Holiday at HOME class

Sep202017

I have been working with Downtown Brenham on such a fun project and I am so excited to finally share about this collaboration in our special town. Scheduled for this fall (Nov 10 & 11) at the Barnhill Center in Downtown Brenham, registration for the Holiday at Home class is finally here! You can register by going to the city’s website, you will not register via my website as we have done in the past.

The class will include decorating talk with tips and tricks led by me/yours truly/Holly Mathis Interiors, AS WELL AS the fab Keith Taylor from Arkansas and Southern Living magazine fame, and Brenham’s own Jennifer Hermann of Hermann Furniture!

That’s right Keith has been featured in Southern Living for his amazing natural holiday decorations made with fresh magnolia and greens and he is going to demonstrate and tell us all of his secrets. . . from the simple like the above, to the move complex like below!

{Keith’s beautiful images by Lauren W. Glenn}

…can you even believe this magnolia creation! Don’t worry we don’t have to do anything as complicated as above. He will have lots of simple ideas too and Keith is so kind and fun I can’t wait for us all to hang out together and talk about how to make the holidays beautiful but cozy!

Speaking of holidays and cozy, we are going to start THE NIGHT BEFORE our class with a fun and favorite movie to get us in the spirit of the season!

Can anyone guess this iconic Nancy Meyer movie that we all love for the interiors and more?

YES indeed, THE HOLIDAY with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and JUDE LAW! I love this movie!

And we are going to watch it on the big screen in downtown Brenham’s historic and newly restored SIMON THEATRE at the Barnhill Center. We will have special treats that night catered by Royers Pie Haven. Tara the Pie Queen will also be providing the breakfast nibbles and lunch for our class the next day! After the movie on Friday night, I will talk and lead a discussion on some of our favorite influences and decor shown in the movie! Then we will regroup the next morning for the class and magnolia demonstration and round out the day with a market report from Jennifer Hermann and shopping downtown at the oldest furniture store in Texas! You don’t want to miss this fun weekend.

I will be sharing more details in the days to come and keep checking the city’s Downtown page, they are about to launch a new website and there is a link to lodging information on the class registration page!

FOR NOW YOU CAN LOOK AT PRICING AND READ MORE DETAILS and REGISTER HERE!

3 Comments · Filed Under: Brenham, Creative Classes with HMI, favorite things, Shopping · [social]

Old Glory in Round Top!

Sep142017

You have heard me blog and talk about Old Glory Antiques many times with their shop in Denver and their former pop-up shop in Burton, Texas. That property even had the wonderful old home next to the store, remember the “show bunkhouse” that was featured in Country Living?Well NOW, Old Glory Style is coming to the heart of Round Top! When the owners, Brian & Holly Kuhn (native Texans that live in Denver but get back to Texas every chance they get) had the chance to buy property in the DOWNTOWN metropolis of Round Top, Texas, they could not pass up the idea of a more permanent store in the heart of town! They enlisted talented local builder Lewis Tindall and architects to help develop a plan that would honor the dance hall roots of the building in Burton they so loved and started out in but with more square footage and amenities to received shipments and host more visitors during the show and throughout the year! Tindall has built dozens of local homes and businesses in the area , including Henkel Hall in the heart of Henkel Square, that honor and complement the history of Round Top with real materials and Texas architecture and style! I was asked to work with Tindall to choose colors and finishes on the project and enjoyed working with him and his crew of craftsmen so much! I can’t wait for you to see this building and I can’t wait to see how the Kuhns fill this building with antiques and Old Glory Style! You can read more here about the Old Glory journey in this great blog post about the new location.

{No an inch of sheetrock in this building, it’s all wood, these trusses and lumbar all came from Oregon and the white oak floors were milled here in Texas.}

It has been such a joy to watch the construction of the building and see the quality and integrity of the materials in this space. Tindall understands the true use and meaning of shiplap and where the proper width of boards should be used, I have learned so much watching him work and navigate this project. He even found the perfect reclaimed wood for the ceiling of the front part of the building.

What I love about the structure is the honesty and simplicity of the construction and materials. When you have a clean and timeless design it doesn’t to be fussy or complex. We used gallons and gallons of SW Westhighland White paint to coat the inside of building to create a beautiful soft white background for all of Old Glory’s old pieces. The old chippy paint pieces and authentic goods that Old Glory is know for are going to pop and look fresher than ever in this new space. But I what I love is that people are going to think its an old space because of the construction and design. Only the fresh paint and the most discerning eye would know that the building is new and not just a freshly remodeled old building that has been in Round Top for years. And that was totally the intention of the entire Old Glory team, to create a new structure within the landscape of the community that complements the surrounding while also giving shoppers and visitors to the area and wonderful new space to shop and visit!

The store will not be open for full-time operation until mid October, after the fall show, but there will be a sneak peak next Sunday. Sept 24 from 3-8pm and they will also be open Monday, Sept 25th fro 10-5pm Follow the Old Glory Style blog and Texas page for all the latest details about fall hours and special events and grand opening in the spring…so exciting that they will be open throughout the year not just during the antique shows!

God bless you Old Glory Antiques & the Kuhn family and friends and welcome home!

2 Comments · Filed Under: Shopping, Texas · [social]

Hurricane update + Round Top

Sep102017

Today in Texas, people are still cleaning up from Hurricane Harvey and will be for weeks and months to come but so much love has and is coming this way its been humbling just to be a small part of the outpouring. And as I write this, Hurricane Irma is pounding the Florida keys. I know we are all praying for Florida and I hope they receive the same kind of love and support that is being given to so many Texans. They are going to need it. And there are still needs and efforts going on here.

