The wow factor hits you as soon as you walk into Urbanology Cottage in Weatherford. Natural light pours into the 100-year-old house, which boasts dark wall colors, jewel tones and earthy neutrals in its furnishings, contemporary light fixtures, beautiful tile and patterned wallpaper. We immediately explore every space; even the laundry room is perfectly outfitted. The quirkiness of the bungalow remains — the original floors squeak a bit and the vintage door requires a little jiggering to open — but that is what makes the house feel like a well-lived-in old home. On our visit in October, we never left the house except for a walk around the tree-lined neighborhood. Why would we, with a space this inviting?

Ginger Curtis, founder of Urbanology Designs, has a full calendar of work but, when she can get away, she and husband Eric enjoy staycations.

She admits she’s picky about her lodging. “I go through a lot of listings to find something that appeals to the designer in me. It’s what charges my battery, whether it’s a place local or far away.”

Ginger, who started her interiors business in 2015, creates spaces that are as beautiful as they are comfortable and has earned numerous awards for her work. She favors a neutral palette, artisan textiles, organic materials, handcrafted furniture and a mix of modern and vintage. Her design portfolio includes a reimagined fire station, a coffee shop and residences in Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Dallas and Los Angeles. Late last year, a vacation rental became part of Urbanology Properties, a new addition to her business.

“We wanted to create something for ourselves, but give others access to it, too. The design needed to have a big wow factor as it represents the brand, too.”

She chose Weatherford for multiple reasons, including the fact that she grew up visiting there as a child. “It has a slower pace, and I love that. That’s what draws me to the area.”

Ginger found a 1922 cottage on a tree-lined street thanks to a friend of a friend who knew of the bed-and-breakfast property. “The owner was ready to make a change, but she wanted us to keep it as a rental. And she was a great resource.”

Formerly known as The Rose Garden Cottage, the wood-clad house was painted different shades of mauve on the exterior and had lots of lace and antiques on the inside. Ginger updated the house to make it feel more like a retreat but also retain its old-house charm. She added her signature style to set a mood, add drama and evoke a bit of nostalgia through details such as the tiny brass nameplates on each of the bedroom doors. “I was inspired by characters from my childhood and decided to name the bedrooms after them. There’s Pippi Longstocking, who is a little funky, doesn’t care about social norms and has a wildly beautiful heart. Colonel Mustard is inspired by the game of Clue; it’s playful, moody and fun. Ms. Hosell was an imaginary character I made up when I was young.”

The house was in pretty good shape when Ginger bought it, but work remained to get it to the next level, beyond a basic house flip. “We refinished the wood floors, and the bathrooms and kitchens were completely gutted. We worked with someone local thanks to a referral from the woman who is redoing a house next door. For the interiors, we wanted quality throughout. If we have a client who wants to see and experience our style, we can send them here.”

A bonus: While several things in the home are one of a kind, if you love the Ann Sacks tile in a bathroom, the brass toggle switch in the kitchen, the oversize light fixture in the hallway or the plush sofa in the living room, you can “shop” the house on the website to help you create your own getaway.

She’s not an interior designer by trade, but Jenna LeBlanc is definitely a “creative” when it comes to everything from merchandising her Fort Worth retail store, Winton + Waits, to staging and styling large-scale events. We’ve featured two of her Fort Worth homes in 360 West, each showcasing her own design aesthetic.

“I love making an impact in the home with new elements and pieces I’ve collected over the years from artists I’ve met over the years. Layering them tells a story.”

LeBlanc’s most recent chapter involves Ty, her husband — they’re newlyweds — and partner in Modern Nomads, their property management business. “We started investing in vacation property several years ago. Ty suggested we move around and live in them. We’ve been doing this for six months, and we’re finally getting the hang of it,” says Jenna. “I enjoy living in a space while I’m designing them. How it makes you feel inside is just as important as how it looks on the outside.”

