An Old Smokehouse on a Texas Family Farm Is Repurposed as a Delightful Getaway for Guests

Text by Holly Seng

When it comes to decorating, Jennifer Kitchens loves to take what she has and brainstorm creative ways to give it new purpose. Unafraid of a challenge and armed with her eye for design, she set her sights on the ultimate project—transforming what once doubled as a smokehouse and washhouse on her family’s farm into a guest cottage.

The farm has been in Jennifer’s family for more than 100 years, and its location in Round Top, Texas, combined with her job at Old World Antieks and her love for one-of-a-kind pieces, ensured the dwelling would be filled with vintage charm. Redesigning the building was no small feat, but the entire family worked together to bring her vision to life. Since the house was originally constructed on a dirt floor, Jennifer’s husband raised it up and built a wooden floor, and her daughter’s boyfriend added a porch to the front exterior. Guests experience a whimsical greeting upon entry, as lederhosen from Jennifer’s trip to Germany hang on the door and serve as an unexpected vessel for cheery blooms that she likes to change out seasonally. “I like to find unusual things to decorate with,” Jennifer says.

Instead of closely following a plan, Jennifer allowed the interior designs to evolve, carefully adding pieces she loves. The kitchen area features a French zinc panel displayed underneath a glass countertop. A collection of jadeite dishware adds colorful contrast to the primarily neutral space while tying in the painted paneling in the main living space.

The wood-paneled walls were sourced from an old home and feature their original pale green paint. The dark rafters in the living room hint at the structure’s previous function as a smokehouse. Scattered throughout the space, musical elements are Jennifer’s favorite accents since one of her daughters is a musician and often frequents the cottage. The chandelier, an Old World Antieks find, makes for a striking statement piece.

A set of stairs leads up to the loft area that was added to serve as a bedroom. Considering the small scale of the room created by the sloped ceiling, Jennifer uses a stool for a bedside table. The ceiling itself is tin from the original roof. “I didn’t really want to throw it away, and it leaves it kind of original,” Jennifer says.

Blending sentimental pieces with repurposed materials and a few new purchases, Jennifer and her family successfully created a stylish space to welcome guests.