Embrace Artistic Whimsy At Humble Donkey

Get ready for a shopping experience filled with charm and quirkiness at Humble Donkey, a gem nestled in the heart of Round Top. Owned by the dynamic duo, John and Laurie Lowery, Humble Donkey is more than just an art gallery – it's an embodiment of Texas hospitality and creative expression.

John Lowery, renowned for his contemporary western and wildlife art, brings a burst of color and wit to familiar Texas scenes. The store reflects this spirit, featuring an eclectic mix of artisanal vendors, unique
home goods, pet wares, and art supplies. With an eight-year history in Round Top, Humble Donkey has become a staple, offering a diverse selection that appeals to both first-time visitors and dedicated patrons.

What sets Humble Donkey apart is its commitment to creating a memorable experience. Laurie shares, "We love creating a welcoming and memorable shopping experience for everyone." The store not only showcases John's original paintings but also collaborates with artisans like Love Tokens Jewelry and Austin-based Zilker Belts. The Fall 2024 Antiques Show is the perfect time to explore the latest additions to Humble Donkey. From John's evolving painting style to Laurie's latest finds, the store is a treasure trove of unique pieces waiting to find a home.

During the show, visitors can enjoy the light-hearted atmosphere, along with free beer and wine, making the shopping experience truly delightful.

Whether you're drawn to John's artwork, seeking artisanal goods, or just looking for a quirky magnet to add to your collection, Humble Donkey promises something memorable for everyone. Don't miss the chance to discover this artistic haven and take home a piece of Texas charm.

Visit Humble Donkey’s website humbledonkey.com and find them on Facebook and Instagram @humbledonkeystudio.

Round Top Round up

Situated on about 640 acres, smack dab in between Houston and Austin, is Round Top, Texas (Population: 90), the state’s tiniest incorporated town. What’s interesting is that for a place this small, it continues to see new development – lots of it – including new restaurants, a brewery, a boutique hotel, and other creative
concepts. Like the saying goes, if you build it, they will come, and people are coming, not just on the weekends or for Antiques Week, but year-round. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places to eat, drink, shop and stay. And every time we visit, there’s something new to discover.

Where to Stay

Flophouze: Old and new combine in a mix of antiques and modern art at Flophouze, where Matt White and his team, Recycling the Past, offer funky little outposts made of old shipping containers-turned-over-night-accommodations. What’s new at Flophouze ... a new Ranchouze located across from Marburger, with an east and west wing to accommodate large groups; on-site another addition is in the works, separate from the six flophouzes and the Farmhouze, which will add a 4-bedroom, 2-bath houze with kitchen and atrium; new pool; new shipping container spa for massage. Flophouze.com.

Hotel Lulu: The beautifully appointed Hotel Lulu feels secluded but is walking distance to many of our favorite places. The hotel’s main grounds include 14 rooms in six bungalows throughout the property as well as Lulu’s
restaurant, a bar, pool, herb garden and formal garden. Hotellulutx.com.

The Frenchie: The super chic, Instafamous Frenchie is best known for its pool, perhaps the most stylish place to beat the Texas heat. It also offers a cute retail space, the Poolhouse, for dining and drinks for hotel guests only, fire pits, a hot tub and more. Roundtoptxhotels.com.

Wander Inn: Junk Gypsies Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-Smith welcome all to Wander Inn, a luxurious experience that’s not about luxury ... it’s also about the land, the road, the magic of Round Top and the feeling of arriving at a place, taking your boots off and staying awhile. Designed with comfort in mind, you can sink into a velvet sofa or slide into a rocking chair on the porch for views of long-horns in the pasture and the sun hanging low in the sky. Choose from eight beautifully appointed rooms and Thelma’s Garage,
the newest addition, featuring floor-to-ceiling murals of images from the film Thelma and Louise, including a shirtless Brad Pitt.
Gypsyville.com/wander-inn.

The Vintage Hideaway: Located four miles from Round Top, in near-by Carmine, is The Vintage Hideaway. Choose from five two-person cabins out-fitted in a modern industrial style. We also love the beer and wine garden onsite; it’s the perfect little spot to come back to after a day of shopping. Thevintagehideaway.com.

