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    Hill Country excursion

    Historic Hill Country mansion transforms into luxe vacation getaway

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 20, 2023 | 1:00 pm
    The Menagerie

    The Menagerie is in its final renovation stages.

    Photo by Avery Nicole

    A historic Hill Country property is being transformed into a glorious getaway destination fusing elegant Victorian-style design and Texas history.

    The Menagerie, located at 302 West Travis St. in Fredericksburg - just blocks from the historic downtown Main Street - is in the final stages of renovation, with the overhaul expected to be completed by summer 2023.

    The property spans 9,500 square feet across 12 total units on both sides of West Travis Street: the original landmark mansion, a carriage house, a five-unit converted barn/garage, and four units in three cottage-style bungalows. The Menagerie can accommodate up to 34 guests over 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.

    The original mansion was built in the early 1900s as the private residence for Fredericksburg’s first mayor, and was heavily influenced by Queen Anne Victorian-style design. Property owners Nicole and Ramzi Al Rashid wanted to keep those aspects in mind when choosing a design team to renovate the house, which led them to Austin-based land design studio Twistleaf and interior designer Sarah Stacey.

    “We have an excellent team of all-stars working on this project, and we’re incredibly thankful for the work Twistleaf and Sarah Stacey have put into making The Menagerie inviting, restful and lively for groups of many sizes,” Ramzi Al Rashid says in a press release.

    Nicole Al Rashid says they wanted to collaborate with inspiring designers who would “elevate [their] spaces and do great work for [their] guests and the local community."

    Details of the property renovation include:

    • New fencing and gates
    • A hardscape reconfiguration
    • LED landscape lighting
    • Mutabilis rose bushes and native ornamental grasses by the pool
    • Native Hill Country plant species
    • Natural color schemes

    The interior design refresh will include vivid, bold colors with theatrical elements and a few modern updates for practicality. Each room on the property will feature antique furniture, eccentric wallpaper, and vintage decor that pays homage to the site’s history.

    Twistleaf founder Sarah Yant says renovating a property with a rich past like The Menagerie is an "exciting opportunity" for her team.

    “Nicole, Ramzi and Sarah Stacey brought expansive vision to this project, and our landscape design mirrors their excellence," she says. "We're working to improve the land with Hill Country-friendly plants and create a design that adds to the intuitiveness, circulation and comfort of the outdoor spaces. All the changes are designed to enhance the functionality and hospitality of the property.”

    The Menagerie is expected to open in summer 2023. More information can be found on themenagerieatx.com.

    fredericksburgTexas historytravelvacationdesigninterior designhill country
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    Disappear Into Nature

    Crazy mirrored glamping houses near Austin reflect the forest

    Natalie Grigson
    Jun 20, 2025 | 6:15 pm
    Bloom House exterior
    Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks
    Glamping can still include s'mores with a private outdoor fire pit.

    Just in time for unbearable temperatures across Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority has debuted a cool glamping solution. Opened mid-May, the Ööd Mirror Houses are LCRA Parks' newest accommodations at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, about 40 minutes outside of Austin.

    Hideaway House exteriorBoth glamping options have floor-to-ceiling windows that look like mirrors from the outside.Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    Operated by Cameron Ranch Glamping, these two luxury houses are tucked away in the park's Lost Pines region, surrounded by trees and tranquility.

    The two homes — The Hideaway and The Bloom — feature floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass walls, so guests can look out into nature with complete privacy, from both passersby and mosquitos.

    Both are 221 square feet and are pet-friendly. They're equipped with a queen memory foam bed, bathroom with walk-in shower, dining area, Wi-Fi, kitchenette, record player, and perhaps most importantly for this time of year, air conditioning. In the winter, the structures will be heated.

    Hideaway House InteriorBoth mirror houses include memory foam queen-sized beds, WiFi, A/C, and more. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    No matter how glam it gets, guests can still enjoy classic camping fun like roasting marshmallows in their personal outdoor fire pit, or firing up the grill for some burgers. Plus, Lake Bastrop offers paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, areas for fishing, trails for hiking and biking, mini-golf, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and a charming camp store.

    Interior kitchen areaKitchenettes come equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and cooking equipment. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    Guests can also leave the park and make the 10-minute drive to downtown Bastrop to grab a bite, a drink, some groceries, or catch some music or a movie. (Who can really say what the rules of glamping entail?)

    Bloom House The two mirror houses are within walking distance to the swimming areas along the lake. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    The Ööd Mirror Houses are now available to book online. Rates vary by day, starting just above $200 per night before fees, and increasing to more than $300 before fees during certain times. Find the campground at 375 S. Shore Rd., Bastrop.

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