good shopping - Holly Mathis Interiors

good shopping

Jul29
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Paper Source in Houston!
Posted in: Inspiration, good shopping
Paper Source Houston is OPEN! It’s in Highland Village on Westheimer..Pardon the photos by phone a.k.a. “lazy summer blogging,” but I thought y’all might enjoy a peek inside.
I have always just loved their “bee” logo! I made a quick tour yesterday and it was inspiring. How could it not be..look at the rows and rows of gorgeous paper…paper and ribbon are just below fabric on my list of favorite things in the world..such a product of creativity and source of beauty!
And they are creative in many areas, not just with paper, look at this use of doors behind their “card wall”..so cute!
Oh and look what’s is right next door to Paper Source’s Houston location…
That’s right…Sprinkles Cupcake bar..I did not go in..but it sure looks fun!
Have you ever had a Sprinkles cupcake?? How about this place? I actually saw mention on google homepage this morning that cupcakes are going “out of style?” funny thought..what do you think? are you over cupcakes..how did I get from Paper Source to Cupcakes?! ha!
Oh and thanks for the Lego love and empathy on the last post!
Jul17
9 Comments
BDF = Big furniture deals!
Posted in: Inspiration, good shopping
Living near Houston, the shopping is endless..in fact overwhelming at times and the budget furniture deals abound. For instance, look what i happened across on Thursday while shopping with a client to furnish a COMMERCIAL space..That’s right, Big Furniture Deals..my new favorite saying..classy right?!
And where do we go for “BIG ACCESSORY DEALS?? B.A.D….yes, Super Marshalls..where everyone now officially hates me…three carts maybe four carts later, we had to beg someone to check us out…but it was all worth it because i found the big leaf…which so reminds me of THIS image below from Cottage living (or maybe it was in Southern Living but it is the Coastal Living editor’s home??? Design Sponge via the Newlywed Diaries blog..read more about it there)….Please correct me in the comments if you know more about the sourcing…The large, organic look of these pressed leaves has stuck with me..just adore it..come to find out..the blog above reports they are POSTERS from www.allposters.com I can’t find them on their site but they have some great botanicals…it just confirms that large makes such an impact.
I am sure many of you remember this now…I totally thought of this when I saw the leaf in Marshalls…maybe I am nuts..luckily my client’s wife was game…
anyway, the big leaf coupled with inexpensive leather and a few manly, Texas-y items (like kilim pillows, cowhide rug, HUGE framed Texas map that is black and white and large iron scrolly console, chunky corbel lamp with grasscloth shade) HOPEFULLY will translate into a nice coastal Texas, masculine feel for this office..stay tuned to see more from this project and more BDF!;;
Jun30
6 Comments
More from the Mini Design Flea
Posted in: blogs, family, good shopping
Linsey and Tricia did great posts recapping the event last Saturday. Check out here and here. Here are a few more shots of my favorite things at the Mini Flea….Like this cute chair by Tricia!
…and lots of pillows and frenchy inspiration from Linsey!
Pretty things from the Nest, a great store in Houston…
..The lovely sound of JD and Linsey’s fountain in their backyard..which is like a courtyard..perfect spot for our little sale..i just love this area..every time you step out her back door you think it is raining because the fountain has such a tranquil sound…very calming.
…and the yummy muffins and lemonade donated by Whole Foods in support of the charitable aspect of the event.
JD jazzed up the lemonade..yum~!
Meeting blog readers and shoppers like Ian and his sweet mama..look at his cheeks…so adorable!
…and this cute shopper below..she and her mama went home with one of my favorite pieces…a vintage trunk with the most wonderful robin’s egg blue finish and bamboo accents!
And last but not least..seeing the women pictured below was such a blessing…these are my relatives! They missed my Granny’s funeral because their own mama is not in good health but they live in Houston and were able to attend the sale..it was so good to see them..love you Walker women!
Thanks again for everyone!
Jun28
6 Comments
Design Flea recap!
