Romantic Luxury Cottage Rental for Two with Fireplace in Texas Hill Country

Peaceful Farm Cabin for Couples | TX Hill Country

A Boutique, Pet-Friendly Farm Stay in the Texas Hill Country



The Palette Pad is a boutique, truly pet-friendly farm stay at Scurlock Farms, thoughtfully created for couples, creatives, and guests seeking a quiet, restorative escape in the Texas Hill Country near Georgetown. Family-owned and owner-hosted, we specialise in meaningful stays — not mass tourism — and take great pride in welcoming guests who value privacy, beauty, and connection to place.

An Artist’s Cottage with History



Originally built as the art studio and temporary home of artist Pauline Thweatt, The Palette Pad carries a rich creative legacy. Pauline and her husband, Bill Thweatt, hand-gathered and laid every stone inside and out while building their family home just across the ravine.



Beneath the north-facing wall of windows, hundreds of paintings were created under Pauline’s artist name, C. P. Montague, one of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s favourite artists. Today, that same light and quiet continue to inspire rest, creativity, and reflection.

Comfortable, Fully Equipped, and Easy to Settle Into



This one-bedroom cottage is fully furnished and designed for comfort. The kitchen is well stocked with cookware, serving dishes, basic spices, coffee, and an assortment of hot teas. We provide soaps, shampoo, a hair dryer, paper goods, and thoughtful essentials so you can arrive, unpack, and relax.



Guests especially enjoy the wood-burning fireplace and outdoor fire pit. A generous supply of firewood is included, with additional wood available for purchase.

Travelling with an Infant or Toddler



Families visiting with young children are welcome. A step stool, booster dining seat, stroller, and Pack-N-Play are available upon request.

Stay Connected — or Fully Unplug



The Palette Pad offers free high-speed wireless internet, an HD Smart TV, a CD player with a curated selection of music, along with games, puzzles, and books for quiet evenings.

Pet-Friendly by Design



Well-behaved, non-aggressive dogs are welcome at this pet-friendly Hill Country cottage. Furniture covers and towels are provided for paws after outdoor adventures or a swim in the river. Due to severe allergies, we are unable to accommodate cats.

Outdoor Living at Scurlock Farms



Guests love dining beneath heritage live oaks, grilling outdoors, watching sunsets from the bluff, reading in the hammock, or enjoying a glass of wine by the fire pit. Charcoal and grilling supplies should be brought by guests.

On-Site Hosts, Thoughtfully Available



Dan and I, along with our family, live on the farm and are nearby should you need assistance, recommendations, or local insight. We respect your privacy while remaining easily accessible throughout your stay.



The Palette Pad is more than a place to stay — it’s a place to slow down, reconnect, and feel quietly at home.

Hi, I’m Sheron (pronounced Sharon) — named after a character in a Russian novel my mum was reading, and I am the owner/manager of the Palette Pad and Rocky Overlook on Scurlock Farms in Georgetown TX. I’ve cherished every moment of sharing our farm with guests from all 50 states and 30 countries. Meeting and making friends with guests over the years has been incredibly rewarding.



One of my favourite traditions is giving free farm tours in our six‑seat Polaris. On these tours, I or one of my two sons that also have their homes on the farm introduce guests to the best river access and fishing spots, highlight fascinating fossils in the limestone banks, visit the farm animals, and point out wildlife, birds, and edible plants growing on the farm. It’s fun, educational, and includes stories of our family’s history here.



Each home has a notebook filled with the history of the farm, how the homes were built, and the storey of my parents — and many guests say this personal history makes their stay feel truly special.



I also volunteer in our community — I ran a church meal program for the sick and shut‑in for 15 years, and have volunteered for 20+ years - serving on the Board of Directors for 6 of those years at The Caring Place, a local charity supporting neighbors in need. We donate $1 from every night spent at Scurlock Farms to their food pantry.



I’ve also been part of P.E.O., a philanthropic organisation providing scholarships for women, where our fundraisers at the farm have raised thousands for education. I love giving back, staying active, and learning new things every day — I truly feel lucky and blessed.



Scurlock Farms is a family‑owned and operated working 172-acre farm and boutique farm stay in the Texas Hill Country. We all live here full‑time and love welcoming guests from across the United States and around the world. So many visitors tell us they feel like family by the time they leave — and to us, that’s the highest compliment.

When my parents searched for the perfect land to build their dream home, they had three non-negotiables: water, rocks, and live oak trees. Scurlock Farms met all three — and more.



What makes this property truly special is its remarkable variety of terrain. The top pastures are open prairie. A steep, wooded bluff divides the land through the centre. Below, shaded bottom pastures lead to more than a mile of frontage along the San Gabriel River, where wide white limestone banks line the water. A spring-fed creek winds through the farm before flowing into the river, adding yet another layer of natural beauty.



Each of our guest homes offers exceptional birdwatching lodging. We’ve hosted avid birders from across the US and around the world, and many have spotted a long-sought “lifer” during their stay. In fact, two-thirds of all bird species found in Texas can be seen right here in Williamson County.



Wildlife is part of everyday life on the farm. Guests often spot deer, foxes, owls, and coyotes — sometimes right from their porch. With its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and peaceful setting, Scurlock Farms is truly a hiker’s and nature lover’s paradise.

The Palette Pad stands out for its historic artistic legacy, intimate charm, and inspiring setting. Guests love the hand-laid stonework, representations of oil paintings by C. P. Montague, and peaceful wooded views, and easy access to the San Gabriel River just a 5-minute walk from the cabin. It’s an ideal choice for romantic escapes, creative retreats, and anyone seeking a quiet, restorative Hill Country experience.

The Palette Pad is tucked into 172 acres of scenic Hill Country, with river access along the San Gabriel River and quiet walking trails just steps from the cottage. While you’ll feel far from the world, the historic town of Georgetown is only 10 minutes away with restaurants, shopping, and the Southwestern University campus. Salado is a 25-minute drive for boutique shopping or a meal at the Stagecoach Inn, and Waco’s Magnolia Silos are just 75 minutes away. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is 40 minutes via the toll road.



This cosy, artist-inspired cottage is perfect for guests who want quiet and privacy, yet still enjoy convenient access to Hill Country attractions.

With over one mile of San Gabriel River frontage, Scurlock Farms offers endless opportunities to relax, explore, and connect with nature. Guests can swim, tube, picnic, or search for fossils along the wide, white limestone banks. Birdwatchers will delight in the variety of species that call our 172 acres home.



On the farm, there’s always something to do: hike the trails, search for arrowheads, visit and interact with the horses and goats, gather fresh eggs from the chickens, or take a ride in the large, air-conditioned cab tractor during hay baling season. Guests can also enjoy a free guided tour of the farm in our off-road vehicle, relax in a hammock, or unwind by the fire.



On the farm, guests can enjoy walking trails, riverfront swimming, birdwatching, or relaxing in the hammock. They can feed chickens, gather eggs, explore pastures, or take a guided farm tour in the off-road vehicle. The Palette Pad itself offers a historic artist’s studio vibe, with hand-laid stonework, artwork, and river views that inspire creativity.



Off the farm, Georgetown’s town square, Salado’s boutiques, and Waco’s Magnolia Silos make perfect day trips. The Palette Pad provides a quiet, restorative retreat while giving you access to the best of the Hill Country.