Iconic Interstate Inn is Now Open, Modernized, and Fully Reimagined Featuring The Seeker Restaurant from Chef Stephan Pyles in Stephenville

Stephenville, TX – (January 29, 2025) – Mod Motels is excited to announce its first boutique, luxury motel, Interstate Inn, opened this week. The 33-room boutique motel, at 811 East Road, Stephenville, Texas, 76401, is the first of three Texas openings from Mod Motels opening between now and 2026. It is reimagined from its roots as Interstate Inn opened in 1965 and now features both an upscale restaurant for guests and locals called The Seeker by Stephan Pyles featuring all-day dining and a special event venue called The Cork Room.  Booking information and special event offers can be found at https://www.theinterstateinn.com.

Mod Motels Co-Founder and Co-Owner Lisa Lennox said, “Interstate Inn is a celebration of timeless travel, offering guests a unique blend of retro charm and modern luxury. This vision has been brought to life through the collaboration of passionate partners and a dedicated team, each bringing their expertise and creativity to every detail. Together, we’ve created more than just a place to stay – it’s an experience that captures the spirit of adventure and hospitality.”

Interstate Inn now provides a welcome, sophisticated, colorful, and elevated roadside destination for those traveling to and from cities and towns in West Texas, Central Texas and North Texas along Highways 281 and 377. It is located just 1 hour and 15 minutes southwest of Fort Worth; 1 hour and 40 minutes southwest of Dallas; and 1 hour and 30 minutes northwest of Waco. Inside, the Inn features a two-story main lobby with an iconic sloped roof in the shape of an interstate highway sign emblazoned with a modern interpretation of its original mural. Upon arrival, guests and locals will find eye-catching artwork, ample spaces to lounge, a retail boutique, and views of a central lawn with swimming pool, fountain, outdoor fireplace, firepits, and multiple patios and seating areas. The entire experience is perfect for b-leisure or introspective solo travelers, fun group road trips, families, destination celebrations, weddings, graduations, and more.

Interstate’s interiors are by Neal Stewart of Neal Stewart Designs in Dallas, who has worked on projects with Lennox for more than 20 years. His goal was to help her realize her dream vision to recreate a more upbeat, mid-century modern design with several instagramable moments. The guest rooms flank the lawn in a u-shape configuration from two different elevations and feature keyless digital entry, lawn and pool views, privacy walls and outdoor seating. There are two suites featuring oval bathtubs and walk-in showers and living areas with minifridge, and 22 standard king and 11 double queen rooms all with their own unique artwork hand selected by Lennox, and custom headboards and textiles. Each has its own eclectic, colorful, mid-century accented wallpapers also selected by Lennox and whimsical, vintage-inspired furnishings, Herman Miller pendant cigar lighting, coordinating accessories, and thoughtful, branded amenities.

A highlight are two ‘nostalgia’ rooms that channel decades of the 60s and 70s. Room 106 features an original Magic Fingers bed from John Houghtaling circa 1958 where you deposit a quarter into a machine on the nightstand and it powers a device with massaging-effect that will vibrate the entire bed for 15 minutes. Room 114 features a King-size waterbed just like the original ones that were popular in the 70s.  Each room is appointed with custom, branded terry cloth robes, yoga mats, Yuni beauty and skincare products, personal Keurig coffee maker, digital Bible, charging stations, cell phone shelf, 1950s starburst atomic wall clocks, hand steamer, security safe, and custom built-ins for luggage. A spotlight are the floating nightstands and dressers with colored acrylic panels which mirror bathroom tile color from Fort Worth furniture maker Patrick Adams at 6572 Build, accompanied by comfy armchair and wood floors with accent rugs. Artwork from Texas Artist Kevin Chupik and other local and regional artists were carefully curated for each room by Lennox.

Interstate Inn houses several flexible spaces to accommodate group gatherings or enhance guest experiences. The two-story, 4,200 square foot main lobby features sloped, natural stained walnut ceiling and millwork with floor to ceiling windows showcasing views of the lawn, terrazzo floors, and curved, floor to ceiling, blush pink handcrafted glazed tile work featuring a focal point–a modern Bridget Bardot oil painting commissioned from Dallas artist Ginger Fox. To the left of entry, there is a living room lounge with Herman Miller cocktail table, semicircular sofa and mid-century, upholstered armchairs and custom area carpets. The reception desk is an original Vladimir Kagan from Sputnik Modern and the large credenza behind it is an original Knoll. A blush pink Hortensia chair by Andres Reisinger and Julia Esque with 30,000 laser cut petals from Moooi will spark a smile and conversation.