Saturday, our local School Board President, Natalie Lange (you have seen her name on my blog before she is also a very talented photographer) and her husband Harper and precious boys, loaded up and brought two of over 15 loads of supplies our schools here have collected to Vidor, Texas, near Beaumont. You may have read and noticed all of the connecting on Instagram. Vidor is one of the many small towns hard hit by Harvey that has been suffering and in dire need of supplies. It also happens to be the hometown of dear friend, Becki Griffin, who is also photographer and stylist you hear me talk about often here. Becki and her sister Suzette, who lost most of her home her go fund me and info are here, are discovering and pinpointing a lot of need in those small town areas east of Houston.

Becki’s sister Suzette in the white and her two daughters to her left and Brenham’s Natalie Lange in the green shirt with her family Harper and sons to her right, this photos makes me so happy..one little town helping another! Brenham teacher Kaylee Roznovsky coordinated the Brenham effort and her energy and love is just contagious. Thank you Kaylee for all you have done for so many communities including our own!

From filling trails with generators and diaper and cleaning products to designers in the Northeast planning ways to help, a lot has been going on . . . Design friend Jill Hinson of Portland, Oregon, saw Becki’s post on Instagram and instantly who wanted to help! Again you have heard me talk about Jill Hinson here on the blog. We have been design pen pals for years and she helped with the class I did earlier this year at M.D. Haney in Oregon. I met many of her friends at a lunch when I was there and I am not supposed they wanted to help. First, Jill put together this gofundme drive to gather funds among her friends to send to Texas. Then Jill and her daughter and friends wanted to figure how to do something hands on in addition to just making donations. She and friends Allie Jenson and Erin Duffy of Happy Candles, and her darling daughter Abby, put together an event on Saturday to raise funds for gift cards to send to Texas at a local shop and event…so smart and just kind and nice..in the words of Becki on Jill’s IG post yesterday

Just knowing this beautiful gesture happened today halfway across the country the people of a little town in Texas gives us hope and strength. We feel the love and thank you from the bottom of tired broken hearts.

What is amazing is these are just drops in the buckets of things that are happening all over Texas and beyond, with everyone I know..connections being made on social media and needs being filled! I am sure each of you reading know of someone that has created some special way to give or drag their boat down here and help..I haven’t even touched on the scores of people that have come in boats to just help..rescue and save lives. Just regular individuals with jet skis and boats. I have heard it before but have truly see it with this storm that “when Mother Nature is at her worst, human nature is at its best!’ So true, people are full of empathy and want to help! I think Satan wants the world to believe that many Americans are selfish and divided and hate one another but these tragedies prove that is not true! It is not true, we are in this together, not just in Texas but our entire country, from small towns to big cities.

Last but not least I want to tell you about my designer/friend/client Robin Jackson from Austin. Again, Robin wanted to help and is very moved my what is happening in her native state…she has family ties to the area near Becki’s hometown. Photo below highlighting Robin’s effort to help is by Becki Griffin of her sister Suzette’s home near Vidor during tear out last week.

Rebuild/Recovery/Restoration Relief

She has been helping with the efforts of Austin’s Cord Shiflet called #fillatruck. Then Robin and Becki connected last week and the iPhones started smoking! Robin saying “what do you need I WILL GET IT TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE people in my neighborhood and community want to help!” Here is the link to her gofundme page, go and read her words on the page, really good. And so its happening, people who are not social workers and have never done aid relief are filling their trucks, renting uhauls, taking their boats, whatever it takes to help those in need. ROBIN IS STILL GATHERING SUPPLIES and will deliver those items to the Vidor area the end of this week. So you live in or around Austin you still have time to donate to this effort, follow Robin for details or questions or message she or I for more info.

WE ARE COLLECTING

Sheetrock
Sheetrock Mud
R13 Insulation
Sheetrock Screws
Hardy Board
Tools: Hammers, Saws, Crowbars, Scissors, Drills
Extension Cords
Work Boots
Masks
Gloves
Mold Killer/Bleach
All Purpose Cleaner and Rags/Mops/Scrubbers
Anything else that can be used in these efforts…GIFT CARDS!

Items on this list will be purchased, by me, Robin Jackson, locally in Austin and loaded into a Uhaul truck. We are also accepting “on the ground” donations from any individuals wanting to go that route. After our truck is full, probably Monday or Tuesday of next week, we will deliver directly to the fine folks at the East Gate Pentecostal Church in Vidor, Texas. They did not flood and have been doing a fantastic job of supply distribution. They have the ability to receive our materials and the manpower to unload and store supplies. If you desire contact information directly to the church, please message me and I can give you that information.

If you are local in ATX, and wish to donate actual goods and materials, we have a way to do that too! Just message me and I will give you info on how to proceed. Or, check for an update later today, Friday September 8th, with directions on where to take your donated or purchased items to fill the truck. We will use the funds to purchase the items that we seem to have the least of when it’s time to head to Vidor!

My heritage runs deep in this part of Texas. My daddy hails from Port Neches/Groves, a tiny area outside of Port Arthur that was hit hard by Harvey. My mom grew up in nearby Nederland, directly across the street from the high school football stadium in a house that is likely wiped out at this point. I appreciate your consideration of helping out this very special part of our state. They need us!

