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

Gone to Market: Meet Phillip Lantz, Chicago-based interior designer who’s becoming a Round Top regular.

Phillip feels right at home on a private ranch in Texas as he prepares fro a day of shopping in Round Top.

Photo by Ashlee Nobel, Lee Lee Arts + Design

Meet Phillip Lantz, Chicago-based interior designer who’s becoming a Round Top regular.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Phillip Lantz is a one-man interior design show, specializing in custom residential interiors. He describes his design philosophy as “architecture first.”

“My background is in architecture, so my first critique on any project is to review the layout of spaces. Before color or style is even considered, it’s critical to make sure the home functions well for the current user,” Phillip says. “I feel it is my job to show clients ‘what can be’ with what they have to work with and, even then, we sometimes add space to achieve the best results. Only after we get the architecture and space right can all their interior dreams be fully realized. I take pride in cultivating interiors that are timeless but with flourishes that are specifically unique to the owner. This, to me, is what makes a home a home, and ultimately, is my only goal.”

In recent years, Phillip has added Round Top to his calendar.

“I've been to Round Top twice now, both spring shows in 2018 and 2019. I have wonderful clients in Austin and Dallas who love the hunt. Texas has a much more relaxed vibe than the traditional homes of Chicago and its suburbs. Both of these clients encouraged me to visit Round Top, and we’ve found so many wonderful, original pieces.”

The people he’s met and the memories he’s made also stand out in his mind.

“I have never in my life been surrounded by freer people. I'm from the big city and was afraid that Texas wouldn't accept any outsiders, but I am embarrassed and elated to say that I was wrong. Could it be that Round Top is building bridges in the design community? I danced my a** off at the Junk Gypsy prom last year, and I felt like I was surrounded by love and creativity. I remember saying to my client, Heather Raymond, that my faith in humanity was restored. (I might have yelled that out loud while drinking sangria and dancing to 80s hip hop with a group of middle-aged women dressed up as the Golden Girls, something we typically only see in the gay community!). I kept thinking that not only would my pals in Chicago relish this, but my actual blood sisters in Arkansas would make more friends here than a feather boa has feathers.”

In addition to the warm welcome he’s received around town, he’s also made Market Hill his home base.

For his Austin client, Phillip was searching high and low for the best antique rugs. He ultimately found the antique rugs he was hoping for at Nomadic Trading Company at Market Hill.

Photo by Ashlee Nobel, Lee Lee Arts + Design

“As you know, it’s hard to spend too much time at any one place, but I know that given the opportunity, I could spend all day, every day there. Not only is the array of selections so broad for any shopping venture, it really seems to be a collection of some of the best. I remember finding it difficult to focus because there were so many wonderful considerations. I think, honestly, having food and wine there reminded me to enjoy the shopping experience a bit more. When I'm in Round Top it’s for work, but slowing my roll and taking a seat to listen to some live music and chat with locals as well as other travelers makes it seem less like work and more like a vacation.”

“Can we talk about the fashion of the live music group this past year? I feel like it was Dolce & Gabbana SS 2017 to a T. It did not go unnoticed! I don't recall their group name [editor’s note: The Heart Collectors], but they were so effing chic. So, yes, inspiration from everything. I'm buying a brocade vest tomorrow.”

For his Austin client, Phillip found some incredible pieces at Market Hill.

“After much consideration, because there were so many to choose from, Heather bought some beautiful rugs from Nomadic Trading Company. The collection of colorful Moroccans got us giddy and made us reconsider our entire design concept on the spot.”

When it comes to his design concept and where he finds inspiration, he says it’s all about research, research, research. 

Photo by Ashlee Nobel, Lee Lee Arts + Design

“The more I see, the more I refine my personal opinions on what is 'good.'  Fashion, hair, makeup, landscape, architecture, technology, and interiors all inspire me and surge my creativity. While I truly consider myself an artist, I honestly feel the core of my job is to educate clients on smart investments, because, make no mistake, a cultivated home ain’t cheap, but if I didn't have my finger on the above, there is no magic in my work, and that is what makes it special.”

When asked if he’s returning to the show this fall, he says, “Absolutely! The way I see it is if you go in with a specific intent, searching for any one specific item, you will almost always fail; but, when you have an open mind, and, say, accidentally come across the best boots in all of Texas and in your size, well, you come home a winner.”

The Sights and Sounds of Round Top

Photo by Ashlee Nobel of Lee Lee Arts + Design

Celebrating 50 years of fabulous, the Round Top Antiques Show is a big deal for this small Texas town. It’s a tradition every spring and fall, and it’s only getting bigger and better over time. It’s a traveling circus or world’s fair of sorts where some of the world’s rarest antiques are presented by some of the world’s most interesting characters. 

Photo by Ashlee Nobel

Black Cat Choir entertains a dancing crowd after dinner at Market Hill

While antiques continue to be the main attraction, it’s become an exhibit of original art and an expression of creativity across all mediums, including music. Market Hill hosts live music most nights. Past performances have included The Heart Collectors from Australia, and The Black Cat Choir, a local rock band from Round Top. The Black Cat Choir returns to Market Hill this fall for a two-night stand, Sunday, September 29, and Monday, September 30, at 8 p.m. Austin-based country singer Kimberly Dunn takes the stage on Tuesday, October 1 at 9 p.m. All concerts are free. Come early for dinner and drinks, and stay for all of the fun. 

It’s not Texas Antiques Week without the Junk Gypsy Junk ‘o Rama Prom. As legend has it, during the show, many moons ago, the Junk Gypsies noticed a pile of vintage prom dresses at market. They decided to play dress-up, giving these old dresses another twirl and hosting their very own little prom night under the Texas stars. What started as an homage to a handful of forgotten prom dresses took on a life of its own. Fifteen years later, the Junk ‘o Rama Prom is the biggest night of the antiques show. Held twice a year, it attracts anyone and everyone. You might even see some famous faces – like Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson – in the crowd. In true Junk Gypsy spirit, it’s quite the shindig with live music on a makeshift stage and a photobooth made from an old outhouse. This fall, the hootenanny takes place on Thursday, October 3, at the Zapp Hall. Dress to impress. 

