A shared existential crisis dreadfully looms over Houston preservationists when a beautiful old home hits the market: what will happen to it? What if a cash-hungry developer buys it as a tear down, what if it gets sold as a multi-unit rental space by some conglomerate and it falls quickly into disrepair, just to see the wrecking ball anyhow? Let’s try this on for once — what if it doesn’t? What if, for once, the perfect person buys “her.”
There are no aggravatingly “millennial font” house numbers attached to 109 Stratford Street in Historic East Avondale — recently-opened as a boutique hotel called The Marlene Inn and its soon-to-be-hopping Bar Madonna. Instead, the original, iconic blue-and-white one-by-one tiles hold fast to tradition on the welcoming steps to this historic Montrose home, as they should. The addition of “The Marlene” tiled one step above the address assures guests and visitors that nothing short of tradition lies beyond the deep, rocking chair-outfitted porch stretching the width of the house — for added comfort, the porch ceilings are painted the faintest, Haintest shade of blue — original, of course.
Lily Barfield, known to her nearly 50,000 Instagram followers as Lily’s Vintage Finds, has literally done what every antiques and vintage lover longs to do — open a boutique hotel, fill it with antiques, and attach a lobby antique store and jewel box bar to it to boot. Barfield’s “new,” nine-key boutique inn and bar offers every antique lover a glimpse of the dream, front and center.
Spread across three residential lots, The Marlene invites guests beyond her stately iron gates, salvaged from an old bank in downtown Houston, and into this newly-protected landmark property. Thanks to the assistance of helpful and sleuthy Stratford Street neighbors, Barfield was able to work with Preservation Houston to gain protected landmark status for The Marlene, once known as the John S. Stewart House (of Stewart Title fame). Interestingly, three of the five previous owners have already stopped by to visit and chat with Barfield, offering stories and tidbits about the home’s former lives. As it turns out, The Marlene has always taken in visitors in one way or another. From taking on boarders to being a bed and breakfast and a pseudo antique store, the property is continuing a legacy Barfield knew little about when she purchased the house — which is something she finds delightful.
“I always had wanted to do something in hospitality, it has been my pipe dream,” Barfield tells CultureMap. “I didn’t think it would happen when I was 29. I thought this was a dream I’d accomplish when I was 50!”
Suites at The Marlene Inn start at $290 per night and offer en suite bathrooms, Bellino bedding, Grown Alchemist bath products, Nespresso machines, and more. Each suite offers an entirely different style. With everything from Brunschwig & Fil fabrics to Isidore Leroy wallpapers, there is something for everyone. Guests in the Nanette Suite have access to the second story porch, with bistro table and lounge area, plus a hidden, speakeasy style in-room bar. The Mia Suite and Mattingly room have access to a large sun porch, and can also be connected. The Marlene also offers a carriage house that sleeps up to six people, making this an ideal property for groups.
“I’ve always thought there is a really natural connection between antiques and hospitality. I think that selling an antique is one thing, but experiencing them in a fully-immersive experience where you look to the right and there is this big, old antique cabinet, and there is a refurbished light fixture, and these mirrors, and this art. Just the experience of sitting in it, in a full room that’s decked out with these special pieces and the feeling that it gives you, to me, is the beauty of antiques. I always, always wanted to run a bed and breakfast, and my husband will tell you he’s always wanted to open a bar.”
A bar to behold
Situated to the rear of The Marlene is Bar Madonna. Large, light-filled windows offer a gorgeous view of the meticulously-landscaped grounds and European-inspired garden patio. Bar Madonna earned its name from the nearly nine foot wooden painting of the Virgin Mary keeping a watchful eye over her patrons. Taken from a decommissioned 18th century church in France, the gem of the room is sure to be an Instagram staple.
Inspired 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 truly a sight to behold. Notably among the very few items that were not sourced by Barfield on one of her sourcing trips to Europe, tabletop lights by Pooky Lighting are sprinkled throughout the bar and adjoining sunroom, offering the perfect backdrop for one of Bar Madonna’s gorgeous libations.
General manager Tom Hardy, formerly of Hotel Saint Augustine and the Bludorn Group, created a unique menu of cocktails that embody both European sensibilities and southern flair. With names like the “Southeastern” and “Wild O’uest,” guests are invited to experience cocktails that embody the best of both worlds.
The Marlene’s namesake, Barfield’s late grandmother, was an avid tennis player. In honor of Marlene, her now vintage tennis trophies play double-duty around the bar, functioning as both decor and swizzle stick storage.
Hotel guests are treated to a daily breakfast of fresh pastries, fruit, and charcuterie in the dining room and adjoining sunroom. Hanging over the breakfast buffet is an impressive full set of 18th century Majolica plates. Finding a full set of these dishes is no easy task. In a fun twist, Barfield made a plea to her Lily’s Vintage Finds followers and they were happy to oblige.
A little help from my friends
In the year and a half it took Barfield to complete The Marlene, she worked closely with designers she’s known for most of her life. “I love interiors, I love beautiful things, I love furniture, I love art, but there is something that only an interior designer can do,” says Barfield. “I couldn’t have done this without her,” she says of working with childhood friend and designer Helene Dellocono (formerly of Marie Flanigan Interiors). “There is a lot of back and forth that you can only get with a friend.”
Barfield also enlisted the help of her family’s longtime interior designer and color specialist Ellen Kennon to create a customized color palette throughout the house. Kennon designs full spectrum paints, which include all seven spectrums of visible light.
“Her paints have this unique quality where they almost feel alive — it’s like a chameleon color. It’s really, really interesting, and it’s something everyone who has come here has commented on,” says Barfield.
Neighbors welcome
The Marlene has already attracted members of the neighborhood who want to visit and mingle with one another, something that Barfield warmly encourages: “I want this to be a place for the neighborhood. I want to have people walking over from a street away and coming to hang out and enjoy it, have a cocktail. I want it to be a place where people enjoy being, and a place where people connect.”
Multiple rooms and seating areas sprinkled throughout the main floor allow people to find a nook to relax and enjoy a book, or work on their laptops. Cozy seating areas invite multiple parties to join in one another’s conversations, should they be so inclined.
“I want people to sit on that front porch and feel like they aren’t being rushed out,” says Barfield. “I want them to feel like they can sink in and really be here whenever they are.” Montrose locals are already getting familiar with Barfield and the house, with people popping in for drinks multiple nights in a row. Holidays at The Marlene promise to be something to behold. The home’s Neoclassical design truly lends itself to festive decorations, and Barfield invites the community to visit for holiday photos and festive holiday gatherings.
Check out antiques at the hotel during the day, then stick around for Bar Madonna to open at 3 pm on weekdays and 12 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Photo by Julie Soefer
The Mattingly Room at The Marlene Inn.
