Bedroom

Final incarnation of the 3rd-floor master bedroom, with elevated tree platform..........

Serpent Gate

Painted wrought iron, colored mirror, brick, stone.

Full front view of house, 2001

In '96, Casa was still a 1-story, but with added foundation, updated wiring and plumbing, xeriscape landscaping established, and 12 inch reinforced masonry walls ready to support the upper structure. The new, 2-story A-frame roof, resting entirely on the new masonry walls, was built over the existing roof, which was then removed by sections and hauled away.

Finial sculpture at roof peak, 2002

A connection to the sky and the universe beyond is established by Talbot's distinctive sculpture at the front peak of the roof.

Front Walk in Spring

Front Porch/Entryway

Front porch and entryway showing sculptural all and talk tube in green.

Entry Hall

Rear view of house, 2001

With its whimsical exterior and back-of-the-house living spaces, their abode would please as diverse a crew as Buckminster Fuller, Gaudi, Dr. Seuss, Tarzan, and Peter Pan. Note in the upper left the 28' truss bridge that links the upper bedroom balcony, through the tree canopy, over to the tower which is just outside the left frame. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Earth Altar, 2003

Earth Altar, 2003

Fire Altar, 1992

This is one of the altars to the Four Elements. The central shape was inspired by one of Frank Lloyd Wright's broad, multi-layered arches. The overhead vault is clad in mirror to reflect light and heat into the living room. The side portals are for wood storage, each having doors to the outside, thus minimizing work and mess. The firebox is a Rumford design, shallow and tall to throw more of the heat into the room.

Living Area

Living area showing Fire Altar and Air Altar

Air Altar

The Air Altar, which looks out towards the street and up towards the sky. It's the 3rd altar to The Elements to be (almost) completed.The color scheme goes from dark blue up to white or light blue, with white cloud-like curtains. The column colors are created with stained glass with mirror backing.

Art Gallery

Music Room

Bali Room, completed 1998

The A-frame, second floor great room, also known as The Bali Room, has multiple levels and an extensive skylight, and serves a variety of functions: yoga, ping pong, social gatherings, house concerts, classes and meetings, banquets, and as a workspace. The stairs, with their bamboo trim and manila rope railings, lead up to the master bedroom. The brass gong centered below the stairs comes in handy during talent shows. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Bedroom, 2017

I sewed up a "fur" blanket for the bed. I intend to re-instate a fire pole that used to be in the far corner once I finish the bathroom directly below. The pack you see hanging is an ultralight I made from cuben fiber (a space-age laminate), which weighs about 12 oz., and which is full of other lightwight camping equipment I’ve made. I really enjoy waking up in my little fantasy campsite every morning among the squirrels and birds that are right outside.

Bedroom, 1999

Previous version of the master, dubbed the Las Vegas room. Located on the 3rd story, it is surrounded by foliage, visible through huge picture windows on 3 sides. The door to your right leads out to a covered balcony and then on to the bridge that takes you across to the tower. A firepole, the top of which is visible on your left, drops you down to a yet-to-be-finished multi-level bathroom. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Bedroom, 1999

The upper and lower octagonal windows yield views of the downtown skyline and down into the Bali Room, respectively. The cabinet of the "kneeling room only" sink, a work-in-progress, will soon be clad in split bamboo lacquered a chinese red. The skylight has a mini-universe of tiny blue lights for that special late-night mood. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Kitchen Nook

Kitchen, completed 1994

The not-so-mellow yellow of the kitchen is just one style found in the house; vigorous nods to Las Vegas and Bali appear in other rooms, and an environmentally responsible earthiness prevails throughout. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Street numbers in front retainer wal

These large brick numbers set in the stone wall on West Milton Street make it easy to find your way to Casa Neverlandia.

Mosaic sink, 2002

The white "tiger" print mosaic sink echoes the carpet of the master bedroom. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Bathtub, in progress

Looking towards the head of the bathtub on the upper level, with most of the glass tiles in place, as well as the Saltillo tile step, which ties in stylistically with the toilet platform. The hole at the end of the pink bubble sequence is part of the talk-tube that goes throughout the house, and the large round window above looks into the shower stall, still in its dormancy.

Observation tower

Observation tower, 1988, & Truss bridge, 2000 High above ground in the backyard is a footbridge, a hand-constructed metal truss-bridge linking the third-level master bedroom to the multilevel tower. From the tower's 32-foot upper platform, you can see rolling hills to the west and the downtown skyline to the north. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Firepole in tower, 1993

Talbot takes the fast route down a 22' firepole housed in the backyard viewing tower. It is one of four on the property, with a 5th yet to come. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Solar panels, installed 2000

Sixteen photovoltaic (solar) panels, attached to the south side of their 35' observation tower, keep the 2,400 square foot house energy efficient. The rainwater collection system, a series of 11 barrels, is used for garden irrigation. "We have a small ecological footprint," Talbot says. "We often use less than 200 kilowatt hours per month." (An average Austin home uses about 1,000 kilowatt hours.) Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Front Porch, completed 1992

The view from the front porch. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Front porch showing arches, 1992

Interior of front porch showing arches, 1992 A colorful harlequin effect is provided by the many tile samples set into the brick floor of the front porch. The brick and glass block columns can be lit from within, like giant lanterns.

Front Porch

Interior of front porch showing sculptural wall and multiple doorbells.

Front porch detail, 1995

Close inspection of the tilework over the front porch reveals a playful combination of ceramic tile, colored mirror, limestone, and brick. Photo by Rebecca McEntee.

Ballustrade above front porch, 1999

Front balcony ballustrade above front porch, 1999 Multi-hued stripes, this time using colored mirror instead of glazed brick, have been set into each column of the front balcony balustrade.

Chimney

In cross section the chimney is a triangle with its points lopped off, with glazed brick stripes of blue, purple, and green where those corners would normally be. Each of the 3 wide stone faces has a geometric brick shape which contains red glazed bricks plus the 2 colors of the flanking brick corner stripes. This stepped motif is also picked up in the entry walkway.

Bead Studio, 2001

Talbot at the loom in his bead studio, 2001