HOUSTON Modern Luxury™
Best of the City 08, February 2008, page 100

BUDDING TALENT
Houston's newest, and possibly youngest,
florist is Albert Villalba. His just-opened shop,
Sketch by Albert (807 W. Gray St.,
713.942.9601), looks more like a gallery than a
floral shop. "My flowers are more like art," the 28-
year-old boasts. "That and my favorite restaurant
in London is named Sketch, hence the name."
Born in Mexico but reared in Houston, Villalba
spent the last three years learning and working
with the highest powers in flowers in England,
where he designed innovative floral
arrangements for the likes of Madonna. "I came
home because I love the people here," he says,
"and I wanted to show them what a real Euro-
style floral shop is like."
Papercity™
New Doors, April 2008, page 56

Sketch by Albert
Keys to the Door: Owner and floral designer
Albert Villalba
What's Blooming: Albert Villalba woke up one
day, smelled the roses and promptly left a
career in the mortgage industry to spend his
days (and perhaps some nights) arranging
flowers. Eager to learn more about this craft, the
Mexico City-born, Houston-bred Villalba moved
to London to apprentice with three floral
designers and to travel about Europe, following
a trail of pretty petals from one lush garden,
flower market and boutique to the next,
broadening his perspective. Now he's back, and
he recently opened his own floral shop at the
edge of Midtown. Sketch by Albert, as it's called,
was inspired by the fare and the avant-garde
design of Pierre Gagnaire's London restaurant
Sketch. Villalba invites patrons to choose from
prêt-à-porter arrangements cleverly packaged in
hand-tied aqua packs (essentially, water-filled
bags - all the rage in Europe, for $60 and up
here), fresh flowers or orchids and cacti planted
in mod vases and cache pots. Laurann Claridge
 
Houston Modern Luxury Magazine Article Sketch by Albert
Click on article for larger version
Sketch by Albert art works
Press
Houston Modern Luxury Magazine Best of Houston 2008
Papercity™
New Doors, April 2008, page 56

Sketch by Albert
Keys to the Door: Owner and floral designer
Albert Villalba
What's Blooming: Albert Villalba woke up one
day, smelled the roses and promptly left a
career in the mortgage industry to spend his
days (and perhaps some nights) arranging
flowers. Eager to learn more about this craft, the
Mexico City-born, Houston-bred Villalba moved
to London to apprentice with three floral
designers and to travel about Europe, following
a trail of pretty petals from one lush garden,
flower market and boutique to the next,
broadening his perspective. Now he's back, and
he recently opened his own floral shop at the
edge of Midtown. Sketch by Albert, as it's called,
was inspired by the fare and the avant-garde
design of Pierre Gagnaire's London restaurant
Sketch. Villalba invites patrons to choose from
prêt-à-porter arrangements cleverly packaged in
hand-tied aqua packs (essentially, water-filled
bags - all the rage in Europe, for $60 and up
here), fresh flowers or orchids and cacti planted
in mod vases and cache pots. Laurann Claridge
Papercity Magazine Article Sketch by Albert
Papercity Magazine cover
Houston Modern Luxury Magazine Cover
Click on picture for article version
ENVY™
Shopping, May 2008, page 76
NEW FLOWER SHOP - SKETCH
PETAL TO THE METAL
One look at her beauty, and you're in love. She's long, curvy and soft
to the touch. Smells like a summer's day. No, it's not your dream girl.
Unless her name is Violet. Or Lily. Or Rose.
The interior of Sketch, Montrose's delightful new flower shop, follows
every rule of feng shui, creating an instantaneous, Zen-like bliss. Its
permeating floral scent conjures up happy memories of weddings,
birthdays and boyfriends saying sorry. As you enter the garden,
orchids twist and crawl toward you. Stones and green leaves line the
opposing wall. The bright colors of gerbera daisies play off the
aromatic petals of red roses and freesia. Then you meet the equally
fresh, delighful man behind the plan: Albert.
Albert Villalba is more than a florist. He calls himself a designer,
studying each arrangement "like a sketch". He whips up creations in
front of customers, he says, "like a chef". He's even a custodian,
cleaning vases up to three times daily. Albert is an entrepreneur, too.
A visionary and risk taker. He abandoned a cushy but inspired career
in mortgaging to pursue his passion.
"I was scared", Albert admits of his new venture. "Is Houston ready
for this?"
In a word, yes. Sketch by Albert adds a touch of ambiance to any
occasion. The designer's arrangements and unique hand-ties-with
conveniently built-in water bags-have a trendy, functional simplicity
perfect for weddings, work events, graduations and dinner parties
alike.
"People say to bring food to a party", he laughs. "There's always
enough food!"
Sketch by Albert has a website and offers free delivery for orders over
$100 inside the Beltway. But be sure to visit the actual shop.
Sometimes in life, you've just got to stop and smell the roses. Or
lilies. Or violets...
-Madeline Hollern
Click on article for larger version
Envy Magazine Cover
Envy Magazine Article Sketch by Albert
Houston Style Magazine™
Beauty, June 2008, page 15
Sketch brings a new sense of style to Houston with
flowers.
Sketch By Albert Villalba
Villalba Brings In A Fresh Bouquet of Style
Albert Villalba is the owner of Sketch by Albert, a
modern floral boutique located in the Midtown area of
Houston, TX. Sketch services corporate accounts as
well as residential and special events floral design
needs.
He has specialized experience in modern and exotic
floral design and arrangement. His education in the
industry began in 2005 at the floristry school of Joanna
Pyliotis, from the famous flower shop “Aurora” in
London, UK. In 2005 and 2006 Albert worked with
some of the top florists in London, where he was
responsible for the daily and special event floral
arrangements at prestigious local venues like the
Millennium Hotel and a Gordon Ramsay launch event.
With background in the mortgage industry, Villalba
transitioned to the floral industry after a suggestion
from his partner, who was impressed with a floral
creation by Albert.   
“I loved it, I could finally express my creativity, and
loved the perfection of flowers,” Albert says. He is well
known for his hand-ties and signature modern
creations.
Deliveries available anywhere in Greater Houston
Metro area
Free deliveries for orders over $100 within Beltway 8
Same-day delivery available for orders placed before
noon
Store located at 807 W Gray, between Montrose and
Bagby
Store hours:
Mon-Fri 9am-noon, 2pm-7pm
Sat 10am-7pm
Sun by appointment only

