This Austin Apartment’s Hotel-Inspired Design Left Me Speechless
Cullen Ormond
·7 min read
Interior designer and marketer Nnedy Obiwuru moved into a new-build, two-bedroom rental apartment in Austin, Texas, with her fiancé Jon Henson two years ago. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
When the couple moved into the apartment with their pup, Clementine, the home had great bones (including 12-foot ceilings!) and was brand-new, but there wasn't much personality. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
Nnedy runs an interiors and lifestyle brand called Every Last Layer, inspired by ogres (yes, you read that right!). Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
“Grounded in my love of Shrek, I have always resonated with ogres having layers and depth. Many things make up who we are, and those layers deserve to be preserved and celebrated,” Nnedy explains. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
“Through sharing my layers, I depict the bold, the quiet, the funky, the subtle, the glam — all living harmoniously.” Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
For the design of their apartment, Nnedy created a space that feels like a luxurious boutique hotel with items that the couple adores (like the Shrek painting). Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"I wanted to create a space that feels both intentional and relaxing, an escape from the craziness of the world," Nnedy explains. (The bedroom curtains open with a press of a button!) Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
The living room was designed to feel like a hotel lobby, and Nnedy can often be found relaxing in a "really fluffy white robe" in this space (or the several other lavish rooms). Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
Even though Nnedy and Jon rent the apartment, that doesn't mean they want to sacrifice "quality or style" when decorating the space. So, they have to be clever. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
It was key for Nnedy and Jon to stick to a budget while decorating their apartment, and doing this meant being discerning about when to thrift, DIY, or invest in design commitment. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"Balancing these decisions — without compromising on the overall look and feel — was tricky but ultimately rewarding, as it pushed me to be more creative and intentional with every choice," Nnedy shares. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
Nnedy's home rules are as follows: "1. Cold bottle of champagne in the refrigerator at all times, in case of celebration (and everything is worth celebrating)." Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"2. Lighting must fit the vibe (low lights preferred)." Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
What was once a new-build apartment has become an "elegant, intimate space," Nnedy says. "It has a boutique hotel vibe with a touch of Parisian flair." Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"Every piece was chosen thoughtfully, giving it a vintage yet swanky feel," she continues. "Now, it’s a sophisticated mix of luxury and coziness — an inviting, stylish home." Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
The couple secured the apartment before the construction finished, and another selling point was the home's location. They're near one of their favorite spots in downtown Austin, Texas. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"We've hidden little nuggets of Shrek throughout," Nnedy admits. "From a bedside portrait of Sutton Foster as Fiona to a random Elizabethan Shrek in the hallway, we've scattered dozens of nods to my favorite movie for our guests to discover. Each piece is a playful homage waiting to be found." Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
Knowing that the hallways needed light, Nnedy aligned with the theme and added renter-friendly magnetic lights and room numbers. They keep the couple from bumping into things at night and ease Nnedy's homesickness, as she has her hometown area code outside one of the rooms. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
Nnedy's proudest DIY project is the built-in bookshelf bar. Using Walmart shelves and hardboard, she added mirrors to the back and sides of the shelving and added marble tiles from The Home Depot to the bartop. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"My favorite element of the apartment is the updated office, which we designed to feel like a cozy, personal restaurant," Nnedy shares. "Restaurants have always been special to us, as that’s where we fell in love, and this space transports us right back with its thoughtful decor and atmosphere." Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"It feels one-of-a-kind like no one else could have created it. The process, from the initial idea to the final touches, was effortless and felt like it was always meant to happen," she continues. "It was also my first experience building furniture from scratch, which made it even more personal and rewarding." Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
When Nnedy and Jon host friends, the dinners will often take place in their moody restaurant-style guest room. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
"It all started with a speakeasy-themed guest bathroom, decorated with thrifted frames and vintage photos from the Harlem Renaissance and Prohibition eras," Nnedy explains. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
Nnedy admits that there's nothing better than turning on some jazz music and taking a bath in this cozy bathroom. Credit: Emily MeyerCredit: Emily Meyer
Two years ago, interior designer and marketer Nnedy Obiwuru moved into a new-build, two-bedroom rental apartment in Austin, Texas, with her fiancé Jon Henson and pup, Clementine. It took six months of searching to find this home, but once they did — they knew it was the one.
Not only was the location perfect (it’s so close to one of their favorite spots!), but it had 12-foot ceilings. However, its original iteration — new, modern, and “standard” looking — wasn’t the selling point for Nnedy, who runs an interiors and lifestyle brand called Every Last Layer. Instead, the blank canvas would allow her to put her mark on the home.
“Once we decorated, the house became this elegant, intimate space,” Nnedy explains. “It has a boutique hotel vibe with a touch of Parisian flair. Every piece was chosen thoughtfully, giving it a vintage yet swanky feel. Now, it’s a sophisticated mix of luxury and coziness — an inviting, stylish home.”
Tying in pieces from the past and aspirational elements for the future and helping them cohesively connect is something that Nnedy is fluent in. Her interior work combines the two periods to create a complete picture of who she is and who she’s working to be — and her apartment is representative of that. Nnedy’s design inspiration might be a bit surprising, though.
“Grounded in my love of Shrek, I have always resonated with ogres having layers and depth. Many things make up who we are, and those layers deserve to be preserved and celebrated,” Nnedy explains. “Through sharing my layers, I depict the bold, the quiet, the funky, the subtle, the glam — all living harmoniously.”
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