favorite things | Holly Mathis Interiors

favorite things

Feb2
16 Comments
Conflicted shopper
Posted in: favorite things, good shopping
I am such a conflicted shopper..When working with e clients around the country, i love the convenience of Pottery Barn, West Elm, target and Land of Nod to name of few! But a huge part of me really believes this…
{recently captured by my friend Christi}
That being said… y’all have to see this west elm rod! When i was doing drapery rods for drew’s room when pregnant with Henry, i had in mind that we (meaning my husband and I) would create the rods out of pipe and various piping plumbing accessories and it would be so industrial chic. But we are NOT the Novagratzs and it became very clear to me in the aisle of the local Lowe’s that it wasn’t going to happen and that abandoning the project would be good for my marriage..so for once, i said “forget it baby” and i went and bought and alan + roth rod off the shelf and we had a much nicer Saturday…if only there had been this west elm rod! Snap it up people! Sometimes buying at a chain store is for the greater good, well sort of…
And thank the Lord for etsy…it is not only a great resource for vintage, textiles, smalls and even seamstresses but it feels so good to send clients that way and not to a big corporate site.
I love this seller for burlap tablecloths and shams..they are great! Much rather buy these off of etsy!
But at the end of the day so many of us rely on the ease and availability of big box stores occasionally. I have always loved Land of Nod but honestly felt many of their pieces weren’t much better quality or any less “plastic” than target..though i have always loved their art and print offerings and their selection of cool toys and accessories. Well this catalog they outdid themselves…some great new products like this jenny lind bed in colors (but hello you can buy those at garage sales and paint them) but if its good for your marriage to just buy one you have the option at land of nod! ha! Bottom line…corporate images/catalogs etc.. can inspire people to upcycle products from local sources..we all know this!
Also new to Land of Nod this season are these buffalo check duvets they would be so cute used with items you already have…or find locally at an antique fair or grandma’s closet.
imagine it styled different…without so much extra green…mercy that is a lot of green all together…it also comes in blue and pink…but if you ordered just the duvet you could style it like this…
{source my pinterest..if it was more organized i could give you the exact link!}
And last but not least..good ol Pottery Barn..i have been a little critical of the Pottery Barn lately but you still can’t beat them for a basket and honestly a whole lot more… This is a good one..trust me!
It is called the Workmans basket and i love the dimensions and strap! And its on sale and i doubt you can find a basket this size in an antique store or Round Top for $63…
So there you go..commerce in America..a mix of etsy, big box and local..what are your faves lately?
Jan6
17 Comments
I like AWNINGS
Posted in: exterior, favorite things
savannah, georgia
I really really really like an awnings on a storefront or little cottage…even a big 1930s glam house..
awnings are just so cool!
source
Black and white is my fave…also love black with scalloped white trimmed edge! And the yellow at the bottom of the post is pretty cute too!

source
via better homes and gardens
and last but not least..Nathan Turner’s awesome shop
So don’t you agree, awnings are just the best!
Source: National Park Service
What is amazing as i found all of these images on my hard drive or google image..couldn’t even access Pinterest this morning!
Dec15
10 Comments
A joyful noise
Posted in: clients, favorite things
I love music (I promise this isn’t another O HOLY NIGHT post;;), especially church music and hymns…
Don’t get me wrong, i like me some Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels but there is nothing like the history and truth and good doctrine in a hymn! SO i was so excited to work on this office/music room for my client Analisa. She is a part of the worship band at her church and they often rehearse at her house and she also writes and contemplates her music in THIS room. When we discussed the room, the thought of old hymnals immediately came to mind!
The first thing we did was purchase this amazing sofa from West Elm, we both love the pattern and she got a deal on the floor model in the store…and the Analisa began searching online for old hymnals..she found an entire box for around $20! The shelves are from Land of Nod (similar ones at PB and Ikea), big A from Anthro of course..we may add some graphic silhouette pillows of her boy(s) soon (when her adopted children arrive home!) and we are still tweaking the other side of the room, but i just wanted to share a peek!
I love the color from the hymnal covers..and Analisa having the hymns in the room provides inspiration in her own songwriting. Notice the chelsea gray closet door in the background!
She loves the flokati rug and ghost chair but i think we may be moving the desk! The light is from Pottery Barn kids!
I am so happy for Analisa she has this new space to focus on her music and its source!
