Retired American Professional Cyclist Lance Armstrong opens up his Austin Abode which is featured in  Architectural Digest. And it looks so good. Lance who broke records when he won the Tour de France seven consecutive times lives in a warm and restful Spanish colonial-style house. Lance has a very talented and skillful team behind him to create his welcoming Texas abode, the Interiors of the house was done by Roy W. Materanek of RWM Design, Renovation Architecture by Ryan Street & Associates and Landscape Architecture by LandWest Design Group.

I just adore his contemporary living room that exudes a cheery and comfortable feeling with the use of reds and woods. The artworks and chandeliers are also very eye-catching. The spacious media/game room which displays his Jerseys from his Tour de France days and the pool cabana that looks down a walk framed by cypresses are just some of the many stunning spaces in this marvelously designed home. And I really, really love the kitchen, which displays some family photos which is quite rare in kitchens but adds a very warm touch to this already lovely room.

The master suite “was all Roy,” concedes Armstrong. “The Persian rug and Antonio Más painting from my house in Spain gave us the colors for the chairs and walls. However, when Roy put out the idea of a stainless-steel fireplace, I said, ‘I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, but it sounds cool, so let’s go for it.’ ” The result is a stunning fireplace-cum-media center-cum-almost-mirror, “polished to the degree where you actually get a reflection,” explains Materanek. “Because the perimeter is also lit from behind, it completely softens the room.”

“When I walk into that house, I heave a sigh of relief: I am home. I take off my shoes, walk around barefoot, just feeling the rugs, floors. Home is very private; here, nobody’s going to mess with me.”

“When their mom and I split, the kids and I moved around a bunch. But that’s over. This time I said, ‘You will graduate from high school in this house. I promise. Dad’s not moving again.’ ”, Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong’s House Renovation Architecture by Ryan Street & Associates/Interior Design by RWM Design/Landscape Architecture by LandWest Design Group Text by Nancy Collins/Photography by Robert Reck Published July 2008

Source : Architectural Digest