Objects Lost and Found!

 

 

There is a new antiques shop in Houston – Objects Lost & Found, or to make it all a little easier on the tongue, just Objects.  Located in the heart of antiques central on Ferndale, Objects owes its start to last year’s Hurricane Ike.  Proprietor Sharon Perry has had her offices at this charming house for years.   An architect/interior designer with more impressive credentials than President Obama:  she graduated with a degree in Architecture from  Rice University and earned her major degree from Harvard, Perry has dreamed of running an antiques shop in her office for a long while.    In fact for the past three years she has been quietly amassing antiques from France and warehousing them, waiting for just the perfect time to open.   Once Hurricane Ike blew through last year and  her office suffered storm damage – it gave Perry the  excuse to finally open Objects.  Since reconstruction work was going to have to be done anyway – why not reconfigure the office into a shop?   The turnover was easy -  she had plenty of room on the second floor for her architecture and interior design business – so upstairs all the offices went.  While the downstairs was being turned into the charming shop, Perry flew off to France yet again to really get down to the business of buying.  It all came together last month when she opened the doors to the newest shop on antique row. 

 

 

The shop is spread out over three main rooms – it is filled with antiques, mostly “smalls,” lamps, and accent furniture such as pairs of consoles.   What sets Objects apart is that it caters to those in the accessorizing phase - that time at the end of a project when the shelves and table tops are waiting to be styled - but finding just those right objects can be one  of the  more time consuming  duties an interior decorator faces.  As a designer herself,  Perry recognized the need for one-stop shopping for all things “accessory” and has merchandised Objects as such.   I suspect interior designers will flock to the shop for the special touches that make a room complete.

 

First stop is a wall of lamps, mostly in pairs, and mostly custom designed by Perry.    On the bottom shelves is a collection of boxes – perfect for side tables and coffee tables. 

 

On this round bakers rack are scores of decorative plates and Majolica -  highly collectable ceramics.

 

 

I love this line up of parrots on the mantel!   Sharon said she has a real bird theme going on throughout the shop. 

 

 

Naturally I was drawn to this beautiful pair of painted antique French chairs.   Sharon loves the original muslin lining  as much as I do – I wouldn’t have recovered these either!  Why do muslin linings look so fresh and attractive now?   Funny how times and taste changes. 

 

 

 

 

Another favorite of mine was this stunning Spanish styled table, painted, and topped with aged stone.    I could see using this outside on a covered porch or inside in a dining room, either one!  I really love this table!!

 

 

Another favorite was this painted console – it is actually one of a pair.  More majolica rests on top, along with birds and a birdcage. 

 

 

This charming armoire with chicken wire is filled with framed prints. 

 

 

The second room has shelves filled with goodies mostly from Sharon’s trips to France.

 

 

My mother, sister and I all collect tole or tin boxes.   Mostly, when we are lucky, we might find small biscuit tins from the English company Huntley Palmer.   But this piece dwarfs all of our carefully collected tins:   it is a large display that once held different spices – probably used in a market, Sharon said.  I was drooling over this!!!!   

 

A close up of the spice dispenser – here you can see the mustard and cinnamon compartments.  

 

 

  

A painted chest with a zinc mirror.  Antique drapery hardware sits in a wooden crate atop the chest.

 

 

In the third room:  I love this sofa and the pair of demi lune consoles flanking it.   The scrolled iron wall hangings are antique French burglar bars, Sharon quipped. 

 

 

 

A large collection of English and French inkwells sit atop a vanity table in the third room.

 

  And finally, one of the more unique objects in the shop is this lavabo in the shape of a turtle!  Sharon, being both an architect and an interior designer, is hoping someone will buy this and ask her to design a powder room around it.   I hope they do too – she has all the plans drawn up in her head, just waiting for them!!!

 A special thank you Sharon for the tour of your beautiful shop Objects!

 

Objects is located at 2815 Ferndale, off Kirby between Westheimer and Alabama.    For these next two weeks, Objects is participating in the Holiday Card for the American Cancer  Society.     It is open Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays by appointment.

 

                                   

 

AND IN OTHER HOUSTON NEWS:   

 

• 

Tara Shaw welcomes  authors Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems to her Houston store this Friday from 2 until 5 pm  for a book signing and lecture on decorating with Swedish furniture.   On Saturday, the same event will be held in New Orleans.  If you can, please be sure to attend – it  should be a great event!

