A Vintage Vision in Houton

The Marlene Inn

By Morgan Claybourne | Photography by Julie Soefer

Long before The Marlene Inn became a restored 1910 mansion filled with French wine, layered tapestries, and antique mirrors catching light in all the right ways, it existed first as a vision Lily Barfield nurtured quietly for years. She would sometimes mention the idea half-jokingly, and other times with a quiet determination, but always with the certainty that hospitality was in her cards.

Barfield had already built a devoted following through Lily’s Vintage Finds, her Instagram shop, where she shared antique pieces sourced from flea markets, small Southern towns, and, later, full container trips to France.

Lily Barfield, owner of Lily’s Vintage Finds and now the proud owner and lead designer of The Marlene Inn in Houston

“I started out hunting antiques for myself, then for friends, and eventually for Lily’s Vintage Finds on Instagram,” Barfield explains. “I was (and still am) sourcing everywhere from faraway flea markets to sleepy antique malls. I never set out to build a brand, per se. But I think people began following along because they enjoyed watching the journey of sourcing these pieces just as much as they loved the beautiful pieces themselves. My online following grew quickly, and I was able to begin taking trips over to France to source containers full of antiques. I pinched myself every day because I could’t believe this was my real job.”

Being a Louisiana native, raised in a family that made hospitality feel like second nature, hosting, gathering, and making people feel welcome were just part of life for Barfield. “It’s always been about more than just collecting antiques—it’s about the feeling they create: the way a centuries-old piece makes a room feel storied and welcoming. It encourages storytelling and gathering. With The Marlene, I wanted to capture that atmosphere. A place to gather, slow down, share a cocktail, and experience that mix of warmth and history that makes Southern hospitality so special.”

Bar Madonna at The Marlene is a perfect spot where locals and guests alike can gather to celebrate French wine, great cocktails, and storytelling in a beautiful setting.

For years, Barfield had been casually scrolling real estate listings in different cities, searching for something that was calling her. A New Orleans location was the original vision and always held her heart, but one day, something unexpected popped up closer to home.

“One day, this Neoclassical mansion popped up right in our own neighborhood in Houston,” she recalls. “With its beautiful columns, big porches, and crepe myrtles in full bloom, it was impossible to ignore. We scheduled a tour immediately, and when we stepped inside, we both just knew this was the place. It was a feeling that’s hard to describe, but it was strong enough to prompt us to dive headfirst into this crazy idea I’d been dreaming up for years. I hope it brings a little piece of Louisiana charm into the Montrose neighborhood. There are so many Louisiana natives in Houston, and I just love it when they visit and say, ‘I feel like I’m back in New Orleans!’”

Bringing the home back to life was not as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint or hanging pretty wall decor, but rather a challenging project to balance both preservation and functionality. “We wanted to respect the house’s original bones, and working with the Houston Office of Preservation was such a gift,” Barfield says. “We were able to learn about the many lives this home has lived, from a private residence to a B&B and more. At the same time, bringing a 1910 mansion up to today’s safety standards and reworking spaces like the kitchen, baths, and, of course, Bar Madonna, definitely kept us on our toes. Some days it felt like the house was testing us, just to make sure we were serious about her. But every time we solved one of those puzzles, it felt like she was letting us in a little more, and now I like to think she approves.”

A place to gather, slow down, share a cocktail, and experience that mix of warmth and history that makes Southern hospitality so special.

Rather than starting with renderings or swatches, Barfield let the antiques lead the way. “I went to France with a loose wish list of what we’d need—armoires, chairs, lighting, pieces with presence—but no strict plan. I just bought what I loved, and those finds ended up shaping each room.” Naming the inn also came naturally, honoring both her grandmother and her middle name. “My grandmother was from a small town in Louisiana, and she’s probably the source of my headstrong nature. She was a fiercely competitive tennis player and a talented art teacher. In her retirement, she settled onto a working farm raising goats, donkeys, and other animals. For a project like this that required so much perseverance and creativity, I couldn’t imagine a more apt namesake. I wish she were still around to see what she inspired me to build.”

As one of the most frequently asked-about pieces, the settee in the Mia Suite at the inn is one of Barfield’s personal favorites. It has a gilded carved frame and green chinoiserie fabric with pops of aqua and marigold that set the tone for the entire room. It is a statement piece that feels timeless and genuinely one of a kind, just like The Marlene Inn.

One of the most unexpected centerpieces of the house is Bar Madonna, the inn’s elegant cocktail lounge anchored by a towering ten-foot Madonna painting. “For us, cocktails are about sharing stories, laughs, and little celebrations, so a place to gather and serve others felt essential,” Barfield shares. “The mood is layered and moody with antique mirrors and chandeliers, like a European cocktail lounge. It’s open to guests and locals, and on weekends, it gets lively in the best way. My current favorite cocktail is the Southeastern, made with Holy Trinity bitters, but we also pour an all-French wine list, which suits the space.”

More than anything, Barfield wanted The Marlene to feel like a pause from the everyday, a place where guests could slow down and soak in a sense of warmth and welcome. Whether enjoying coffee in the sunroom, sipping wine under the oak trees, or sharing a cocktail at Bar Madonna, every detail was meant to create an atmosphere of comfort and beauty where no one felt rushed. She drew inspiration from her mother, who could turn any visit into a day-long gathering filled with joy, laughter, and hospitality.

The Marlene Inn is a gracious home where guests can truly relax, stay a while, and feel like part of something special.

“The details matter, but it’s really about how the space makes you feel: welcome, surrounded by beauty, and not in any rush to leave. My mom really exemplified this way of entertaining when I was growing up. We often had visitors stop by that would end up staying all day because my mom always created a home that was so warm, welcoming, and most importantly, fun. I think if we can capture even a fraction of her joie de vivre at The Marlene, we’ve done something right.”

After living with these antiques and her vision for so long, seeing guests respond to The Marlene is deeply fulfilling. What started as a dream is now a reality, and every reaction confirms it was worth the leap. Barfield says the key to a project like this is trusting your instincts, as some of her best decisions came from following her gut and choosing pieces that did not fit a pre-set plan. For her, the heart of a brand comes from authenticity, and staying true to her vision made it all come together.

Now that the inn has found its rhythm, new chapters are already in the works. Plans to host events and celebrations are on the horizon, offering yet another way for people to experience its charm. At its core, The Marlene is a family endeavor. Living a few blocks away, with her husband and family involved in every aspect, this is a personal project Barfield has built with love. The Marlene Inn is a gracious home where guests can truly relax, stay a while, and feel like part of something special.

— V —

To book your stay and for more information on The Marlene Inn, visit TheMarlene.com and follow @themarlene_htx on Instagram.