Life + Culture

Collecting with Purpose

Weighing risk and reward in fine art investing as collectors navigate trends, expertise, and market cycles Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Provided Investing in fine art appeals to collectors seeking diversification and personal fulfillment, but the market carries risks that require education, expertise, and patience. Unlike stocks and bonds, art lacks standardized performance metrics, making professional guidance essential. Aviva Lehmann, senior vice president and director of...

Finance + Legal Services

Investing with Intention

Why aligning financial planning with real-life goals helps investors build confidence, clarity and long-term peace of mind in any market Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Provided For many people, investing is often reduced to one question: How did the market do? But for financial planners like Jet Carter, partner at Griffin Financial Group , that narrow view misses the bigger picture and can lead investors to make decisions that don’t truly support their lives. “Investing isn’t...

Home + Design

Cabinetry as Capital

Why quality cabinets protect equity and daily life Article by Julie Royce | Photography by UB Kitchens In a housing market where homeowners are staying put longer and scrutinizing every dollar spent on renovations, cabinetry has emerged as one of the most consequential investments in a home. “Cabinetry is typically the largest line item in a kitchen remodel,” said Adam Johnston, founder and CEO of UB Kitchens . “You’re talking anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000. So the real question becomes...

Finance + Legal Services

Protecting Equity Through Smart Coverage

Insurance should evolve alongside renovations, market shifts and regional weather risks, ensuring homeowners safeguard long-term wealth rather than simply chasing lower premiums Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Stacy Berg For many Central Austin homeowners, insurance is often purchased once and rarely revisited. Kyle and Brooke Jones of Goosehead Insurance believe that mindset can leave significant gaps in protection. Below, the experts share what homeowners should understand before...

Life + Culture

The Muny Cup Tees Up Tradition

May 8 tournament and 19th Hole Party support the Save Muny mission Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Provided The Muny Cup & 19th Hole Party returns May 8 at Lions Municipal Golf Course, blending friendly competition with a larger purpose: protecting one of Austin’s most historic public spaces. Hosted by The Muny Conservancy, the sold-out tournament — formerly the Forever Green event — has been reimagined with a permanent trophy and putting competition designed to create a lasting...

Finance + Legal Services

Building the Future from Austin

Inside Capital Factory and Austin’s Expanding Investment Power Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Capital Factory When Joshua Baer launched his first company from his Carnegie Mellon dorm room, it was an early email hosting service — years before “software as a service” became a common phrase. “I started my first company in college, and I had no idea what I was doing,” Baer said during a recent interview at Capital Factory’s downtown headquarters. “I didn’t raise any money...

Home + Design

Cloud Dancer, A New Neutral Standard

Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year reflects cultural calm, versatility, and a desire for balance Article by Janna Paulson Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, embodies the clarity and balance designers often seek in a true foundational neutral. Soft without feeling washed out, refined without being cold, it offers a sense of visual calm that feels especially relevant right now. Originally founded in 1950 as a printing company, Pantone introduced the Pantone Matching System in 1963 to...

Home Services

Custom Storage That Changes How Austinites Live

Personalized design turning everyday spaces into calm, functional sanctuaries Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Closet Factory Austin For many Austin homeowners, clutter shows up in small daily frustrations like rushed mornings, crowded counters, and spaces that never quite work the way they should. When rooms fall out of sync with how a family lives, even a beautiful home can feel harder to manage than it should. At Closet Factory Austin , the focus is on resolving those...

Home Services

Reinventing Austin’s Roofing Experience

A people-first approach to one of home’s biggest investments Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Tarrytown Roofing For many homeowners, replacing a roof ranks high on the list of stressful home projects. Between insurance claims, unfamiliar materials, and the fear of hidden costs, the process can feel overwhelming before the first shingle is ever lifted.  Tarrytown Roofing , however, has built its reputation around doing things differently, transforming what is often a...

Life + Culture

Saving Ida House

A local designer’s journey restoring a historic Victorian Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Shara Nickell On a five-acre plot of land just outside Austin, a 1898 Folk Victorian stands with a dignity it hadn’t known in decades — all because interior designer Claire Zinnecker saw past cosmetic changes, dropped ceilings, and layers of past renovations. What others might have overlooked, Zinnecker recognized as a living piece of history worth saving. Zinnecker didn’t discover Ida House...