Posted in: blogs, good shopping
Well I am thrilled to announce the Mini Design Flea was a great success! I quickly realized there wasn’t anything “mini” about the event..people were excited and it was a lot of work! BUT it was such a delight to do an event with Tricia and Linsey, they are truly great people. We all have different strengths and skills and it worked out great! (Can anyone hear the Wonder Pets theme playing in the background?! Or maybe Charlie’s Angels?)
Linsey made us these cute tees with our logo on the back (and names on front, watch out Laverne!;;) and Tricia’s mom made us cute little aprons to stuff pens and tags, etc…so sweet.

{Tricia, Holly, Linsey}
We had to really hustle to get things ready by 9 am and we had people waiting at Linsey’s gate but we did it and it was fun though just a tad hectic at first and quickly a “little warm” outside. Luckily we had fans blowing, lots of shade, a beautiful setting in Linsey’s back “courtyard” (more on it later..i love her yard!) and yummy lemonade!
I will try to post more photos throughout the week….in the meantime, a big thank you to JD and Linsey for allowing us to have the event in their beautiful home and to all of the friends and family that helped with the event. I also want to thank all of the blog readers and locals who came out to see us and shop! It was so fun to meet some of you..please leave a note in comments if you attended on Saturday and let me know how you found out about the sale!
Jun24
6 Comments
play + work + big picture
Posted in: favorite things, friendship, good shopping, keeping it real
I have this issue. It happens when I “clean house”..it’s happening when I should be “tagging and packing” for the Mini Design Flea (coming up THIS SATURDAY!)..i get distracted and want to play. Human nature I guess. I mean surely it is normal to drag a mannequin outside and wrap fabric scraps around it and stuff book pages down its neck and then text someone a picture of it…right, that is normal?! I didn’t think so. I am sure the guy in the truck thinks I am interesting.
I just adore that little frame..no it won’t be for sale. But the mannequin is..she isn’t old and just covered in gray felt..she needs TLC..maybe cover in linen or decoupage with book pages. She would be so cute in a closet or bedroom corner holding necklaces. And the pedestal is wood and painted white. See y’all, it’s a problem. I get bogged down in details.
For instance, don’t you just love her Grace Kelly-esque fabric scrap sash? Well, at least I got this piece below cleaned up and ready to go.
Be sure and visit us in West U on Saturday if you have a chance. Directions here. Click here to read more about the event in the local news! Yes that is right, while I am busy bogged down in details and taking photos of a mannequin in my front yard, my friend Linsey at LLH Designs is thinking big picture. I am so proud of her and how her vision for this event has grown. I am honored to be a part of this project–we will be having fun and supporting a good cause! Come if you can!
Jun22
3 Comments
More sneak peeks . . .
Posted in: good shopping
Another peek of items that will be at our “Mini” Design Flea Market (My husband thinks this name is just soooo funny;;) on Saturday in Houston!
I love these Aidan Gray lamps. I see some cute pillows too but LOOK AT LINSEY’S KITCHEN FLOOR…I love it..she says it is hard to keep but it is so gorgeous. OK back to the market, I was distracted, ok so in addition to decorator items, Linsey will have some of her wonderful stationery items to sell at the market as well…love her designs…AND her talented sister will have art there as well..I am a big fan of her work.
So be there or be square! Click here for directions.
Jun21
4 Comments
Houston “Mini” Design Flea
Posted in: good shopping
The “Mini” Design Flea is THIS SATURDAY in Houston! I can’t believe it is THIS SATURDAY..the summer is already flying! I meant to give more information and previews last week but it just didn’t happen so I have lot to tell this week! I will try to show a preview every day.
We are calling it a “mini” flea because it is at this cool girl’s home in West University Place. This isn’t a huge thing with food vendors and wristbands, it’s a small-ish “home show”…BUT there will be cool lemondade and some great items. . . not your usual garage sale fare, some good deals but some nicer, pricey items too, but still less than retail. The main thing is it will be a collection of fun stuff and a good mix of price points . . . lamps, rugs, pillows, fabric, old suitcases, a few antiques, chalkboards, Cavallini papers and much more including this awesome example of Marcia Brady finery. . .ha!