(All withdrawls made from this account on GoFundMe will come directly out of the account, and will not be used as a “reimbursement.” I anticipate that these funds will underwrite the cost of the Uhaul truck, gasoline to get down there, and the cost of actual items on the list. I will be documenting all receipts and expenditures. Any of this documentation will be available….just ask! 🙂 )

And again, this is just a drop in the bucket, these are just the relief efforts I am privileged enough to know about and have a small part in…there are dozens, hundreds more..just connect where you can and where you feel led.

I am going to put more of this on the Hurricane Page on my top tab of main page but for now HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS IF YOU CAN’T GET THING TO ROBIN’S TRUCK OR YOU DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. Becki says in her latest blog post which you can read in full here:

It can be overwhelming to know exactly how to help flood victims. There are many large operations to donate to and equally large concerns of where the money goes.I want to help the town of Vidor in a couple of very specific ways. Our small towns are struggling and I want to help. Here are two ways to help a small Texas Town: I am collecting gift cards in small denominations to put directly into the hands of people that need them.Gift cards to WalMart, Target, Amazon, Ace Hardware, Home Depot and Lowe’s give these family access to supplies immediately. Some smart Instagram friends e-mailed me e-gift cards that I was able to distribute that very same day! I love that! But we’re not even close to done. Let’s get more! You may not have access to a way to ship a large quantity of these items but you might know someone that does and wants to help. Ask them! and then contact me. Send them this post! Send them my e-mail! I have a direct connection in Vidor that is able to receive large donations and distribute them and I would love to coordinate a delivery. If you’re out of state and don’t have a way to ship large quantities U-Haul offers a service that might be an option for you. Fill a portable storage container with donations and ship it to us. If you would like to send me gift cards you’ve collected or have a shipment of building materials you’d like to donate, please email me atbecki@curiousdetails.com.

Our friend Holly Kuhn, of Old Glory Antiques just sent Becki an envelope full of gift cards from Denver, they mail easy! That is something we can all easily collect among friends and family and do OR if you want to #fillatruck thats still a need too!And yes Round Top Antique Fair is happening here too..some people already set up..more on that at goingtoroundtop.com and I will have more on the Old Glory Texas store and other goings on in a couple of days..Life does go, bittersweet and at different rates and timing for everyone but life and activities do go on . . .but let’s don’t forget the ones in Houston, Vidor, Florida, Rockport, on and on. I don’t think we will.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: friendship, home, Hurricane Harvey, Texas · [social]

Hurricane Harvey- guest post

Sep22017

I want to share a specific story with you from my dear friend Becki Griffin of Curious Details. Y’all have heard me talk of Becki often, she is a Houston area stylist and photographer and works with amazing people including Country Living and others. She has been a creative force in my life and also a true friend in hard times. Becki is also the funniest and most down to earth person I know! She is a bona fide true East Texas girl. Y’all, her sister and parents have directly been touched by the flood waters of Hurricane Harvey and I have asked her to share her sister Suzette’s story here. Suzette is a servant in every sense of the word, literally her job is youth ministry at her church in Vidor, Texas near Beaumont, but it isn’t just her job she lives her entire life that way. She is the type of person who would love to be coordinating meals for people and shoveling mud out of people’s homes right now. But sometimes people like Suzette and her family are the ones hurting and need help too but they don’t want to have attention or light shined on them and their need….but Becki insisted that Suzette allow her to set up a Gofundme campaign for their family need and tell their story. Sisters are amazing that way! I can just imagine Becki saying to her “look this is gonna happen so just accept it;” Oh to have such a sister and love! Thank you Becki for letting me share with my readers Suzette’s story that represents one of thousands and the specific needs of her family.

I continue to encourage everyone to give online if you can to organizations such as Samaritans Purse and the JJ Watt charity, as well as some smaller more localized church efforts that locals recommend and trust including Christ Community Church and Bayou City Fellowship. I am working on a permanent page here with more info and links in one spot, including Amazon wish lists for local charities and specific families I know of . . . Until then you can donate directly to Becki’s family here.

Hi this is Becki,

My sister Suzette has served as a children’s youth minister at her church for 12 years.

She has two daughters that live with her and her husband Kenny. They are a humble, hard working family just like yours and mine.

Kennedy is 18 and a college freshman.

Kaitlin 14 is in 9th grade

In 2009 they lost their oldest daughter Rachel in an auto accident.

Their home is in Vidor, Texas. They have evacuated twice. The latest was Thursday yesterday late afternoon. Today, they are safe at a family lake house north of the flooding. They have been able to source non-perishable necessities they can keep with them if they need to be on the move again. They are basically flood gypsy’s.

When Harvey moved east of Houston, it strengthened and pounded their area which is just east of Beaumont. When they saw that the water was going to flood their house on day two of the storm for them, they were able to save a few belongings and the things that were most important to them.

Among those were keepsakes that belonged to Rachel. As you can imagine, these items are sacred to Suzette.

As of this morning, water rescues are still going on in Vidor. Interstates are closed and there are few ways to get out and even fewer to get back in.

The Neches river is expected to crest today and residents aren’t sure how much higher the water will rise before it recedes.

Establishing flood insurance claims and FEMA claims take time. It will be days before adjustors are able to get to the homes. The only thing they can do today is get to higher ground.

To assist Suzette’s family in their immediate need I have created a GoFundMe Campaign https://www.gofundme.com/ratclifffund This is a safe way for anyone to donate directly to a family that’s been affected by the flood and gives them immediate access to money while they wait for their claims to be processed. Flood insurance doesn’t cover the contents of their home. This includes their appliances and possibly their a/c unit. They will need materials for clean up like fans and window units to dry the house out.

