By Shanna Smith-Snyder
At your wit’s end? Consider retreating to
The Refuge at Wit’s End in Abilene, Texas, a guesthouse that will transport you to a different place in time.
The Refuge is a rock cottage originally built in the 1930s as an apartment or possibly in-law quarters. Now it’s a well-done guesthouse on the property of Bobby and Cindy Deegan, surrounded by serene gardens on a quiet boulevard in the middle of the city.
After entering the cottage through a striking cobalt blue door, I realized one of The Refuge’s most appealing traits is that it has little connection to the outside world. There’s no Wi-Fi or TV, just a CD player and a large collection of music for their guests. Sure, you could get online with your smartphone, but where’s the fun in that? While giving me a tour of the property, Cindy Deegan told me, “When you stay with us, you can withdraw from the 21st century and return renewed.”
The patterns, colors and textures of the guesthouse will transport you to a warm casita with décor straight from el Mercado. The Refuge is a gem in the middle of Abilene, with brilliant cobalt blues, luscious lime greens and rustic reds. Just imagine soaking in a turquoise claw-foot tub and grabbing drinks out of a lime-green vintage fridge — what’s not to love? Plus, the backyard patio overlooks the gardens and greenhouse; it’s perfect for morning coffee, reading in the afternoon sun or relaxing at night with a glass of wine.
As for the name, Cindy Deegan says, “We had four sons living at home at the time. We had just sold another property and closed one chapter of our lives. We were ready to be energized by the beginning of a new project and were ready to move forward. Oh yeah…and we are now located at the end of the street. You could say that the irony and timing worked hand-in-hand on this project.”
The Refuge at Wit’s End: 302 Riverside Blvd. 325-232-8474. Check in: 3 p.m., check-out: noon. $75 per night, $250 per week (if less than 30 days). For more information, visit their
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