Why Does A Rural Texas Bed & Breakfast Have A 7-Year Waiting List?

Rachel Ashwell/Instagram

When famed shabby-chic designer Rachel Ashwell decided to fulfill her dream of owning a bed and breakfast, nobody would have guessed she would pick a rural town in Texas with a population of 90.

This quaint little village in the middle of nowhere was an obvious choice for Ashwell since she had spent decades traveling there for her clients. 

Each spring and fall the citizens of Round Top, Texas transform their hay fields and meadows into seemingly never-ending rows of flea markets and antique fairs with hundreds of vendors. Ashwell used to shop these fields for unique pieces she couldn’t source anywhere but there. 

In 2011, Ashwell purchased a 46-acre farmstead that dates back to somewhere in the mid-1800s and converted the farmhouse and surrounding buildings into a quaint bed and breakfast scattered with her own shabby-chic designs. 

Because of the newly-remodeled farmsteads link to this scorching hot trend, ‘The Prairie‘ Bed & Breakfast quickly began a waiting list for stays during the biannual fair weekends that has now surpassed the seven-year mark.  

Check out this incredible piece of Texas history in the images below (courtesy of Sarah Bray/Country Living). 

View from the second floor porch of the original farmhouse. (Sarah Bray)

The original farmhouse. (Rachel Ashwell)

Pearl. The mascot. (Sarah Bray)

Linens designed by Ashwell drying in the breeze. (Sarah Bray)

A luxurious sectional from Ashwell’s collection adorns the room. (Sarah Bray)

Giant Texas-sized sunrise shining through onto hay bales. (Sarah Bray)

Round Top Population… (Susan & James Lopez)

 

A storefront during the festival. (omerohome.com)

Fall antique show booth. (Garden Antqs Vintage)

Another booth setup at the festival. (Marburger Farm Antique Show)

Huge tents line the township twice each year. (Marburger Farm Antique Show)