Red Antler Inn: The latest addition to the art and design destination that is Round Top is Red Antler Inn. Located on the edge of town near Festival Hill along the banks of Boggy Branch Creek, Red Antler consists of three two-bedroom, two-bath bungalows, as well as the Branca Bungalow, featuring interior design by Alessandra Branca. Each bungalow appears to be the same on the outside, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts – and that makes each one unique. Redantlerroundtop.com.

Round Top Inn: The history of this place is evident in its many existing structures, including the only remaining building from the state’s once -thriving cigar industry. Three of the guest cottages are 1880s originals built by prominent Round Top resident Charles Henry Schiege of Schiege Cigar Factory. The property includes The Gate House, a collection of farm houses, The Little Cottage, The Loft and other rooms for rent. RoundTopInn.com.

The Glamp Inn

Located inside a former car museum, The Glamp Inn offers the fun of camping with the comfort of the great indoors. Choose from a fleet of 10 vintage campers and 18 themed teepees. Take a peek inside each glamper at Lonestarglampinn.com.

The Vintage Round Top: Paige and Smoot Hull developed The Vintage Round Top in 2012 when they opened their first renovated cottage, No. 1450. The 2,400-SF home was designed with sustainability in mind and built from reclaimed materials and vintage finds
creatively repurposed into light fixtures, furniture and decor. In 2016, they added the Boho, and since then, two studio-style cozy cottages: Pierce and Eisley. Each cottage can be booked separately or all together for exclusive use of the property at TheVintageRoundTop.com.

The 303: Open year-round, The 303 includes the best of both worlds — Round Top shopping and overnight lodging. The beautiful
historic buildings that comprise The 303 were discovered across Texas and have been lovingly restored and are ready for you to discover them. Onsite, the 303 shops — Worn & Weathered, Bombshell Betty, Age of Industry, Broke Jewels and People Will Stare Decor — are open daily during the show and Thursday-Sunday year-round. The303roundtop.com

The Legacy and Vision of Paul Michael Company: A journey through history and artistry

The Paul Michael Company has a history as deep and rich as the Mississippi Delta soil from which it sprang. Founded in 1993, the company’s flagship store in Lake Village, Arkansas, was established across from the picturesque Lake Chicot and, quite literally, in a cotton field. While that original location remains a cherished part of the company’s history, Paul Michael Company has evolved far beyond its humble beginnings, expanding its influence across the South, and most recently setting up shop at Market Hill in Round Top, Texas.

For those familiar with Round Top, you have most likely shopped at Market Hill and dined at Duo Modern. The creative force behind these Round Top staples? Paul and Debbie Michael – a dynamic couple whose shared passion for entrepreneurship, discovery and design has propelled their business for over 50 years. Now, they’ve added help from their son Jake, daughter-in-law Leigh, and daughter Elizabeth, making the business a true family endeavor.

The centerpiece of Market Hill is Paul Michael’s showroom with its exclusive collection featuring 100% American-made pieces constructed from architectural salvage, reclaimed wood, and natural elements.

Paul Michael is a third-generation native of Lake Village, Arkansas. His family's entrepreneurial spirit can be traced back to his grandfather, who was one of the town's earliest merchants. In the early 20th century, Paul’s grandfather traveled to levee camps along the Mississippi River with a mule, selling essential goods to levee workers. With a family of six daughters and a wife to support, he opened one of Lake Village’s first department stores, Mansour’s on Main Street, which served the community for over 80 years.

Paul grew up working in his grandfather’s store, where his innate talent for buying, selling, and trading became evident. In the 1970s, Paul’s knack for the business led him to purchase antiques and sell them to T.G.I. Friday’s, laying the groundwork for his future ventures.

Paul’s journey took a pivotal turn when he met his future wife, Debbie, in Nashville.

Debbie’s upbringing involved traveling around the country in the tradition of five-and-dime merchants. She settled in Nashville, where she opened Betty Boop’s on Elliston Place, a landmark antique clothing store that became a favorite among celebrities seeking vintage fashion.

It was during a quest for a stuffed peacock that Paul encountered Debbie’s store, and what began as a search for antiques soon blossomed into a deep personal and professional connection. Their dates, filled with treasure hunting and creative design, led to the formation of both a relationship and a burgeoning business partnership.