Photo by Denise Withington

Round Top Dance Hall has live music every Friday and Saturday.

Once the show comes and goes, there is still live music and performing arts to be found. Other music venues in and around Round Top include The Stone Cellar and the Dugout in Warrenton. The Round Top Festival Institute is a world-renowned summer music festival presented for six weeks in June and July featuring chamber and orchestral concerts each weekend, as well as monthly concerts and educational forums during its “August-to-April” series. Located at the picturesque Festival Hill, it’s an international destination for performing and learning. 

Photo courtesy of Festival Hill

The 22nd Annual Theatre Forum at Round Top takes place November 1-3. This year’s theme, Footlights and the Silver Screen, explores connections between theatre and film. The three-day forum includes tours of the Festival Hill grounds and buildings with morning walks and open-air lunches in the gardens as well as performances and lectures. The event concludes with an evening reception and formal dinner. For more information, visit FestivalHill.org.  

Follow Market Hill Round Top on Facebook and Instagram for more music and event announcements during the fall show. 

How to Shop Round Top - Tips from Design Pro Maureen Stevens

Photos courtesy of Maureen Stevens

Based in Austin and New Orleans, Maureen Stevens loves history and architecture. She describes her aesthetic as “modern classic,” and looks for pieces that have history and character to bring her spaces soul and life. Her projects vary from modern to traditional, but she always prefers the classics, nothing cookie-cutter. Named one of Austin’s Top 5 Designers to Watch, her work has appeared in Tribeza Magazine, Design & Decor/Urban Home, Make it Over, Romantic Homes, the Austin American Statesman, Wall Street Journal, and popular design and decor giants such as My Domaine, Rue, Domino, HGTV.com and RealSimple.com. Her buying trips have been bringing her to Round Top for 10 years, and here’s how she does it.

 1. Get your accommodations early, early, early.

Whether it’s a bed and breakfast, or an Airstream trailer, there are many interesting places to stay, but they go quickly. It’s best to book six months to a year in advance.  

 2. Do your homework. Research the venues, and narrow down the markets you want to go to. If you are going for a day or two, you can’t do it all. Plan accordingly, especially if you are on a schedule.

3. Market Hill is a must. It has everything under one roof in an easy-to-navigate floor plan. There are seating areas and refreshments. It’s a breath of fresh air away from the usual bustle of Round Top. The vendors are well curated. Some favorites are Antica (she’s been doing this a long, long time); Don and Marta Orwig (fun Americana theme); and, Provenance (really great, unique finds).

 4. As for what to wear, be comfortable. Be as laid back as you can. There will be lots of A-list designers, so if you want to dress it up, go for a music festival outfit a la Coachella. A fun hat, a dress, and cowboy boots; it’s Texas, after all, and most places can get muddy, even with a little rain, so walking boots are an appropriate choice.

 5. Have a good breakfast. Bring water. Bring snacks, too, especially if you have a certain diet.

 6. How to take it home with you: If you are filling a house, or looking for large pieces like a credenza or an armoire, bring a pick-up or rental truck. But it’s not necessary as the sellers have worked with freight, and shippers and will help you with that.

 7. As for the art of negotiation: If you really love it, you have a price in mind and what it’s going to take to get it. You can negotiate, but be mindful and respectful. It takes time to source something and to bring it here. You have to respect the vendors for their craft. If you are an avid shopper, you can develop relationships with vendors.

 8. Many vendors accept credit cards, but if you pay with cash, you may be able to get a small discount. It’s not uncommon for shoppers to carry large amounts of cash, so it’s not that big of a concern as long as you are mindful and careful about stowing it.

 9. A tip is to take a picture of the vendor’s business card and a picture of an item in their collection so it’s easy to recall who it is and where it was because there are so many.

To view Maureen’s work, visit maureenstevens.com/projects. Her portfolio is also on Dering Hall and Houzz. Follow her on Instagram @maureenstevensdesign.

Dream Team - A Q&A with Kimberley Miller, CEO, Duncan Miller Ullmann

Photography by Ben Garrett

Founded in 1989, Dallas-based Duncan Miller Ullmann has grown to become one of the preeminent hospitality interior design firms in the world. CEO Kimberley Miller and her team have been coming to Round Top for years, shopping for their biggest clients. Most recently, it was for Hotel ZaZa Memorial City in Houston. We caught up with Kimberley, in advance of her next trip to Round Top for Hotel ZaZa Austin to talk about her team’s vision, process, strategy and inspiration.

Market Hill: Tell us about your firm and what brings you to Round Top.  

Kimberley Miller: We work with lifestyle brands. We know what each brand needs. For Hotel ZaZa, it’s irreverence, whimsy, especially in reference to a particular suite. That’s what Hotel ZaZa is known for: its concept suites, which our firm helped create. For the last project, [Hotel ZaZa Memorial City in Houston], there were 12 specialty suites. We used Round Top to bring special pieces into these themed spaces.

Beach House suite at Hotel ZaZa Memorial City

MH: What kind of pieces were you looking for on this trip?  

KM: We design not just spaces but experiences, whether it be in a restaurant or in the lobby. We are looking for unique pieces to create an experience. We sometimes take a residential approach, but we’re looking for out-of-the-box, something you can’t find at a furniture store, catalogue or elsewhere. Custom, stylized, one-of-a-kind, out-of-the-ordinary pieces with memory value.

MH: What do you love about Round Top?