Dec14
11 Comments
O Holy Night print available
Posted in: Christmas, favorite things
If you read Jones Design you may have noticed something familiar in her Christmas tour post…yep a smaller version of my O Holy Night canvas…
Emily and creator of the print, Lindsay Letters are good buddies and that is how i found out about Lindsay and her mad skillz! As i mentined, Lindsay just had a baby so Emily is helping us get the print available to you asap. Just click here to go to the shop at Jones Design and you can order the print for immediate DOWNLOAD in two sizes and three colors…this is great for last minute decor or gifts! You can print as many as you like….If you have any questions about purchase or download contact Jones Design Company.
Enjoy!
Dec6
4 Comments
Christmas gift ideas
Posted in: favorite things, good shopping
Here it is..some of my fave gifts for this year..some of you have asked for ideas so here they are… and these are not sponsors (and not all of the ones i mentioned on Black Friday were either BTW;) they include national chains that are easy to order online and in major cities as well as small businesses that are also easily accessible online..if you have a choice, try to shop small first or at least some! I do and it feels good to support small business people and various artists and craftsmen.
First up, prints from Britt at the precious blog, Gus and Lula, i have many faves and this one is a download available immediately here put in the code HOLLYMATHIS at checkout and save 15% until Friday in her shop! Matted and framed this or any of her prints (or the plethora of other art prints available online) would make a great gift, easy to wrap and fun! I have an average printer and it came out great!
For kids, we love the music cds from Land of Nod..they have good compilations like these
as with as Smithsonian Folkways re-releases of various folk and children’s music both old and new!
I love wood toys…too me they are cute and look better laying around the house and they are more educational and creative and have no batteries to replace. There are many places to buy classic wood toys online and locally and at arts fairs but if you want something specific made look on Etsy..if you cant find the piece you want i bet you can find an artist to make it…I had a 2 feet tall very sturdy windmill made for Henry and it was a reasonable cost..he is going to flip on Christmas morning..the boy loves windmills!
This one was made by iwoodcrafts on etsy, an artist from South Carolina…it was shipped quickly and arrived ready for Henry to play with..he doesn’t read my blog so i can tell you i have it stowed in the attic with a red bow, just waiting for Christmas morning!
Changing gears, West Elm makeup bags
i love the colors and patterns and price!
you really have to go see all of these zipper cases…handblocked patterned = love…i totally heart them…and they are all under $20..most around $10-12 (without monogramming watch out for that cost)
Also from West elm monogrammed tablet and laptop covers…in fun colors..
their felt storage accessories…
they have the ipad and laptop covers in the gray felt to and you can have them monogrammed to add a pop of color..this would also be pretty easy to make probably or find on etsy!
These darling and so reasonably priced homemade slatted signs from a shop called THE FINEST KIND in New England!
These cute placemats from Sarah and Abraham.
Notebooks from Minted…of course some of my faves are from Houston-based Toast & Laurel! You can personalize the front and inside flaps with photos and or text..great for teens, new moms, there is a kitchen design..the possibilites are endless..i ordered one for Drew with his photo on the front and I know he will fill it up and then i can save it..because honestly many (ok most) of his doodle pages do not survive!
MPIX accordian notebook
They are small and perfect for a stocking, priced under $20, easy to make online and fun! I am going to do one for Drew of his birthday party!
I also love these ornaments from MPIX and Tiny Prints has had them in the past
..great gifts for grandparents! I did the ones above last year (from Tiny Prints, click here) and my 85 year old grandad (who has since passed) called to tell me he loved it! So creative gifts with photos are a really fun and unique gift especially for grandparents and aunts and uncles and even for kids themselves!
So what about you? What are your favorite things to give this year????
ALSO… the winners for the PickupSitcks Giveaway are Pam Ballard and Jennifer Murray…Congratulations and thanks to all that entered the contest!
