spot his artistic touch all around Austin, including the monument named "You Essential Magnificence" on South Congress Avenue.
3. The Steel House in Lubbock, Texas - Coming Soon!
Star Wars fans, you’ll love this one - this house could easily be something that landed from outer space.
Let’s venture beyond Central Texas and go further North where a visionary architect started creating an artistic and funky masterpiece that we’re sure the neighbors love.
This is Robert Bruno’s Steel House project in Lubbock, Texas and the construction of the metal hoss was no ordinary feat. It demanded a staggering 110 tons of steel and a remarkable 23-year journey guided by an architect who craved something beyond the ordinary flat landscape design.
Unfortunately, the development of the Steel House was put on pause due to the passing of the original creator Bruno back in 2008, but it was listed on the market a few years back and was bought by the Bartosh family who have been working over the last year to finish Bruno’s masterpiece. Like the Bloom house in Austin, it will be short-term rental so you too can experience the funkiness first-hand.
We don’t know which is better - the amazing view of Lake Ransom Canyon or the windows themselves.
Step into the renewed living room, and you'll be greeted by a blend of industrial charm, contemporary comfort, and a view that eerily resembles the throne room of the Death Star. The unclutered interior spaces complement the steel structure's raw elegance to a tee!
It's the kind of place that makes you wish you had that $1.5 million just a few years ago, so you could live like a comic book super villain and call this wonder your own. But hey, at least now you’ll be able to experience it for yourself if you decide to book this exotic vacation rental.
A window overlooking the entire lake always takes the cake.
When you make your way down the hallway and into one of the Steel House’s captivating bedrooms, guests will find more mixing of modern and industrial design, creating what we think is a unique and cozy atmosphere.
With its breathtaking views and charming details, we would stay in this Airbnb any day.
This house weighs 110 tons—about 10 tons more than a Boeing 757.
A few final words about the infamous Steel House; this place is as just as much a unique (and funky) sculpture as it is a home. One single individual started this project and his achievement is a product of decades of effort on a solidarity, quixotic project.
4. The Kettle House in Galveston, Texas
The Kettle House gets a facelift.
Located at the West End of Galveston Island, The Kettle House is indeed a unique and funky structure. It may have been a short and stout teapot to start, but look at her now!
It was originally built as a storage tank in the 1960s but it’s been renovated and is ready to host your next spring break rager (or if you’re like us - nap time rager) as a beach rental.
It’s giving off a mid-century modern aesthetic, but with kettle-ier vibes.
The inside is just as beautiful and vibrant as the newly improved exterior. It's fully furnished with stylish contemporary furniture and you can see a full 180-degree view of the place by taking just one picture.
Spiral staircases have been known for their luxuriousness and artsy nature. And ability to sometimes make us dizzy.
To get to the bedroom, you’ll go down a spiral staircase that adds a nice touch to the place. It is rather steep and tight, and there aren’t handrails, but you do get a half cage like at a zoo in a third world country.
And to think this place was used as a storage tank in the 1960s. Probably stored hippies.
Take a peek at the master suite, featuring a comfortable queen-sized bed with premium linens that look like they could give you the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had on a vacation.
“Oh nothing, just chillin’ in my hammock inside my kettle. What are you up to?”
An additional four guests can sleep in the two queen beds downstairs. How cute is this setup? The hammocks are practically begging for you to lounge all day with a good read in-hand.
You'll never run out of comfortable spots to choose from at the Kettle House.
The lower patio deck offers an abundance of seating options for leisurely gatherings and relaxation. If you’re a beachgoer with an affinity for the odd, you can escape the banality of everyday architecture with this retreat like no other.
If you want to learn more about this stellar house transformation, check out Michael and Ashley Cordray of Save 1900, who purchased the structure, renovated it for their home makeover show, “Big Texas Fix,” and opened it up to the public for short-term rentals on Airbnb.
Our last stop is also near the shore.
5. The Sand Dollar House in Lakeway, Texas
The home is also referred as the Nautilus House, as well as the Mushroom House.
Known as the Sand Dollar House, this funky residence was designed by John Covert Watson and echoes the design of the Guggenheim Museum on New York City’s Upper East Side. The resemblance to the Guggenheim was no accident. Watson worked for the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright when he was designing the iconic art museum, completed in 1959.
We’d call this a ‘well rounded’ kitchen.
Built in 1979 as a second residence for artist Eugenia Hunt, this Texas house showcases a whimsical atmosphere inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Its steel and gunite structure, along with its curved white walls, add to its charm and unique character.
The kitchen itself has a graceful curved design that features a countertop filled with vibrant blue tiles, extending beyond onto a lower deck...
This lakefront home is known to be an Austin Icon.
All three bedrooms are on the lower level and are connected to porches. In our opinion, the best part about this seashell gem is the countless cozy nooks giving you the best views overlooking Lake Travis.
We'll take a coffee with a side of this view.
The entire house offers stunning panoramic views that you can't ignore. The living room combines boho and modern designs, creating a vacation-like atmosphere right at home.
As we wrap up our final house in this tour, let us simply bask in the amazing views of Lake Travis. Liz, the current owner, had dreamt of owning this house since she first laid eyes on it from a boat in college. We're glad she has finally acquired the house of her dreams, and we feel lucky to have experienced it through our funky homes tour.
Your local real estate team, land specialists, and occasional home tour guides.
Thanks for Joining Us!
While we enjoyed exploring some of our state’s eccentric homes with you, our team of local real estate agents is primarily focused on the thriving Central Texas area.
Houses are cool and all, but it all starts with land. At Land Up, we can help you find your perfect piece of Central Texas Land, and it goes Up from there.
If you're looking to list your Texas Hill Country land, home or commercial real estate, connect with one of our land specialist real estate agents and work with the best in Central Texas!