KM: Outside of Texas, maybe people think of Round Top as cowboy artifacts and folk art, but it’s a great mixture of new, vintage and true one-of-a-kind pieces; we can fill 12 themed suites in one trip. What we also love about Round Top is that everybody knows everybody. Paul Michael is especially great at that. If we go in looking for 50 copper bowls and he doesn’t have them, he can point us to a person three miles down the road who does. You can find almost all of your needles in a haystack here. Paul has the best connections to those people.

Asian Beauty suite with a unique headboard found at Round Top.

MH: What should shoppers know about Market Hill?

KM: Market Hill is a place of unique pieces but also the things you just need – new products in multiple quantities like sets of dining room chairs. The great thing about Market Hill is the wide range of items, old and new, that’s what I like, that it has so much. And that you can eat there [she laughs]. Also, that it’s inside. It’s nice to not be slogging around in the rain. We’ve done that. Each vendor has a unique style. We’re buying a massive amount of stuff, and they are all so nice, so helpful.

The Passage to India suite at Hotel ZaZa Memorial City includes a custom designed sofa commissioned from a vendor at Round Top.

MH: Tell us about your shopping strategy.

KM: We have a list of places we go. We have a spiral notebook with dimensions, budget and floor plan. We go in with very specific needs, like a 60-inch round dining table. We walk through every store on our list, and we keep our antennas up. We have a detailed concepted mood board for each suite. For instance, for a seaside suite, we might be looking for a shell table, but we leave ourselves open to be inspired.  

We once found a refurbished gas pump, not on our list, but it made its way into a themed suite. There was once a suite that we went into the shopping trip thinking would be themed Blue Door, but then we saw all of this campfire ephemera, and we changed it to Cabin Fever. At Market Hill, we found this gold leaf deer head, and we knew we had to have it. We didn’t know where we’d put it, but it found a home in the ballroom and is now a memorable fixture. Again, it comes back to the idea of a memory.

MH: How do you stay inspired?

KM: We look to travel, being exposed to different places, fashion, the trends we are seeing, the hot new shows and set designs. I recently watched Vanity Fair. One of the rooms is an Orient Express train theme. It’s fun to see a set design and get inspired by it. These kinds of trips help with inspiration. We use Round Top for inspiration.

To learn more about Duncan Miller Ullmann, visit DesignDMU.com.

Like Burning Man for Designers – HurleyHafen Finds Round Top

Photos by HurleyHafen

With a lifetime of worldwide travel between them, HurleyHafen partners John Hurley and Justin Hafen have just about seen it all. Prior to venturing into real estate development and design, they created and operated 13 restaurants and bars in the Bay Area. There is a spirit of generosity and hospitality in everything they do, including their original brand of “curated homes” in Napa Valley, built to admire but, more importantly, to comfortably live in.

Photos by HurleyHafen

For their curated homes, HurleyHafen acquires prime vineyard land, designs an extraordinary home, builds it, and then furnishes it, “down to the toothbrushes,” Justin says. “The idea is that the day you buy one of our curated homes, you have everything you need to throw a glamorous dinner … all you need to do is bring your clothes!”

This is the core concept of their business, but they also work directly with clients who already own land and need them – and their team of architects, engineers and contractors – for the design and construction oversight part of the process.

They also do full-service interior design for luxury homes throughout the country.  It is for this reason they decided to make their first trip to Round Top last fall on the recommendation of (and in memory of) their dear friend Barbara Colvin who passed after a long battle with cancer.  

“Barbara was a very acclaimed designer and had always wanted to go to Round Top. We had talked about going together for years and just never made it,” John says. “But after she passed away, our mutual friend Michelle Cheatham  [Architect’s Daughter at Market Hill] was going, so we said ‘let’s all go in Barbara’s honor,’ and, needless to say, we did and were blown away!”

Photos by HurleyHafen

“The first person we met was Paul Michael. He took us around his beautiful store inside Market Hill, and personally introduced us to all of the other vendors inside his building. Then every day, we would go out shopping with him all over Round Top finally returning to Market Hill at the end of the day to start drinking and partying,” John laughs.

“We had no idea how much fun it was going to be. It’s like Burning Man for designers,” Justin adds. “That’s what makes it so unique. It’s a party!”

“Round Top introduced us to a venue like no other. It’s not just the old stuff, it’s new stuff, too,” John says. “ It’s like this great combination between the Paris flea markets and the big shows in High Point, Las Vegas and Atlanta … but all in one place.  Who knew this rustic little town with a population of 90 people had so much to offer?”

Photos by HurleyHafen

As for what they are looking for this spring, “We have a huge shopping list for both clients and our curated homes. But I’m sure, as we discovered on our first trip, we will also end up finding beautiful, unique pieces that we don’t really need, but simply cannot pass up.”      

The design duo will make their return March 22-26 with clients and lots of friends in tow. “We fell in love with the whole deal, so this time we’re bringing a big crew!”

Look for their crew at Round Top, and, in the meantime, learn more about their design team, their curated homes and other creative projects at HurleyHafen.com and on Instagram @hurleyhafen.

For the Love of Vintage - A conversation with designer Claire Zinnecker

Photo by Ali Burgoon

Austin-based designer Claire Zinnecker wears many hats, working with clients on residential and commercial projects for Claire Zinnecker Design.

Her work has brought her to Round Top for years, sourcing one-of-a-kind finds.

What matters most to Claire isn’t necessarily what you’re looking for (although she can help with that), but why you’re looking.

“It’s the idea that we don’t need to buy things from big box stores. It’s a nod to these pieces that have stood the test of time. When you think about the history, the stories of the pieces, of the vendors, there’s so much magic that goes into the finding,” she says.

“That’s why I love Round Top.”     

Claire has written for Domino, among other magazines, chronicling her experiences, including a recent dinner she planned and cohosted at Rancho Pillow.

