The THRILL of the HUNT

It took four years to finish, but this layered estate was worth every shopping trip.

- Carisha Swanson

When it came to priorities, the clients were very clear.

They wanted to convert a classic car garage on their Central Texas estate into a dance hall and speakeasy, creating their own social sanctuary. Sarah Stacey was enlisted to bring their vision to life. That “simple” project quickly catapulted into a four-year, all-encompassing design journey when the couple added the renovation of their 4,900-square-foot primary home. During this time, Stacey, an avid auction enthusiast, shared her passion and expertise with her clients. “Walking through auction previews is thrilling—you wonder who owned the items, how they were used. You can feel the history,” she explains. “New homes need stories; we can design an entire room around a piece. Plus, you can save a lot of money at these events.”

But before the bidding wars comes planning, Stacey reimagined the space that once housed the former owner's car collection as a moody billiards club with plenty of lounge seating, a full bar salvaged from a Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and vintage collectibles—including an original Jimi Hendrix guitar. To separate the dance hall from the speakeasy, she cleverly utilized an iconic British telephone booth as the secret entrance from one area to the other. A simple push of the back wall gets you in—if you know there’s a door there!