Today, the Paul Michael Company operates a bustling workshop in Dermott, Arkansas, where skilled artisans design and produce exceptional pieces for homes across the country.

Paul and Debbie’s love for antiques and design was not confined to Nashville. Paul’s initial foray into the market at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, was instrumental in establishing crucial contacts and gaining experience. The “grounds” served as an incu-bator for Paul’s business, allowing him to sell jewelry and gold while building relationships that would shape his future endeavors. In the early 1980s, the couple created a jewelry line called Opinions and Paul Michael Jewelry, which featured designs made from antique brooch molds Paul found in Rhode Island. If you were a jewelry shopper in the 1980s, you may remember some of his more famous designs, like the gold leaves, coin jewelry, birthstone charms, and puffed hearts all made from sterling silver and brass.

Their jewelry creations were found in major department stores across the country and marked the beginning of their joint success. The business expanded into the home decorative accessories market, and they began designing and manufacturing unique items like gold-leafed Christmas ornaments, marking the genesis of the modern-day Paul Michael Company. The Paul Michael Company grew to have large format stores, ranging from 36,000 to 90,000 square feet, in Lake Village, Arkansas; Monroe, Louisiana; Lafayette, Louisiana; Canton, Texas; and an online store. Shoppers traveled from hours away because it was the destination for high-quality home goods at a low price. Plus, it transformed into a Christmas wonderland from August to December every year.

Recognizing a shift in the quality of goods retailers could obtain overseas, Paul and Debbie embarked on a new chapter by manufacturing their own line of accessories and furniture and layering in unique antique pieces. The first manufactured product was a cutting board inspired by a vintage Gerber design that Paul found picking antiques. Today, the Paul Michael Company operates a bustling workshop in Dermott, Arkansas, where skilled artisans design and produce exceptional pieces for homes across the country.

While Paul had been visiting Round Top since the early days, it was in 2009 when he made his first big buy for his retail stores. And, it was then his love of Round Top grew into something he needed to make permanent. In 2016, Paul designed and built Market Hill in Round Top on a 22-acre tract of land. It has now expanded with two buildings, RV parking for its world-class antiques vendors, the chef-driven restaurant Duo Modern, a couple of bars, and, new to the Fall Show, the Paul Michael Company Holiday House, a return of the Christmas wonderland that made Paul Michael Company famous for decades.

The centerpiece of Market Hill is Paul Michael’s showroom with its exclusive collection featuring 100% American-made pieces constructed from architectural salvage, reclaimed wood, and natural elements like boulders from the Ozark Mountains, quartz crystal and petrified wood.

Always evolving, Paul’s creativity was supercharged after a trip to New York with Debbie, where they explored art museums and galleries. Inspired by this experience, Paul began painting, transforming his already eclectic office into a creative haven filled with canvases and drop-cloths. His work reflects a deep engagement with art, influenced by his experiences and the creative environment at the Paul Michael Company. Today, Paul welcomes his invited “artists in residence” to take up shop alongside him at his office where they paint and create for weeks at a time. He has worked alongside artists represented in his showroom such as Kader Boly, Kellee Mayfield and Guy Bell.

The integration of art into the Paul MichaelCompany’s offerings is evident in the exclusive designs. The company’s furniture pieces are more than functional items – they are works of art.

Examples include a table made from centuries-old cypress recovered from Bayou Bartholomew, set atop Lucite legs, and a 19th-century French window cornice repurposed into a bookcase. You will even find lamp shades hand painted by Kader Boly crowning solid quartz lamps. These creations exemplify Paul’s ability to see potential where others might not, and to craft unique pieces that stand out in the market.

As Paul and Debbie celebrate 41 years of business, they continue to push the boundaries of creativity and originality. Their commitment to offering unique American-made products and fostering an environment of artistic exploration remains at the core of their company’s success. Paul’s drive to blend art with furniture design reflects a broader vision of creating products that are not just unique but truly original.

Paul’s drive to blend art with furniture design reflects a broader vision of creating products that are not just unique but truly original.

The Paul Michael Company invites you to experience the magic of their design philosophy. Visit their locations in Canton, Round Top, or Dallas, Texas, and discover the treasures that have captivated customers and designers alike. Whether you’re a treasure hunter, entertainer, hostess, or decorator, Paul Michael Company offers a blend of creativity and quality that reflects the legacy and vision of its founders.

