Sitting upon the storied throne in the transformed shell of the iconic Austin venue Green Pastures is Mattie’s, a new restaurant that boasts the age old Texas hospitality. Named for Martha “Mattie” Miner Faulk, one of the property’s original owners, the restaurant pays homage to the agrarian heritage of the space with sophistication and a distinctly Southern sense of romance.
Joel Mozersky, founder of the eponymous, locally based interior design firm, oversaw the restoration and preservation of the Victorian structure alongside Clayton & Little Architects. The former farmhouse and Austin social hub is now home to four unique spaces that comprise Mattie’s: Marion Hall, the Mezzanine, private dining room, and an outdoor pavilion. Marion Hall is outfitted to accommodate larger gatherings, while the sofa-clad lounge serves as an extension of the Mezzanine bar, located upstairs. The lounge is also easily adjustable into a meeting spot for up to 60 people. The Mezzanine’s private dining room hosts up to 14 guests.
“I wanted each room in the house to have its own identity and feel. This is a very traditional thing in a Victorian, so I wanted to keep that tradition,” Mozersky explains.
Paisley-like wallpaper artfully depicts the peacocks that have roamed the grounds of Green Pastures since its inception in the 1940s. Artwork sourced from antique fairs and local stores and artists dresses the walls as well.
The vintage-style seating reflects a mixture of 1970s designs with traditional Parsons and Chesterfield pieces installed against antique brass tables. Custom, modern light fixtures crafted with the help of the project’s landscape architect Mark Word Design further complement the aesthetic. A pine and oak blend spans both the floors and moldings, while many of the historic home’s original wood details remain intact.
The color palette comprises a collection of unexpected hues to stand out even more. For example, vintage cherry slat chairs are redressed in Mattie’s distinctive pink tones. “I chose colors that you don’t see a lot of—apricots, mauves, pistachio green—, that were a little quirky and a little unexpected,” Mozersky says.
Two bars were installed, while the Cotillion—now Marion Hall—was fully overhauled. The space features new wallcoverings, refinished floors, restored fireplaces, and a newly opened wall of stairs.
While the restaurant’s opening signals the return of a beloved staple to Austin locals, Mattie’s serves as a love letter to the legacy of Green Pastures and its owners in Mozersky’s eyes.
“A gentleman who is a family member of the Koocks, the last family to actually live in the house, came to see it and was very touched with how we had handled the renovation, and that he loved what we had done,” he says. “To me, that was the greatest compliment.”