As of today Suzette isn’t sure where they will live while repairs are being made. It’s too early to say for her and so many others. It feels like things should move much faster, especially since the sun is shining today. But until the water recedes, and the electricity comes back on, we wait.

It has been so difficult to watch this play out and all the while I can’t get to them. The interstate was flooded. But I’m doing everything I possibly can to help them from Houston. That’s why I established the GoFundMe in her name. I am also accepting deliveries and storing them for her.

{Suzette and I last summer}

I can be contacted through my email becki@curiousdetails.com to answer questions about donations or deliveries.

The first step is to wait for the high water to recede. Then clean up. Then repair. They have a very long road ahead but they are family that leans strongly on their faith. This is not the hardest obstacle they have faced as a family and they are certain God’s promises will carry them through this.

Their family motto is Rachel’s favorite scripture, ‘love never fails’. Suzette’s heart is with her community and the children at church. She is determined to get back home and help anyone she can there.

Thank you to everyone that has prayed, texted, supported, loved and contributed to my family. We are so grateful.

Becki

3 Comments · Filed Under: Hurricane Harvey, keeping it real, Texas · [social]

Hurricane Harvey update

Aug302017

Where to start?

First off, my family and I are safe. We live in a small town northwest and over 60 miles from Houston and on much higher ground. I work (and post) from Houston often and have clients all over the city, many who were affected, some still struggling today, but my little family is not in the city.

We are safe.

Grateful we were never without electricity and stayed dry. All of your texts and emails mean the world to me and others.

Second, I want to share about how to help my amazing home state. Texas is big and brash and strong and wonderful but right now Texas needs help and much prayer.

People are still wading in water, watching water creep up their driveways and being evacuated, TODAY. Monday.

{This is my friend and client Brandon Clarke above in the blue shirt helping people in his area of town north of the tollway and west of hwy 6, they had more flooding there today as gates were opened and some water released.}

And help will be needed for months and months not just next few days when its top on news list. Please don’t forget the people of Houston and this region as time goes by. These storms destroy homes and lives and it takes so much time to recover. I will be setting up a Hurricane relief page here on the blog to try to organize and connect some needs in future days but listing some big sources below for immediate giving that you may or may not have seen already. Many are suggesting giving monetarily online or via text first and foremost if possible, and then donating goods locally if you live in the state. Also its so good if you can find a specific personal need you can meet if possible through a friend that may know someone or has a connection. Sending specific goods or sharing a talent you have by email or phone, if not today or this week maybe in months to come.

IMMEDIATE GIVING:

Its widely know how to donate by text to the RED CROSS or simply go here.
SAMARITANS PURSE people in the non-profit world have such high respect for how they handle funds and help people quickly and effectively..you can give on this link and also sign up to volunteer!
Houstonians respect and trust JJ Watts and his foundation YOU CARING

BAYOU CITY CHURCH is doing amazing work! Watch the video by Pastor Curtis Jones on their home page, yes he is Beth Moore’s son in law.
TEXAS BAPTIST MEN know how to get into places and help quickly and will go into areas that often are small and forgotten where big relief never makes it
Texas Monthly has a more extensive list and information

In addition to giving money directly you can also buy gifts and some reminders artists and designers have created. Many shops and Houston and Texas businesses are giving a portion or all of their profits for certain products to Hurricane relief, faves include the Texas Forever shirt from Magnolia and Golden Threads necklaces…both products are 100% donations….and you may think “seriously shopping for a tragic event” but a Texas charm around your neck or a t-shirt with a message on your back will help you and others remember Houston and southeast Texas for months maybe years to come! It’s not silly.

Visual reminders will be good…i love this idea!

Two more faves, my friend Tara of Royers Pie Haven designed this great t-shirt that will benefit Bayou City Church efforts, Texas Diaper Bank, the Red Cross and more. click here to order!

And Houston native MAY BOOKS has created a collection and awesome reminders to keep us in your prayers and actions in days to come..I love seeing different artists and small businesses using their unique talents to shine line on helping Houston and all of Texas during this time..this is the body of Christ!

Last but not least, close to my heart. Focusing Families is located in Waller County, one of the many rural and poor counties that borders Houston/Harris County. Focusing Families mission is domestic violence issues and they have a shelter in the town where I lived for over 15 years. My sister-in-law is the Executive Director and its a small but amazing little organization that serves family needs in several counties and of course their needs and load increase during a natural disaster. I am working on linking to a Focusing Families wish list at Amazon for ongoing needs if anyone out of state wants to ship to this agency. You can also donate online to them. I can assure you Focusing Families will be dealing with despair and need related to this Hurricane for years. And they always need help, diapers, formula etc. This is a way to give directly into a small agency if you want to do something other than Red Cross or in addition to, we all give in different ways.

Houston has never seen this much rain. Something like 45 inches. This wasn’t a typical storm. And as Brene Brown said so eloquently on Instagram a couple of day ago here, we can’t “lead with judgement” so please resist. Its hard to understand staying in a city prone to flooding when a big storm is coming but the mayor and others advised people to not evacuate. Evacuation is another kind of chaos. And y’all homes flooded that had never flooded before, watersheds and reservoirs full that have never had to be released before. Many people did leave that could, some left later when it became clear what was happening, some with children and pets in tow in early morning light on boats. Thank goodness some stayed and were able to help neighbors. So please no judgement. Houston is a huge city. There are complicated logistics and infrastructure. And now is the time to help not judge.

