Here's what they' re saying about Darlene Marwitz and VILLA TEXAS and the Lavender Market at VILLA TEXAS.

"Darlene Marwitz (1975) has used her University of Houston textiles training to weave together several successful careers — as an author, a designer, a historic preservation consultant, and now as a retailer. Marwitz is president of Studio Portico, her Austin-based consulting and design firm where she assists clients in restoring old commercial and residential buildings and advises clients on new home design. Her latest venture is Villa Texas, a retail store in Fredericksburg that supplies shoppers with imported home furnishings and personal products for the bath and ktichen."
Leslie Limbo, Houston Alumline, Nov 2005 Download Complete Article ›››
Reprinted by permission of the Houston Alumni Organization. Article originally appeared in the Nov. 2005 edition of the Houston Alumline. All rights reserved.

"Villa Texas and the Lavender Market at Villa Texas...is homage in retail to the glories of Italy."
Ben Brown, Southern Accents, Sept/Oct 2005

"The surprise during my recent visit [to Fredericksburg] was new development in often overlooked Uptown (Main Street west of Marketplatz and Adams Street). Gems here include...Villa Texas, for lavender products."
Harry Shattuck, Houston Chronicle, June 12, 2005

"Darlene Marwitz's Lavender Market at Villa Texas, which brings a touch of the Mediterranean to Fredericksburg...Marwitz was historian and furnishing manager for the restoration of the Texas state capitol. She combined her historical preservation background with a love of all things Italian, and opened the market after years of travel throughout Italy."
Ellen Sweets, Denver Post, December 19, 2004

"A stand out shop...Villa Texas[is] a sun-struck "Mediterranean lifestyle" shop (translation: old olive jars from Turkey, lavender products from Provence and Tuscany, rustic tableware from Italy)."
Texas Monthly, September 2004