Checking in from our home to yours
A big hello and huge hug from Texas to everyone out there sheltering in place and hopefully keeping safe. For anyone going through loss of a loved one or suffering with this awful virus. Please know my family is praying for you and send the deepest sympathy from our family to yours. We never knew this was going to happen and its such a sad reality for so many of our families to be apart and experiencing such isolation and suffering.
For many of us, we are simply HOME. HOME a lot. And many of us LOVE OUR HOMES so this should be a no-brainer right? But it can still be a challenge. We miss going out, or having others over. But we will be together soon. And this post is just about that. …MOVING FORWARD, in small ways together, that is why I am working on some “designer downloads” and private discussion groups online
I even have decided I WILL do another HMI Creative Class as soon as safe, this summer hopefully or fall 2020 or maybe 2021 0r 2022 but I am NOT GIVING UP. I have done 5 classes in the past years and while I enjoyed them all they pushed me so far out of my introvert-ness I wasn’t sure I wanted or could do more to be honest. I was pretty much done in many ways. BUT THIS EXPERIENCE HAS MADE ME SURE. Sure of my purpose to make the world beautiful, nurturing, not materialistic but homey. Its been a time of clarity. So there will be more ONLINE SOON because well we are home and need it But there will be more in PERSON in the future as well. Mark my word.
For months, honestly years I thought I would move “it” all online. Make myself less out there less vulnerable, less a brand even if it meant a financial hit. But this Covid experience has convinced me of the need for BOTH. I need you and we need to talk about HOME and making homes and beauty together online but in person too! I feel finally read to DO THIS!
So CREATIVE CLASSES and more digital downloads will be going online soon (pray I can get the tech together not easy) and there will be continued LIVE appointments (of course but not many more e-consults like the olden days, big consults I am booked through end of year praise God) and EVENTUALLY EVENTS, maybe yearly…who knows?!
There will be front porch lunches and mimosas again!
YEP, we need both, I finally get it! Covid taught me…its not all or nothing.
We don’t have to be in a classroom to learn and interact. . .But we can be and we can learn online too and Marco Polo to stay in touch, we can DO IT ALL. NOT ALL THE TIME MAYBE but a mix. We all know that more and more and I am trying to figure out the best way to deliver this kind of interaction to you as easily as possible. Facebook groups, group chats, old time e-consults and OMG PHONE CALLS; Imagine that! I might even get a land line!
SO DO ME A FAVOR….Please check below if you are familiar with the following for online classes and communication:
- Kajabi
- Zoom
- Or do you prefer private facebook groups
- E-consult, phone call?
- Marco Polo app
What will be on our talk agenda first??? yep COLOR!
yes you did see this on hgtv.com or in the magazine..thanks HG peeps!
There will be fresh flowers, hugs and mimosas again soon!
Porch luncheons and design talk will be back but for now stay safe and hold on to the on to the ones you love! And watch for online offerings.
YASSSS, an ONLINE PAINT CLASS WILL BE UP SOON. And while the traditional classroom and design consult may be on hold, it’s not gone forever! But for now we will do a an online paint class delivered via video and multiple platforms likely KAJABI which I promise you is SO EASY FRIENDLY! There will be tutorials and more info coming soon regarding signup and how to get to the material and see it and learn and interact!
But in-person Brenham Texas classes WILL HAPPEN AGAIN
Please know my family is praying for you and sends the deepest sympathy from our family to yours if you have lost loved ones or are on front lines. We never knew this was going to happen and its such a sad reality for so many of our families to be apart and experiencing such isolation and suffering.
For many of us, we are simply HOME. HOME a lot. And many of us LOVE OUR HOMES so this should be a no-brainer right. But it can still be a challenge. We miss going out, or having others over. But we will be together soon. And we will talk about our homes and how they nurtured us and kept us safe and warm and helped up care for our families all the things. How we want to change them, be more content and more. Until then, stay safe and please leave comments about what you are enjoying about your home, what you are changing, what you hoped to accomplish, what you care about classes if you even care at all. Be unfiltered, I can take it and I want know how you are doing at your house and in your HOMES!
Because this country is truly only as strong as each home!
note: beautiful food by Tara Royers Steel or Royers Pie Haven and flowers by Maggie Bailey of Bramble and Bee….so many talented people helped pull this first amazing class together and we will do it again one day! Thanks also to Natalie Dawley of Two be Wed, Natalie Lacey Lange for Photos! I am surrounded by women who love and support me so well.