Their latest project sits on a multi-lot property in Granbury between the Long Creek/Lake Granbury/Brazos River area and a massive turf-grass farm. It feels worlds away but isn’t far from the small, lively town. Jenna’s first retail store was on Granbury’s town square 25 years ago, and she has enjoyed getting to know new places during their stays at the home.

The Blanc Lake House is a single-story, ’70s-era home updated and remodeled by a previous investor. Ty and Jenna opted to keep the existing tile and flooring and concentrate on other updates, the better to infuse it with personality and their own style.

The house sleeps more than 20. Private bedrooms and one luxurious primary suite are in the main part of the home. A massive sunroom with the best views of the tree-lined lake contains a pair of pullout sofas in the living area and bunks and daybeds behind a partial wall. Jenna made sure there are cozy spots that feel a bit more intimate.

Throughout the main house, she uses a lot of neutrals for furnishings and accessories, so as not to detract from the environs. There are layers of color, including a vintage navy velvet sofa Jenna purchased from a designer friend, bedding, pillows and paintings, many of which are from local artists or those whom she has met in Round Top. Jenna loves to work with her hands, and she and daughter AnnahGrace Galindo, who is an artist/painter, worked jointly on a trio of abstract canvases inspired by sunrises and sunsets at the lake house.

Round Top finds are sprinkled throughout the home; Jenna knew her husband was the real deal when he willingly accompanied her to the antiques mecca and loaded and unloaded trailer after trailer of goods once they got them back to Fort Worth. One of her favorite purchases, an oversized carved wood window, hangs in the lake house dining room; Jenna aged mirrored glass to fill the empty panes. Other unique touches include a merry-go-round horse in one bedroom and vintage rugs in others.

A new elevated patio includes a hot tub, plenty of seating and a fire pit. At the water’s edge, a pair of kayaks sit ready for exploring the shoreline or fishing. We watched white-tailed deer appear at dusk and a gray heron seek out breakfast. Another covered patio serves as a game room and outdoor dining space.

Two other projects, a black “barndominium” and a “skoolie,” a converted school bus, are in the works. The barn features an all-glass wall looking toward the lake and a pair of vintage soaking tubs outside.

The bus will offer a glamping option. Some Boy Scouts already had removed the seats and built in beds and a kitchenette; Ty and Jenna are making it more comfortable and adding lots of amenities.

Designing a space doesn’t even compare to hosting guests, says Jenna. Creating a luxe experience for guests requires a lot of foresight, planning and patience.

“But this feels true to my design spirit,” says Jenna. “The definition of a ‘bohemian’ is to be unconventional in an artistic way. That describes me perfectly.”

Their latest project sits on a multi-lot property in Granbury between the Long Creek/Lake Granbury/Brazos River area and a massive turf-grass farm. It feels worlds away but isn’t far from the small, lively town. Jenna’s first retail store was on Granbury’s town square 25 years ago, and she has enjoyed getting to know new places during their stays at the home.

The Blanc Lake House is a single-story, ’70s-era home updated and remodeled by a previous investor. Ty and Jenna opted to keep the existing tile and flooring and concentrate on other updates, the better to infuse it with personality and their own style.

The house sleeps more than 20. Private bedrooms and one luxurious primary suite are in the main part of the home. A massive sunroom with the best views of the tree-lined lake contains a pair of pullout sofas in the living area and bunks and daybeds behind a partial wall. Jenna made sure there are cozy spots that feel a bit more intimate.

Throughout the main house, she uses a lot of neutrals for furnishings and accessories, so as not to detract from the environs. There are layers of color, including a vintage navy velvet sofa Jenna purchased from a designer friend, bedding, pillows and paintings, many of which are from local artists or those whom she has met in Round Top. Jenna loves to work with her hands, and she and daughter AnnahGrace Galindo, who is an artist/painter, worked jointly on a trio of abstract canvases inspired by sunrises and sunsets at the lake house.