I just got back from opening day at Round Top.
Just between us it was my first ever visit to the antique center of the universe.
I know.
I get it.
{hangs head in shame}
All that Texas life without any Round Top.
What was I thinking?
I was there with my incredibly talented friend Courtney for a book signing at Old Glory Antiques. I have so many pictures and so many finds and so many little pieces of amazingness we discovered and so many stories of Courtney and I generally jumping around with joy and wonder that I’m going to share about the trip—but before I get to any of that.
I have to start with where we stayed.
So many vintage finds—so little time.
At the edge of Round Top, outside of town, past barns and farms and hay and white fences, at the end of a winding country road you arrive here.
This is The Prairie at Round Top.
It was originally the homestead of German immigrants Hedwig and Otto Meyer. They settled in the rolling hills of Central Texas and built the main house shown here. For 70 years their family lived here and expanded the property with outbuildings, including a smokehouse and a water barn with a cistern.
And then?
Like all good properties that have fallen on hard times.
It sat vacant for 20 years.
In 1995, the property was purchased by Lenore Prudhomme, a portrait artist out of Houston. She completely transformed the property, restored the original structures and opened a bed and breakfast called The Outpost at Cedar Creek. Then, in 2011, Rachel Ashwell, founder of the Shabby Chic brand, bought the property and renamed it The Prairie at Round Top. She completely re-decorated the original house and outbuildings.
You can see a map of the entire property here.
You can see how Rachel decorated the property here.
But now?
There’s a new chapter.
A new beginning.
One of the kindest, sweetest, nicest, most amazing couples on the planet, Holly and Brian Kuhn, purchased the property in 2016.
They own Old Glory Antiques where we had the book signing.
You can see how incredible Holly’s style is here and here and wait until you see this here.
And she’s taken The Prairie at Round Top and added her own style.
Want to see where we stayed?
Want to see my farmhouse home away from home?
Oh, good.
I took a few pictures just for you.
Here’s the dining room at the house.
Everything is so light-filled and airy.
I sat on the chair to the right with coffee and super messy hair and told Courtney the story about how I fell in love with my husband.
And why I love farmhouses in the fall.
And how I need a wood bowl just like this one for pumpkins for my new old house.
Here’s the living room just inside the door.
The couch is so comfortable and the ottoman is the perfect place to sit and take off your shoes and tell Courtney more stories.
There’s just something about a farmhouse that makes me want to tell stories.
Like the one about the time I brought the roast to garden club and the day the conference is still talking about and how I almost cried in a newspaper publisher’s office.
After all the stories and the laughter and the book signings—it was time to sleep.
The found cottage has three bedroom areas and two bathrooms.
This is the one that I stayed in.
The bed was SERIOUSLY the most comfortable bed on the planet.
Courtney had to wake me up two times and wave coffee under my nose just to get me out of this bed.
Holly’s style is incredible.
I love the idea of the floral wallpaper next to the vintage armoire.
And the idea of hanging plates on iron grates?
Brilliant.
I’m so thankful for this place.
Truly.
It was a moment I will never forget.
The Prairie at Round Top inspired me.
It awed me.
It made me grab Courtney’s hand and jump up and down and shout for joy when we saw it.
It made me want to run out and buy every piece of architectural salvage I saw.
And Round Top?
I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.
I’ll be back.
I promise. 🙂
PS You can see my book here.
You can see Courtney’s book here.
You can read all about The Prairie at Round Top and make reservations here.
I have never been to Round Top or this cute house! Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful photos!
So envious you both got to go to Round Top. It has always been on my list of places I want to see - especially during this huge fair. My nephew lived for a while in Austin and I thought that wold be close enough for me to venture out... but he moved! Dang it..... He didn't share my plan to visit Round Top. Glad you had a great time. Would have loved to have run into you there. That would have been the most fun!!! Thanks for your story....
Your photos are incredible- I can just "feel" the textures! LOVE the house and especially the dirt road.
Love that textured floral wallpaper! Any idea where to get it?
Ummmm... I have just a weeee bit of jealousy / envy in my heart .. I will deal with that in just a minute !!! But first .. how can KariAnne ..Our Thistle Woods farm girl ... a Texas girl ... a vintage loving girl..... A Texan .... possibly not ever ventured out to Round Top ???????? I mean... I have never been either... BUT living in the Sunshine State ... its just a bit of a trip ... lolol.. ( however, it is on my bucket list :) ... I first heard of Round Top on Laurianna's Vintage Home Blog ... then of course, it shows up on Fixer Upper !!! Sooo ...Yaaaaa for you !!! Prairie at Round Top is beyond words..... WOWOWOW ... those pics got me .. especially the one from the little dirt drive leading up to the farmhouse...:)
Looks like a truly beautiful place to stay. Have always wanted to make it to Round Top-will have to put it higher on the list! What a marvelous time you must have had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's interesting to see the different decorating styles between Rachel Ashwell and the current owners. I think my style would be a mash-up between the two! :)
Wow!! What a neat place to visit. I love the platters with the rusty grates! I need to try and replicate that somewhere in my house 💜
Oh this sounds like an amazing place. Love that bedroom and those rugs.
Round Top, TX and Brimfield, CT are definitely on my bucket list!! Every episode of Fixer-Upper that Joanna goes out there, I'm peering at all the STUFF in the background! Amazing! So glad you got to go!!
Karianne, I had the pleasure of going to Round Top once and Brimfield twice~~both are such fabulous events. Thanks for the tip on The Prairie. I can't recall where I stayed in Round Top, but it was a lovely inn elsewhere. I also had the chance to meet Courtney at the recent book signing at Patina Farm. She is so talented and has inspired me to improve my photography. As you know, you were my first inspiration to start my blog. I hope some day to meet you in person too. I feel so fortunate to have you and Courtney in my internet life!!!!
What a really charming farmhouse, I love going to Round Top antique week! And it was wonderful to meet you and Courtney at the book signing and chat for a minute. Hope you found some rustic architectural salvage! xo Pat
The textures.... just WOW! I can see how you fell in love with it.
Okay, along with all the other oohs and ahhhs... that wallpaper! That's the best! Glad you had such a good time, and great sleep!
How exciting! Glad you enjoyed your time with Courtney!! xoxo