Happy New Year
Popping in to wish you all a Happy New Year and DECADE. Wow I just can’t believe it is really 2020! The last decade has been full of a lot of ups and downs for our family and I am grateful for all of you here and IRL that have followed along with our story, this blog and Holly Mathis Interiors.
So a few exciting things to share…
First off, a new website will be launching here sometime soon, likely before the end of January. The new site will continue to have a blog space where I will periodically check in like I am now; But more importantly it will have an updated portfolio FINALLY and more! Y’all I have blessed with so many wonderful clients and projects in the last few years and there are so many photos and much inspiration coming!
The new site will also have more digital resources dropping throughout the coming year! Quick and easy digital downloads, online classes, video and more! I know we are all so bombarded with beautiful content and it can be overwhelming. You can go anywhere to get your inspiration and ideas but for those of you who want to see MY recommendations and what excites and inspires me it will be here and more importantly I will be here, Through better e-consults/home coaching, classes, downloads and new ways to work together that WILL work even better for you to get YOU where you want to be with your home in the coming year and decade.
Because don’t we need homes we love that comfort and shelter us more than ever from this crazy world?! Not just stuff and unattainable perfection but conversation and ideas about creating real homes for our families and lives. That is what I want to bring you in the next decade. Beauty + Inspiration with Authenticity.
I also celebrate a major anniversary this year, 15 years in this business! It is hard to believe this all began when my big teenager was just a newborn. How many of you remember this article that started it all. Much of the early part of my business and the next decade included e-consultations as we called them back in the day before instagram, even Pinterest and other apps. My online business grew even faster than my local business early on and eventually it became very overwhelming and I backed off accepting that type of consulting. And then my local work soared and now it has maxed me out somewhat. But I love them both. And I want to do to them both but better with more intention. I have just had crazy growth and I am grateful, it has been a wild ride! After nearly FIFTEEN years of this back of forth balancing both online and local clients (and raising kids, flipping houses, surviving divorce and hard transitions) I am ready to hone in on new services. I have spent time being mentored, coached, thinking, praying, and figuring out what mix of business works for our family and my clients moving forward. I will be talking more to you about this coming weeks both here and in your mailbox if you subscribe. It’s mind boggling how we can communicate and learn and create in 2020 compared to even 2012.
So I am rebooting much of my thinking and planning around digital and local services and how those offerings will look in 2020 and beyond.
Looking back I see God’s plan, wisdom and provision in the push and pull I have seen in myself and my business as far as working with clients online, then more local, then rethinking online and a healthy mix, classes etc. Even (or maybe especially) my personal trials have taught me so much about the home and priorities. It’s has been hard but beautiful to see how God does truly bring beauty from ashes. Easy? NO, but rich and full of lessons I wouldn’t trade and have me made more prepared me for this new chapter!
Some amazing local projects I have worked on the last 5 years have really taught me so much about every aspect of style and design at all budget levels. I am ready to share all of this with my wider audience online. That is exciting!
I have learned so much through both life and big design projects in recent years and I am ready to share some of that with you here! I have good nuggets that can be used at any level in your home. I have realized I can’t travel to every state or take every project and work with everyone individually but there are so many ways we CAN work together and create in the next decade! I can’t wait to inspire and help you with your homes in the coming years!
And as all working women know, so much of our work life reflects our seasons with our children and what we are able to do when they are napping versus driving etc. Hard to believe I have been decorating that long but it is here and I am grateful for the road and all of the lessons and ready to bring some of that back to you here, ONLINE!
So stay tuned. I am here for you as we wade through this mountain of content on social media and all of the home sites and real life. I know it’s a lot y’all. It is a lot for me. But we can keep it in perspective and keep the main thing the main thing as we create homes in the years to come!
Homemaking should be a joy not stressful or anxious and I want to help you navigate and feel good about your spaces so you can live life!
Drop me a note in comments if you have thoughts on any specific download sheets on online class you would like to see from Holly Mathis Interiors.
Maybe a series on paint colors, a course on kitchen remodel tips and tricks, how to navigate choosing a home builder? Or just my favorite ceiling fans or shopping hacks? I know I have asked this before probably and I have heard from some of you and it has helped me get to this place.
Don’t be shy, tell me what you see out there and like, don’t like and would like to see HERE!
[A note about LOCAL projects: I am booked locally for Spring/Summer 2020 but please email if you want to get on waiting list for Fall 2020 and tell me about your local project if you live in Brenham or Round Top, Texas area]
Round Top + an update
The fall 2019 show is coming soon. Tents are already going up around Round Top and surrounding areas for Texas Antique Week. Hard to believe, it doesn’t feel like “Fall” for sure but along with Friday Night Lights, and school buses running up and down the road, we have hope for an eventual fall right?;
I spent some time today going through the fall issue of the Round Top Antiques Show Guide put out by the Round Top Register and y’all it is a great issue!
