The Red Velvet Inn & Gallery is a delightful bed and breakfast, set in a wonderfully restored, Victorian style house that’s over 130 years old. Guests can choose from one of four rooms, or rent out the entire home. The home is just a few blocks from the historic downtown area, so the downtown amenities are definitely within walking distance.
The Red Velvet Inn now has an on-site art gallery with works for sale from a variety of Texas artists. The remarkable structure was built by Charles W. Stewart, who was twice elected mayor of Navasota. Stewart’s father, Charles B Stewart, was what you might
call a “signer” and a “designer.” He was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and designer of the Texas flag.
Owners Carole and Byron Small operate the Red Velvet Inn & Gallery as a full-service bed and breakfast and serve gourmet, home-cooked breakfasts on fine china for their
guests every morning. “Breakfast times are flexible,” said Carole. “You just let us know what works best with your schedule and whether you have any dietary restrictions.”
The B&B’s guests don’t have to worry about parking because the Inn has its own “horseless carriage” (a stretch golf cart) that will shuttle guests back and forth from the
downtown area and the city’s historic neighborhood.
“We purchased the property in October 2020 as our primary residence fully intending on reopening the B&B after I retired from my career as a Hospice nurse,” explained Carole. “Renovations after our purchase included building a detached garage, updating the electrical system, enclosing the previous one car garage making it an art studio and creating a studio apartment in the storage area behind the garage. We also put in a stair chair lift, repainted the downstairs and created an on-site art gallery on the ground floor of the house.”
When asked where the name of the B&B came from, Carole explained. “The Previous owner named the inn, and we assume she must’ve loved Red Velvet cupcakes. With the large sign, and familiar name, we continued to call it the Red Velvet Inn but added the Gallery portion on the new name certificate issued by the State. We continue to serve Red Velvet pastries to our guests, and have added Red Velvet pancakes to the menu for breakfast.”
Small went on to describe some of the more interesting features of their B&B. “The onsite Art Gallery is very unique,” she explained, “and a variety of top-quality art hangs throughout the home. The house on its own merit is a piece art and history. Even though we’re not located on the main shopping streets, people love to walk through our doors and experience the feeling of yesteryear! We have decorated with period antiques and most of our wooden floors are in their original state. Our four bathrooms all have claw foot tubs. Each floor of our home hosts very large covered porches, perfect for lounging and talking story.”
“November 2022, the Gallery hosted their first Veterans Day Red Velvet, Holidays and Fine Art show featuring both local and other well-known Texas Artists,” Carole said. “We’d like to make this a yearly event. Other annual events planned will consist of a juried Art Show in the summer, at least two solo shows for our Gallery artists, and an art show featuring the works of our Navasota High School Art and Drama students and teachers. Plans are also in the works for Date Night Painting Parties and Girls
Weekend Painting Retreats.”
Red Velvet Inn & Gallery is located at 803 S. LaSalle Street, Navasota, TX.
Visit the Red Velvet Inn & Gallery website for more information.