For more information or to place an order, please
contact: 713.942.9601, albert@sk8h.com or www.
sk8h.com
Click on article for larger version
Houston Style Magazine Cover
Houston Style Magazine Article Sketch by Albert
Advertising
yellow™
Wedding issue, June 2008, page 16
NEW FLOWER SHOP - SKETCH
PETAL TO THE METAL
One look at her beauty, and you're in love. She's long, curvy and soft
to the touch. Smells like a summer's day. No, it's not your dream girl.
Unless her name is Violet. Or Lily. Or Rose.
The interior of Sketch, Montrose's delightful new flower shop, follows
every rule of feng shui, creating an instantaneous, Zen-like bliss. Its
permeating floral scent conjures up happy memories of weddings,
birthdays and boyfriends saying sorry. As you enter the garden,
orchids twist and crawl toward you. Stones and green leaves line the
opposing wall. The bright colors of gerbera daisies play off the
aromatic petals of red roses and freesia. Then you meet the equally
fresh, delighful man behind the plan: Albert.
Albert Villalba is more than a florist. He calls himself a designer,
studying each arrangement "like a sketch". He whips up creations in
front of customers, he says, "like a chef". He's even a custodian,
cleaning vases up to three times daily. Albert is an entrepreneur, too.
A visionary and risk taker. He abandoned a cushy but inspired career
in mortgaging to pursue his passion.
"I was scared", Albert admits of his new venture. "Is Houston ready
for this?"
In a word, yes. Sketch by Albert adds a touch of ambiance to any
occasion. The designer's arrangements and unique hand-ties-with
conveniently built-in water bags-have a trendy, functional simplicity
perfect for weddings, work events, graduations and dinner parties
alike.
"People say to bring food to a party", he laughs. "There's always
enough food!"
Sketch by Albert has a website and offers free delivery for orders over
$100 inside the Beltway. But be sure to visit the actual shop.
Sometimes in life, you've just got to stop and smell the roses. Or
lilies. Or violets...
-Madeline Hollern
Click on article for larger version
Yellow Magazine Cover
Yellow Magazine Article
Brides Fall/Winter issue 2008, Wed Dossier Flowers, page 52
NEW FLOWER SHOP - SKETCH
PETAL TO THE METAL
One look at her beauty, and you're in love. She's long, curvy and soft to
the touch. Smells like a summer's day. No, it's not your dream girl.
Unless her name is Violet. Or Lily. Or Rose.
The interior of Sketch, Montrose's delightful new flower shop, follows
every rule of feng shui, creating an instantaneous, Zen-like bliss. Its
permeating floral scent conjures up happy memories of weddings,
birthdays and boyfriends saying sorry. As you enter the garden, orchids
twist and crawl toward you. Stones and green leaves line the opposing
wall. The bright colors of gerbera daisies play off the aromatic petals of
red roses and freesia. Then you meet the equally fresh, delighful man
behind the plan: Albert.
Albert Villalba is more than a florist. He calls himself a designer,
studying each arrangement "like a sketch". He whips up creations in
front of customers, he says, "like a chef". He's even a custodian,
cleaning vases up to three times daily. Albert is an entrepreneur, too. A
visionary and risk taker. He abandoned a cushy but inspired career in
mortgaging to pursue his passion.
"I was scared", Albert admits of his new venture. "Is Houston ready for
this?"
In a word, yes. Sketch by Albert adds a touch of ambiance to any
occasion. The designer's arrangements and unique hand-ties-with
conveniently built-in water bags-have a trendy, functional simplicity
perfect for weddings, work events, graduations and dinner parties alike.
"People say to bring food to a party", he laughs. "There's always enough
food!"
Sketch by Albert has a website and offers free delivery for orders over
$100 inside the Beltway. But be sure to visit the actual shop. Sometimes
in life, you've just got to stop and smell the roses. Or lilies. Or violets...
-Madeline Hollern
Click on article for larger version
Houston Brides Magazine Cover
Houston Brides Magazine Article
Houston Florist, Sketch by Albert, has been reviewed in all of
Houston's top magazines. Read below !

Sketch was named Best Florist by Houston Modern Luxury in 2008
midtown PAPER, ™   3rd Qtr 2010
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