She will return to Round Top in the spring to shop for a pop-up she is planning, March 30-31, in Austin. For these events, she curates vintage pieces, home décor and clothing to create experiences that connect you to the objects.  

Photo by Ali Burgoon

One of the places she shops for these finds is Market Hill.

“If it’s your first time in Round Top, you need to go to Market Hill. It’s so well curated with the perfect vignettes; everything is impeccably placed. It allows someone who’s not an everyday vintage goer to see how it’s styled.”

In a similar way, she brings this vision to her events and into her spaces. Whether it’s clients’ homes, businesses or workplaces, she styles them in a way that truly showcases an important piece, a piece of history, that might otherwise be overlooked.

“It’s about bringing awareness to how important and worthwhile vintage shopping is. It’s about respecting craftsmanship. It’s about being thoughtful in your decisions.”

For more info on the upcoming Austin pop-up, follow Claire on Instagram @clairezinnecker.  

The Restaurant at Market Hill

When it comes to the amenities at Market Hill, the restaurant is a big one. Not only because of the fresh, home-cooked food that comes from Chef Preston Higgins’ kitchen but also because it brings people in from the fields and around the table. It is here that people can truly connect, sharing stories about their day over a meal and a beer or a glass of wine.

If you know Paul Michael, he loves bringing people together and feeding them. His pig roasts are now tradition at Market Hill. People gather round in anticipation, to watch, to learn and to wait until dinner is served. This spring, Paul will host two pig roasts, March 23 and 30. In addition to these signature events, Chef is cooking up a few special dinners as well, including prime rib and shrimp, March 22 and 29; Mediterranean night on March 28; and Mexican Monday on April 1.

Open daily for lunch and dinner service, the restaurant offers healthy, delicious meals, including hand-pressed burgers, marinated chicken breast, Paul’s pulled pork, wraps, bean medley, oven fries, marinated salad, dressed greens and coleslaw.

Everything is prepared fresh and in-house. The meats and vegetables are grilled, roasted or smoked; there is no fryer. When you walk up to the counter and go down the line, making your selections, you’ll see Chef in the kitchen with a smile on his face, likely pulling out a batch of his oven fries. After you make a plate, you simply move down to the cashier where you can choose from a variety of beer and wine options as well as homemade desserts. Then you find a table. Long tables are meant to be experienced family-style where you can sit down, rest, relax and enjoy good food and conversation.

For those who are short on time, Chef shares something new for spring, what he calls “Market Fresh” meals to-go: variations of fruits, nuts and cheeses, green salads, fruit salads and wraps. These will be easy to-go options for shoppers and vendors.  

 It really adds to the Market Hill experience to be welcomed in from the elements, to be treated like family, to be invited to the table, to be served a home-cooked meal and Southern hospitality and to do it again the next day. Market Hill is more than a shopping destination. It’s your home away from home in Round Top.

Carson & Thom Go to Market - Market Hill Hosts Bravo TV’s Favorite Design Duo

Photos courtesy of Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia

Photos courtesy of Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia

Carson Kressley is everywhere – even Round Top. The Emmy Award-winning TV personality, style expert, fashion designer, and New York Times bestselling author made an appearance as a celebrity designer in support of Designer Dream Spree. Founded by Houston-based designer Julie Dodson of Dodson Interiors, Designer Dream Spree was created to attract A-list interior designers, introduce them to Round Top, and raise money for local animal shelters. Having been to Round Top previously, he brought along his “TV husband,” and co-host of Bravo’s Get a Room with Carson & Thom, Thom Filicia, a top interior designer, TV personality and author, who also participated in the spree, for which designers shopped the fields and venues all around Round Top to create vignettes. 

Photos courtesy of Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia

            “Market Hill was our first stop,” Filicia says. “It is this indoor-outdoor almost agricultural building with a big breezeway. There was a mix of antiques dealers, art dealers, vendors with old signs, vendors bringing things from all over the world. They hosted a big lunch for us. There was this Southern shrimp cocktail in a mason jar. Everything was thoughtfully and beautifully executed – very Southern in its hospitality and presentation. It was a great springboard for our visit.” 

            “It’s gigantic,” Kressley says of Market Hill. “Such a large space filled with so many treasures, antiques from Europe, pieces of Americana. It feels like you hit the jackpot.” 

Photos courtesy of Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia

            “One of the myths I busted in Round Top,” Kressley adds, “is that it’s hard to bring things home. That is absolutely not true. I found a great pair of wooden tables with marble tops. I used them in my designer vignette and had to have them. There are great high-quality shippers. The tables arrived by truck to my home in Pennsylvania a month later. Any time someone asks about them, I happily tell them they came from Round Top.” 

            “It’s a world’s fair of people and things,” he says about this special place. “You have these really high-end designers, and you’ve got the local flavor. It’s something unusual, very unique. One vendor had a longhorn outside of their exhibit, so there’s a photo of me riding a longhorn. That is something that would only happen in Round Top.” 

Photos courtesy of Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia

            “Everywhere you turn, there’s a surprise, and a feast for the eyes,” Kressley says. “There are plenty of places to stay; there’s great food and hospitality. I always try to bring someone who’s never been. It’s so fun and friendly. Everybody is your new best friend.” 

            Speaking of new friends, Thom says one afternoon over Mexican food and Margaritas, he and Carson started inviting people to a local watering hole. They decided to throw a party that evening, totally off-the-cuff, hoping 10 people would come. They had 50 people show up, and they sang karaoke until 2 a.m. Again, only in Round Top. 

            Carson and Thom can be seen on Bravo’s Get a Room with Carson & Thom, which returns this spring. Carson also returns for Season 11 of VH1’s RuPaul’s Drag Race. Follow their adventures on Instagram, @carsonkressley and @thomfilicia.

