SMALL SHOPS BACK ROW HOME ARE A BIG DEAL
Holiday shoppers are about to throw down the gauntlet, and as you ready your buying game plan, don’t overlook locally owned shops in out-of-the-way places.
Shop Small Saturday — officially on Saturday — helps to raise awareness of the strides you can make in your own community by seeking out locally owned businesses, on this one day or all year long. American Express launched the effort in 2010 and — with help from marketing and social media — the movement has gained traction ever since.
Since Houston is the most diverse community in the United States, its small businesses are, too. You’ll find them in every suburb, selling wares from all over the world and others items from right here in the U.S., too. With that in mind, here are 10 stores you’ll want to seek out for unique gifts and inspiration all year long. (Note: they’re all closed Thanksgiving day; holiday hours may vary.) Leighton Hale, Tracey Shingledecker and Kelly O’Donnell have set up shop as the appropriately named Back Row Home. In a slightly hard-to-find Memorial-area design center — in the back row of a few strips of low-slung buildings — their vast space holds jewelry, home goods, children’s things, gifts and plenty of French antiques. Hale travels to France for an eclectic mix of furnishings, plus silver flatware and objets d’arts. He’s fond of hotel silver, so you’ll find it in baskets of flatware and serving pieces, and if you’re planning a New Year’s bash, head on over to indulge in his vintage French silver champagne buckets bearing Veuve Cliquot and Moet & Chandon logos.
One great thing: A section of gift-quality games will have pals playing tic-tac-toe, dominoes or checkers ($65-$170) in style. Where: 8570 Interstate 10, Suite 111 Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Information: backrowhome.com; 713-827-9292
Wander through the home design shop coowned by Ruth Davis and Aaron Rambo, and you’ll know you’ve found the shop that’s done the hunting for you. They have truly vintage and antique home furnishings that are one-of-a-kind and stock accessories you won’t find anywhere else in town. They carry felt wool trays ($90 and up) by Graf Lantz, luxurious dishes and lamps ($800 and up) by Christopher Spitzmiller and modern resin vases and trays ($50 and up) by Tina Frey Designs. If you love gifting coffee table books, check out Found’s vast supply of art and design books.
One great thing: Alicia Adams’s soft alpaca wool throws ($445) will keep you warm on chilly winter days and at other times will simply serve as a beautiful pop of color for any room in the house. Where: 3433 W. Alabama Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (closing early Wednesday for the holiday week, then reopening Nov. 27)
Information: foundforthehome.com; 713-5229191
LAM BESPOKE
Patrick Lam grew up around his parents’ Hien Lam Upholstery business and in 2011 with his wife, Cathy, launched Lam Bespoke, a home decor shop with custom furniture made in Houston. Their shop is filled with vignettes that show off traditional and contemporary furniture with lush pillows, beautiful lamps and other accessories. The store also has become the go-to shop for private-label club chairs ($1,000 and up), stools and ottomans ($200 and up). And you’ll find art glass vases ($40 and up), picture frames ($40 and up) and other great accessories.
One great thing: They sell Linnea’s Lights diffusers and small-batch soy candles ($34) year-round, and already have stocked the not-too-piney Forest Fir holiday fragrance. Where: 2032 W. Alabama Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Nov. 23-25, then reopening regular hours Nov. 27)
Information: lambespoke.com; 713-523-1558
LAURIE’S HOME FURNISHINGS
It’s hard to imagine there’s a piece of furniture you can’t find at the sprawling Laurie’s Home Furnishings in Tomball. Walls are loaded with affordable art and wall decor and the floors are filled with room vignettes from living rooms to bedrooms to man caves. You’ll find plenty of pale neutrals but prints and colors, too. Can’t find what you want? Their custom design studio will make it for you.
One great thing: Mantels loaded with glowing votives are always pretty, and Laurie’s selection of holders ($1-$6) in on-trend colors allows you to load up without breaking the bank.
Where: 10730 F.M. 2920, Tomball
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Information: laurieshomefurnishings.com; 281-290-9565
MAI/MEMORIAL ANTIQUES & INTERIORS
In its brand new home in the Houston Design Center, MAI has expanded into three suites chock full of vintage and antique art and home décor. Its two groundfloor and single upstairs suite are in the back part of the center and signage will help you find all three parts. The shop hasn’t changed its eclectic mix, but its real charmer this holiday season mixes antiques and fresh traditions with amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs planted in vintage and antique vessels, mostly in silver bowls, pitchers and cups ($14-$80). They’re sure to be top-sellers, and staff assures us that there are plenty more to replace those gobbled up in the early shopping rush.
One great thing: Its only role is to sit and look pretty, but the midcentury Murano glass finials mounted on acrylic bases ($135-$165) are sure to captivate you.
