Houston: Brown

I was in Houston today to work on the February issue of TM and when I walked out of the terminal I noticed that Hobby had put rocking chairs outside baggage claim. In Texas even the airports have a dose of southern hospitality.
After working, I went to Brown on Ferndale. I heard of this shop from Cote de Texas and when I was in Houston a few weeks ago I missed the chance to stop in. Brown specializes in lighting - gorgeous, handcrafted chandeliers and sconces - and small gift-y things like soaps - lots of soaps - and lotions and candles.
I adore these nubby candles above. They must be embedded with bits of herbs, cinnamon, and cloves because they smelled like a Thanksgiving pie. There were bundles of them tied with pretty plaid ribbon.
So much to look at.
I do think they have every fancy soap imaginable. And the area Brown is in is my favorite area to shop in Houston. It's sandwiched between West Alabama and Westheimer where all my must-stops are. Thompson + Hanson on W. Alabama is hands down one of the best gardening stores (along with Gardens in Austin and Dallas) in the state - and each time I visit I can't help but have lunch at Tiny Boxwoods, its in-house cafe. It's simple clean lines and tonal palette are utterly chic and the menu is filled with yummy salads with champagne vinaigrette and simple, but artful sandwiches like grilled cheese smeared with herb-y pesto. I like to sit outside overlooking the pristinely landscaped green space or at the lunch counter. Of course, after that I always head to across the parking lot to Indulge, which is filled with all things French-tinged. And no visit to Houston is complete without losing yourself and the contents of your pocket book at A Bientot, an accessory fiend's ultimate fantasy. More details on all those next...

xx,

kr