That’s right Houstonians, I am proud to annouce i will have a petite Marcia Brady dresser or “server” available for purchase at the Mini Flea..handpainted by moi in the sticky Texas humidity…and yes it is RED inside..can’t you just see white dishes stacked against that vibrant color..love the red surprise (and it wasn’t an easy job my friends..especially with monster mosquitoes biting me while i painted).
{The color is Martha Stewart’s River Mist from her new paint line, it looks much more “icy”in this photo than real life. It’s really a nice grey blue. I still need to distress a bit and add some fancy brown (shoe polish) wax}
So tell your friends and head down to West U to see all of our treasures, CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS and NO EARLY BIRDS..we start at NINE, no earlier, please respect this and give us time to prepare..gotta give yours truly time to drive down from the country and make my stuff all purty for y’all!
[ I want to thank everyone for your prayers and condolences regarding the loss of my grandmother. Your kindness means the world. Love, Holly]
Jun13
11 Comments
Girls’ weekend
Posted in: Inspiration, friendship, good shopping
Recently my friend Camille and I were able to meet up in a centrally located town for a girls’ weekend! We’d been throwing the idea around for months and finally decided to meet in Waco, Texas, for several reasons. First, I would also be able to see my sweet grandmother who is in a nursing home there and that is much easier without the little ones in tow. Also Camile and I first met in Waco while attending Baylor along with our husbands, so it is a special place to us both for many reasons, it’s our old stomping ground, sic’ em bears and all of that! We also love the restaurants and shops near the Brazos River and downtown, and it’s not too far from this little guy so I could quickly be back home the next day (yes I was nervous about leaving Henry but they did great). Another reason… THIS PLACE!
When I was searching for lodging in good ol’ Waco, I have to admit my expectations were low. Very low. But when I saw the Livingston, specifically THIS SUITE, I nearly flipped…for several reasons.
First off, within our budget and hello, the decor! I was also very excited when I noticed on the website that Mary Baskin is the mastermind behind the wonderful design of the rooms at The Livingston. I recognized her name from the pages of Better Homes & Garden so I knew it would be good. And notice the Union Jacks and Brit theme..that is so up our alley. See below.
{Camille & Holly, shopping in London, ca. 2003}
So yes, this mama to an 11 month old was excited to get away for a good visit with my friend…And granted the shopping in Waco isn’t Cath Kidston & VV Rouleaux on Sloane Square where we went nuts years before BUT we had a great time in Waco at Honey’s Home + Style on Austin Ave (which I mentioned last week in this post), Roots, and beyond…
{Photo courtesy of Honey’s Home+Style}
Better than the shopping and cool lodging is just spending time with a friend that loves unconditionally and can be honest about the shape of an eyebrow and more!
{Camille & Holly, Waco, Texas, 2010}
[Before our trip or even booking the Brit-themed room, Camille and I had been exchanging numerous emails about the Helkat pillows on Etsy. After our re-immersion into all things Brit, via Waco, she returned to West Texas and whipped up something very special..can't wait to show you!]
God save the Queen, good friendship & the Baylor Bears!
Jun10
4 Comments
Save the date
Posted in: good shopping
I am so excited to be a part of this fun little event…more details coming SOON! In the meantime, SAVE THE DATE or check here and here for more info!
Jun9
5 Comments
Cavallini paper, part 2
Posted in: Inspiration, good shopping
Must update! I found the image below via a link to Apartment Therapy on the previous Cavallini post (thanks Debbie!) and that image shows the envelope “sheet”…notice in the lower right hand corner.
This reminds me of the article in Southern Living that showed an enlarged envelope used as art..LOVE IT..I am sure many of you remember this article and image!
I love everything about how he styled this…Over the weekend, I saw a green jar at Marshall’s just like this one ! And simple black frame…you could do this with your own old envelope or if you don’t have time for this project just frame the Cavallini envelope! So easy and bold..very graphic!