Patina Green Home & Market Blog

Houston's Hotel Icon

 

 

A few weeks ago, we traveled to Houston to shop Urban Market and we stayed in a wonderful boutique hotel, Hotel Icon.  The hotel is located in downtown in the charming historic district on Main Street.  The building is the former Union National Bank building built in 1911.

Recently, the historic building was given a $35 million renovation designed by San Fransisco based design firm, Candra Scott and Anderson. 

I was so inspired by the mix of vintage and contemporary elements and the unique use of color and pattern, that I wanted to share it with you.

 

 

The 1911 bank building.

 

 

 

 

 

  The charming historic downtown district.

 

 

 

The lobby and historic bank vault doors.

   

 

 

 

The original bank entrance with staircase, chandelier, and fabulous mirrored clock (which now is the hotel's elevators). 

 

 

 

The main floor is grand with architectural details and has been renovated to hold the hotel's restaurant and bar.  

 

 

 

 

The room we stayed in was cozy, classy and chic .  The furniture styles, the paneled walls, the vintage inspired wallpaper, and the marble bathroom were constant reminders of the hotel's past. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In our small room, I was pleasantly surprised to see the use of pattern and color everywhere  . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Store Update - New Merchandise!

 
 

We are ready for summer and dreaming of beach vacations . . .   Last week we filled the store with new collections of antique sea shells, mosaic shelled boxes and artwork, bathroom sinks carved out of rocks and petrified wood, and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. 

 

 

 

This handmade river rock sink or this shadowbox shell art would be the perfect focal point in any bathroom.   

River Rock Sink $500

Vintage Shell Artwork $295

 

 

 

I am crazy for this sink carved out of a boulder of travertine, this tri-fold vintage mirror and the preserved sea fan coral.

Travertine Sink $500

Tri-Fold Mirror $375

Large Sea Fan $38

 

 

 

This vanity mirror came from Scotland.  It is hand carved, very old, and a gorgeous shade of ebonized wood.  The two small drawers give it function and the overall look would add character to the top of any bedroom dresser.

Scottish Antique Mirror $225

 
 

 

This collection of vintage scallop shells came from England.  The natural shells are wonderful shades of gray and each one is unique.  We also collected fossilized sea shells, starfish, and clam shells which now act as pieces of art sculpture. 

English Scallop Shells $2 each 

Vintage Sea Shells, Starfish $40 each

Large Clam Shell $130

 

 

 

 

I love both of these accent decor items that are new in the store.  This cast iron architectural piece came off a building in England and the old wooden flower press is from here in the South.

Architectural Finial $425

Flower Press $140

 

 

 

 

I am so excited about these old ledgers!!!  They are large bank ledgers from the late 1800's with leather bindings and gilded embossed designs.  Each page is hand written and the books are mostly full with bank records from the past.  I can spend hours flipping through the pages of history.

Large Bank Ledgers $150 each

Small Bank Ledgers $35 each

Antique Walnut Farm Table $395

Slip-covered Canvas Dining Chair $250 each

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This English pine kitchen hutch has been rearranged to display unique ironstone pieces and antique books.

English Hutch $3800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you seen these soy candles poured into old French wine bottles?  They make wonderful gifts and each one is unique!

Wine Bottle Candles $28

 

 

 

I am loving this old park bench with it's original painted slats and cast iron base.  Also in this picture is a custom cabinet that we had made.  The doors are old shutters from a house in Ft. Worth and the cabinet has been built around the shutters and refinished to match.  The hutch would work anywhere, in a bath full of linens, in a kitchen full of dishes . . .

Park Bench $750

Shutter Cabinet $1650 

 

 

 We have gathered white and gray home furnishings together to create this display.

Sonoma Slipcoverd Sofa  $3360 on Sale

French Window $1375

Pair of Architectural Columns $600

Garden Statue / Concrete $135 - $350

Wakefield Vintage Wicker Chair $750

Linen Vintage Rocker $795

Feedsack & Ticking Pillows $58  - $165

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 This set of four garden chairs have been reupholstered with vintage French ticking. 

