“Hello, walls.”
That might be the first thing you say when you step inside the Stardust Inn, a new Willie Nelson-inspired short-term rental in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Developed by Chris and Wendy Elder, the property greets guests with a mural of the Red Headed Stranger on the exterior of the three-story house. Inside, nods to the country music legend, including suites named after his chart-toppers and interior decor inspired by his iconic style, will make Willie fans feel right at home.
“It’s kind of a vintage theme, but it’s also Western,” says Wendy, an investor and Austin-based Realtor. “We’ve got guitars all around that people can play. At night you can do some creative music writing by the fire pit. That’s kind of the vision my husband had because he loves music.”
Watch the video below for a tour of the Stardust Inn.
Outside Austin City Limits
The Elders chose four acres 40 miles outside of Austin to build their monument to the singer-songwriter. It’s a smart place for a vacation rental, they say. Dripping Springs is the wedding capital of Texas, with few options for lodging. They expect their four-bedroom, three-bathroom rental will be booked throughout wedding season and beyond.
“It’s just imperative that they have other places for people to rent when they’re out here for those events,” says Chris, a speculative homebuilder.
Building in a rural location meant there was no connection to natural gas, but the Elders insisted on top-tier amenities such as a gas cooktop and fireplace for their guests, so they opted for propane. The propane cooktop was especially important as the Elders expect The Stardust Inn to attract creative types who enjoy the culinary arts and cooking with fire.
Likewise, a propane fireplace is safer than a woodburning type in a room built to host large parties. Plus, being a direct-vent model meant Chris could build without a chimney, in keeping with the house’s modern farmhouse style.
Another advantage of building outside a major city: more freedom. Chris doubts the Willie Nelson mural, painted by his friend Sam Welty, would fly in an HOA-controlled neighborhood.
Other amenities include a large outdoor firepit and decks offering sweeping views of Texas Hill Country.
Why Willie?
Nelson’s influence looms large in Central Texas.
In 1973, the native Texan held his inaugural Fourth of July Picnic at a Dripping Springs ranch. The festival featured Waylon Jennings, John Prine and Kris Kristofferson, among other country music “outlaws.” The event continues to draw crowds 50 years later.
“He has so much content and color and history that we were able to get these artists in here and produce something that had a fantastic theme local to the community,” Chris says.
The Stardust Inn is amongst a growing number of themed vacation rentals luring guests with immersive experiences and Instagram appeal. Airbnb even launched a fund to help hosts develop their own wild concepts. For builders, there’s an opportunity to create unique properties equipped with high-performance propane-fueled appliances where short-term rentals are in demand.
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