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Grace Farris, our favorite illustrator and physician, lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Arthur, and their sons, 14-year-old George and 10-year-old Russ. “My husband started measuring the boys’ heights when we first moved in and seeing the difference between the marks is shocking,” says Grace. “George is now taller than all of us.” Here’s a peek into their home, full of family paintings and board games…
FOYER / DINING AREA / KITCHEN
On buying a house sight unseen: When my younger sister had a baby, my husband and I decided to move from New York to Austin to live closer to family. Then Covid happened. My work at the hospital in New York got very intense, and we were in a shut down, so we couldn’t travel to look at houses. So, my sister picked out this house for us. She said, ‘If you want a cool house in Austin, this is the one you should live in. There’s a creek at the end of the street, and the boys will have fun playing in the yard.’ And we said, ‘All right!’
Armchairs: thrifted.
On first impressions: Our 1950s house isn’t huge, but it does have three bedrooms. The week after moving in, I asked George, ‘Can you believe it? A few weeks ago we lived in apartment!’ He said, ‘Now we live in a mansion.’
Dresser: Article.
On family board games: We all love to play chess, Sushi Go, and Don’t Break the Ice. But the boys are really into Monopoly. The games are very competitive and there are lots of opportunities to cheat — especially if one sibling is three years older than the other sibling…
Chess set: U.S. Chess Federation.
On art dealings: One day, George came home from school with this painting of purple tulips (above). It reminds me of the tulips by artist Hugo Guinness. For a while after that, I would beg George to watercolor more flowers for me, promising candy or extra iPad time. Many of the flowers on this wall are from his art era.
Dining table: thrifted from Uptown Modern. Benches: EQ3. Rug: World Market, similar. Counter stools: Target.
On that cute dog: We’ve had Putnam for three years, and he’s very cool. He likes to sit right near you and watch TV. He’s also very handsome and he knows it.
On homemade recipes: I cook pasta a la gala for my picky eater. It’s my own recipe. First, cook plain pasta. Next, serve it on a plate, next to a Gala apple.
LIVING ROOM
Leather armchair: Lulu & Georgia, similar. Coffee table: World Market. Sofa: “a Restoration Hardware hand-me-down from my sister.” Striped throw pillows: Garza Marfa. Floral throw pillow: Lisa Corti. Bookshelf: thrifted. Horse and bull painting: by Grace’s aunt Janet Eager Krueger.
On family heirlooms: Many of the western-themed paintings were made by my aunt, Janet Eager Krueger. She’s a professional artist with her own studio in San Antonio. She lives on a ranch in South Texas, and lots of her work is inspired by the landscapes and imagery out there.
On romance novels: I just finished The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa. She writes really fun, contemporary romances. My all-time favorite is The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory because it has a lovely doctor character. There are lots of doctor villains in romance which is understandable — they are often the arrogant ex. But it’s nice to see a positive rendering once in awhile.
On graphic novels: I love La Perdida by Jessica Abel. It’s the story of a woman who never met her father, so she travels to Mexico City to learn more about his life. I found it in a comic store when I was in college, and it was the first graphic novel I’d seen that didn’t center around superheroes or sci-fi monsters. I also love the work of Malaka Gharib — I Was Their American Dream, and It Won’t Always Be Like This. We’re definitely in a golden era of graphic novels.
On writing a graphic memoir: A couple years ago, my writer friend Austin Kleon encouraged me to write a novel about being a doctor. At first, I was like, ‘Hahaha, that feels impossible.’ Yet I kept coming back to it, like whenever medical students asked me why I’d never gone into surgery. It was a hellish rotation for me, and I have SO much to say about it. Plus, I often feel that things are easier to explain with comics.
On opening the book with a birth scene: One of the most surreal parts of my medical career was getting pregnant right after I’d officially become a doctor. Giving birth and being on the receiving end of medical treatment made me reassess everything I’d learned in school. So, my book editor suggested I open the book with my birth story. I loved the idea of showing the physical vulnerability I felt — I literally walked down the halls of my workplace naked!
BOYS’ BEDROOM
Bunkbeds: Ikea. Rug: Safavieh.
On a Texas core memory: Since moving here, I’ve introduced the kids to very specific Austin traditions. We have a flower here called Texas Mountain Laurel. It’s purple and smells like grape soda and has very poisonous beads. And if you rub them together in your hand, they become really hot.
Bookshelves: The Container Store.
On the differences between siblings: George is the kid who likes traveling and going to new restaurants. Russ is not interested in any of that. He’s into sports, hanging out with his friends at home, and not going anywhere.
Dresser: Wayfair.
On parenting tweens: My kids are extra fun right now. George is like having this nice guy friend around. He has interesting opinions and always wants to try new recipes. And I like watching Russ play all different sports. Growing up, I never played or followed sports. But, because of him, I got totally wrapped up in the 2022 World Cup — so much so that I ended up coaching an indoor soccer team! Falling in love with what my kids love has been one of the best parts of parenting.
GUEST BEDROOM
Bed: Thuma. Red side-table: HomeGoods. Blue striped stool: thrifted. Desk: old Pottery Barn. Chair: Target, similar. ‘You Are Good’ print: Katie Kimmel + Lorien Stern.
On treats for overnight guests: Whenever friends or relatives visit, they have to share a bathroom with the kids. So, I like to put out soaps and lotions from Le Labo. I hope to make their stay feel more luxurious and less like a dorm.
On teasing in-laws: The painting of the woman who has red lips over the bed is a portrait of my mother-in-law’s mother-in-law. I thought it would be hilarious to have her mother-in-law staring at her whenever she spends the night. She doesn’t find it quite as funny.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bed frame: Article. Bench: Article.
On thrifting in Austin: My mom found this quilt at a thrift store. She goes to a triangle of thrift stores on Burnet Road, including The Next-to-New Shop and Assistance League of Austin. There’s also a Goodwill near there that she calls ‘my J. Crew.’
Painting: “by my aunt Janet Eager Krueger.” Sofa: Robin Bruce, similar.
On an Austin childhood: When I was growing up here in the 1990s, Austin felt like a small town. I still feel the effects of that small-town life at work. Every couple months, a new patient will say, ‘Grace? I was your economics teacher in high school,’ or ‘Oh, I’m friends with your dad. I haven’t seen you since you were five.’
PATIO
On a doctor’s daily life: I’m a hospitalist, so I see people who need to stay in the hospital after being seen in the emergency room. I treat patients from ages 17 to 110, and I also spend a lot of time working with residents and medical students — the atmosphere is a lot like The Pitt.
On a rewarding career: I find it very moving when I meet people who still want to go into healthcare post-pandemic, especially after seeing how health care workers were treated almost as disposable. They’re part of the reason I wrote See One, Do One, Teach One, because I want to share my experience, warts and all. The medical field has big issues, like major burnout, astronomical student loan burdens, and administrative pressures to see more patients in less time. But it’s been a very wonderful career. I have so many opportunities to help people feel better, and I feel very privileged to do so.
Thank you so much, Grace. You’re the best! And congratulations on your graphic memoir. xo
P.S. Many more house tours, including a Brooklyn apartment for book lovers and a farmhouse built for Black joy.
(Photos by Amber Vickery for Cup of Jo.)
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