Set of 4 Chairs $800

 

 

These ocean animal prints are printed on canvas and would be great as framed art or unique table placemats.

Animal Prints $12 each

 
 

  

 On the other side of the store, in our local food market, we are excited to be in the middle of Spring and getting in fresh produce daily.  We have also found many new local packaged goods to fill our grocery and Robert's lunch menu continues to sell out.

 

 

 

 

 

See you Soon!

Robert, Chef Champion!

Last week, on Thursday evening, five local chefs competed in a Chef's Challenge hosted by the McKinney Women's Alliance.  The event was fun filled with not only an intense cooking competition, but also delicious foods and live entertainment.  The evening ended with an awards presentation and Robert taking home the title of . . . Chef Champion!!

 

 

For the cooking competition, the chefs were given one hour to create a main dish using six secret ingredients that were given to them as the clock started.   Town Square Buzz said the "dishes were scored on creativity, use of the secret ingredients, and overall taste."

 

 

 

Before the competition began, as the guests arrived and mingled, we were able to sample "signature dishes" by the participating Chef's.  Robert's "dish" was presented to us in a creative way, hidden inside an unexpected kraft paper box.  Similar to the daily lunch he serves at Patina Green , the meal was a trio of flavors from the store's market and was served to go.

Inside the box was a mini smoked cheddar biscuit with pastured ham and jalapeno jelly.  Puff pastry stuffed with spaghetti squash and roasted tomato salsa and a nacho with goat cheese, fresh asparagus, and pickled onions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the competition wasn't already enough of a challenge, the Chefs also had to set up a temporary "kitchen" inside one of the rooms at McKinney Performing Arts Center, where the event was held.   They had to bring with them anything they might need to create their dish, including equipment, all tools, and a food pantry.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Robert gets ready  . . .

 

 

 The competition begins!  The 60 minute timer has been set, the basket of six secret ingredients has been dropped off.  It starts to get intense . . .

 

 

The six ingredients the Chefs were given -  lamb chops, pistachios, quinoa, rhubarb, frozen peas, and rosemary. 

 

 

We all gathered around to watch Robert  as he began cooking the food. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes until the sound of the timer, Robert began plating his food.  I was a nervous wreak . . . he was calm as can be. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time is Up!  Here it is, the winning dish!  

In the Chef's words:

Rosemary Seared Spring Lamb Loin, Texas 1015 Onion and Pistachio Quinoa, Rhubarb and Pastured Bacon Saute, Green Pea Cream 

 

 

 

The Chefs each plated three dishes for the judges to critique.    Robert was able to meet each judge and give a brief explanation of his work.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the final dishes of the other participating chefs . . .  

 

 

Chef Mikel Trevino de Luis, Cafe Malaga:

 

 

 

Chef Craig Brundege, Square Burger: 

 

 

 

Chef Kent Lemmons, Bailey's Prime Plus:

 

 

Chef Lee Fields, Rick's Chophouse:

 

 

 

At the award presentation, each Chef was questioned by the judges as they critiqued each dish for all of the audience to hear.  During Robert's critique he hasseled the event host for giving him frozen peas, something he "hasn't cooked with in ten years".  He made us all laugh as he joked about adding bacon to the rhubarb, "which always makes things taste better".   And he proudly announced "More veg, less meat" as the judges critiqued his plate leaving them wanting more of his delicious lamb.

They eventually named Robert the winner and while he accepted the Chef Champion plaque, he said that he "enjoyed getting to know the other Chef's in the competition and felt the event was about building community".  

  

 (Chef Craig and Chef Robert discussing their dishes after the timer was up and their food had been plated)

 

 

Afterwards, we celebrated his win at The Pub in downtown.  Robert's grin was from ear to ear, and I thought we were never getting to sleep that night through all of his excitement!!