Dining at Duo Modern

Open year-round, the restaurant at Market Hill reopened with a sleek new look and feel.

Duo reopened with a sleek new look and more comfortable seating.

The restaurant at Market Hill has always been the place to come in from the fields, make a plate, have a cold beer or glass of wine, and sit for a while, meeting new people and sharing stories around a family-style table. In its early days, it suited the needs of feeding people from- scratch meals to fuel their shopping adven- tures. You could depend on Paul Michael to be there, at lunch or dinner, pulling up a seat at the table and making sure everyone was well taken care of (something you can still depend on today – he’s probably there right

now for lunch service).

But if you know Paul, he’s always coming up with new and better ways to do things at Market Hill. And recently, the restaurant un- derwent a massive transformation – a total renovation from top to bottom in less than a week! – and Duo Modern was created. It’s a fantastic update to the restaurant you al- ready know and love. It still exists as a gath- ering place where you can expect the best hospitality from people who treat you like family. It just looks and feels much more ele- vated, like fine dining without the fuss. Dark floors and walls, fine art, large chandeliers and a new bar are some of the eye-catching details. But the food is really the star of the show, now presented in a space that match- es the creativity of the cuisine.

Gino’s famous Muscles and Clams

Appetizers awaiting to be served during at a fashion show and dinner party hosted by Duo and Vincent Peach Jewelry

Crab salad stuffed Avocado at Duo

Chef Gino Llanes was born and raised in Mexico City. At only eight years old, he be- gan working at a taco stand where he stayed for 12 years to support his family in Mexico. Gino’s dreams started coming to life in 1993 when he began rising through the ranks of the restaurant industry and working in prestigious restaurants across Houston. He is now building his reputation in Round Top and, more than making beautiful meals, he is making lasting relationships with every- one he meets at Market Hill.

Chef Gino Llanes

Follow @duo_markethill for a peek of what Gino has got cooking in the kitchen for the spring show. And text DUOGN to 31966 for weekly menu updates.

Open Year Round:

Lunch: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Thurs - Sat: Lunch/Dinner

Sunday: Brunch Sunday Brunch: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Extended During Spring Show Dates: March 14 - 31

Doubling Down at Market Hill Round Top

If everything is bigger in Texas, Paul Michael has just upped the ante at Market Hill. The success of the original venue – open year-round – led to a demand for more space and, with it, a brand-new building to house more vendors and to expand upon the Market Hill experience.

The new 125,000-SF building appears to be an exact replica of the original structure, but there are actually several new features and upgrades, a testament to lessons Paul has learned along the way as well as his commitment to keep improving.

In the new building, the breezeways are glassed in and can be closed off during weather events, like those big Texas thunderstorms. The new building also has its own restaurant and bar. Parking has also been expanded.

Market Hill 1 & 2 In the new building, the breezeways are glassed in and can be closed off during weather events, like those big Texas thunderstorms.

As always, Market Hill will have the best vendors in Round Top, just more of them now; some will be there year- round and others will be there just in spring and fall.

The experience you can always count on is the genuine hospitality that Paul, his wife, Debbie, and son, Jake, extend to you. It’s a family-owned and operated business, and you are treated like family here. As soon as you walk in, someone will ask, “Did’ya eat yet?” And, if not, then it’s, “Well, grab a plate, and come sit by me.”

The restaurant at Market Hill, now Duo Modern, has also undergone a major renovation – a project that surprisingly took less than a week – and includes lots of updates, including a new look and feel, new furniture, new chandeliers and the addition of a new bar. Dining in the space with food prepared by Chef Gino Llanes from an ever-changing menu now feels like an elevated experience; it’s still just as comfortable and casual as before but more refined. Duo Modern is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Inside of Duo Restaurant at Market Hill

The original Market Hill building got an update to it's restaurant area, Duo Modern, with a new look and feel, new furniture, and new chandeliers.

The new Market Hill 2 building features a centrally located bar, ready to refresh you after a day of exploring the vendor's booths.

LOCATION AND CONTACT INFO:

1542 Highway 237 North Round Top, TX 78954

info@markethillroundtop.com • 800-732-3722