European Elegance Meets Texas Soul
The designer pauses beneath century-old oak trees, studying how afternoon light filters through the canopy onto the Commodore Perry Estate’s sweeping grounds. “There’s nothing like it,” Ken Fulk reflects about the 1928 Italian Renaissance Revival landmark. “The quirky mix of styles amid formal gardens in the middle of an urban setting is truly extraordinary.” His job wasn’t to reimagine it completely—it was to honor what made it special while giving it the glamour it always deserved.
What began as Austin’s treasured landmark needed more than restoration; it required resurrection. “We did our best to accentuate what was inherent,” Fulk explains, “a place ripe for entertaining and hosting guests.” “As the designer and creative director of the property, our goal was to craft guest experiences that would celebrate this utterly unique estate,” he adds. “Everything—from the interior design to the in-room amenities and the offerings around the estate—was designed to merge the property’s relaxed European charm with truly gracious Texas hospitality.”
Our Double Decker umbrellas in Cabana Yellow Stripe were chosen to embody this delicate balance between sophistication and soul. The cheerful stripes add whimsical charm against the estate’s stately architecture while providing elegant shade for the outdoor spaces where members and guests naturally gravitate. Whether framing intimate business lunches or evening cocktail conversations, each umbrella creates its own microenvironment within the larger estate experience.
What strikes visitors most about the transformed Commodore Perry Estate is how effortlessly it captures Austin’s spirit—that rare combination of creativity, hospitality, and just enough rebelliousness to keep things interesting. Under the yellow-striped canopies, deals are made, friendships are forged, and the kind of conversations happen that can only occur when great design creates the perfect backdrop for human connection.
True luxury lies not in exclusivity, but in creating spaces where extraordinary people feel inspired to be their most authentic selves.