2019 Round Top Round-Up

The Stone Cellar features 25 craft beers on tap.

Driving in from Austin, the highway is dotted with bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, the first signs of spring. As you get closer to Round Top (population: 90), another sign of spring comes into the picture. In cow pastures typically occupied by Texas longhorns, there are big white tents and people, lots of them (some 100,000 of them). This scene stretches on along Highway 237 for some 30 miles and extends into surrounding towns of Warrenton, Rutersville, Fayetteville, Carmine, Brenham and La Grange. It’s Antiques Week, an event that happens twice a year, in the spring and fall. Celebrating more than 50 years, what began as a weekend of antiquing has expanded into two weeks’ worth of shows. Here’s a round-up of what to see and do and where to stay and play while you’re here.  

LODGING  

Armando Round Top Houses

Renowned Houston restauranteurs Armando and Cinda Palacios invite patrons to travel from River Oaks to Round Top where they have a trio of beautifully restored vacation homes. Dating back to the 1830s, the Winn is the oldest of the three and was the first property Armando purchased on a whim back in 1979. The circa 1880s Bybee Cottage was then acquired from the Bybee Foundation, an organization that preserves German immigrant heritage in Round Top. The Palacios kept the original patina of the place while lovingly adorning the old farmhouse with new amenities and luxe accessories. The Nest was once a 1930s home set in Houston’s West End and is now a mid-century modern space with pop art dotting the walls. See more at RoundTopHouses.com.

The Carmine Coop

Five minutes from downtown Round Top, the Carmine Coop offers three different lodging options – The Farmhouse, The Cottage, and The Airstream. Located on two acres and surrounded by corn fields, your neighbors are horses and cows, and your alarm clock is a rooster. While the lodges are appointed with rustic country charm, they do offer modern luxuries like HDTV and WiFi. For photos and more info, visit Thecarminecoop.com.

Flophouze

Matt White and his team, Recycling the Past, offer six flophouzes, old shipping containers-turned-overnight accommodations, all accented with salvaged materials, antiques, original art and vintage touches such as a record player and vinyl records. If you like your flophouze so much you want to keep it, the company can custom build one to your specifications and ship it to you anywhere in the world. Also on the property is the modpool, an above-ground swimming pool made from a shipping container, and the Round Top Ballroom. Outfitted with antiques, artifacts and odds and ends from Recycling the Past, it’s a large space that has hosted farm-to-table dinners, weddings and parties. Learn more at Flophouze.com.

The Prairie at Round Top

Formerly The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, founder of Shabby Chic, The Prairie at Round Top is a new chapter for this 46-acre property dating back to the 1880s. There are five houses on the property. Holly has added her own signature style to The Prairie while keeping design elements added by previous owners, all with the help of dedicated property manager Danny Riebeling. Danny was one of the original contractors who renovated it. His love of this place is evident in every nail and board. He is fun-loving, enjoys hosting guests and cooks a tasty breakfast. Book your stay at ThePrairieatRoundTop.com.

Rancho Pillow

This 20-acre compound features multiple overnight options on the property, including four main lodges and a well-appointed, air-conditioned teepee. Each dwelling showcases hand-picked furnishings, paintings, books of poetry and other thoughtful touches. Outside, there’s plenty of room to roam and make new discoveries, like neon signs, a playground with zipline, hammocks, bathhouse, swimming pool and a fire pit. Formerly available by invite-only for friends-of-friends, it’s now a more inclusive space where all are welcome to tap into the spirit found here. It’s heartfelt, soulful, mystical and intentional where cool people go and good vibes flow. Feast in the Field is hosted on October 1 and 2. Fantastic chefs prepare the family-style meal served outdoors on the ranch. Purchase your ticket, or book your stay online at RanchoPillow.com.

The Raleigh

Shane Brown of Big Daddy’s Antiques offers this 2,650-SF 1890s Victorian farmhouse with a new 30-foot pool and huge deck. It comes equipped with a full kitchen, four bedrooms (including a master suite), and two bathrooms. It sleeps nine people. The interior design is exceptional throughout with a beautiful mix of modern and antiques, and a Paul Michael Company piece or two. Book your stay on VRBO.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. Explore it for yourself at RoundTopInn.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 is comprised of reclaimed materials and vintage finds, creatively repurposed into light fixtures, furniture and decor. In 2016, the second cottage named Boho was built in the style of an industrial farmhouse. Both properties are available for rent. The Hulls also host private parties, weddings, special events and workshops year-round. Be inspired by their modern vintage aesthetic at TheVintageRoundTop.com.

At Wander Inn sink into a velvet sofa or slide into a rocking chair on the porch for views of longhorns. Photo by Kelly Chrstine Sutton

Wander Inn

Previously available only to friends such as country singer Miranda Lambert, Junk Gypsies Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-Smith have opened their guesthouse to the public. Wander Inn is luxurious but not about luxury. It’s 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, sink into a velvet sofa or slide into a rocking chair on the porch for views of longhorns in the pasture and the sun hanging low in the sky. Choose from eight beautifully appointed rooms at Gypsyville.com/wander-inn.

The Red & White Inn, part of Black Bird Farm

Black Bird Farm

A series of historic properties in nearby Fayetteville comprises the Black Bird Farm lodging experience. Here, you’ll find romantic, well-appointed interiors in an early Americana style. Choose from accommodations at the Grand Fayette Hotel, Market Street Inn, Red & White Inn, Bird House, 1850 House, Sealy House or Blackbird Cabins. Herring Hall, the event space, hosts live performances. Take a tour online at blackbirdranchtexas.com

DINING  

Dinner and live music at The Restaurant at Market Hill.

Market Hill Restaurant

More than a shopping destination, Market Hill is a fun place to eat, drink and hang out. Open daily during the show, choose from a variety of lunch and dinner specials including Paul’s famous homemade red sauce and pasta. Market Hill also has live music nightly. Grab a cold beer or glass of wine, and enjoy great music and good times after a day in the fields.

