Casa Armadillo - Mid-Century / Boho Chic Home close to Greenbelt/Zilker Park

Hi, I’m Joanne. I’m from Brooklyn NY and spend my time now between Austin and Rockaway Beach, Queens. Two very different places topographically but with the same bohemian and weird vibe that I love. I spent 38 years in the ad business as an Art Director/Creative Director and designer. I retired last year and realized a new passion– designing spaces. I’ve poured my soul into my 2 homes and find joy in being surrounded by art and things that I love. Both my homes are very different from each other in style and culture but share the same whimsy, funkiness and range of expression through color. I surround myself with art that was created by people I cherish as family (my two daughters) and friends. My other joy comes in having a full house (I have most definitely inherited this from my Italian born mother) and inviting people to enjoy what I’ve created. Casa Armadillo is the Austin side of me and I invite you to enjoy it and make it your home in Austin too.
More about me:
I fell in love with Rockaway Beach as a teenager when I dated a lifeguard.
I fell in love with Austin when I went to my best friend/old business partner’s wedding. So much fun!
I love live music and strive to see as much of it as humanly possible.
I will be working on becoming fluent in Italian, if it kills me!
I have 2 artist daughters. One is studying glass sculpture/blowing and the other became a Medic and covers 9-1-1 calls all over NYC.
I have a cat named Luna Lovegood because of her light blue, ‘always staring naively at me’ eyes.
I always want everyone to have a good time! Life is short! Again, from my mom.
I always have my phone on and can send a text back usually in rapid-speed. If I don’t answer quickly it’s because I am mindfully trying to be present and my glass-blower daughter is glaring at me to not look at my screen. The tables have turned.

Oh, and I also love to travel, but don’t worry, I have help on the ground in Austin. Malia works with me and will be happy to help you.

I decided on South Austin because it’s central to just about everything I love to do in Austin and Barton Hills because it’s quiet and relaxing and close to the Greenbelt. My home is on a little over a quarter of an acre so it’s surrounded by all things green but a short Uber ride will get you to downtown, the airport, East Austin and Loro (my favorite restaurant). I also really love the vibe here. It’s a little bit bohemian, a little weird, has amazing food and cocktails and everyone is usually so relaxed. I equate it to being the West Village (if you know NYC) of Austin. Fun, funky and always interesting. Zilker Park is like Washington Square Park but bigger, greener and with more people playing sports and doing healthy things. Like yoga. On any given day, If you go to Barton Springs you’ll find people walking tightropes, playing and dancing in a drum circle, doing yoga, picnicking and strolling with their dogs. Sometimes there’s music. There’s usually a stunning sunset and incredible views of the skyline complete with happy hour lighting. And just over a little divide is Barkin Springs, the free part where you can bring your dog and sit on a big rock and people and dog watch.

South Austin is like an oasis surrounded by a very cool town. The oasis is the Greenbelt and the River. It amazes me that you can see the city from a kayak. There’s an entrance to the Greenbelt a few blocks from my place and there’s a whole different thing going on there. People are rock climbing, swimming when there’s water, hiking and really enjoying nature. There are other areas of Austin that have great music venues, restaurants and things to do but being centrally located, Barton Hills is 10 minutes from it all. So really, it’s the best of both worlds. The part that makes Austin such a lively town and the part that makes it an oasis surrounded by a lively town.