• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do This Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Behind the Scenes Tour: One of Austin’s Weirdest Homes

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Kelli McDonald

Stefanie Distefano and her cat Maybelline at FlamingO Ranch

Stefanie Distefano cradles her co-star Maybelline at FlamingO Ranch

In September of this year, I went on the Weird Homes Tour to explore some of the residences that make Austin living so unique.

Nestled between 1st and South Congress in 78704 sits FlamingO Ranch, a home owned and curated by Stefanie Distefano where she teaches art classes and exhibits her talents as a ceramic and mosaic artist.

I felt very drawn into this quintessential reflection of living in Austin and I wanted to know more about this artistic bungalow and the person who is mirrored in it. I revisited FlamingO Ranch on a chilly and rainy afternoon for an interview, but I was warmed by the bright abode and company of Stefanie and her cat, Maybelline.

The Story of FlamingO Ranch

Kitchen covered in sequins and glitter at FlamingO Ranch

A shimmery kitchen resulting from hours of gluing glitter and sequins

While growing up in army houses, Stefanie became accustomed to traditional homes and she never intended to invoke “weird” with her design decisions.

When she first laid eyes on her Austin home in 2003, it was just a 420 square foot beige house with nothing in the yard. But she quickly painted it with bright colors three or four times after moving in and planted various “leftover” plants from a friend’s nursery. Since she moved from a home measuring 1200 square feet in North Carolina, she had plenty of unique items to cover her walls, but the personality of her home really surfaced when she built a large porch five years ago.

Porch with bright pink furniture and a tumbleweed chandelier

After entering through the porch doors, you know you are somewhere special

FlamingO Ranch’s porch has beautiful mosaic flooring created by Stefanie along with pink furniture, aqua accents, glitter, bones, shells, a painted tumbleweed chandelier and other thrift store curiosities and gifts. The studio sits past the pink furniture and toward the back of the home. This workspace allows Stefanie to live as an artist.

The yard provides ample room for parties and concerts. In fact, Stefanie built a small stage a few years ago for performances, both planned and spontaneous. Even a picture frame hangs from a tree, welcoming visitors to take photos and pause a moment to soak in all the items that make FlamingO Ranch unique (this includes several pink plastic flamingos, of course).

Porch with painted tiles and pink furniture

So much to see at FlamingO Ranch, and everything has a story

The Story of the Mosaics Across Austin

Stefanie’s mosaic work lines the entryway of FlamingO Ranch. Large roses made of broken mirrors and beautiful tiles serve as small billboards for the creativity that resides past the gate, but a major piece of artwork is located to the right of the front yard on a small bridge next to the property.

Stefanie decided this bridge needed its own mosaic, so she woke up one morning and got started. Unfortunately, a passerby filed an official complaint (he later apologized). The city sent a man to remove the artwork. But though he was armed with a crowbar, he didn’t make a dent. People began putting notes on the bridge and campaigning to save the mosaic. Eventually, with the help of some lawyers and community support, the case was dropped and Stefanie’s beautiful koi fish survived.

A large mosaic of two koi fish

Mosaic koi glimmer in the sun

Possibly the most amazing part of the story is the result. The City of Austin began commissioning Stefanie to create her intricate mosaics to beautify other areas of Austin. Now her work can also be seen all over the city, commissioned by neighborhood associations, small businesses and homes.

Perhaps her most well known pieces are the lengthy mosaic at the Austin Nature & Science Center, which was created along with 25 volunteers, and the Virgin and Gandhi, both featured (separately) on the East First Grocery at 1811 E Cesar Chavez.

This year, Stephanie was able to meet Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson and show him the piece she created. Her eyes lit up as she expressed how incredible it was to see his face reflected in the mirrored piece while talking about his grandfather.

Classes and Commissions

FlamingO Ranch Art Studio

Creativity is brewing in the home studio at FlamingO Ranch

Seven years ago, Stefanie was mentored by award-winning mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, and now she teaches the artform in her home studio. She makes her own tiles and uses recycled floor tiles and mirrors that people drop off at her home.

In addition to instructing students on how to build tiles and mosaics, she also teaches pottery. Typically sessions run for 6-8 weeks, but some people have taken classes for years. Most of Stefanie’s classes are one-on-one and she teaches all ages.

For those who want to commission Stefanie to create a mosaic in their home, she encourages them to come to her studio and make tiles with meaning. Often they contain quotes, lyrics or other personal images. She uses these as an anchor for the mosaic she creates, and works around these special tiles to make a unique space.

There’s Always Room to Grow

Beads hanging from the ceiling along with Christmas lights and a couch

I spy: A flamingo embossed door, a comfy couch and mosaic floors

Though her home is full of weird and wonderful items, Stefanie also appreciates minimalism. She laughs at how clear her thoughts could possibly be in a minimalistic home, but she knows living in a non-eclectic space would be impossible for her. Sometimes she says she’d love to start over with a clean slate, since FlamingO Ranch has mix-matched styles and is the result of experiment after experiment. But she’s proud of her connection to her abode.

I felt such a warm welcome in Stefanie’s home, which opened up a dialogue with a person whose artwork I had seen many times in passing, without knowing the creator. FlamingO Ranch continues to perpetuate the spirit of Weird Austin even while the city grows around it, and I feel inspired by Stefanie Distefano’s contributions to Austin.

If you would like to take a class, commission a mosaic or see more of Stefanie Distefano’s work, visit her website.

 

@MadameKLM wants to know:

What would you paint on a unique tile for a mosaic?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kelli McDonald
Kelli McDonald
Kelli McDonald
Latest posts by Kelli McDonald (see all)
  • Guide to Bat Season in Austin - July 20, 2020
  • Reimagining Life With Rachel Ahern of Weird City Taxidermy - March 28, 2017
  • SXSW Red Carpet Musings With Todrick Hall, Nick Offerman - March 22, 2017

Filed Under: Arts, Culture Tagged With: weirdest homes

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Best Events in Austin in July 2025

Celebrate Summer Right: Best July Events in Austin 2025

Things to do in Austin this Summer

Keep It Cool: 2025’s Hottest Things to Do in Austin This Summer

Summer Camps in Austin 2025

Summer Camps in Austin 2025 – STEM, Sports, Arts & More Top Programs Your Kids Will Love

Things To Do in Austin With Teens

50 Things to do in Austin with Teens| Fun Teenager Activities

Recent Posts

  • Best Fun Events in Austin July 18 -20
  • National Hot Dog Day Deals in Austin 2025
  • 20 Best Museums in Austin, TX – Art, History, & Unique Gems 2025
  • 40 Best Indoor Things to Do in Austin – Fun for Rainy Days, Summer Heat & More
  • Where to Get Free Fries in Austin on National French Fry Day 2025

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in