Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment
The sleek, contemporary Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston is home to some of the most elegant and sophisticated floral design around. The floral arrangements, designed by Richard Flowers of The Events Co., are dramatic but not overwhelming and beautifully proportionate to the scale of the architecture. A soft floral reference echoes from the soaring lobby through the halls and all the way to the ultra swank bar and lounge. Join Flower magazine for a firsthand look.
In the Lobby
A tall pedestal vase with roses, purple hydrangeas, lilies, and tropical foliage
The statuesque arrangement above is one of a pair that greets guests at check-in. We love the juxtaposition of the floral design and the graphic print on the wall behind the concierge. Then, on the concierge desk, is a smaller floral piece, which is genius. It speaks to the larger arrangement but doesn’t compete with it.
A playful, frothy vase of roses, agapanthus, and tropical leaves lightens the “all business” mood of a stack of Wall Street Journals.
At Bloom & Bee
Dining among roses at Bloom & Bee
Just beyond the lobby is one of our favorite spaces in The Post Oak Hotel—Bloom & Bee, one of seven dining options inside. The restaurant’s garden-inspired interior is a pink extravaganza of flowers and velvet. The chair backs feature a modern, abstract floral pattern that mirrors the lush rose arrangements on every table. For a flower lover, this is heaven.
By the Pool
Tropical botanicals and crisp white patio furniture with black accents evoke a posh poolside ambiance.
Meandering by the pool, you find a much more understated floral presence with succulents and tropical plantings around the base of palm trees. It’s modern, calm, and inviting. Plus, the tiny arrangements of potted succulents are not only chic but also fitting for Houston’s warm climate.
In the Hallway
Soft natural light washes over a well-appointed hallway just off the hotel lobby.
With an Oriental runner, Mid-century modern-style console, sleek white chairs, and a variety of art objects, this hallway is eclecticism done right. Of course we delight in the graceful flowering branches in the framed triptych. This modern work of art nods to antique Oriental screens and Chinese ink-wash paintings.
Shopping
Window dressing at 29 North
Named for its geographical coordinates, 29 North is The Post Oak Hotel’s luxury boutique. With a window display that mixes fresh and permanent botanicals, the retail area definitely has a floral voice. Whether you’re a tourist or local, 29 North is a must-visit, offering a curated mix of Texas, American, and global designers.
In the Spa
Fresh flowers and botanical-inspired art throughout the hotel spa strike a balance that is cool and serene but also inviting and comfortable.
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An Asian-inspired tile mosaic portrays graceful vines of soft pink and white blooms that reach up toward an arcing tree branch. (Don’t miss the singular bird in the lower right quadrant!) Around the corner, a neutral-toned sculpture in an enclave calls to mind seaweed swaying underwater.
Heady fragrances of flowers in a beautiful arrangement at the check-in area hint at the sumptuous spa experience to come. In the background, a divider reinforces the botanical template with a metal cut-out design resembling branches.
At the Bar
A serpentine banquet upholstered in black leather winds through H Bar.
H Bar—an ideal spot to end our floral tour and the day—is the hotel’s opulent bar and lounge, offering fine spirits, exotic cocktails, and other libations. You feel as if you are stepping into another world as you enter the sophisticated, provocative space styled in black and gunmetal gray. On the walls, historic photographs pique the curiosity, while soft lighting glints off silver frames. You don’t need to say much with flowers here. Like little exclamation points, single red roses in metallic vases are understated but effective.
Story and Photos by Margot Shaw
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