Beside reception, there is a provisions area with custom pink Trufig refrigerator, coffee service and microwave and dining table surrounded by floor to ceiling windows and retail boutique with étagères of souvenir hats, t-shirts, artist printed scarves from Kevin Chupik, travel journals, art keepsakes and jewelry to peruse. An open staircase leads to a mezzanine featuring a mixed media acrylic and glass pop art piece featuring iconic logo from Harper’s Bazaar magazine covers by Mexico City artist Lorena Fenton in what she calls a ‘board of life.’ Upstairs, discover a conversational area with views of the entire compound with candy pink carpeting peppered with mahjong tables and custom made games tables from Scout Design and a vintage kissing couch.

The Seeker, led by legendary James Beard Award-winning Chef Stephan Pyles, is a 2,500-square-foot, mid-century-inspired restaurant that pays homage to Texas roadside diners and cafes. Offering evening dining and weekend events in The Cork Room, The Seeker’s menu showcases Pyles’ signature Modern Texas Cuisine—blending bold flavors from his Big Spring, Texas,  upbringing with global influences from his celebrated career. Drawing on inspiration from the diverse cultures and abundant local ingredients, Chef Stephan Pyles has crafted a concept for a menu that reflects the essence of his home—the Lone Star State. Guests can look forward to an array of delectable dishes that harmoniously balance traditional flavors with innovative techniques, elevating familiar favorites to new heights.

A warm and inviting interior was created for The Seeker, featuring 88 seats, using terrazzo floors, white oak tambour walls anchored by an island bar for 16 with bespoke hammered copper and walnut front that looks out onto a tree-lined patio for 40. The dining room is outlined by custom designed white oak screens in an alternating square pattern. Beautiful warm lighting was achieved with handmade hanging pendants by A-Emotional lighting used as floating clouds against a dusk sky. The entry is bathed in rose colored lights by Pablo Lighting. Like a diner, the dining room is lined with custom built booths upholstered in Carroll tooled leather and beautiful textiles by Maharam and Momentum textiles. Covering the walls of the corridor leading to The Cork Room, a 2,400 square foot event space, is a floor-to-ceiling, abstract landscape mural by Calico Wallpaper out of Brooklyn.

The Cork Room was inspired by the sound of celebratory champagne corks popping. Upon entering through the custom fabricated cowhide covered door by Kyle Bunting, white oak paneling was used around the perimeter of the room with a stunning patterned gold leaf wallpaper by Calico. The ceiling was covered in cork squares for acoustics and aesthetics and filled with multi-armed pendants creating a starry effect. For the floors, find custom-printed matching earthtoned carpet by Mohawk. There is capacity for 100 guests and a catering kitchen with exhibition demo window and full audiovisual capabilities.

To commemorate the debut year of Interstate Inn, it will partner with Chef Stephan Pyles to host 6 culinary weekends in 2025. The first three-day culinary weekend is Valentine’s Weekend February 14-16 followed by an Italian Dinner Una Cena Pugliese hosted by Artisan Cheesemaker Paula Lambert March 21-23.

A showplace renovation three years in the making, Interstate Inn is a partnership of the best in interior, hospitality, restaurant design and renovation from Neal Stewart Design, interiors; the Ron Guest, Principal restaurant designer, with his team consisting of Melissa Easley, Design Manager; Hunter Freeman, Project Designer; Lisa Lennox, Designer and Curator; Kirk Bonner, Construction; General Contractor Ryan Finan of Bespoke Custom Builders; Edward Joy of Higginbotham Lumber; Fambro Construction; Iron Horse Plumbing; Blackland Prairie Landscape Design; and Abacus Engineering.

Guests will find joy in the full spectrum of whimsy and compelling tributes to true mid-century design at the Interstate Inn in Stephenville, Texas, the cowboy capital of the world, which is now going to live on now for decades to come and delight new travelers. Book a room now at https://www.theinterstateinn.com/stay. Reservations for The Seeker will be available starting January 30 on Open Table, by calling 254-964-3550 or emailing info@theseekertx.com. Book an event at Interstate Inn and The Cork Room now for up to 200 guests by contacting Andrea.Barr@theinterstateinn.com.

Find Interstate Inn on social media (@theinterstateinn) for the latest news and updates and scenes from our opening week activities.