Spencer Sight of No Vacancy

Spencer Sight did not set out to become a hotelier. In 2014, he stumbled upon a new hobby that over the next four years, grew into what eventually would become a premiere boutique hotel. 


Sight began restoring a handful of homes in the Kansas City area in 2014. Eventually, this led to a major project – when Sight and his father spent two years renovating a historic, 19,000-square-foot building in the downtown arts district. In a portion of the building he opened a boutique hotel, called No Vacancy – complete with eight guest-rooms, a lounge, and a second-floor courtyard. 


Think: Bespoke design, exposed brick, and a curated collection of vintage furniture and decor. Notably, no two rooms are alike. Next year, Sight will open a new event space in the hotel called “The Lobby.” No Vacancy is the unexpected, ultimate canvas to marry Sight’s lifelong passions of design, hospitality, and the ever-evolving art of rearranging. Ahead, he shares his personal style, the story behind his favorite piece of furniture, and the one design detail he thinks every home should include. 


How would you describe your home's personal style in five words or less?
Approachable opulence.

Beyond your Salam Hello rug, can you tell us about an item in your home that has a story? 
I rescued the 17-foot banquette in our lounge from a long-forgotten casino in Northeast Missouri that had fallen into disuse. It wasn’t until after I rented a massive, 20-foot U-Haul and drove it back to Kansas City that I realized the banquette couldn’t fit upstairs.I had no choice but to divide it into three manageable sections for transport to the second floor. There, I reunited its pieces and reupholstered it. It’s a good thing I love it so much, as it is forever an immovable fixture in our establishment.


We tend to share and see the most perfectly-curated snapshots of our homes — can you share a challenge, mishap, or work in progress in your space?
While I absolutely adore lime-washed walls,  in retrospect, I wouldn’t have done this technique in a commercial setting. It’s way more labor intensive to repair than standard paint, usually requiring the whole wall to be painted again. Livin' and learnin'.


How has your sense of style at home evolved over the years?
Prior to this project, I just wanted things to look and feel good. Having a place of hospitality has made me think in new ways about how people relate to spaces. The design only begins once the room is furnished. What really makes it feel alive is the right music, lighting, and smells. It’s a sensory experience: The design is fully expressed once people enter and are actively enjoying the space. 


What is one thing in your home that you recommend to everyone?
Skylights, skylights, and more skylights. I realize it’s not accessible to everyone, but when it’s an option, there’s no better decision. It gives space an ethereal glow throughout the day that elevates the feeling of a space above anything else. It makes photos better, people happier, and plants healthier.


Thanks so much Spencer, we can’t wait to follow along as you continue to grow your portfolio and open "The Lobby." See more from Spencer here and the No Vacancy Space here. Love their rug? Get inspired with similar pieces below.

Photographed by Meghan Savage, Jada Hester, and Maddie Stringfellow.