The Garden Co.’s Feed and Firewater

An outpost of the original Garden Co. Marketplace & Cafe in Schulenburg, Texas, Feed and Firewater brings fresh ingredients to the table for fun appetizers, bright salads, yummy soups, and a variety of creative lunch and dinner options, all in a beautiful bistro-style setting. For a look at the menu, visit thegardencoandcafe.com.

London Bus Café

McLaren’s Antiques celebrates its English heritage with the London Bus Café onsite. An original London double-decker bus has been outfitted into a café, serving lunch and afternoon tea. (It’s air-conditioned, too.) No reservation is required, just come on in. Lunch is served from noon-3 p.m., and offers a variety of English favorites. Traditional English High Tea is served from 3:30-5:30 p.m., with freshly made sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries.

Prost on Block 29

An intimate wine bar and shop housed in a stone cottage that happens to be the oldest building in Round Top. Order by the glass, bottle or case (to take home with you), and choose from handmade cheeses, farm-to-table vegetables, tapenades and charcuterie. Sit inside at the bar or at a small bistro table, or hang out on the outdoor patio around the fire pit. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Royer’s Round Top Café and Pie Shop

Burgers, sandwiches and fresh-cut fries are some of the favorites here, but the real star of the show is the pie. Choose from apple, buttermilk, chocolate chip, pecan, cherry, strawberry rhubarb and more. Royer’s famous chicken dinner is served on Sunday from noon until they run out – the chicken is marinated for 24-hours in buttermilk and garlic and then hand-battered. It’s served family-style with mashed potato casserole and creamed corn.

The Stone Cellar & Round Top Dance Hall

An authentic 1907 Texas dance hall has been relocated to this site. The sign on the door reads, “Must wear boots inside the hall at all times.” Our kind of place, it’s a relaxing wood-fired pizzeria with a variety of craft beer and wine, with live music every Friday and Saturday.

SHOPPING

The Paul Michael Company showroom at Market Hill. Photo by Natalie Lacy Lange.

Market Hill

Open twice a year in the spring and the fall, Market Hill curates the world’s best antiques, furniture, home decor and decorative arts, set in an atmosphere of genuine hospitality and hassle-free shopping in a beautiful, air-conditioned facility with clean restrooms, free Wi-Fi and easy loading areas. The Restaurant at Market Hill serves home-cooked meals, a great selection of beer, wine and other refreshments. It’s open daily during the show with live music most nights.

Townsend Provisions

The large collection of vintage boots is the biggest attraction to this small, well-curated shop in Rummel Square. A permanent fixture in town, the store is open year-round, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Owners Nick and Ryann have a passion for old relics and handmade goods – something that runs in the family. Ryann’s mom, Sharon, helps the young couple hunt for vintage treasures for the shop. Nick’s mom, Linda, is the “boot queen” and is often found fitting folks in the famous boot room. Stop by, and make their acquaintance during the fall show. You might just find your new favorite pair of boots while you’re at it.

Curate by Stash makes small, luxe leatherworks including items like this Minimalist Maker Apron

Curate by Stash

Another spot open year-round on Rummel Square is Curate by Stash. For more than a decade, Texas brand Stash has been making small, luxe leatherworks in a century-old mattress factory. Founder/designer Cheryl Schulke creates with the intention of mindful production over mass production. Walking into her first retail space in Round Top, it smells of leather and Texas lavender, and feels like a place you never want to leave. As the name suggests, it is artfully curated with a select few pieces from independent designers.

SIGHTSEEING

The Listening Room at The Bugle Boy where concerts are held on Friday & Saturday evenings.

The Bugle Boy

Housed in WWII army barracks in La Grange, the Bugle Boy is an intimate concert hall that brings Americana, country, folk, blues and jazz to the stage on Friday and Saturday nights. Coffee, wine and beer are served. Thebugleboy.org.

Festival Hill Concert Hall

Founded in 1971 by world renowned concert pianist James Dick, Festival Hill is a 210-acre campus containing multiple performance facilities, historic houses, gardens, parks and nature preserves. Festivalhill.org.

Rohan Meadery

Blissful Folly Farm is situated between La Grange, Round Top and Fayetteville in some of the most beautiful countryside in south central Texas. Located here, Rohan Meadery is Texas' oldest meadery, producing one of mankind's oldest fermented libations – mead.  All products that come from here are small batched and homemade onsite. The tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Rohanmeadery.com.

Round Top Family Library

Round Top is the smallest incorporated Texas town to have a public library. It consists of two buildings, the main library in the former Hope Lutheran Church, a 1925 Gothic-style building, and the Rummel Haus, which serves as an activity center. It’s a great local resource, preserving history and offering community programs for kids and adults. Ilovetoread.org.

Paul Michael Company - Where the Magic Happens

A craftsman at the Paul Michael Company creates a meticulously measured antler leg table by hand.

From Little Rock, it’s a two-hour drive to Lake Village, Arkansas, a farm town in southeast Arkansas that’s home to the Paul Michael Company. Photo by Ashlee Nobel

Paul and Salvador create a frame from an original piece of art. Photo by Ashlee Nobel

It’s a cold February day. The sky is gray, and the fields are flooded. A train cuts across the flat land, and we pass time talking about the graffiti on the train cars. We also wonder aloud what Paul Michael will show us on this trip. Maybe it’s a new painting or a few new Paul Michael Exclusives, original pieces of furniture handmade in his woodshop in Dermott, Arkansas. The woodshop is where we’re headed, but first we meet Paul for lunch at his favorite sandwich shop, the Amish & Country Store.

The sign out front says: Pecans Banana Bread Fried Pies. Inside, it smells like fresh baked bread. We order the Paul Michael Special and wait for him to arrive.

