Marfa x Tryon: Finding Magic in Unexpected Places

I just returned from Marfa, Texas, a bohemian West Texas town nestled about three hours from El Paso and six hours from Santa Fe. Despite being in the heart of Texas, Marfa carries more of a New Mexico spirit, with its high desert landscape and creative soul.

This small town has become a destination for art lovers like myself for its contemporary art scene, laid-back atmosphere, and the famous "Prada Marfa"—an art installation that helped put this remote destination on the cultural map after Donald Judd established his foundation here in the 1970s.

I love quirky things and places and every corner of Marfa had it! The iconic Prada Marfa sits alone on a highway outside town, surrounded by cattle fields with mountains stretched across the horizon. Closer to downtown, giant plywood cutouts commemorate the 1956 film "Giant," which was shot right in Marfa. We didn’t know it was there so my cousin and I were pleasantly surprised to come across it! This was right before we were pulled over for speeding because apparently they give tickets for anything beyond the speed limit. 

Another favorite for me was the mesmerizing vintage Stardust hotel sign that I screamed when I saw because it’s so perfectly placed I thought it was an art installation vs authentic roadside Americana (and I still want a painting of an old road sign. The town itself is simple with no streetlights and one stop sign.

We stayed at El Cosmico, Marfa's celebrated lodging destination featuring an eclectic collection of vintage trailers, teepees, yurts, and safari tents. Here, my dream was fulfilled. I was amazed by how happy I felt in such a small space—everything was so thoughtfully designed and perfectly within reach. Then when our rental car started to drown in the parking lot from a sudden hail and rain, we accidentally met the guys in a cool brand who happened to be playing on Jimmy Kimmel a few days later (we had no idea). 

This experience belongs on the DuneFarmhouse blog because I had a profound moment of recognition. I imagined that people must feel the same way when they first arrive at Tryon Farm. They wonder where this magical place came from, how they'd never heard of it before, and how it came to exist.

When guests drive into “The Farm”, they're greeted by our beautiful historic white barn. A double-take moment comes when they spot the steel moose standing sentinel in the hayfield. After passing the walking labyrinth, they discover our earth-sheltered homes built into the hillside.

As visitors begin to acclimate to Tryon Farm, they realize what an amazing effect nature has on the soul. Suddenly, the initial sense of wonder and strangeness transforms into something that feels completely natural and right.

Both Marfa and Tryon Farm share this quality of being unexpected sanctuaries—places that challenge preconceptions and invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what truly matters. They remind us that magic often exists in the most unlikely places, waiting to be discovered by those curious enough to venture off the beaten path.

To dos:

Marfa Lights - just like Northern Lights, we never saw them but it was fun

El Cosmico - sadly going away after I wrote this blog, but returing in 2027!

Hotel Paisano - historic hotel we also stayed in, as classic as they get

Gaza Marfa - love their textiles, furniture and pottery

Sentinel - visited 2x a day for coffee, cocktails and good smells

The Chianti Foundation - see

Donald Judd’s legacy IRL, incredible to say the least

LaVenture restaurant in the St. George Hotel

Prada Marfa, Stardust Sign, Giant plywood cutouts

Shopping at Sentinel, Cobra Rock, Garza Marfa, Love Marfa, The Get Go, Skóra Marfa