 

 

HOUSTON:  Tara Shaw’s  at 1845-a West Alabama

Friday, October 23 at 2:00 until 5:00 pm

For more information call:   713-533-9744

 

 

AND EVEN MORE HOUSTON NEWS:

 

 

Its that time again, The Urban Market, Houston’s version of Round Top, will be open this  coming November 8th.   For more information, go HERE.  

Sunday, November 8th
9am-4pm @ 607 E. Whitney, 77022
The Knights of Columbus Fields

A Pamela Pierce Designed House

 

 

 

Everyone knows that one of my favorite designers is Houstonian Pamela Pierce.  A few years ago, her own house was once a cover story in Veranda and it remains one of my favorites.  This picture above of her own bedrooms is rarely seen on the internet, but I think it is so pretty.  Understated, yet beautiful, it highlights Pierce’s aesthetic:  a love of antiques, a quiet monochromatic look, no easily defined period, and the use of quality in the elements that separates her work from the more average designer.  Her house is such a beauty, although I’ve heard rumors it’s been redone.   Unfortunately for us, Pierce’s work isn’t often seen.   Her clients prefer anonymity and while this is understandable, it’s such a shame that we aren’t able to see everything she designs.   There’s a lot to learn from her and I so respect her choices; I would be forever indebted  if one day she would publish a book filled with all her projects.  Pierce once said that while she admires international star designers such as John Saladino and Axel Vervoordt, she has been most influenced by Houston designer Babs Watkins.  I love that.   Watkins helped start the current “Houston” look and her eye is in a class of its own.   Simply, Watkins is one of the best designers this town has had.   Pamela Pierce certainly is at the top of the list of contenders to that title.

 

 

A few weeks ago I posted this picture of pool house she designed that is without a doubt one of the prettiest backyard structures I’ve seen.   I’ll use any excuse to post it again and again!  To describe it as a pool house is actually sacrilege.   Veranda calls it a garden pavilion, but I think of it as a folly – defined as: a whimsical structure built to serve as a conversation piece or lend interest to a view, found especially in England in the 18th century.   The pavilion was built around a collection of 18th century stone doors and windows that Pierce found at Chateau Domingue, the premier importer of architectural elements.   Very few designers would have had the vision to create such a structure out of a pile of bricks and stones, but Pierce had no problems at all.   The pavilion is exceptional, a one of a kind structure that stands in testament to her talent.  Notice the beautiful site line from the front of the pavilion out through to the back of the yard.  Gorgeous.

 

 

Inside the open air pavilion, Pierce used a collection of iron furniture, linen and striped fabrics and antique tables and accessories.   Notice that lantern sitting next to the settee.   And notice the fabric lampshades.   Love!!!

 

For Chateau Domingue’s Ruth Gay, Pierce designed the living room using Swedish and French antiques with  a checked fabric.

 

The same room from another view.  The tea table is so wonderful!   Notice the corner cabinet.

 

For this client, Pierce used antique sofas and chairs upholstered in damasks and linens.   Again, notice the tea table instead of a coffee table.  Antique fireplace is flanked by large putti. 

 

I love this bathroom with the fireplace in it.   I’ve always wanted one in my dining room and bedroom, but now I am thinking the bathroom is the perfect place for a roaring fire on a cold day.  Love the iron table and notice the Swedish day bed on the right side of the picture.  Instead of sconces, Pierce put lanterns on each side of the sinks. 

 

Pamela Pierce’s living room.  I am dying to see the house if it truly has been updated!   Can’t imagine messing with this perfection!!!    I’ve always loved the Spanish style desk at the very left of the picture.   Pretty mantlescape with the assortment of candles and roses.

 

Pierce’s own kitchen with the beautiful steel windows and doors and the great antique lantern.   I love how its styled with the antique gilt candlesticks next to a large tin bucket filled with flowers. 

 

A rare contemporary house with interiors by Pierce.   Even though this Austin house is modern, she still uses her antique chairs and stools and tables, which look absolutely correct in this space!