Where: Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road, Suite 164, 166 and 260
Hours: this week 10 a.m.5 p.m. today and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday; open regular hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday starting Nov. 27
Information: maihouston.com; 713-827-8087
MELA & ROAM
In the upstairs part of the building that houses both Mela & Roam and Jardin de France, Courtney Barton stocks home goods with the rich colors and patterns of India. Barton, an Louisiana State grad who studied textile design, has launched a small business as she raises her young children. Much of her bedding — decorative pillows ($150-$315) and traditional summer blankets known as “dohar” ($56$250) — are hand woven with hand-block-printed designs. You’ll also find Phulkari throws, traditional lassi cups turned into hand-poured candles ($75) and lively camel tassels ($14-$65). Don’t overlook her hand-printed notecards ($20 for a box of 10); they’ll make the prettiest thankyou cards ever. Buy a few for hostess gifts.
One great thing: Downstairs, Patrice and Gloria Watine sell French antiques and architectural items for the home and garden. Find a little shelf somewhere to tuck in a framed miniature painting ($39) by Houston artist Sonia Miller. It’s also a great gift for a friend whose work cubicle needs a touch of beauty. Where: 4819 Blossom Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Information: melaandroam.com, 832-781-0121; jardindefrancetx.com, 832651-3136
PAISLEY HOUSE HOME FURNISHINGS AND GIFTS
Joani Scaff and her capable staff soon will mark their first year in their new Memorial-area location. The shop houses her design studio, but the substantial space offers furniture, home accessories and luxury bedding, too. Shipments of blessing beads ($65-$80) sell out as soon as they arrive, and they stock a good variety of mother-ofpearl or inlaid bone picture frames ($49-$135). If holiday items are on your gift list, look at their fur or sequin tree skirts ($75-$110), the painted jute table runner ($40) you can really use year-round or baskets of pretty ornaments.
One great thing: New to the store are large metal bowls with enamel linings ($88-$238), pieces of art in themselves.
Where: 9090 Interstate 10, Suite 120
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (during the holidays the shop will stay open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays)
Information: paisleyhouse.com; 713-463-7600
RENOVATE
Mother-daughter duo Cathy Robinson Hutton and Courtney Robinson Prochaska operate this retail shop where Robinson Hutton’s interior design studio is located. Their style is easy and elegant, and home decor items are beautiful and functional. You’ll find plenty of Christmas decorations, plus dish towels ($10) with cheeky sayings (“Coffee … because crack is bad for you”) and lovely faux plants such as boxwood ($18-$98) and orchids. Desperate for stocking stuffers for guys? Look for their dapper Brackish bow ties ($195) made of feathers or clever shoe-brush grooming kits ($18) covered in men’s necktie fabric.
One great thing: Resist the urge to get your child’s teacher another coffee mug. Instead, a glass cube vase that holds a single stem ($12) just might be enough to make your kid the teacher’s pet.
Where: 7413 Westview, Suite C
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
Information: renovatehou.com; 713-291-1171
TRIBUTE GOODS
Karen Pulaski combined her artistic eye and entrepreneurial spirit for her Tribute Goods luxury bedding shop in the Houston design district on West Alabama. Though her sparkling shop’s display window always sports a well-made bed with a disco ball, there’s far more than pillow shams and comforters inside. Originally open to those in the trade only, Pulaski started welcoming the general public about two years ago. Her goods are embellished with designs by artists or are drawn from vintage and antique images that are so beautiful they’re sure to help you get a better night’s sleep. She also carries pillows made from vintage Hermes scarves ($2,500 and up) and handmade wooden ink pens ($125) by Nick Gonzalez.
One great thing: Look for her bucket of adorable “Harlem Toile” umbrellas ($65) designed by New York artist Sheila Bridges, who puts an African-American spin on the historical French toile pattern.
Where: 3637 W. Alabama,
Suite 100
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday (and by appointment); closed Nov. 24
Information: tributegoods.com; 713-627-3700
TWENTY-TWO FIFTY INTERIORS
Christmas has officially filled the Sugar Land shop started in 2010 by Teena Caldwell and her daughter, Lauren Worsham. Caldwell has long been an area interior designer, and the shop is an extension of their on-trend aesthetic. It’s still filled with home furnishings, but sofas and chairs are draped in plush throws and holiday linens, and end tables and consoles hold centerpieces and decorative items. And, of course, several Christmas trees sit Santa-ready, full of ornaments and inspiration for your own home.
One great thing: Cloisonne ornaments with college logos ($44) will please any Rice or UH grad.
Where: 2250 Lone Star, Sugar Land
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, also open noon-5 p.m. Sundays during the holiday season
Information: twentytwofiftyinteriors.com; 281-265-2250