Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Horowitz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A little over seven years ago, my husband Glen and I were living in the Southlake area and decided we wanted something different for our boys who were 13 and 11. We were very fortunate to buy this estate in Whitesboro, Texas from the same family that had settled it in the 1800s.
I’m part Hawaiian, and in the Hawaiian culture, you’re taught from a young age that the land is never yours, that you are borrowing it, and it’s your responsibility to care for it and preserve it for future generations.
I knew right away, that preserving the history of the pioneers and Native Americans that lived on this land before us, was our duty!
From the moment we stepped foot on this property, my husband and I made a plan that anything we built or did to the land would be with the intention of preserving its history and story!
While living in what is now our guest house & Airbnb rental, Thistle House, we designed from scratch and built our current home on the property. I started showcasing our build and lifestyle here on the estate on Instagram and shortly after, we were discovered by a scout. We were featured in Country Home and Better Homes and Gardens magazine for our home and farm. During this time my husband gifted me my dream of a family chapel on the property, that I wanted in memory of the old Center Church that used to be on our road and performed all their baptisms in our creek. He jokingly said he’d build it if I designed a he-shed for him and our sons! So that’s how the Chapel and Osage Hall were born! Osage Hall is named after a circle of very large and old Osage trees on our estate, that an arborist estimated to be planted by Native Americans. Another nod to our estate’s history. Shortly after deciding to build the chapel and Osage Hall, we had multiple discussions of whether or not to open them to the public and what that would look like for us as a family. After all, we moved here for a quiet lifestyle, HA! We quickly realized that to be custodians of the land we needed to share it with others. We became aware very early on that it was never a burden, it was a gift, to be able to share it with others, and it was truly an honor that couples would choose to start their lives together here!
Our mission first and foremost is preservation of this land and its history. Our passion is sharing it with others!
We recently had our year anniversary of opening our family chapel and Osage Hall to the public, and we’re overwhelmed with the response! We’re now booking weddings into 2023!
I often get asked what my inspiration was for our home, family chapel, and Osage Hall. I always say Ralph Lauren equestrian! I have always felt that RL’s designs are the epitome of relaxed luxury!
Couples tell us that they love the English Countryside feel on the estate, that you don’t normally get in Texas and the authenticity.
One bride told us that she’d been to “fake farms, fake mansions”, i.e., all were built as wedding venues! She said she “loved that when her guests come here, they would be getting an authentic experience!”
Couples often tell us that they love that their event felt like exactly that… ”relaxed luxury”…to me that’s the greatest compliment!
We’re honored to share our estate and its history with others, and being on the cusp of our second year, we can’t wait to see what the future holds!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Every time we felt we were hitting roadblocks with our plans, everything seemed to fall into place. We have met wonderful vendors and couples that feel our passion and see our vision for the future. It reassures us constantly that we’re doing the right thing…this was meant to be! We really feel that chapel wanted to be here! We’re honored to be the stewards of it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have an amateur background in design, LOL! My husband and I used to build custom homes in and around the Southlake area and I quickly realized how much I loved design and then I was being hired to redesign and design people’s homes. My husband often tells me that I’m not happy unless I’m creating…that’s probably true! This estate gives me lots of room to create…it will probably never be finished as long as I’m here! I’m most proud of the fact that guests of the estate often ask if our home and chapel are historic! I guess I did my job well!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I learned patience is definitely a virtue that I will be perpetually be working on! I’m not a patient person with my own projects! I feel like I’m five years old, “are we there yet?” HA! When I make a plan or come up with a design, I can’t wait to get the project done and see it to fruition!
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@thistlehillestate
- Website: Thistlehillestate.com
- Instagram: @thistlehillestate @thistlehillweddings
- Facebook: Thistle Hill Estate
Image Credits
Chua Lee
