Introducing Project House Austin

Written by Laura Shimko

Photography by Madeline Harper

There is something special about the ability to look at an empty lot and envision a beautiful home full of character and charm. For brother and sister Brent Green and Melissa Olson, casting a vision and bringing it to life is the passion that fuels their Austin, Texas-based home design and construction business, Cottage & Key. The duo has signed on to spearhead our next Project House: a cute and cozy cottage nestled in the fast-growing suburban community of Taylor, Texas. As they prepare to get started on constructing this new build, they share what brought them to this point and the vision they have for this exciting project.

Dream team Melissa Olson and Brent bring their skills in design and construction together to create Cottage & Key. “Envisioning the space—from function to layout and materials to final touches—and then seeing it all transform from dream to reality during construction is the best feeling ever,” Melissa says.

Inspired by Dad

With Brent managing the construction side of the business, Melissa handles all the design elements. Their combined love of their crafts stems from their father’s work as a general contractor.

“He was always knee-deep in renovations at home as well as working on client projects,” Melissa says. “Witnessing his work firsthand constantly exposed me to the variety of materials and the endless possibilities for creating one-of-a-kind homes.” After he assisted her on renovating her first home, she knew she needed to help others realize their own dream homes.

kitchen designed by Cottage & Key — Originally a dark and dated cave-like atmosphere, this kitchen received Melissa’s total makeover, transforming into a light and bright space full of simplicity and charm. “The dark cabinets were refinished in a creamy white color, yellow walls painted white, and concrete floors got upgraded to a white oak engineered hardwood,” she says. Champagne bronze hardware and handmade zellige tiles bring warmth. “The concrete pendant lights add a touch of texture, and their rounded shape softens all the straight lines,” she says.

The creation of Cottage & Key was the result of successful collaborations between Brent and Melissa on several design and construction projects in the Austin area. “It grew organically,” Melissa says. “Friends would reach out for help updating their spaces and Brent, with his construction expertise, would travel from Missouri to bring those designs to life.” As word spread of their work, demand continued to grow and the pair realized that they had the opportunity to bring their skillsets together to help even more homeowners realize their dreams. “It felt like a natural next step to turn our passion into a full-fledged business—and Cottage & Key was born,” Melissa says.

Their brand is characterized by a refined yet cozy aesthetic, full of character and timeless charm.

Project House Austin rendering — This rendering of Melissa and Brent’s vision for our Project House was a collaboration between them and Plank and Pillow. “We aimed for a cottage feel that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding 1950s neighborhood,” Melissa says. “The white brick façade and arched doorway add a touch of timeless character, creating a space that feels both cozy and elevated.”

Getting Started

Although it’s only an empty lot right now, Melissa and Brent have big plans for our future Project House. At 1,600 square feet, the single-story home will be for a small family or couple. While the house is a completely new build, Melissa plans to bring in timeless elements to meld together old and new.

To create the floor plan, they collaborated with Henry and Kelly Jones at Plank and Pillow (@plankandpillow). “We knew we wanted the classic English cottage charm,” Melissa says. “Their floor plan designs aligned with our vision and together we crafted the ideal layout: cozy and full of character, but with a modern, functional flow.”

blueprint for Project House Austin — Melissa and Brent carefully crafted a floorplan that serves both form and function. The shared living areas of the living room, kitchen and breakfast nook all flow together in an open plan. They decided to tuck the mudroom and laundry room near the back entrance for functionality. Two guest bedrooms with a shared bath sit at the front of the home, while the spacious primary suite resides in the back for added privacy. The garage is thoughtfully hidden and accessible through the back alley.

When asked about any anticipated challenges for this project, Brent said they believe translating their aesthetic to a suburban setting may come with some considerations; however, they are ready to take the challenge head on. “Witnessing the transformation of a bare piece of land into someone’s home is incredibly rewarding,” he says. “It’s a great reminder of the impact we can have on people’s lives as they are starting the next chapter in a home they can be proud of.”

neutral spacious kitchen designed by Cottage & Key — This cozy kitchen from a past project is brimming with calm, neutral vibes, but the process of renovation posed several challenges to Melissa and Brent. “It needed a lot of love, with a hole in the floor and a disconnected feel,” Melissa says. “We saw its potential and chose to remove a few walls. The kitchen became a beautiful, open space that flows into the living room.”

previous work of Cottage & Key neutral bathroom — This shower was part of a whole bathroom renovation for a family with teens. Melissa and Brent totally revamped the basic builder-grade style of the original to give the family a space that fit their aesthetic and functional needs. “Warm tones and natural textures create a space that’s both stylish and adaptable, growing alongside a teenager’s evolving needs and personal style,” Melissa says.

Learn more about Project House Austin sponsors here and follow along with its progress online, in the magazine, and find teasers along the way by following us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

Author Bio

Laura Shimko

A lover of history, good stories and beautiful spaces, Laura finds that writing for American Farmhouse Style is a wonderful outlet. Residing in the rugged West, she enjoys watercolor sunsets and finding beauty in the unexpected. She is a wife to a wonderful husband and a brand new boy mom. When not cuddling with the baby or her two cats Tigger and Scout, she enjoys dabbling in fiction writing, attempting soap making, baking and DIY home projects.