When he sits down at the table, there’s blue paint on his hands. He’s been working on something. Turns out, it could either be from a canvas or from a set of French Colonial doors, a special project for Vincent Peach, a vendor at Market Hill. At the fall show, Vincent produced a drawing of a showroom, like the true artist he is. Paul redrew it to accommodate the raw materials that were available to him, an example of his ability to create on command, taking inspiration from others.

Photo by Ashlee Nobel

Every stand is handmade to fit the crystal. Photo by Ashlee Nobel

“I went out that day and found the doors in Round Top,” Paul says. “Where else are you going to find 12 matching doors like that?”

“It’s magic. There is this happiness,” he says of Round Top. “It’s like a vacation for me. People come from all over the world ... [At Market Hill,] we have people from California, Santa Fe, New York, Chicago, Miami. If you have a high-end boutique, it’s where you go, but everybody leaves pretension at home.”   

Paul will return to Round Top next week, he tells us, to install Vincent Peach’s booth.

“My opinion of architecture is my opinion on design,” he says, “it has to be functional.”  

“So many times you see an interior, like in a design magazine, and you get the feeling, ‘It looks okay in the magazine, but would I want to live there? Can I put a cup of coffee on the coffee table?’ You get the feeling it’s for people who don’t know how to live. It’s the same conversation that relates to architecture, so many times the emphasis is on how it looks from the street, but, in reality, it’s built out of plywood and cheap carpet, and it doesn’t last. You have to ask, ‘Who are you trying to impress?’ The first person you want to impress is yourself,” he says.

On designing and building Market Hill, Paul says, “I wanted to impress the vendors. I wanted to keep them dry. Keep their merchandise dry. Give them a place to load and unload their stuff. If I have a facility that provides for their needs, I would have a chance to attract the very best vendors. Everybody wants the best vendors; why would they come to me? Because this building is functional.”

“I believe in what’s real. A place you can be inspired, relaxed, where you can entertain, eat, drink and rest.”

Beautiful natural crystal on a handmade base by the Paul Michael Company. Photo by Ashlee Nobel

As for what he is bringing to Market Hill, Paul says he spent six weeks on the road with trips to Dallas, Atlanta, Vegas and Tucson. In Tucson, he bought an entire lot of 52 slices of black petrified wood. He decided to make small tables with them, pairing the petrified wood with natural wood. He engineered a prototype but didn’t like it. He says they are reworking the design at the shop.

He tells us of large, spear-pointed crystals he also found. “From South America. Brazil. Phenomenal crystals on these metal bases that were ugly and unworthy of the crystals.” He describes his plan to remount them. With that, he says, “let’s go to the shop, so you can see them.” It’s just a few minutes’ drive to the woodshop where the shop cat, Paloma, greets us outside. We arrive to the sound of saws and smell of sawdust. In every corner of the shop, there is industry, purpose and focus with multiple projects happening all at once. This is where the magic happens.

Paul leads us to the crystals in the metal bases. It appears he bought the whole lot of them. There are rows upon rows of quartz crystals of all sizes on two long tables. His top welder and metal worker is in the act of hand-fitting each individual component to create new bases worthy of the crystals.  “Every piece has to be hand fit,” Paul says.

We walk through the shop and see additional projects underway, including Vincent Peach’s doors, 12 of them, some drying, some in the process of being painted “Cathedral Stone,” a pretty blueish gray.  

There’s a boulder atop Lucite. He calls it the “Flintstone table.” When asked where the rock comes from, he says, “northwest Arkansas” … and what kind of rock it is, “the kind that comes out of the side of a mountain,” he laughs. He tells us he was on his way to look at a deer camp when he saw the boulders and bought two truckloads of them.

Another piece Paul is proud to show us is an ottoman made of wood. “I was in the Apple Store, and I saw an ottoman I liked, and I thought I could make one better than that.” Like the inspiration piece, his version is essentially a wooden box with a slight indention on the seat and open in the middle. Inside, he stuffs a black sheep’s wool poof. “It’s for people without a lot of room. You pull it out, and now you have two seats instead of one,” he says.

For Paul, inspiration can come from anywhere. “I don’t think any artist came up with their own original idea. It was inspired by something. Creativity happens when you have collaboration and outside influences.”

And yet many of the pieces in the shop, Paul comes up with on the spot, and this is where the real magic happens. An example of this is a large clamshell from China, which Paul says he’s had for 12 years, and now has an idea for it. The clamshell, weighing some 300 pounds, is rolled out on a dolly. His son, Jake, and right-hand man Salvador lift it to its resting place atop two vertical slabs of reef from Indonesia. Paul stands back as the men adjust the piece to the precise angle, the proper form.

Boulder coffee table by the Paul Michael Company. Boulder harvested from Northwest Arkansas. Photo by Ashlee Nobel

“It’s all about form,” Paul says. “When something is in form, you know it. It’s natural to you. When it doesn’t look right, it’s wrong. A curious part, it’s almost a universal and uniform acceptance of what is right. When it’s wrong, everybody has an opinion of why it’s wrong, because you look at its various parts. Everybody agrees when it’s right, because you see it as a whole.” The piece is adjusted, just right, and he says, “That is powerful. This is what I live for.”   

When asked how he comes up with this stuff, Paul says, “Sal came up with a way to cut the bottom off of it. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have used it. Could I have done that without him? No. It was collaboration.”

Paul’s phone rings, and he takes the call. It’s his friend, Craig, and he says, “You better come down to the shop. We’re doing something pretty amazing.”

“We’re just like children,” he says. “Do you see the glee? This is what we do for fun.”

It is fun to be in the shop, to be in the presence of pure joy, creativity, hard work, imagination, experimentation and play. The magic comes from Paul and his team – the woodshop is where the magic happens as it goes from brain to build, draft to design. And Market Hill is where magic comes together, the people and the pieces, under one roof.

