6 min readThere's a mid-renovation scene that designer Kacy Ellis Shepps describes when she tells the story of this Fredericksburg, Texas, home that sums up the experience quite succinctly.
Her client, an Austin tastemaker and co-founder of a beloved boutique textile showroom, Supply Showroom, walks into the great room mid-construction. A sage green paint coats the walls; the stained wood ceiling is newly installed, but nothing else is. Almost immediately, panic sets in. “She immediately went into full panic mode,” Shepps recalls of her client, who was convinced they had made a terrible mistake and needed to start over. Still, Shepps held firm. And, sure as anything, months later—once the furnishings, lighting, and layers of color finally settled into place—that same room became one of the homeowner’s favorite spaces in the house. “She walked in and literally cried tears of joy,” Shepps says. “It was a perfect reminder to trust the process.”
That balance—between the bold instinct of an aesthetic pro and the hard-earned trust of a client—is baked into every inch of this sprawling ranch retreat in Texas Hill Country. Originally conceived as a spec build, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home was purchased before construction began, allowing Shepps and her team to integrate their perspective fully into the interiors. “We made extensive modifications to the original plans, including reworking portions of the floor plan, refining the architectural detailing, redesigning all millwork and cabinetry, and selecting every interior finish, fixture, and material throughout,” she explains. “We approached the project with the rigor of a custom build, on a spec-build timeline.”
While Shepps’s own aesthetic tends towards retraint, the client’s M.O. consisted of fearless color, bold pattern, and maxmialist details, shaped by years of curating some of the most expressive textiles on the market. Rather than pulling each other toward the middle, the two leaned into the give-and-take dialogue. “Designing for someone with such a distinct visual point of view challenged me to think beyond my innate tendencies and explore a more maximal design language,” says Shepps. “I’m especially proud because it demonstrates that strong design is not about imposing a singular signature look—it’s about understanding a client’s vision and translating it beautifully through your own lens.”
Inside, vibrant wallpaper, collected vintage furnishings, sculptural lighting, and expressive textiles bring warmth and movement to the modern architecture without overwhelming it. Even the home’s most functional spaces were designed with entertaining in mind, including a former study that Shepps transformed into a social hub complete with a 14-foot shuffleboard table and wet bar. “It’s not every day you get to center a house around shuffleboard,” Shepps says, “but for this family, it made perfect sense.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Kacy Ellis Shepps, Kacy Ellis Design
Location: Fredericksburg, Texas
The space: A five-bedroom, five-bathroom, two-half-bathroom home across 6,200 square feet.
KITCHEN
Muddy hues help to ground the glam custom brass hood.
While the kitchen’s overall footprint remained largely unchanged, Shepps reimagined virtually everything within it, begining with new cabinetry and appliances, and relying on a material palette that nodded to the home’s rustic surroundings.
“What I love most about this kitchen is its sheer scale and the way that shapes the experience of the space,” adds Shepps. “It’s one of the largest kitchens I’ve ever designed, and while kitchens are almost always the gathering point of a home, this one feels especially primed for connection. Its generosity of scale gives it an almost magnetic social energy.”
DINING ROOM
Sprawling chandeliers emphasize the height of the ceilings.
Positioned between the kitchen and great room and framed by a rustic stone archway, the dining room feels integrated within the home’s open-plan while still reading as its own distinct moment. “We anchored the space with a substantial dining table that provides both visual weight and a strong architectural presence,” adds Shepps.
GREAT ROOM
A monumental limestone fireplace brings quiet drama.
In what Shepps calls “the architectural heart of the home,” sprawling cathedral ceilings finished with wood planking bring elegance and polish. “Rather than competing with that scale, we leaned into it, selecting furnishings and artwork with enough presence to stand up to the architecture while using color and pattern to keep the space from feeling overly serious,” says Shepps. “The end result feels warm and approachable—less formal living room, more lively gathering place for an ever-bustling family.”
GAME ROOM
A custom shuffleboard table conveys a playful aesthetic.
In lieu of a formal study, Shepps reimagined this transitional space as a lounge and game room anchored by a full-length shuffleboard table, an unconventional gesture that the designer says “instantly sets the tone for the home’s convivial spirit.” A nearby wet bar and lounge seating encourages quality family time. “It’s become one of the home’s most animated gathering spots and perfectly encapsulates the project’s emphasis on hospitality, spontaneity, and joy,” Shepps adds.
HALLWAY
Piles of pattern turn a transitional space into a moment.
Because this is a true weekend house—designed for outdoor living, active children, and constant coming and going—the mudroom needed to work exceptionally hard,” says Shepps. To achieve that, she approached this entry hallway as both a practical landing zone and an extension of the home’s personality, adding in abundant storage, integrated bench seating, and durable materials to support the rhythms of daily life.
POWDER ROOM
Graphic plaid wallpaper acts as a punctuation point on the snug space.
Wrapped in graphic plaid wallcovering, the powder room serves as a wink within the home’s broader design narrative, reinforcing the project’s celebratory approach to pattern and personality.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Packed with moodier tones, this relaxed suite feels quietly distinct.
To create a bedroom that felt “warm and comfortable,” Shepps leaned into a slightly muddier palette, focusing on tones of olive and dusty rose to convey a tranquil atmosphere. “The mix of earthy greens, muted reds, and soft blush tones creates a palette that feels both unexpected and calming,” says Shepps.
PRIMARY CLOSET
A monochromatic palette turns an everyday spot into a moment of drama.
“Saturated in a rich berry hue from floor to ceiling, the primary closet feels moody, intimate, and unexpectedly glamorous—more dressing room than closet,” says Shepps. Built-in shelving allows the homeowners to find a spot for every item.
PRIMARY BATH
A custom zellige tile layout creates a twist on the classic checkerboard pattern.
Featuring the same soft pink tones seen in the primary bedroom, the accompaning bathroom balances softness and scale, with a warm white oak vanity and freestanding tub set beneath the window as a serene focal point. “The result is a bathroom that feels elevated, calming, and quietly luxurious,” adds Shepps.
GUEST BEDROOM
Pattern drenching creates a visually stunning yet serene escape.
One of the home’s many guest suites, this bedroom embraces pattern with confidence, wrapped in a bold floral Parker & Jules print that gives the space an immediate sense of charm. “Layered berry, blush, and deep teal tones create a palette that feels edgy yet chic, while the fully upholstered bench and tailored bedding reinforce the room’s cocooning comfort,” adds Shepps.
BUNK ROOM
A camp-like setup promotes childhood magic.
Designed for the homeowner’s three daughters in mind, the bunk room balances utility and whimsy. Built-in sleeping alcoves create an intimate, camp-like feel, while patterned wallpaper and soft pastel tones lend warmth and visual interest. “The room was conceived not simply as a place to sleep, but as a destination unto itself, encouraging gathering, play, and memory-making long after bedtime,” adds Shepps.
About the Designer
Kacy Ellis Shepps is the founder and principal of Kacy Ellis Design, a full service interior design firm specializing in residential projects. Kacy approaches each of her jobs individually, establishing a highly interpersonal relationship with her clients, giving each one her full attention and a tailored design process. Preferring to not identify with one style in particular, Kacy likes to merge modern and traditional design principles, marrying elements from various time periods to create cohesive, comfortable and timeless spaces.