Also keep in mind, Hurricane Harvey has not just invaded Houston, first Rockport and Corpus Christi were hit hard and then the heavy rain caused swollen creeks and rivers and flooding that has affected country roads and little towns and families over a 30 county area!!! Shelters have been flooded. Safe zones flooded. And people are still standing in water right now. The sun is shining in many places but not in all. And because of the system of bayous and levees and reservoirs and watersheds some water is still shifting around and reflooding some areas or could . . . People are nervously watching and waiting.

So yes I know this is not a news blog but it is a HOME blog and homes all over Houston and southeast Texas have been destroyed or touched … Each with a family and a story. One of my favorite recent projects and one I have had on my blog que for over a week to share is this home. A few photos were shown in the recent Southern Lady article but not all and I wanted to share more. This home had over four feet of water in it over the weekend. The homeowner is one of my very first clients (over 12 years ago) and we have worked the past two years on this project collecting things for their new home in the city. They have been there only months. They are safe, they have insurance and perspective. But y’all its still their HOME.I can’t even share photos yet. Its tough. I think natural disasters are like cancer in that they are no respecter of color or social status or neighborhood. Some experiences are worse than others, some are fatal some recover but it marks you and those that love you and your family. Sure its easier to recover if you have resources and a support system but it still marks you. It’s hard. So I pray we have compassion on all and try to help all in different ways that are unique to us and our talents and abilities.

If you are a design professional, contractor, carpenter or craftsperson please leave a message on this thread if you can help in any way and I can try to connect you to a need once rebuilding begins. Again this is premature since people are still being rescued and waters shifting/rising, those needs should be foremost in prayer, but I have this on my heart to try to coordinate as rebuilding begins AND IT WILL.

Rainbow outside our door #hope #promises #beautyfromashes #risingstrong #Texastrong #Godstrong

**If you want to help in future days with remodels and rebuilding phase or know of sources or good craftsmen and workers, please leave names and info in comments. Also if you know of an immediate needs please leave info in comments and link to facebook or anywhere with more info!

**Thank you Whitney English for designing the top graphic

7 Comments · Filed Under: keeping it real, Texas · [social]

Sit a spell… an update!

Aug162017

Photo by French Blue Photography

I didn’t purpose to take a blog + social media “break” over the summer, but it just sort of happened. The last time I posted was when I was considering a summer class (which did not make) and now planning a fall class! Time flies! Over summer, I posted some on Facebook and Instagram but just haven’t been “feeling’ it” and I finally realized that is okay, of course. My oldest starts back to school today and it feels good and right now that I stepped back and took some break. Recently the youth from our church took a pilgrimage to the “Holy island” of Iona in Scotland and they spoke Sunday about the rhythms of life and rest they observed. I keep thinking about that concept. Not rushing. Pilgrimage. …….not adding more, routine and making some good new habits with work and personal care and time with the ones I love the most. I know the pendulum swings from #girlboss and “#hustle to #rest and #restore so fast its cliche but there really are some serious nuggets of truth regarding finding boundaries and discipline with being self employed. After nearly 13 years in business I am ready to finally find a better balance.

So with that in mind, I purpose this fall to not take on more work that my schedule allows. Which is hard I have to confess to you. When one is self-employed there is an urgent feeling that you must “work work work” while you can because who knows if the demand will be there later. Owning your own business can encourage an incredible discipline and trust in God or a frantic lifestyle of over-scheduling, under-delivering and always feeling behind. I confess to feeling a lot of the latter because of fear I would lose work or there “wouldn’t be enough” down the road. Especially since the divorce. A scarcity mentality. But in reality, if I could slow down and enjoy and throroughly complete the work I have, no doubt the Lord will deliver more clients in His perfect timing. He always has and yet I try to control and don’t trust by taking on too much. So there will be a wait list for January schedule and beyond…Soon I will have a more detailed inquiry form that you can submit with info about your needs and projects and if I have a cancellation I will contact your or let you know when I begin scheduling for January and Spring.

I am also starting a newsletter to share some new details and collaborations (coupon codes!), so my loyal readers can be the first to know about some details and info that I may not be ready to share on the world wide web or even Instagram but want to get out to a select group. If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter do so here or in sidebar.

THINGS TO WATCH FOR THIS FALL

CREATIVE CLASS More info coming soon on the Fall Class with the City of Brenham, the class will be held Friday, Nov 11th with a special event the night before! You don’t want to miss class MARK YOUR CALENDAR! It is going to be HOLIDAY theme but not too kitschy I promise…it will be the perfect hygge HOLIDAY blend to get you just enough in the spirit and will have tips and tricks you can use all year long!
SOUTHERN LADY Magazine have you seen the Sept issue on stands NOW? It features a wonderful article on my work that I am so grateful for and proud of..thank you editor Mona Moore. It includes more photos of the O’Donnell house that I blogged first here and the Bethel home that I blogged about here. New portfolio galleries coming very soon that will show more of each home and give sources for man items in the article. Thank you O’Donnells and Bethels for sharing your homes
ROUND TOP Antique Fair is coming soon check here for more info on scheduling visit here, the show does start even earlier this year!
OLD GLORY ANTIQUES I have been working on the Old Glory Antiques project that will also be opening this fall with a special sneak peek during the fall show (Sun Sept 24th, 4-7 and Monday Sept 25, 10-5). Watch Instagram and the new newsletter for details on Old Glory. Also be sure and follow Old Glory on IG and their website. Y’all it is amazing. I will post some construction photos soon. Such a joy to be part of this project.
BED + BREAKFAST Need lodging for the show?? Again sign up for the newsletter so you can find out about a special Bed + Breakfast I have been working on that is the perfect spot for during the show…I have three wonderful lodging recommendations you don’t want to miss!
CONSULTATIONS Future work/design consultations- Again my schedule is full for this fall while I catch up on current projects and client work but I look forward to hearing from you soon about how we can work together in 2018! Get on the newsletter so you can be the first to know about openings and new details as they develop!
LAUREL, MS! Last but not least the last real blog post I did was about the Market Beautiful that my mom and I attended in Laurel Mississippi, home of HGTV’s HomeTown, we had a wonderful time and I will be sure and share more about that visit this fall by blog and or newsletter, what a special place and YES Ben & Erin are that cute and even sweeter in person! As is Laurel!

