Wild in the West: Bed & Breakfasts

Inns and B&Bs with character dot an iconic landscape from Nashville to the California coast.  This eclectic group of unique—and sometimes quirky—charmers are more than simply places to lay your head.  Curated by Ken Amorosano

Magnolia House | McGregor, Texas

When Chip and Joanna Gaines first hinted that they were opening a B&B, viewers of their popular TV serites, Fixer Upper, started lining up.  Joanna fell in love with the charming 1800s home in downtown McGregor, a small town right outside Waco, Texas, when she showed it to a client who passed on it.  “From the first moment I saw it, I could envision bringing it back to life,” says the vivacious mother of four.  “I’ve always been drawn to this historic area, and its many little antique shops, local restaurants and the general grassroots feel of the town.”  The design inspiration for Magnolia House was taken from the Gaines’ own home, a true country farmhouse that oozes with character and down-home charm.  magnoliamarket.com

Inn of the Five Graces | Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Inn of the Five Graces provides a unique experience in the oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S.: Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The Inn is located in the heart of Santa Fe’s historic downtown, nestled on a quiet side street near the Santa Fe River.  Earthy, traditional adobe and stone exteriors belie the extraordinarily sensual experience awaiting visitors inside, a sophisticated synthesis of Far East and Southwest.  fivegraces.com

Madonna Inn | San Luis Obispo, California

It is hard to define the Madonna Inn on California’s golden central coast, other than to say it is “unique.”  Rooms in the sprawling “bucket list” destination range from gaudy to grand, including the Madonna Suite with its haute-pink decor and native rock waterfall shower, to the Caveman, a rustic den of solid rock, animal prints, stone pond and stone-age clubs. With more than 100 whimsical guest rooms to dazzle the most fertile imaginations, the Madonna Inn is worth the adventure—and even offers horseback riding in the hills behind this iconic California conclave.  madonnainn.com

Blackberry Farm | Walland, Tennessee

While exploring the picturesque Smoky Mountain foothills—the future location of her and her husband’s dream home in Walland, Tennessee—Mrs. Florida Lasier snagged her silk stockings on a wild blackberry bramble.  It was 1939, and the name Blackberry Farm was born. Nearly 40 years later, the young Beall family dedicated themselves to honoring the historic Farm by opening it to the public as a six-room country inn.  The Beall’s young son, Sam, grew up on the Farm, and his love for the charming property—and the ever-changing cast of characters filtering through its 4,200 acres—made him the natural future proprietor of Blackberry Farm.  Today, Sam Beall and his own young family continue the long-standing legacy of southern hospitality and unwavering attention to detail that has given the Farm its sparkling reputation.  Just last year, the highly prestigious James Beard Awards Foundation honored Blackberry Farm with its fourth consecutive Award for Outstanding Service.  blackberryfarm.com

The Ladysmith | Tishomingo, Oklahoma

Leave it up to Miranda Lambert to go boldly where no rocker has gone before. Ladysmith is a boutique bed and breakfast owned and developed by Miranda Lambert and located near The Pink Pistol in the heart of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Originally built in 1901, this historic two-story building has been meticulously renovated throughout to become a chic inn destination. The bed and breakfast features eight well-appointed bedrooms, each individually designed by Miranda and her creative team to match her eclectic style; Shabby Chic meets Rock & Roll. In addition to the luxurious accommodations, The Ladysmith is home to a charming dining hall, two funky lounges, an elegant tea room, a fully-stocked bar, and a ballroom that can accomodate 60-80 guests.  theladysmith.com

The Prairie | Round Top, Texas

Over the last two decades, Rachel Ashwell has achieved success as a designer, entrepreneur and author, parlaying a small retail store in Santa Monica into an internationally known lifestyle brand. Best known as an interior style visionary and creator of ‘Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture,’ Ashwell is the proprietress of The Prairie, a charming bed & breakfast in rural Round Top, Texas.  How did a flashy Londoner find herself restoring five houses on 46 acres of American prairie, in a town with a population of 90 people? Round Top may be small but it has culture to spare. It has been Ashwell’s go-to destination for years because of its bi-annual antiques market, an event that causes Round Top’s population to swell from 90 to 100,000!  theprairiebyrachelashwell.com

TWO TO WATCH

Urban Cowboy | Nashville, Tennessee

Urban Cowboy, the piping hot western themed B&B in Brooklyn, New York, is opening a Nashville location.  But forget everything you think you know about a New York B&B.  This hip and funky  B & B, created by Manhattan real estate agent and former professional hockey player, Lyon Porter, is set to open in a Queen Anne Victorian located in East Nashville, just blocks from the Five Points commercial strip.  The house offers five bedrooms and two baths, totaling 3,587 square feet. Lyon doesn’t have an opening date yet, as he’s in the process of renovating the house, which dates back to 1910.  urbancowboybnb.com

Wander Inn |Round Top, Texas

Junk Gypsy has become a Texas legend, not only for turning junk into gems, but also for leading the “Samba line” to one of America’s funkiest cultural crossroad celebrations. The two women behind Junk Gypsy are hosts of the Junk-O-Rama Prom that takes place twice a year during Texas Antiques Week in Round Top, where the Junk Gypsy crew makes their home. The two sisters, Amie Sikes & Jolie Sikes-Smith, are also hosts of HGTV’s “Junk Gypsies” which airs on GAC.  The colorful pair who dust off dressers and reimagine relics at the flea market for clients all over Texas, will launch a new concept with Wander Inn, their latest venture.  An eclectic inn adorned with their finest “junkified” roadside treasures is shooting for a grand opening in early summer.  gypsyville.com  979.249.JUNK (5865)