When Nicole and Ramzi Al-Rashid bought a sprawling turn-of-the-century estate in Fredericksburg, Texas, with plans to turn it into a hotel, they knew just who to call. Austin-based interior designer Sarah Stacey had exactly the dynamic style they were looking for and was already working on the couple’s home. This time around they just provided a basic briefing and let her run with it. ‘They call it ‘The Menagerie‘, since design is a bit of everything, explains Sarah. “We drew inspiration from so many places. They love color and they didn’t want to bleach anything. They wanted all units to have a different feel and provide their own unique experience. They trusted us and trusted our vision.
Sarah has divided the seven buildings (a Queen Anne Victorian, a carriage house, a converted barn and four 1930s and 1940s cottages) into 12 apartments, each with its own personality. From global travel to the Garden of Eden to grandma’s chic, themes are expressed fearlessly and in depth with patterned wallpaper, bold paint choices and a mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings.
One across the line among the units? An essence of a bygone era, as Sarah has managed to retain original details like ceiling beams and wainscoting wherever possible. “We tried not to do a lot of structural work because these are historic buildings,” she shares. “It’s mostly rip and replace type stuff.”
The result is a wonderfully diverse handful of spaces that feel both fresh and like they’ve always been there – a real feat in renovating old structures. To achieve similar success in a renovation, consider borrowing these five accessible design ideas from this eclectic Texas property.
Opt for a declaration ceiling
The Temptress Suite channels the spirit of a young global traveler, with treasures from around the world like a romantic French armoire, mid-century Italian dining chairs, a Portuguese four-poster bed and ornate Chinese bedside tables . But even with all those gems dotted around, the ceilings steal the show.
