Eclectic Escape
Retreat to the new artist haven
Words by Taylor Dutch Photos by Eric Morales
An Austin couple restores a vintage farmhouse to create a unique boarding house retreat in Lockhart.
Built by Colonel James F. Ellison in the 1860s, the Ellison House served as a home to several prominent Lockhart families over the years. Today, the rich history continues while the building functions as a boutique boarding house aimed to provide a luxurious, yet comfortable, retreat for guests. With decor that artfully combines modern design with antique treasures collected throughout the Lockhart area, travelers can embrace those peaceful moments away, while appreciating hand-crafted amenities.
Nestled in the middle of the Blanco Street neighborhood, a short walk from historic downtown Lockhart, lies a vintage farmhouse where travelers can escape big city life and embrace small town community in style.
Austinites J. and Sara Ewing found the Ellison House online where it was being advertised as a hotel for sale. The advertisement piqued their interest as the couple had been dreaming of starting a communal hotel together. They arrived with anticipation only to find a run-down structure from the outside, but the interior was what ultimately inspired the couple to restore the house.
Within minutes of leaving the property, they called and made an offer. Sara smiles, “We both had a need to save it. There’s so many beautiful pieces,” and J. adds that “it had a strong foundation and a great form. It had all of the potential.”
The Ellison House is an extension of the Ewings’ passion for home renovation and design. Even in the early stages of their relationship, the couple connected on a shared desire to collect interesting decor elements. On their third date, they went to a flea market where they purchased antiques together, and that date was the moment Sara says she fell in love with J. Their collaborative passion has translated into a desire to create a beautiful communal space for travelers.
Over the course of a year, the couple restored, renovated, and filled the vintage farmhouse with art and furnishings from estate sales, Craigslist, and vintage shops. Opened in 2017, the house has four bedrooms with spacious private bathrooms filled with Moroccan tile. Each room possesses an intriguing name like “Colonel’s Retreat” and “Proprietor’s Quarter,” and all suites feature an eclectic vibe that mixes rustic charm with modern design.
“We champion eclecticism….juxtaposing different things against each other, the old house with the exposed brick, the woodwork and all of the little imperfections that we’ve showcased and highlighted. It’s nice to see those set against modern furniture, colors, and layouts,” Sara enthuses.
Guests can enjoy their own private bedroom space while fostering community in the shared living room, kitchen, and outdoor patio areas. Board games, a stereo, and a curated vinyl collection are just some of the activities that are thoughtfully placed throughout the common areas.
For years, Lockhart has been known as the “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” but new vintage shops, restaurants, art galleries, and coffee shops in the historic downtown square are giving visitors more reasons to extend their stay. It’s Lockhart’s spirit of community that inspired the Ewings to provide a relaxed, calm escape for guests to discover the joys of small town Texas.
“People are here to help each other out. We’re all trying to build each other up,” Sara says. “We want this place to provide people with that sense of community.”
Handled with Care
Custom furnishings like the kitchen island was made from wood remnants from the original structure. Great care went into conserving the history of the Ellison House while renovating an old house with modern style.
Contact
(512) 230-2366
434 North Blanco, Lockhart, Texas
ellison-house.com
