As the creative force behind Styled by Austin, Austin’s path didn’t start in a workshop, but in the corporate tech world. “It was stable and looked right on paper,” he says, “but I knew in my bones it wasn’t where I belonged.” A natural creative, he found himself craving something more hands-on, something that allowed him to fully engage with the physical process of making.
That shift came when he began working at a boutique home décor shop. Surrounded by vintage pieces and design history, something clicked. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a full-fledged business. Nearly seven years later, Austin is restoring everything from family heirlooms to full kitchens, and can’t imagine doing anything else.
His appreciation for vintage furniture runs deep, shaped early on by childhood visits to antique stores and the influence of his grandmother’s thoughtfully curated home. “I’ve always been drawn to pieces that feel timeless,” he shares. “Things that weren’t made to be temporary.” That philosophy guides his work today, whether he’s restoring a piece to its original beauty or giving it a completely new life.
When helping clients decide between restoration and transformation, Austin considers both the integrity of the piece and the needs of the home it will live in. “Some pieces deserve to be brought back to their original finish,” he explains, “while others can be completely reimagined to better fit a space.” Either way, the goal is the same: to create something that feels intentional and lasting.
At the heart of his work is what he calls being “addicted to potential.” It’s a mindset that allows him to look beyond what something is and imagine what it could become. A worn dining table becomes the backdrop for future gatherings, a dated dresser transforms into something entirely new. “It’s just how I see the world,” he says. “And honestly, I wouldn’t want to see things any other way.”
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the process comes at the end. Many of the pieces he works on are tied to memory and meaning. “When someone sees a piece restored to what it might have looked like decades ago, it can be surprisingly emotional,” Austin says. “You’re preserving something that gets to be part of their life for many more years.”
In Austin’s hands, furniture isn’t just restored, it’s reimagined, reconnected, and ready for its next chapter.
