A shared existential disaster dreadfully looms over Houston preservationists when a fantastic previous residence hits the market: what’s 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 house 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 right individual buys “her.”
There are not any aggravatingly “millennial font” home numbers hooked up to 109 Stratford Avenue in Houston’s Historic East Avondale — recently-opened as a boutique lodge 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 residence, as they need to. The addition of “The Marlene” tiled one step above the deal with assures visitors and guests that nothing wanting 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 almost 50,000 Instagram followers as Lily’s Classic Finds, has actually carried out what each antiques and classic lover longs to do — open a boutique lodge, fill it with antiques, and fasten a foyer vintage retailer and jewel field bar to it besides. Barfield’s “new,” nine-key boutique inn and bar presents each vintage lover a glimpse of the dream, entrance and middle.
Unfold throughout three residential heaps, The Marlene invitations visitors past her stately iron gates, salvaged from an previous 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 achieve protected landmark standing for The Marlene, as soon as often called the John S. Stewart Home (of Stewart Title fame). Apparently, three of the 5 earlier house owners have already stopped by to go to and chat with Barfield, providing tales and tidbits in regards to the residence’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 suppose it might occur after I was 29. I believed this was a dream I’d accomplish after I was 50!”
Suites at The Marlene Inn begin at $290 per evening and supply en suite bogs, Bellino bedding, Grown Alchemist tub merchandise, Nespresso machines, and extra. Every suite presents a completely completely different model. With all the pieces from Brunschwig & Fil materials to Isidore Leroy wallpapers, there’s something for everybody. Company within the Nanette Suite have entry to the second story porch, with bistro desk and lounge space, plus a hidden, speakeasy model in-room bar. The Mia Suite and Mattingly room have entry to a big solar porch, and will also be related. The Marlene additionally presents a carriage home that sleeps as much as six individuals, making this a great property for teams.
“I’ve all the time thought there’s a actually pure connection between antiques and hospitality. I feel that promoting an vintage is one factor, however experiencing them in a fully-immersive expertise the place you look to the correct and there may be this massive, previous vintage cupboard, and there’s a refurbished mild 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 offers 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 let you know he’s all the time wished to open a bar.”
A bar to behold
Located to the rear of The Marlene is Bar Madonna. Massive, light-filled home windows supply a beautiful view of the meticulously-landscaped grounds and European-inspired backyard patio. Bar Madonna earned its identify from the almost 9 foot wood portray of the Virgin Mary conserving 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 gadgets that weren’t sourced by Barfield on one in every 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 one in every of Bar Madonna’s attractive libations.
Basic 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,” visitors are invited to expertise cocktails that embody the very 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 visitors are handled to a each day breakfast of contemporary pastries, fruit, and charcuterie within the eating room and adjoining sunroom. Hanging over the breakfast buffet is a formidable full set of 18th century Majolica plates. Discovering a full set of those dishes isn’t any straightforward process. In a enjoyable twist, Barfield made a plea to her Lily’s Classic Finds followers and so they had been pleased to oblige.
Somewhat assist from my mates
Within the 12 months and a half it took Barfield to finish The Marlene, she labored carefully with designers she’s identified for many of her life. “I really like interiors, I really like lovely issues, I really like furnishings, I really like artwork, however there’s something that solely an inside designer can do,” says Barfield. “I couldn’t have carried out this with out her,” she says of working with childhood buddy and designer Helene Dellocono (previously of Marie Flanigan Interiors). “There’s plenty of backwards and forwards that you would be able to solely get with a buddy.”
Barfield additionally enlisted the assistance of her household’s longtime inside designer and shade specialist Ellen Kennon to create a custom-made shade palette all through the home. Kennon designs full spectrum paints, which embody all seven spectrums of seen mild.
“Her paints have this distinctive high quality the place they virtually really feel alive — it’s like a chameleon shade. It’s actually, actually attention-grabbing, 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 would like this to be a spot for the neighborhood. I need to have individuals strolling over from a road away and coming to hang around and revel in it, have a cocktail. I would like it to be a spot the place individuals take pleasure in being, and a spot the place individuals join.”
A number of rooms and seating areas sprinkled all through the primary flooring enable individuals to discover a nook to calm down and revel 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 would like individuals to sit down on that entrance porch and really feel like they aren’t being rushed out,” says Barfield. “I would like them to really feel like they’ll sink in and actually be right here every time they’re.” Montrose locals are already getting aware of Barfield and the home, with individuals 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 actually lends itself to festive decorations, and Barfield invitations the group to go to for vacation images and festive vacation gatherings.
Try antiques on the lodge throughout the day, then stick round for Bar Madonna to open at 3 pm on weekdays and 12 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