KUDOS to you Round Top Register and everyone who worked on this issue, it is organized and easy to follow and CHALK FULL of great information to plan any type of Round Top adventure.
And this is not a sponsored post. I just get many emails and messages each show asking for tips and this really is a helpful source for anyone.
And for me personally this fall and Holly Mathis Interiors???? I am not doing any classes or pop ups in the near future. I do not currently have a storefront or public space to visit I am back to home studio and that is okay, more than okay. I am finding it a good life y’all, a sweet spot. Content. I am happily busy with private residential projects and want to devote my full attention to those clients. Very grateful for some great projects. I do have a waiting list for small “mini” projects if you would like help with something small in your home. Late fall or 2020 are def a possibility. Just shoot me an email at holly@hollymathisnteriors.com and I will try to get back to you asap and see if we are a good fit. Please keep in mind I continue my work going into my 15th year of decorating as a SOLO-Entrepeneur. Meaning I do it all (most of it, my saintly mother does lots of errands and school runs and LAUNDRY bless her soul seriously) but business wise I do it all including answering emails, scheduling appointments, site visits, etc so I don’t always get to everything and can’t take every project. I am sorry if you have reached via instagram or some other way and we were not able to connect. This is never a slight toward anyone. This is just how I am working this season. Expansion only seems more complicated to me. This is how I attempt to balance making a living, creating and motherhood. I know based on capitalism and the “world’s standards” to borrow a trigger phrase; I need an assistant and to grow wisely and purposefully. Or maybe not. Maybe I am living my purpose and doing great just the way I am doing things. What a revolutionary thought for me. This is where I am right now and I am learning to lean in to it and give it my best where I am at the moment. In time I will expand possibly or not. BUT right now I am focusing only on the consulting and design work right in front of me. My goal is to give my current clients building or remodeling homes my very best.
Who knows what may come down the road…more local classes, a podcast, e-classes, home coaching, an enneagram and the home focus, a BOOK, a real estate component to the business, a partnership or storefront..who knows but for this year this season I am 100% all in with my residential clients and my BOYS who are growing like big beautiful weeds that need lots of tending and love! I refuse to waste this sweet time in my life as a mother and creative feeling like I am professionally inept, unsuccessful an/or behind in work if I am not producing workshops, dollars, instagram videos and content at every point and turn. It is just exactly enough working on my clients homes and raising my boys in fact it is MORE than enough . . .it is a good place! A sweet spot and just enough for right now.
Thank you to all of the people that have had so much patience and love for me, my kids, and my business through my divorce recovery. It is not very professional to mix personal and business I know BUT it is real life and that is what this blog has always been. Call me the holistic decorator maybe. Or just a little crazy for oversharing but small businesses and PEOPLE can not help but be affected when sickness or tragedy hit. And y’all it takes time to get over things. And humans are behind all of this content and creativity you see online and in magazines. We are not machines. I am amazed this business has not only survived but thrived, what a miracle. I am FINALLY excited for the days to come. But not rushing, there is a time to every season and a purpose to every thing under heaven. Amiright?
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE FIELDS!
True Blue Home~ A New Chapter
True Blue Home, the brick and mortar store I helped develop in 2015 with the Taylor family, is closing in Chappell Hill, Texas. You have probably already heard on social media but for those of you not on instagram or facebook, I wanted you to be sure and know about the new season for this wonderful store and family.
Yes, the physical doors are closing for now. BUT the online presence of TBH will remain and be growing so keep watch. I know Cindy plans to expand monogramming and still offer some of the customer faves, including this monogrammed pillow below. We have discussed collaborating on in depth and hopefully we will be able to offer it online soon. Other items are planned for the online store as well.
TBH evolved from the first building into the bistro space and this is just another step in that odyssey. Jane Gianarelli first and later sketches of the storefronts and Meg from Belle & Union’s branding for the shop will always make my heart flutter…so many talented people worked on, loved and nurtured this business and mission! Thank you to the photographers, seamstresses, stylists, best shop girls and craftsman that worked on this dream. I was honored to be a small part, especially in that grueling but sweet time in the beginning of this dream!
That spot and tese drapes!
I am sad but also excited for the Taylor family as they enter this new season. Brian and Cindy’s youngest daughter is the same age as my oldest Drew and they are in high school! Time is precious and goes oh so fast. Cindy loves being a shopkeeper but life is layered and full and I admire the way she has come to this decision. Read her facebook post here for more.
