A shared existential disaster dreadfully looms over Houston preservationists when an attractive outdated dwelling hits the market: what is going to occur to it? What if a cash-hungry developer buys it as a tear down, what if it will get offered as a multi-unit rental area by some conglomerate and it falls shortly into disrepair, simply to see the wrecking ball anyhow? Let’s do this on for as soon as — what if it doesn’t? What if, for as soon as, the good individual buys “her.”
There are not any aggravatingly “millennial font” home numbers connected to 109 Stratford Avenue in Historic East Avondale — recently-opened as a boutique resort known as The Marlene Inn and its soon-to-be-hopping Bar Madonna. As a substitute, the unique, iconic blue-and-white one-by-one tiles maintain quick to custom on the welcoming steps to this historic Montrose dwelling, as they need to. The addition of “The Marlene” tiled one step above the handle assures friends and guests that nothing in need of custom lies past the deep, rocking chair-outfitted porch stretching the width of the home — for added consolation, the porch ceilings are painted the faintest, Haintest shade of blue — authentic, in fact.
Lily Barfield, identified to her practically 50,000 Instagram followers as Lily’s Classic Finds, has actually achieved what each antiques and classic lover longs to do — open a boutique resort, fill it with antiques, and fasten a foyer vintage retailer and jewel field bar to it in addition. Barfield’s “new,” nine-key boutique inn and bar affords each vintage lover a glimpse of the dream, entrance and middle.
Unfold throughout three residential heaps, The Marlene invitations friends past her stately iron gates, salvaged from an outdated financial institution in downtown Houston, and into this newly-protected landmark property. Because of the help of useful and sleuthy Stratford Avenue neighbors, Barfield was in a position to work with Preservation Houston to realize protected landmark standing for The Marlene, as soon as generally known as the John S. Stewart Home (of Stewart Title fame). Apparently, three of the 5 earlier homeowners have already stopped by to go to and chat with Barfield, providing tales and tidbits concerning the dwelling’s former lives. Because it seems, The Marlene has all the time taken in guests in a technique or one other. From taking up boarders to being a mattress and breakfast and a pseudo vintage retailer, the property is continuous a legacy Barfield knew little about when she bought the home — which is one thing she finds pleasant.
“I all the time had wished to do one thing in hospitality, it has been my pipe dream,” Barfield tells CultureMap. “I didn’t assume it could occur once I was 29. I assumed this was a dream I’d accomplish once I was 50!”
Suites at The Marlene Inn begin at $290 per night time and provide en suite loos, Bellino bedding, Grown Alchemist tub merchandise, Nespresso machines, and extra. Every suite affords a completely completely different type. With every part from Brunschwig & Fil materials to Isidore Leroy wallpapers, there’s something for everybody. Visitors within the Nanette Suite have entry to the second story porch, with bistro desk and lounge space, plus a hidden, speakeasy type in-room bar. The Mia Suite and Mattingly room have entry to a big solar porch, and may also be linked. The Marlene additionally affords a carriage home that sleeps as much as six folks, making this a perfect property for teams.
“I’ve all the time thought there’s a actually pure connection between antiques and hospitality. I believe that promoting an vintage is one factor, however experiencing them in a fully-immersive expertise the place you look to the best and there’s this large, outdated vintage cupboard, and there’s a refurbished gentle fixture, and these mirrors, and this artwork. Simply the expertise of sitting in it, in a full room that’s decked out with these particular items and the sensation that it provides you, to me, is the fantastic thing about antiques. I all the time, all the time wished to run a mattress and breakfast, and my husband will inform you he’s all the time wished to open a bar.”
A bar to behold
Located to the rear of The Marlene is Bar Madonna. Giant, light-filled home windows provide a beautiful view of the meticulously-landscaped grounds and European-inspired backyard patio. Bar Madonna earned its identify from the practically 9 foot picket portray of the Virgin Mary protecting a watchful eye over her patrons. Taken from a decommissioned 18th century church in France, the gem of the room is certain to be an Instagram staple.
Impressed by the Church of Saint-Germain-des Prés in Paris, the hand-painted ceiling mural is the work of Mary Evans of Verdigris Finishes and is actually a sight to behold. Notably among the many only a few objects that weren’t sourced by Barfield on certainly one of her sourcing journeys to Europe, tabletop lights by Pooky Lighting are sprinkled all through the bar and adjoining sunroom, providing the right backdrop for certainly one of Bar Madonna’s beautiful libations.
Normal supervisor Tom Hardy, previously of Lodge Saint Augustine and the Bludorn Group, created a novel menu of cocktails that embody each European sensibilities and southern aptitude. With names just like the “Southeastern” and “Wild O’uest,” friends are invited to expertise cocktails that embody one of the best of each worlds.
The Marlene’s namesake, Barfield’s late grandmother, was an avid tennis participant. In honor of Marlene, her now classic tennis trophies play double-duty across the bar, functioning as each decor and swizzle stick storage.
Lodge friends are handled to a every day breakfast of contemporary pastries, fruit, and charcuterie within the eating room and adjoining sunroom. Hanging over the breakfast buffet is a powerful full set of 18th century Majolica plates. Discovering a full set of those dishes is not any simple job. In a enjoyable twist, Barfield made a plea to her Lily’s Classic Finds followers they usually have been joyful to oblige.
A little bit assist from my buddies
Within the yr and a half it took Barfield to finish The Marlene, she labored carefully with designers she’s identified for many of her life. “I like interiors, I like lovely issues, I like furnishings, I like artwork, however there’s something that solely an inside designer can do,” says Barfield. “I couldn’t have achieved this with out her,” she says of working with childhood good friend and designer Helene Dellocono (previously of Marie Flanigan Interiors). “There may be lots of backwards and forwards which you can solely get with a good friend.”
Barfield additionally enlisted the assistance of her household’s longtime inside designer and coloration specialist Ellen Kennon to create a personalized coloration palette all through the home. Kennon designs full spectrum paints, which embrace all seven spectrums of seen gentle.
“Her paints have this distinctive high quality the place they nearly really feel alive — it’s like a chameleon coloration. It’s actually, actually fascinating, and it’s one thing everybody who has come right here has commented on,” says Barfield.
Neighbors welcome
The Marlene has already attracted members of the neighborhood who need to go to and mingle with each other, one thing that Barfield warmly encourages: “I need this to be a spot for the neighborhood. I need to have folks strolling over from a road away and coming to hang around and luxuriate in it, have a cocktail. I need it to be a spot the place folks take pleasure in being, and a spot the place folks join.”
A number of rooms and seating areas sprinkled all through the principle ground enable folks to discover a nook to chill out and luxuriate in a e book, or work on their laptops. Cozy seating areas invite a number of events to hitch in each other’s conversations, ought to they be so inclined.
“I need folks to sit down on that entrance porch and really feel like they aren’t being rushed out,” says Barfield. “I need them to really feel like they’ll sink in and actually be right here every time they’re.” Montrose locals are already getting acquainted with Barfield and the home, with folks popping in for drinks a number of nights in a row. Holidays at The Marlene promise to be one thing to behold. The house’s Neoclassical design really lends itself to festive decorations, and Barfield invitations the group to go to for vacation photographs and festive vacation gatherings.
Take a look at antiques on the resort in the course of the day, then stick round for Bar Madonna to open at 3 pm on weekdays and 12 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
