Round Top, Texas has fewer than 100 residents, but during one of the country’s famous antiques fairs, thousands of design lovers descend on the tiny town from all over the world. Where, though, does everyone stay? Until 2022, the options were far and few between, but when Red Antler Bungalows opened, anyone with an affinity for old, beautiful treasures finally had a beautiful place to stay, sleep, and enjoy the charm of the town.
While it’s not exactly a massive resort with hundreds of rooms available on any given day, the hotel, the brainchild of John Cone and Greg Fourticq, is a stunning solution for anyone who frequents the fair every year. Consisting of four private bungalows the size of a family home, Red Antler tends to play host to the fair’s most stylish visitors. In fact, two of the four bungalows were designed from top to bottom by renowned designers Alessandra Branca and Meredith Ellis, respectively. Yes, there are myriad one-of-a-kind antiques carefully placed throughout each bungalow.
“Red Antler was created as a reflection of Round Top itself: sophisticated without being precious, deeply rooted in the design-centric town, and always a little unexpected,” explains Cone, who, like Fourticq, are natives of ranches in the nearby cities. Today, they make their home on a 50-acre farm just outside town, where an 1895 farmhouse, an early log cabin, and three lakes have inspired their deep appreciation for the history and character of the region.
“That connection shaped Red Antler from the beginning,” admits Fourticq. “Rather than create a conventional country hotel, John and I envisioned something more collected and personal—a place where rural Texas meets confident, sophisticated design.” The result is a collection of interiors layered with antiques, art, patterns, textures, and unexpected pieces that feel as though they evolved over time rather than arriving fully decorated.
He has a point: Generally speaking, any room outfitted with antiques can feel a bit stuffy and fragile, as if you’re not meant to touch anything, let alone sit on it. That’s definitely not the vibe at Red Antler. The founders actually want their guests to feel at home within the bungalows and are encouraged to learn about and interact with the curated pieces around them. “With contributing designers like Alessandra Branca and Meredith Ellis, they truly have something special to share with their fortunate guests,” says Cone. “At its heart, Red Antler is their interpretation of Round Top: gracious, individual, beautiful and unmistakably its own.”
What’s more, the bungalows are hardly your typical hotel guest room. They are full-fledged oases big enough for a group of 20 to enjoy a cocktail hour and seated dinner. In fact, that’s the plan for the Branca bungalow, where Alison Kenworthy, Homeworthy’s founder, will host a select group of fair-goers on October 17. If you are tempted to take a peek at Red Antler and snag some beautiful antiques at the fair just up the street, grab your tickets here and join Alison for a day of antiquing (plus some of your favorite Homeworthy hosts), followed by an exclusive private dinner.