Oh and that photo up top, so much in that one photo. That is from one of the homes featured in this month’s issue of Southern Lady!. Very special clients that just had a baby by God’s mercy and grace. Watching their home being remodeled and restored while they waited for this baby was such a blessing and picture of God’s restoration and movement in our lives. Also the dear soul that did my window treatments (and those of Cote de Texas, thank you Joni for sharing Monica with my clients and I) passed away soon after the draperies in this home were installed. So much bittersweet. Dear Monica I dedicate this post to you and your love for beauty and detail and your fiery spirit. You are missed.

Life is so fleeting y’all. I pray we will all go live with intention and rhythm and grace, focusing our energy on the things that we love and that NOT those things which we yearn to be free from… I fail at this miserably every day but I hope this new school year and 2018 will be a time of progress and refining, discipline but with rest and noticeable change and new joy!

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Summer Creative Classes

Jun122017

{Please note summer classes have been postponed until fall and an e-course is in the works as we speak} Please keep checking the class page for more info on specific dates etc coming soon!

I can’t believe summer is in full swing and it is time to announce the summer classes in July…not sure if BOTH of the classes will make but I am offering TWO times! I did a little informal survey on instagram and it was interesting and understandable to me how weekdays are actually better for some people to get away for something like a class or “me” time! For some, Saturday when Dad is home is easier for others a weekday is easier. I know everyone is so busy, I hope if you have been wanting to come to Brenham for one of my classes that one of these days will work for you.

The day will start around 10 am in downtown Brenham (I can’t wait to share the location) and will run until about 2 pm) we will have a fun lunch and lots of snacks including lots of ice cream of course. We may tour my new old house and we WILL def have wonderful treat bags and notebooks for you! Please email if you have any questions. This will be my general class where we will discuss some of my basic design philosophy and principles as well as share tidbits of my story of how I got into the business and how my business has grown. I will also be giving some of my specific and favorite design tips and tricks, sources and paint colors, etc… We will talk about mixing fabrics and pattern and if time allows will talk about lighting and mixing metals..Basically we will cram as much in as possible ha! But the main theme of the day will be LESS HOUSE MORE HOME and how to pace yourself, not feel overwhelmed or like you will never “get your house together.” My prayer is that you leave the day encouraged and excited about creating the home you and your family crave. Click here or under the CLASSES tab to register!

{Please note that if the classes do not “make” for whatever reason you will be refunded via check as soon as that decision is made, thank you for understanding..the tickets ARE transferrable if you have something come up and need to share with a friend…i understand believe me!}

6 Comments · Filed Under: Creative Classes with HMI · [social]

HMI headed to Laurel, Mississippi!!!

Jun42017

We are headed to Laurel later this week and couldn’t be more excited to finally meet our friends Ben & Erin of HGTV’s new show Home Town and everyone involved in the Market Beautiful. Here are deets below…we hope to see you there! Thank you Vintage Whites for putting on this show! More details here but everything you need is really below on this beautiful poster!

Please come visit this sweet town that has captured the hearts of America! I am bringing my own vintage wares, some of my fave pillows , fave little accessories and of course some blue and white pieces. I am also bringing some vintage things from my friend Kelly of Southern Gilt. And I can’t wait to see the other vendors and visit the Laurel Mercantile! Oh and please pray that Nana and I can get the tent up;; lol!

See you soon Mississippi!!!!

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Country Living feature- the back story

May152017

Finally, a little more backstory on our feature story and home in the May issue of Country Living. And some wonderful images that I am finally able to share that were not included in the print feature. Thank you again to Buff Strickland Photography for of the wonderful photos and Becki Griffin for styling and overall awesomeness.

Photography by Buff Strickland, Styling by Becki Griffin

And I have to use this post to thank again all of my friends that came together to help me get ready for this shoot. Missy and Dusty Robinson of Moosefeathers Florist who helped me with my flower beds! And Mitchell Davis of Davis Design & Construction here in Brenham. Mitchell lovingly retrofitted and painted my front door just for the shoot..this was an old one from my hometown that mom and I had been saving and he made it work and installed for me..he also came over DURING the shoot and cut down a limb off this little tree out front that was blocking the porch! He is that kind of guy and friend. Thank you Lord for people like Missy and Dusty Robinson, Aubrey and Mitchell Davis and A.A. Hodde and his wife Tina who own and restored this amazing house!

