Country-Luxe Accommodations [The Frenchie]
Melding Modern and Vintage Charm with Friendly Hospitality
Words Janine Stankus | Photos courtesy of The Frenchie
About an hour or so east of Austin, after careening through miles of serene countryside, a parade of monumental barn buildings with big “antiques” banners begins to crop up. The highway then gives way to a charming town square with a smattering of restaurants and shops housed in well-kept historic buildings. Not a five-minute walk away, back on the country road, The Frenchie Boutique Hotel is nestled in a picturesque country scene.
The Frenchie is located in Round Top, Texas, reflecting the eccentricity of this antiquing outpost while bringing a fresh air of modernity. It’s owned by Katy Bader, who came to Round Top to showcase her European antiques, before deciding to open her own lodgings in 2017. She found a pastoral plot of land with a perfect 19th-century farmhouse that had been moved onto the property, which also houses a vintage cottage and a small studio.
Katy recruited her longtime friend, designer Kristen Light, to help her transform the spaces. “Elegant and eclectic” were the main design goals, according to General Manager Aimee Kraemer who recalls, adding that they “wanted to make it something that people would be inspired by and that they would come back to see.”
In the main house, a communal kitchen features modern appliances, a rustic farmhouse table, mosaic floor tiling, and a blue chevron backsplash. The sitting room decor is a daring mélange of plush seafoam armchairs, a peach-painted wall, leafy tropical wallpaper, and a bull bust looming over a cotton candy pink fridge stocked with curated wine and beverages.
But the Frenchie is much more than captivating appearances. Aimee emphasizes that hospitality is their focus. “We really try to help our guests personalize their stays. We have a driver who will do wine tours. We have a massage therapist who will do massages right here on site. We have a lot of amenities that help people make really great memories while they’re out here.” Not least being the made-to-order dining options offered by private on-site chef, Brenna McBroom.
Round Top itself is a draw for guests, especially during the tri-annual antique shows, attracting visitors from abroad. “We love that we get to meet people from all over the world who are hanging out in our tiny little town of 90 people,” says Aimee. “It’s a really fun place to visit, any time.”
Making the rounds. Though Round Top may be small, it’s anything but sleepy. Known for its antiquing, Round Top also boasts a number of wineries, breweries, and excellent restaurants, as well as a local dance hall and Round Top Festival Institute, an international center for performing arts.
Contact:
(979) 208-9851
311 N Live Oak St, Round Top
roundtoptxhotels.com
@thefrenchieroundtop
