The Restoration of
a King William Icon
An Unlikely Collective:
Nestled in San Antonio’s historic King William District, this 1883 Alfred Giles home was reimagined by Design Coop into a soulful, layered home that bridges the past and present.
What began as a modest refresh evolved into a meticulous restoration—revealing the home’s hidden stories and timeless craftsmanship. Every surface now speaks to patience, courage, and collaboration.
A TEAM FORMED BY CURIOSITY
The Design Coop team is anything but traditional.
Topher began his career in biology, became a helicopter pilot, and found his calling in construction for the love of craft.
Daniel, trained in architecture, now leads as Principal Designer & Director of Construction—blending design precision with build intuition.
Mollie, a former graphic and web designer, now drives operations and client experience.
Together, they’ve created a design-build practice grounded in curiosity, storytelling, and respect for detail. Design Coop’s in-house construction team brings together people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, each united by a shared pride in craftsmanship. The company prioritizes opportunity and growth for those working in the field—believing that the people building the projects deserve as much care and investment as the projects themselves.
A COLLABORATION OF PERSPECTIVE
For this project, Design Coop partnered with Natalie Nation Matthews, founder of NM Studio.
After two decades as a portrait and lifestyle photographer, Natalie returned to interior design, bringing a photographer’s eye for light, texture, and mood. Her approach became the connective thread—bridging the homeowners’ vision and the construction process with trust and empathy.
THE HOMEOWNER’S SPIRIT
Their mantra guided every choice:
“If it feels safe, it’s probably not for us.”
From gritty, expressive materials to bold artwork by Blub and Cig Harvey, the home rejects perfection in favor of personality. Each piece tells a story—layered, moody, and alive.
The homeowners infused the daring project with warmth and wit.
TIMELESS MATERIALS, MODERN LIFE
With guidance from Chateau Domingue’s trove of reclaimed European architectural elements, the team integrated antique fireplace surrounds, wood and stone from France and Italy—anchoring the home in authenticity.
Every detail was reconsidered, refined, and touched with purpose. The result: a living, breathing home that honors its history while embracing modern life.
Four owners in nearly 150 years.
The house that whispers back keeps rewriting its story.
The King William Residence stands as a testament to collaboration—between past and present, between design and craft, and between people unafraid to do things differently.
Project imagery and narrative HERE
THE OUTCOMECurrent Project
Breathing life into the historic Steve’s Homestead, museum turned family focused estate.
Construction completing early next year.