Southern Living Idea House 2018

Welcome to Austin, Texas and the 2018 Southern Living Idea House!

Take part in this annual Southern Living tradition, and purchase your tickets to tour this year's Idea House located in the prime Northwest Hills area of Austin, offering a relaxed Hill Country setting just minutes from downtown. Tickets are $20 for adults and free for children 12 and under when accompanied by a paying adult. A portion of each ticket sold benefits the Dell Children's Medical Center, the premier health care provider for children and adolescents in Central Texas.

Self-guided tours of the Southern Living Idea House are offered Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from noon-4 p.m. from June 15 through Novermber 8, 2018. 

Providing creative ideas and inspiration for prospective and current homeowners for nearly 30 years, this year's home is a renovation featuring an all-local team for its design, build, and decor.

Meredith Ellis, owner of Meredith Ellis Design, is managing the interior design with much of the fabric, wallpaper, rugs, and accessories sourced through JAMES Showroom, which is owned and operated by Ellis. Chris Sanders of Sanders Architecture is overseeing the home’s architecture. David Wilkes Builders is managing the construction project and Big Red Sun Austin created the garden design.  

Dates of Tour:  June 15, 2018 - November 8, 2018

Tour Hours:

• Monday: Closed


• Tuesday: Closed


• Wednesday: 10am-4pm


• Thursday: 10am-4pm


• Friday: 10am-4pm


• Saturday: 10am-4pm


• Sunday: 12pm-4pm

Cost: $20 per person, 12 and under free with paying adult (processing fees/sales tax added at checkout).  Tickets also available at the door.

Please note if you miss your day, valid tickets will be honored any time of any day during Idea House tour hours.

Tour App:  This year's Idea House Tour features and interactive smartphone/tablet app to help you discover more information about the Idea Hosue resources.  See something you like? Find out where you can get it to add to your home.  It is best to download the app before you come so you are ready to discover new ideas.  Download the Southern Living Idea House Tour app for iPhone here or the Android app here.

Area: 

As this year's home is located in a residential neighborhood, we ask all tour attendess to please be considerate of neighbors. Also be aware, this area has a high deer population so drivers should be on the lookout, especially during the morning or early evening hours.

Parking:

Park on any curb immediatley adjacent to house on Rusty Ridge Drive or Dry Ledge Cove or on the Western curb of Rusty Ridge Drive (opposite side of street from home).  Please do not park within 5 feet of any driveway or block any mailboxes or fire hydrants.  Entry to home is via front walkway.

Photography:

Photography is allowed in the home and sharing through social media channels is encouraged. (Recommended hashtags include #slideahouse2018 @southernlivingmag @meredithellis @sandersarchitecture @davidwilkesbuilders @jamesshowroom)

Large Groups/Tours:

For more information on group attendance of 20 or more please contact ideahouse@jamesshowroom.com. Specific parking requirements pertain to large RVs or buses.  Please coordiante ahead of time to minimize impact on neighborhood.

Please note, the Idea House is a private residence and does not meet ADA accessibility requirements.

Sponsors of the 2018 Idea House include: Belgard, Carolina Lanterns & Lighting, Clarkson Lighting, ChoiceDek Composite Decking, Dillard’s, Hunter Fan Company, JAMES Showroom, Marvin Windows and Doors, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. and Kendra Scott.