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WHAT'S NEW IN AND AROUND ROUND TOP R o u n d T o p u n o f f i c i a l ambassadors Paige and Smoot Hull might be found leading design celeb Emily Henderson around Marburger, or hosting a group of bloggers with a collective social media following of a million, for an Instagram-worthy dinner at their compound, The Vintage Round Top. The Hulls opened their first charming NEW ERA for ROUND TOP REAL ESTATE I n 1962, Charlotte and Grover Hillbolt bought a farm in Round Top. At the time, only a handful of Houstonians had made their way to these rolling hills. In 1989, they channeled their passion for the area into a now-booming business: Round Top Real Estate, whose agents are known for their expertise in land development and management, agricultural and wildlife exemptions, mineral estates, and 1031 exchanges. Now, nearly 30 years later, the Hillbolts are retiring and have left the business in the hands of their son, Frank Hillbolt, who has worked alongside his parents for 15 years, and longtime RTRE agents Lisa Mayer and Lilla Blackburn Sivek. WINNMILL BARN I n 2014, Houstonian Susanne Maida purchased and lovingly refreshed Round Top Inn, transforming herself into an innkeeper and Round Top enthusiast. Two years later, she acquired neighboring Hotel St Vinzent to fold into Round Top Inn, and wine bar Prost on Block 29, which she made into the town's hottest spot to for a great glass of wine. When WinnMill Barn, located in town between Henkel Square and Round Top Post office, recently came up for sale, she snatched it up to open a much-needed events venue. She tapped Tindall General Contractors, the go-to contractor in the area for building and remodeling, and Houston designer Cindy Witmer Designs to head up the remodel. The first phase of updates is completed this month in time for a big reveal event on September 24, Sunday Soirée, created by Houston-based event planner Mary Beth Events. The second phase, to be completed by the 2018 spring shows, includes a glassed-in porch addition, bar, covered outdoor patio, and a second restroom. roundtopinn.com. Anne Lee Phillips OLD GLORY FLIES AGAIN T exas native Holly Kuhn has operated popular Old Glory Antiques in Denver for decades, with a pop-up twice yearly at Round Top antiques fair. Intending to take a break from Texas, she sold the Burton dance hall, which she had bought some years ago for her Texas shows. But she couldn't resist Round Top's beckon when a prime property in Washington Square Park in the center of town came up for sale. She bought it, and contractor Lewis Tindall has been working day and night since, building a beautiful 4,000-square-foot modern farmhouse-style store, the interiors of which designer Holly Mathis of Brenham will decorate. Kuhn hopes to have a soft opening during this month's fair. Initially, Old Glory Antiques will be open during the fall and spring shows, with plans to remain open year-round in the works. Oldglorystyle.com. Anne Lee Phillips rental cottage, No. 1450 in 2012; this spring, they added a new rental, Boho. At 2,000 square feet, Boho sleeps six, with a master bedroom and guest room, each with en suite bath, and two daybeds in the 900-square- foot great room, which has a full bath as well. The expansive great room with a farm table for dining that seats eight to 10 makes Boho a great spot for weekends and cooking, workshops, parties, and rehearsal dinners. From $325 a night, thevintageroundtop.com. Anne Lee Phillips We asked Frank, Lisa and Lilla, what everyone wants to know: What's hot in local real estate? "The hottest area is still Round Top, but Shelby, Welcome, Independence, Winchester, and St. John have all had some of the most picturesque properties in the last few years." Price range? "From $10,000 to $50,000 an acre." roundtoprealestate. com. Anne Lee Phillips BOHO CHIC HAYLEI SMITH The great room in The Vintage Round Top's new cottage Boho Frank Hillbolt, Lisa Mayer, Lilla Blackburn Sivek 158