Photography by Buff Strickland, Styling by Becki Griffin

To jump right in, this shot of the living room with Hunter was an outtake of the image that made the magazine article without him… Hunter had a ongoing love affair with the photographer and crew and he made one shot for the actual magazine but not all;; He is a ladies man, he loves attention! Besides Hunter Buns, my favorite thing in our living room is these BEMZ Country Slipcover sofas in the Rosendal Pure Linen in absolute white…they are “buttah” as Becki Griffin would say..they are soft and line-y both in look and feel and imperfect and tad slouchy which make them comfy and easy on and off too..I LOVE them..more on how the Bemz covers fit here. The brass side table was off the shelf from Target, the lamp from Marshall’s. Vintage bamboo table from the Brown Shed, small print pillows are Schumacher betwixt in biscuit, the red paisley pillows are John Robshaw Kedara fabric made custom and the red toile is a vintage fabric. The Safaveieh Mandy ottoman is from wayfair! The vintage silver pitcher is a gift from our dear family friends the Menke family. Of course my fig is from Tall Plants Houston and my gorgeous heron from Campbells Melange in Louisiana and Round Top fame!

And the boy room…shhh don’t tell Henry his room wasn’t featured..oh well, he gets more Instagram time right?? For some reason they wanted to focus on Drew’s room and he was so glad they didn’t make many changes…we just tidied up..A LOT!

Photography by Buff Strickland, Styling by Becki Griffin

Of course his room is never this clean and yes that is an IKEA Hemnes dresser…i love the John Derian insect piece from his NYC store, the D is from Hobby Lobby lol, the George Washington is from A Beautiful Mess in Lubbock Texas, the pennant from Curious Details, the flag and engraving framed with white are from one of my trips to England and the Brave sign, so fitting for my boy, from RH kids.

Old homes often have great hallways even smaller old houses and this one has a lovely one full of windows and light…

Photography by Buff Strickland, Styling by Becki Griffin

This is one of my favorite images that wasn’t featured prominently…Becki styled up my beloved blue Leftovers Antiques cabinet to a T! All of my fave things in this pic..vintage bamboo table, shells, books, vintage rug and blue and white pottery and of course bamboo blinds from Selectblinds.com. Here is a direct link to the page where I order this color blind..simply choose on the pull down window “bamboo tortoise” and voila..they send samples too, this is my number one question ever so click that link and it should take you just where you want to go..I order privacy not blackout liner! And of course the Peter Dunham pillow.

Opposite the windows and RH Linen chair is this wonderful collection of framed antique herbariums from my friend Melisse and her precious mother Sheryl of Campbell’s Melange in Baton Rouge. The Campbells have been showing at the original Round Top shows for many years. My pieces from them are treasures. They even framed these herbariums and they work so well with the antique french mirror I bought in the fields of Round Top years ago. That mirror is so heavy! The herbariums and antique mirror and my collection of Texana books do a lot to elevate my accessible Wisteria console in my mind;; That was the whole point of the article mixing regular easily accessible things from World Market and catalogs with truly special pieces to get a great mix…that is my favorite way to decorate. This vignette got a small spot in the article but was’t as front and center as I hoped but that just happens. I am glad I can feature it more here on the blog and tell more about details.

Photography by Buff Strickland, Styling by Becki Griffin

Bedding in the master below that wasn’t sourced in the magazine came from Mela and Roam..l adore Courtney Barton everything she does…I used one of her dohars as the spread on the bed and the lumbar is also from Courtney!

So many of you have asked how did I find such a neat home to LEASE???? Well of course the answer is NANA . . . and Jesus..always Jesus! My mom discovered this home when she met the owner, Mr A.A. Hodde, in early 2015 when our family was going through a very tough transition and I was trying to pray through the tough decision of moving from one town (where we had lived nearly 16 years in the little cottage and the new old house which we had only lived in months) to another. The move was just 20 miles and one town over and closer to the children’s school but it was a big decision toward a new life in a new place. Once I had a peace that was the move we must make I prayed about where we would live. And this is where it gets complicated in my head and heart. This is where I think too much. Why would God provide such an amazing soft place to land for me (and other women don’t all get this??) well the answer is He loves me and He loves other too but this was God’s special way of knowing how to nuture ME through the toughest time of my life and honestly keep me creative and able to work. When the storm hit out family I honestly thought I would would never be able to decorate another room again…suddenly nothing mattered certainly not decorating. But my Lord who knows me so well knew how to keep my creative soul alive and kicking. So much to unpack there but I will leave that for another time. And I have to trust He is taking care of other hurting women in the ways that best meet their needs. I am learning to accept his love and provision for me but still be soft and pray for others suffering too..MERCY and compassion for others and accepting God’s love and provision for self. Does anyone else struggle with this?? Of course you are probably thinking….

So, when we first looked at this home it was in the middle of being remodeled. We assumed because so much work was being done to it that it was not a rental and would not be a viable possibility but mom had heard it WAS going to be available for rent and met Mr. Hodde and we began discussions. Even then I assumed it would be out of my budget. Little did I know that was God fast at work (through the owners of this house and others) behind the scenes preparing the sell of our other homes and remodeling this nest for our little family. It didn’t make sense and it happened very fast but He had us in the palm of His hand as always. You can see in the below photos the state the house was in during the remodel (much like how I felt in early 2015 and honestly God is still remodeling and restoring my heart still some gunk there y’all..being real) and you can also see the work and details the owners went to restore this old house. Just like God is restoring my heart and my children. The home is at least a 100 years old probably closer to 125 years!