I hear lots of people saying “brick and mortar” is dead and “its just so hard” and it is not easy BUT I DO think it is still possible and I think TBH is a great example along with what Ben and Erin Napier are doing in Laurel, Mississippi and Ballad of the Bird Dog in our own county! Yes brick and mortar is tricky but it is not fading into the past completely!
So if your dream is to be Meg Ryan with a bookshop don’t give up. All is not lost. ES we all love to shop on Amazon and Nordstrom on a Sunday morning in cozy socks or at 2 am BUT there is still a need for connection and community too in local shops.
God bless you to the Taylor family and True Blue Home. Don’t miss the big sale going on…Today would be a great day to drive out to the country and visit! They will be open Tue-Sat ~10-5 pm for the sale until further notice.
And thank you TBH family for letting me a part of this journey. And keep shopping local when you can y’all!
#shoplocal #truebluehome
Cute Brenham house!
First off, this is NOT a sponsored post. But the yellow front door and visions of how one of my favorite fabrics would look in this house have me eager to share. This house has just been remodeled in my old neighborhood, east Brenham! I love this part of Brenham because it has so much history and and there are many diamonds in the rough ready for revitalization! East Brenham reminds me of the Houston Heights somewhat. This house is on a corner of Gayhill and Crockett..and its two streets over from the cutest street in town in my opinion (any idea the name of that street local experts)??
This house the original wood floors and some great patterned tile in the master bath and laundry. I love how they used both blue and white and black and white. The kitchen is a blank slate with subway tile and a great hood and range. I love how they took the tile to the ceiling.
The house also has great doors I noticed, something rare in a remodel at this price range. All of the detail and finish work is really nice again for this price range. It has new roof, windows, siding, paint, just need a fence and a patio umbrella!
SO ready for a s summer party and back to school for a family!
just add Fabric love
I ca also see a Lauren Ross-like skirt on this island maybe ..so many possibilities for this house!
If you are nearby and house shopping, def go see the blue paint and cute tile!
I think the master bath vanity and barn door are Behr Color of the Year Blueprint
or maybe BM Newburyport Blue??..love th0se colors!
Blank slate, walls are all Repose Gray paint on the walls (I think) I can see a great gallery wall and Turkish rug in here!
#brenhamrealestate #renovationsdoneright #woodfloors #sofresh #blankslate #happilyeverafter #smalltownliving
Contact Cyndee Smith at Oldham Goodnan Group to see this home….Good job #teamknowles!
Mount Vernon Part One (of Many)
This home in Washington County is so special. The homeowners and I (and their architect and builder and many wonderful craftsmen) have been working for some time to see this beauty finally emerge and boy is it emerging to be everything we hoped! 
Every site visit I am so excited to see it come to life and near completion!
Is there anything better than the smell of sawdust and fresh paint and the sound of saws and hammers! Not to me!
These colors are soft but fresh and feel so organic and fitting to their landscape, especially with the wildflowers still blooming just outside!
Most of the house is painted BM Pale Oak, SW Eider White with dark accents of SW Dorian Gray and SW Classic French Gray. And SW Peppercorn in one very special room! We may be discussing a drinking game with the aim of naming these colors! The top color is custom just for the lady of the house!
I like to think Mr A. Hayes Town himself would approve of this color palette, I am so pleased with how they play of one another and the natural light. Not all my doing, the homeowners did a lot of samples and comparing colors, total team effort to get to this point. Houses like this don’t just happen! I couldn’t help but think of this famous image of him today when I saw this Duxbury and Classic French Gray paint on the walls!
More to come including some wonderful exterior photos and brick flooring and grasscloth. Also I am hoping the homeowners will let me share some of the tips and tricks they learned in researching some historic Natchez, Mississippi, paint colors! They did their homework. It’s been such a joy to be a part..amazing team of architectural design, builder, craftsmen and more. Including Fischer Tile of Brenham Texas and JM Floors. I can’t wait to see the lighting via True Blue Home installed and marble via BRENHAM AREA MARBLE in place.
#mountvernon #hollymathisinteriors #buildinghousesbuildinghomes
Round Top 2019
Round Top is in full swing..this is an oldie but goodie with precious Rachel and Clover of NewStory Media..so much to do, so much to share. Check here and here for show times and lot of info. I know it can be overwhelming but just hit the road, pack a hat and extra jacket, grab some water and boots and just head out and see what you can find! You can tell how long ago this was by the bubble necklace lol!