Nov28
42 Comments
Plaid Christmas love
Posted in: Christmas, favorite things
I love plaid, especially at Christmas..i had so many plaid Christmas dresses growin up..i wish i had a photo of that red plaid fabric with the forest green and gold metallic thread in it..my mom had dresses made for me out of it, stockings, tree skirts, bows for the trees, even a shirt for my brother!..she loved that plaid and while i must admit i am over THAT particular plaid i might just might be adding some plaid to my tree this year..we will see. I know you are all on the edge of your seat..not! Sometimes I feel so silly listening to NPR in the car about all that is going on in the world and then coming inside and blogging about..plaid! But oh well here it goes..
from Queen Martha!
uh huh..some amens on the blankets..available via one of my new faves places..HIGH STREET MARKET (thanks Tessa for telling me about this place!)
loving this via Censational Girl
Love these Pendleton plates…
Did you know you can order fabric by the yard from Pendleton?? So American and classic!
My mom’s plaid is very simliar to this shirt (vintage LLBean on etsy i believe..couldnt track) but it was smaller scale and had a gold thread…
does this plaid have a name..classic red plaid i guess!
Notice Leslie Bacon’s tree in the latest issue of County Living…can you see how she used small sewing hoops to make plaid fabric into ornaments..so cute!
This below reminds me of my friend Carli’s Christmas wedding.
And perfect preppy perfection below..i love how plaid can be working class and woodsy or festive or preppy!
another wedding from Wedding Window.com …Christmastime you think??? I so wanted to get married in December?? But hubby’s law school break fell where it was best to for us to choose an August date. Do you know how hot it is in August in Texas??? Def not a plaid time of year!
moving on… oh Ralph.
www.ralphlauren.com
From Three Pink Dots according to Pinterest but looks like Ralph to me! {edited to say the above image is actually from the amazingly talented Scot Meacham Wood, check his blog here..He did in fact work for Mr. Lauren for many years and now has his own design firm, AND the name of his blog, TARTANSCOT….brace yourself for more classic plaid perfection! Thanks for commenting Scot!}
So what about you..do you love Plaid or did your mama ruin you on it???!
{Check back on wed for a jewelry giveaway announcement!}
Nov20
34 Comments
A proper monogram + Christmas chatter
Posted in: Christmas, favorite things, good shopping
I have been in love with monograms for most of my life. I remember being so excited when i stumbled upon the perfect table linen (with my new monogram) in a Galveston antique shop for my wedding reception! Monograms are just special. Even in their new and sometimes “overdone” popularity, I still love a gorgeous monogram. So you can imagine my excitement when this arrived from my new sponsor, SOUTHERN PROPER MONOGRAMS.
It is made of wood and come in the naked/bare wood state so you paint it any color..and it was super easy to spray paint. I didn’t know if i was going to be able to make it through the Holidays without my red door but this is going to help! The white looks so pretty with the gray door (SW Urbane Bronze is the color btw)…I tried it with green ribbon, red and green and a few greens…a bit smaller size monogram would look great layered over a fresh wreath but this one is so huge and dramatic it doesn’t need much! in fact, i may hang it later with no ribbon if i can affix a little hanger on the back….should be easy….Souther Proper monograms also has different fonts and smaller sizes for ornaments, stockings or gift tags! The possibilities are endless!
Notice I did what i call a duogram (and yes i took the house numbers off my door, it was just too much with the post box and the idea of holiday decorations but i reserve the right to put another up later)…truly proper would be my husbands initials i guess, since he is the man of the house and all but since we are all modern couple i did “duo”..I put my initial first, not because I have subordination issues (no comments) but because its etiquette to put the woman’s name first, and not separate a man’s first name from his last name?? Y’all correct me if i am wrong, just my understanding..and frankly in today’s world, there are bigger tragedies than getting this right or wrong so I do it however you wish though I am sure the nice ladies at Southern Proper can help you decide..you could also just do a single intial.
Another item i just ran across that I am very excited to share are these amazing nutcrackers..unfinished and very inexpensive from….HOBBY LOBBY! I have a love hate thing with Hobby Lobby and i wasn’t thrilled with their colors, price and selection of shatter proof ornaments when i was in there on Friday! BUT they redeemed themselves when i rounded the corner of the craft Christmas aisle (near the decorations) and found shelves of unpainted items including the nutcrackers, big ones, little ones….with a son who is interested in soldiers, i knew this was Christmas gold..I think my mother thought i was nuts i bought so many. I could paint them solid white or red like West Elm but I think i will leave them natural.
I am sure the boys will want to decorate a few…and at that price ($1-3 on sale!) I can allow them craft and play and use some for decor too!
And just a few more faves I want to mention because it takes time to plan and order…first, the tree idea for teacher and other gifts..I love this.