HE MAKES OLD THINGS NEW! HE WILL RESTORE THE YEARS THAT HAVE BEEN STOLEN and HE DOES make beauty from ashes.

A.A. Hodde and his wife Tina and their construction team led by Luis worked months and months peeling back the layers to repair this home and rewire, replumb, add new walls and refinish floors, on and on to bring it back to its glory and make it shine. And boy does it shine! Thank you TEAM HODDE

Mr. Hodde chose the outside color and his wife Tina Hodde and I exchanged a million email and texts and had many great visits about the interior selections, collaborating on the bathrooms and kitchens in particular…including counters and tiles and blinds. Country Living didn’t photograph and feature the bathrooms but they are totally remodeled and charming. I will have to do another blog post just on this homes bathrooms one day! The entire team did an amazing job…Mr AA & Tina, Luis and Jesus and Manuel..Luis even built the cabinets! They were so open to how to make the home work for us and even welcomed Hunter the dog when the time came right for him to join us. How many rentals will allow a young lab residency, especially into a house with newly refinished floors??

{Another shot that didn’t make it into the magazine but that I love..the old pew is in another part of that long, large hallway and the dealer I bought the pew from says its from an abandoned church in the nearby country from which we moved, no symbolism there huh?!} Tina Hodde picked this beautiful wall color SW Silverpointe. Look at those old floors!

Photography by Buff Strickland, Styling by Becki Griffin

Pillow with ties from Les Indiennes and smaller pillow is a Sister Parish print. Vintage runner and “yard long” prints from etsy and beyond.

So, this post has been hard to write. I want to give source info and shout outs to the peopleand places that may have been missed in the “source page” of the actual magazine and its just important to thank everyone behind the scenes. But I also want to share my heart because this house is more than just pretty pictures its been a huge part of our soul story. So the feature came out weeks ago and I have had so much to say but its bittersweet and I have been stalling … for weeks! We moved in January and I honestly miss this house. We love our new home and its special in its own way, our story here where I write this post from right now is unfolding but this little house will always be so very special. And its a slow process this “life transition” y’all, lots of road blocks and detours but God is restoring my family and our future just like he did this old house. Things take TIME. That is what God does..He recycles and restores and he makes old broken things new and beautiful again. ButI never want to glorify divorce or for anyone to think “wow she landed on her feet!” Yes I have a wonderful support system and career and this cute house was ours to live in during a dark time. That is wonderful and it was nice. But that is not everything. Let’s never forget that. I think one of my biggest issues with the attention of this story and my entire story overall is feeling ashamed or guilty that I am so blessed and yet still hurting so much. Like I mentioned above, it’s good to be mindful and grateful and aware of women around the world who have so much less and are suffering so much more. It’s hard not to ask ‘why do I get a beautiful nest while women are fleeing Syria with their children and no water and food’ and even more embarrassing ‘why is this still so hard when i have so much’..I don’t understand and thats okay..its good to ask both I am learning. I do believe God sees US ALL no matter the economics, whatever situation you may be in…and also remember just because there are pretty pictures and houses doesn’t mean people inside aren’t hurting and journeying much like a refugee..just in a different way. I am not a theologian I am just a decorator. But I am also woman a mama and just a regular person too with questions and doubts and fears, even among cuteness lol! I don’t want to be a downer, this was an amazing experience and I am so thankful for my life and my business…life IS good. But it is a journey with bumps and its important to gloss over the hard part. Sure I know I don’t need to share every detail or pain or struggle but I hope sharing some of the real backstory both about the house and my heart helps make the picture more complete.

{The “island” was just stock cabinets that my friend Kevin Gilmore of Oaks Renovation clad in v groove for me, notice the CS Lewis quote on the chalkboard hand lettered by my Tara Royers Steele, the tall cabinet ironically from our local rehab Restore shop, sign over cabinet from Leftovers Antiques, light discontinued from Wisteria;(}

To me that is what building home is about, creating a backdrop for real life..the beautiful times and the messy, tough times too

Shauna Niequist calls that BITTERSWEET. So true.

This home was a refuge to my boys and I and it was filled with joy at times with our Hunter and Nana and friends and it cradled us on teary nights and hard mornings too. That is what shelter and home and true beauty and design are about to me. SO there you go, a little back story on a magazine feature.

SHELTER

RESTORATION

STORY

PROVISION

HOME

IMPERFECT FAMILIES and LIFE

But a PERFECT FATHER, who sees us all whether in a desert or in a rental, even in a mansion.

{Special thanks to Mr A.A. Hodde and your team of guys for all of your hard work on restoring this home and to Tina Hodde for your friendship, creativity and prayers, thank you for sharing your house and talents with our family and thank you to Country Living for the feature!}

30 Comments · Filed Under: Brenham, home, keeping it real, living with kids, Real Life Homes, Texas, The South · [social]

Country Living feature & Vintage Whites Market

Apr112017

Thank you for all of the love regarding the feature in the May issue of Country Living …more coming soon on that house and its backstory..such a fascinating house and blessing to our family!

If you are having trouble the issue you can see more here … Lots of questions on sources and I will try to answer more soon! Photo credits to Buff Strickland and styling by the always fab Becki Griffin of Curious Details..and YAY HUNTER BUNS MADE THE MAGAZINE! Becki wrote a wonderful post about the shoot here. Thank you Boo I adore you!

In the meantime mark your calendars for the Vintage Whites Market coming to Laurel MS click here for more info.i am so excited to be a part..my Pop Up Shop will be there June 9-10th in the CITY BEAUTIFUL!