Round Top Pop Up- Front Porch Friends
Looking forward to “popping up” this Friday and Saturday (march 20 & 30) in Henkel Square with good friends Jamie Sawicki Art and Suzanne Jones of Holland and Birch Jewelry. Suzanne is coming in all of the way from Birmingham tomorrow…so excited! Jamie is bringing art both large and small from Houston. Friday evening the annual The Gathering event will be going on in the square as well!
I will have a few design “leftovers” to share and some fresh pillows arriving just this week… but mainly I will just be hosting these two sweet ladies on this lovely front porch right next to Pie Haven in Round Top’s historic Henkel Square.
Sharing some images of some of their pieces..I love their work but love hanging out with them even more!
Come and join us..we will be there late on Friday night after The Gathering event!
Love this photo from the first Gathering at Round Top event in 2015 hard to believe its been FOUR YEARS!
2019 travel dreams + Provence ed.
I love this sacred time between Christmas Day and New Years/back to school time. Sure I work a little here and there but I really try to keep plenty of time for reading, kid/dog snuggles, naps and reflection. I am trying to be gentle and realistic about goals while making room for dreams.Top of the list is the elusive “work smarter not harder” idea and aspirations of trading traffic and hustle for travel that is ‘less freeway’ and more joy and inspiration! Yep, visualizing/vision boarding/being intentional #allthethings of spending less dinero on Amazon and saving for trips like below. I think we are all more and more about experiences and less about stuff! Am I right?? I have to remember this while in Sephora and Target in 2019!
Today is so wet and gloomy in Texas as you can see in my photo above, what better time to dream of Provence and Marrakesh??!!YEP, I am a mother and small business owner but I WANT TO TRAVEL!
I’ve been talking to my friend Mary Baskin recently about her Vagabond trips abroad. And they are so special and unique. Sure there is shopping, but its good insider, local type shopping with stories about families that have been making ribbons for generations and true craftsmanship with soul! This is not your average tour. It looks so amazing Mary! She is a seasoned pro y’all!
All of these beautiful photos were take by our mutual friend Ragan Cain. Ragan is the epitome of the modern day Southern belle! Smart and kind all while globe trotting and adventure seeking! Lovely both inside out out! You can follow Ragan on Instagram. She ENJOYS + loves both beauty and life and details and people! Seeing Ragan’s shutterfly albums has been such a treat. So fun seeing the perspective of things she admires and takes pictures of along her journeys… Ragan, you make this homebody want to put on a scarf and GO! You should publish a coffee table book of your adventures!
Mary and all of her contacts abroad that help her coordinate these adventures keep the groups small and the experiences non-touristy and slow paced so you can SAVOR the food and culture and beauty! SO many photos of Ragan and her friends laughing in her album and her savoring good drinks, and food, even lounging in a hammock. Not how I remember some of my early European adventures; I am ready for a redo!
They see some of the best the landmarks and sites but also the rare and unexpected. And at a relaxing, fun pace.
Many of you know I have worked hard to dial back my “work travel” even working less in nearby Houston and def dialing both out of state work (except Maine, well and one in Lafayette ha, I am trying y’all). God has truly answered prayer in 2019 bringing me MORE local work here at home in the Brenham/Round Top, TX area. But its like once I gave up pushing to drive to work in the big city and accepting every project offer in other states, an opportunity has come up to travel abroad in the summer of 2019! or even 2020!
I am still not sure if this 2019 trip with Mary Baskin and Vagabond will work out for ME but maybe it will for YOU and it is on my DREAMIN’ list. Who wants to dream and think about going with me?? What is on your dream list?? Where would you like to go and do?? Cooking time in a real French country kitchen? flea markets? high fashion back door tours?? Learning more about antiques or local culture? I love that they don’t just do flea markets or shop.
This trip is as life should be, a mix of all things wonderful!
See more about Mary’s Vagabond International trips here including dates and more photos and info.
And watch for a Part II on this post, I just couldn’t fit a sampling of Ragan’s Marrakesh Vagabond tour 2018 photos in this post and I WANT YOU TO SEE! Thank you again Ragan for sharing a bit of these amazing places through your eyes! What joy!
And if you are wondering if this is the same Mary Baskin that I instagrammed about recently the answer is YES! She is a Texan just like me and she has a charming place called The English Merchant’s Inn in Waxahachie, Texas, a small town near Dallas! Mary is having a great social media class coming up soon in February and she has mentioned doing some US City tours as well. I am watching her closely, I have long admired Mary and I am excited about hanging out and traveling with her more. TEACH ME MARY!
I’m a decorator and stylist and I love creating beautiful spaces where families can live life! Let me help you make the everyday beautiful!