 

 

Being a devoted follower of Pam Pierce’s work, I was thrilled when realtor Sharon Ballas of Greenwood King emailed me that she had just listed a house designed by Pierce!  The house has been listed before, but the photographs were so small, I was unable to show it on the blog.   When Sharon informed me that she had the original images, full sized, I screamed – bring them on!!   A few minutes later, image after image from this beautiful house downloaded into my computer.   Nirvana.  The listing goes online later this week, so for all the pertinent information – email Sharon directly at ballas@greenwoodking.com

 

Enjoy!!!!

 

The large two story house is located in Tanglewood.   White stucco with arched windows throughout – notice the clipped boxed parterre garden. 

 

The front door opens to an expansive two story entry.   Here, an antique console stands in the center where a typical designer would use a round library time.    The rectangular table is the first clue that Pam Pierce is the designer.   The house was built, then bought by its owners in 2003.  The interiors were designed eight years ago, which amazes me because the house still looks current and fresh.   A decade old design can look dated and out of style, but this interior doesn’t because of the liberal use of classic antiques, which don’t age.  

 

The view of the foyer, opposite.   Two antique settees are slipped in light blue linen.   Notice the two sets of antique painted blue 18th century doors that open to the hallways.  The soft blue found here in the foyer runs throughout the house, upstairs and down. 

 

The view from upstairs looking onto the foyer.  Hanging from the ceiling is an Italian styled light fixture.

 

The living room is bathed in soft blue linens.   I love the printed lampshades on the standing lamps!   Even the trumeau has a soft blue tint to it.   Unfortunately, the curtains were out being cleaned when this picture was taken.   For lampshades similar to these, contact Watkins Culver.

 

I adore this dining room with its Spanish styled table and velvet covered chairs.  I LOVE the lantern instead of a fancy chandelier!!!   The blues found in the curtains run through the house.   Not sure what this fabric is, but I really like it. 

 

The kitchen – large and very functional for a big family.  

 

The breakfast room – my favorite room in the house!   The curtains are a blue silk check – so luscious and full!   Antique leather chairs and armoire.  I love the way the walls are filled with the large collection of herbiers.  Watkins Culver also sells similar herbiers.

 

 

The master bedroom overlooks the back yard.   Of course I love the darling tufted settee with the double ruffled skirt that is Pam’s trademark.  

 

Another view.  Beautiful armoire and desk.

 

 

The entry hall and the bedroom overlook this terrace. 

 

 

Off the foyer, an antique French table and garden chairs.

 

The family room has more touches of blue mixed with antiques and slipcovered sofa.   I’m partial to the child sized wicker chair because I have the same one!   The Gray Door carries these.  I love the taller coffee table and the iron table between the two antique Spanish chairs. 

 

Gorgeous French armoire anchors the room.    Remember – when starting out, try to buy one antique to anchor each room.  You’ll have it the rest of your life!

 

The upstairs landing is done in white linens with touches of blues.   Notice the cute piano bench!

 

Upstairs, the children’s media room has comfy furniture.

 

Too cute – a gray velvet tufted headboard is mixed with lilac and white linens. 

 

This room has matching French beds upholstered in linen.  Again, there are touches of blue.  Love the shutters and the wall to wall seagrass found throughout the upstairs.

 

 

Another darling bedroom with gray and white linens. 

 

And one more cute girl’s room with touches of green mixed with the white.  As you can tell, the homeowners have lots of daughters!

 

 

And, of course there is a wine tasting room, with slate walls!!!

 

The view off the kitchen and family room with a collection of faux bois furniture.

 

I hope you enjoyed looking at this house with interiors by Pamela Pierce.  To contact the realtor, email Sharon Ballas at ballas@greenwoodking.com

And to contact the interior designer Pamela Pierce, call 713-961-7540.

 

 

 

 

Be sure to look at the Cote de Texas sponsors listed on the  upper left hand side of the blog.  Today, we are welcoming several new sponsors:  J Covington Home and Karen Sugarman Designs.   For each sponsor, just click on their picture and you will be taken directly to their website.   Thanks for your support!

 

And another Cote de Texas sponsor, The Urban Market, is having their next show on February 12-13, Saturday – Sunday.    NOTE:  There is a new location!!!!   The Urban Market will be held at 3101 Smith Street @ Elgin.  Located in Mid Town, the new arena is SO much better!  Closer for everyone except those who live near the airport.   Thanks for moving, guys!!!