2019 Round Top Spring Show – The Market Hill Experience

Market Hill shoppers dine and socialize while listening to live music at Market Hill in Round Top, TX during Texas Antiques Week. Photo by Natalie Lacy Lange

Market Hill in Round Top, TX. Photo by Elizabeth Michael

Upon first arriving at Market Hill, the first impression is that it’s huge. Cars are coming in and out of the parking lot and yet many spaces remain, which shows you how big and accommodating it is. The Paul Michael Company sign is a welcoming sight. You know you are in the right place, and that Paul Michael and his team will take care of you.

Walking out of the Texas sun and into the space, the air-conditioning feels like the ultimate luxury, but that’s just the beginning. The Paul Michael Company takes up 11,000-SF and is well-appointed with art, plush sofas, agate-topped tables, beautiful rugs and large cowhides. It sets the tone for the experience you can expect as you explore the rest of the venue. Inspiration is everywhere.

The remainder of the 130,000-SF space is occupied by the best vendors at Round Top. Each vendor is different. Each one has their own aesthetic and their own impressive collection of antiques, lighting, rugs and accessories. What they all have in common is their passion for this. They are all eager to meet you and answer any question you may have.

Shoppers in the breezeway at the DASH Houston Party at Market Hill in Round Top, TX. Photo by Natalie Lacy Lange

Walking through the breezeway, Market Hill also contains a restaurant and dining space and plenty of areas to rest and relax, like Pinky’s Bubbyle Lounge, where you can sit on velvet sofas and sip champagne.  

“We love being at Market Hill,” says Stacy Graubart of The Select Pick. “Both as a seller and a buyer for our design clients. It is not only the best venue with food and places to relax your feet but is a great community of people.”  

It’s really about bringing people together. And there are many ways Paul and his team do this every day and night.

Live music at Market Hill entertains shoppers and vendors alike. Live music takes place most nights. It’s one of the things first time vendor Michelle Cheatham is most looking forward to. “I look forward to the music after hours. I love socializing and making connections with new friends from everywhere,” she says.

Market Hill welcomes back the Heart Collectors, March 30 and 31. The international folk band is based in Australia and has played South by Southwest in Austin the last couple of years (receiving a “Top Bands to See at SXSW” nod by the Austin American-Statesman), eventually finding their way down to Round Top.  

The Restaurant at Market Hill with Live Music, Wine, Beer, Fresh Food. Photo by Natalie Lacy Lange

Another event that has become tradition at Market Hill is Paul’s Pig Roast. It’s become so popular and memorable, that it will take place twice during the spring show, March 23 and 30. The pig roast brings community together. People gather round to watch, to meet and greet each other, to drink and of course to eat. This is just one of the special events around food and community at Market Hill. Chef Preston talks more about what he has in store for the spring show on the following pages, The Restaurant at Market Hill, but it is a point of pride to have home-cooked meals made in-house. Something new Chef is introducing this spring is “Market Fresh” meals, variations of fruits, nuts, cheeses, green salads, fruit salads, wraps and other to-go options for shoppers and vendors on the go.

Come enjoy the food and fellowship at Market Hill.

Location and contact info:

1542 Highway 237

Round Top, TX 78954

customerservice@paulmichaelhome.com

800-732-3722

Hours

Open daily

9 a.m.-9 p.m.

March 21-April 7

The Mixology of Design

Vintage barware and bar cart mixed on modern day tray invites your guests to relaxin in your home. Photo by Michael Hunter

Just like a cocktail mixologist creating a signature drink with an interesting twist or garnish, the mixology of design is in combining different styles of interiors and architecture. Modern furnishings and art blended with architectural details and antiques is one of my favorite combinations. Oftentimes finding that unexpected piece can be the perfect ingredient for some of the best design elements in your home.

An antique French enfilade paired with a vintage Hugh Acton chair in shearling, marble pedestal and a modern rug creates the perfect blend of new and old. Photo by Cristin Miller Photography

Every fall and spring, visitors eagerly await the opening of the highly anticipated Round Top Antiques Fair to search for unusual finds and new trends in design. One of the crown jewels of the festival sits at Market Hill. This venue, created by Paul Michael, hosts dealers who bring in everything from European lighting, architectural antiques, modern furniture and accessories. It is here where you might find the perfect design trifecta by uncovering an Italian Murano glass hanging fixture from the 1970s and a modern glass coffee table that can add the perfect touch to a home hosting an 18th century European fire surround. Paul and his carefully curated collection of dealers will welcome you into their booths.

The glistening of mirrored glass counters married with aged stone floors and an antique lantern creates unexpected details and makes the room feel like you are unwrapping a present as you enter it. Photo by Michael Hunter

I encounter clients and friends who like many different styles of architecture and interiors. Blending those can be a challenge. Throughout my 20 years of architectural consulting and interiors, I have watched these ever-changing design trends take a front seat in our world. I encourage you to let your mind wander as you meet the dealers in Round Top, and hear the stories behind their travels that bring both timeless and trendy treasures from every corner of the world.

My philosophy at Sarah West & Associates is based on the blending of historical and modernist details which creates a perfect springboard for creativity where rules of the past don’t always apply.

The fusion of antique doors from Round Top, reclaimed floor tile and sink paired with a modern bench and clean lined vanity is a perfect recipe for the mixology of design. Photo by Michael Hunter

Uncovering special pieces at Round Top can be the common thread that runs through the fabric of my design plan. Embracing the challenge of making each project different, whether it is a blend of contemporary, English, Spanish or Country French, can always be enhanced with special finds from these bluebonnet-blanketed fields of Round Top.

Whether you are a professional or simply a novice mixologist, I invite you to be daring, take chances, mix it up and enjoy the view.