You can either order them from Seeds of Life and add tag like i did 2 years ago (paper tag with GROW stamped on it and then i handwrote inside) or buy your own tree or even just a plant and package this way..i never get tired of this idea.
And on the note of packaging, I have a wrap and ribbon report. Maybe it is just me, y’all may have found something cute or new or different but I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary at WalMart, World Market, Target or Hobby Lobby….last year i loved one from Target (looked like an Orla Keily print on kraft) BUT I am still loving the kraft paper from and bakers twine (and kraft tape) from Olive Manna, just fyi, the kraft paper is thin but not too thin..i don’t like the classic THICK kraft paper..just me.
I am also loving this wrap from Sundance and the french script wrap from Ballard. Sundance also has some great ribbon for you ribbon-aholics!
Sorry for the long post and i apologize for posting on so much Christmas before Thanksgiving, I am really not a fan of that but I also wanted to give some heads up so you have ordering time etc..last year i waited until Mid December to blog about Christmas!
Have a blessed week and give Thanks to the Lord for He is good and His love endureth forever!
Nov12
7 Comments
some of my faves
Posted in: Christmas, favorite things
I have been busy busy this week with clients getting ready for the holidays… like choosing this gorgeous schumacher wallpaper for Connecticut dining room..i cant wait for the install. It is one of my faves..i would love it in my hall bath too!
(via decorpad)
paper available here or to the trade.
i am so thankful for the work and really enjoy it because i know December will be quiet work wise and give me lots of time to enjoy my own home and family for the holidays.So this means i have been too busy to blog but not to busy to lovingly gaze at my own pinterest as a work resource..amazing how Pinterest is changing things…clients and i already talk about their pins and if they pin and setting up a board for their room etc…it helps! what a resource plus its fun.
So favorite pins of late….this one..love the paper and the lights, please comment if you have these lights, do you like them..do the glare in your face? how do they function? i am wondering about them as bedside lights???
In a child’s room..you know i love this!
Source
Edie has a pair in her wonderful kitchen..her house is turning out amazing!
I love how she mixed THREE styles of lighting..love it!
Like everyone else, i am starting to browse Christmas pins and this one below is great, and that husband cracks me up!
I am off to work but wanted to share a bit..see you next week..Holly
source
And email me asap if you want to do some fluffing before the holidays..there is still time!
Oct13
7 Comments
Favorite pins of late
Posted in: favorite things, friendship
I worked on a big install today and can’t wait to show y’all. Some pretty pretty stuff. But we were rushed and i will have to go back with my camera..and frankly i need a new lens for doing better interiors shots. But I promise to follow through on sharing..so between today being a workday and Drew having a party next week, well you guessed it..not a lot of blogging going on. Don’t you love when bloggers make excuses;; enough of that! On with my favorite pins (and person) of the week.
First off, the legendary (at least in these parts) decorating and gardening diva Carolyn Matejowsky…
photographed at The Brown Shed sale last week. I want to blog her home soon for yall..it is so fun and wonderful just like Carolyn! BTW the sale was so much fun…check here for more on the sale.
And I keep telling my clients trying to style their entryways to get/use basket bags like this to hide things like mail, gloves, etc..what are these bags officially called? Just a straw purse?
Nope. still not over chalkboard walls! And below another great illustration showing the use of the big bag in an entry/mudroom area..
source
{also note the brass hardware, frame and sconce..yum}
And last but not least….my favorite hymn made into art..did my heart good to see this on ol’ pinterest this week. Thanks Tara for pinning this..i love seeing what my friends pin..its almost like having a conversation. ALMOST, not quite;
source
Bind me to thee oh Lord.
Oct12
8 Comments
i love business cards
Posted in: art, favorite things, Inspiration
Do you collect business cards? i do. i love crazy ones, big ones, little ones, ones with crazy fonts and a creative touch. I think typography and graphic design are such an art.
A friend of mine recently ordered cards from minted.com and i fell in love… they have some great designs..i love the variety and ways they will customize..if you a tutor, seamstress, SAHM, whatever..they have a card for you! When i was a kid i loved to play store/shop and make my own business cards so no surpise these float my boat!
You are good enough, you are smart enough, doggonit you are professional and bona fide.. you deserve a business card! ENJOY! This also would make such a great gift for someone you want to encourage!