“I love the people, getting to know the guests and sharing a historic home,” Bellino said. “The people who stay here take an active role in keeping the history alive.”
She said the house was built on Waddil Street in 1915 by Sam Neathery, who was an attorney in downtown McKinney.
After purchasing the estate in 2016 Bellino oversaw a complete restoration of the 4,500-square-foot house while adhering to stipulations that allowed the property to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Period-appropriate restorations included adding two bathrooms, converting the entire third floor into a fourth suite and more.
In spring 2018 she opened the doors to the public.
“People are looking for unique things; they want to experience what it feels like to live there, to be a local,” Bellino said.
Her motto while designing the house was, “Modern comfort. Grand history.”
“I wanted something that felt modern and light but gave a significant historic charm—old antique pieces mixed in with velvets and modern amenities. I wanted clean bathrooms and fresh fabrics,” Bellino said.
The Elissa Suite is named after Bellino’s grandmother.
“She was Italian and taught me everything about hospitality and hosting people,” Bellino said. “She is such an inspiration, and it’s cool to get to talk about her every day.”
Bellino said prior industry experience includes living and working in a bed and breakfast for five years and working for a corporate hotel chain where she trained staff in guest services.
Every morning, Bellino makes a seasonal chef’s choice breakfast for her guests. She said the meal features items such as waffles, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, fruit and more.
Reasons guests stay at this bed and breakfast are varied and include attending weddings in McKinney, girls’ weekends, staycations, babymoons and others.
“The ones that mean the most to me are the couples who stayed with me on their honeymoon and had such a great experience, they come back every year for their anniversary; and those who come here to celebrate their 50th or 60th wedding anniversary,” she said. “I think love is such an amazing thing, and it bleeds out through everything we do. The house has a lot of love.”
The Neathery Estate Bed and Breakfast
215 N. Waddill St., McKinney
469-343-8471
www.neatheryestate.com
Hours: open every day; check-in is at 3 p.m.; check out is at 11 a.m.
