This is a story about transformation not just of a space, but of an identity. Of taking a house and turning it into living, breathing characters. It’s also the story of redefining what a boutique BnB could be. A narrative that isn’t about following formulas or creating just another trendy stay, but about building a world. One where design, storytelling, and personality collide to create an experience that doesn’t just look good, it’s a feeling you won’t forget.
From the oval office to East Austin
Tim Stanton: It all started with a $25 Facebook Marketplace find—a portrait of JFK, but not the way history remembers him. This was a hipster JFK, complete with a modern haircut and an effortless coolness that felt more East Austin than Oval Office. It was ironic, a little absurd, and undeniably interesting.
Charles Vesley: And that’s when the question hit us: What if Jack (JFK) and Jackie Kennedy had never gone into politics? What if, instead of shaping the course of history, they were shaping the vibe of an Airbnb in Austin? What if they were modern-day hosts, deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of a city known for its creative spirit?
TS: From there, the story started writing itself. We imagined them as tastemakers, effortlessly blending timeless elegance with a little rebellious edge—exactly the way Austin does. Jackie, with her eye for design and disco-diva personality, curating every detail of the space to be just right. Jack, with his charisma and wit, welcoming guests with an ease that makes them feel like old friends.
CV: The aesthetic followed naturally: bold pastels, vintage diner influences, and just enough playful irreverence to make it feel different. Think a buffalo smoking a cigarette, a Patriotic eagle flying proudly, and neon signs that wouldn’t be out of place in a 1960s cocktail lounge. It was about building a world that felt immersive—one where guests didn’t just stay, but stepped into a story.
TS: What made it work was that it wasn’t just about nostalgia. It was about reinterpreting history, injecting it with humor and modernity. We weren’t creating a themed experience—we were crafting living, breathing personalties for this space, that guests could interact with, laugh with, and even debate over tacos with.
CV: That’s why the guest experience had to go beyond design. It had to be conversational, almost theatrical. Jack & Jackie aren’t just names on a listing—they’re hosts with distinct personalities, responding to guests with witticisms, banter, and playful one-liners re-spun from JFK’s most iconic quotes.
TS: At first, we were stuck with what to do next. The house already had this halfway-there colorful paint job, and we weren’t sure how to take it to the next level without it feeling chaotic. We knew it needed something bold, but we didn’t have the answer yet.
CV: Then we went to New York City. We were wandering through Soho and ended up at the Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton exhibition. The way they used color—fully immersive, unapologetic, almost dreamlike—it clicked. That was the missing piece.
TS: Yeah, it wasn’t just about adding color. it was about committing to it. Drenching the space in it. Letting it be loud, whimsical, and intentional, the way Louis Vuitton had done in that exhibit. That’s when we knew: we weren’t just working with color—we were building a world.
CV: We rendered out exactly how the space should look, refining every color, every detail. The moment we saw it all come together, we knew we were onto something. This wasn’t just a fun concept—it had the bones of a real brand. And if we were going to do this right, we had to go all in.
TS: We developed this intention. It wasn’t just about the stay itself. it was about crafting an experience that started the second someone booked. That’s why we introduced the cheeky, back-and-forth banter in Airbnb messages—Jack & Jackie weren’t just hosts, they were personalities guests could engage with before they even set foot in the door.
CV: And once they arrived, it had to feel like more than just a place to sleep. We started thinking beyond the space—merch, matchbooks, coasters, hats, all the little details that a boutique hotel would have. We wanted guests to leave with something tangible, something they could take home beyond just a photo.
The details that make it memorable
TS: We developed this intention. It wasn’t just about the stay itself; it was about crafting an experience that started the second someone booked. That’s why we introduced the cheeky, back-and-forth banter in Airbnb messages—Jack & Jackie weren’t just hosts, they were personalities guests could engage with before they even set foot in the door.
CV: And once they arrived, it had to feel like more than just a place to sleep. We started thinking beyond the space—merch, matchbooks, coasters, hats, all the little details that a boutique hotel would have. We wanted guests to leave with something tangible, something they could take home beyond just a photo.
CV: Because that’s when you know you’ve built something special—when people don’t just remember the stay, they carry a piece of it with them. That’s the difference between creating a place to sleep VS a feeling you won’t forget.
TS: And that’s exactly what a boutique BnB is—not just great design, but a fully immersive brand that guests can experience, interact with, and take home. That’s the north star, the blueprint for every BnB we build moving forward. It’s not just about hospitality—it’s about storytelling, identity, and creating a world people don’t want to leave.
