DIY

THE DESIGNERS BEHIND SWEET TOOTH HOTEL CELEBRATE THEIR MID-CENTURY MODERN

Story by ELISSA CHUDWIN | Photography by DANNY FULGENCIO

Sweet Tooth Hotel only had five rooms when it opened in May 2018. They weren’t available for rent, but hundreds walked through each space to see lollipops protrude from neon cacti, a bathtub stocked with Swedish Fish and rainbows jut from cotton candy clouds.

Dallasites and tourists alike embraced the candy-themed installations that local artists concocted. Tickets sold out for the interactive gallery’s entire three-month run.

Lake Highlands’ Cole and Jencey Keeton are the brains behind Sweet Tooth Hotel. The couple planned the popup gallery while remodeling their newly purchased, mid-century modern home on Capri Drive.

The Keetons’ four-bedroom mid-century modern was built in 1961. They renovated the house and considered painting the ceiling beams but ultimately opted against it.

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“It’s the culmination of everything we’ve done and all the artists we’ve supported,” Jencey says of Sweet Tooth Hotel.

Jencey jokes that they’re accustomed to chaos. They’ve juggled graphic design and marketing careers with their electro-pop duo French 75. Now the couple is preparing for both the White Rock Home Tour and Sweet Tooth Hotel’s third iteration.

“I think everyone was more willing to help because it’s so crazy,” Jencey says.

They purchased the next-door building to expand the space for a total of 5,000 square feet. “Discotech,” a silent disco that merges augmented reality with music, opens May 25. Attendees step into the shoes of a pop star releasing music for her latest album, Jencey says.

Sweet Tooth Hotel’s whimsy is the exact opposite of the Keeton’s

Sweet Tooth Hotel

Cole and Jencey Keeton midst of opening Discotech, the third installation of Sweet Tooth Hotel. Described as a “sensory adventure,” the exhibit merges music with new media and requires attendees to wear silent disco headphones. Discotech opens May 25. Visit sweettoothhotel.com for all the details.

The Keetons installed the pool in their expansive backyard where their two energetic dogs often play. They have an open-door policy amongst their friends, Jencey says, and they look forward to throwing parties.

minimalist home. The couple relocated from Urban Reserve for a quieter neighborhood and fell in love with their mid-century modern’s distinct H-shape, expansive entryway and large backyard.

Their remodeling efforts include refurbishing the floors, replacing the roof, repainting the walls, restoring the fireplace and installing a pool.

Their furniture is a mix of modern and mid-century pieces, and the Keetons pride themselves on the simplicity of the décor. The art on the walls is the focal point of every room.

Framed Six Flags blueprints hang opposite the fireplace. A photograph of Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson, made from the original negatives, is displayed in the living room. An original Roy Lichtenstein print is the focal point of their guest bedroom.

Abstract paintings add pops of color to their white, gray and navy walls.

“His style is really black, white, neutral tones,” Jencey says of Cole, “and I had to fight