COTE DE TEXAS: OLIVINE: A New Rice Village Neighbor

OLIVINE: A New Rice Village Neighbor

 

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If you are like me and Olivine is one of your favorite Houston haunts you might have been wondering just where they disappeared to.  Have no fear, Olivine’s proprietor Helen has moved her charming shop from Uptown to the Rice Village – YEAH!!!!  Finally, Olivine is in my stomping grounds.    Their former location wasn’t that far away,   but with this move to Rice  Boulevard, Olivine is practically in my back yard and I plan on being a fixture in the shop.

And why not?  They carry just about everything you could want for your house:  one of their most popular lines is the gorgeous Bella Notte for the bedroom.    They also carry Aidan Gray lamps and chandeliers and Dash and Albert Rugs.  For the body and nose, Helen tries to stock Oprah’s Favorites – like  the Kai and Lollia brands.  There is als0 the wonderful Les Indiennes fabric line and French Laundry Home brings along a feedbag and burlap vibe.   One particular company provides a lot of the store’s atmosphere - I think Helen bought the entire Vagabond Vintage catalogue for the shop.  I love that company and I think Olivine and  Vagabond Vintage are a great visual match.      In the back of the shop, she has a huge assortment of all things baby – perfect for the Rice Village where I swear almost every family in West University has a toddler or two or three!

The new Rice Village location has been open for only a short time – in fact the former tenant Back Be Nimble’s sign is still out front (soon to be replaced!)   But everything else from the former back store is long gone – Helen spent all of September getting the new shop ready – and if you ever wanted to check out wall to wall seagrass, this is your chance – I think she bought out all the rolls of it available in town.   There’s a very laid-back, warm and friendly vibe to the store – either Helen is working (she drives in from the hour-away Woodlands where she lives) or her trusty Aussie assistant Kathy is manning the shop – as she has been doing since the very beginning.   Between the two of them, they know their merchandise.   There always a shop dog or two laying around, both woman are major animal lovers and heaven knows how many dogs Helen ever has at the moment – the last time I asked it was five.  No wonder her house is done all in white slipcovers.   Which brings me to the point of it all – for the next two weeks, if you write a $25 check to the HSPCA,  Olivine is offering a store wide (including special orders) 20 percent discount.   Helen was spurred on by the recent rescue of over 1,000 animals from one hoarder – which has put a huge strain on the HSPCA.  So, if you want to help out with the animal rescue, but aren’t in the market for a new dog – drop by Olivine and go shopping, your  $25 check will be a great help, and the 20 percent savings will be your thank you gift from Olivine.     The store is located at 2405 Rice Blvd – just look for the Back Be Nimble sign !   Act quickly though – the HSPCA benefit lasts only until November 1st.   

 

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The exterior is almost as cute as the interior.  Olivine put in a brick porch and a new French door – along with a black trimmed paint job – completely changing the facade.    Rice Village is one of Houston’s oldest shopping destinations.    The narrow streets with door-t0-door shops encourages walking outside, a rarity in Houston shopping.  The Village is filled with mom & pop stores and specialty shops. Only a small number of chains have invaded this area, so the charming, old-town atmosphere still prevails.

 

olivine 035Outside the front door,  Olivine set up this darling vignette to let shoppers know they are now open for business.  I spy lots of painted gray merchandise in the window that instantly appeals!

 

olivine 030 In the other window – a reproduction Santos holds court.   I couldn’t resist and had to buy a similar one for Elisabeth’s room! The zinc cherub is too adorable.

 

 

olivine 033 The sign says it all.

 

 

olivine 040 I have never been in Olivine and not been greeted by one or two dogs!  But if you are afraid of them, Helen will quickly put them in the back room.  Check out the seagrass – freshly laid, it smells soooo good!

 

 

 

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This daybed from Vagabond Vintage is one of my favorite things in the store.  I love its tufted mattress – it’s a wonderful piece, especially for the price.

 

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Upholstered and slipcovered headboards are hugely popular here.  All the beds are made up with the cutest linens.  Custom orders available too.

 

 

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Mercury glass and zinc – how can you go wrong for Christmas gifts? 

 

 

 

olivine 065 I could spend days looking at all the body products and scented candles. 

 

 

image The styling is really great – here black and raw wood mixes with white and cream linens.  Notice the charming set of faux books on the night table!!!

 

 

 

olivine 075 The back of the store is dedicated to the baby and toddler.   Stacks of bedding line the walls.

 

 

olivine 068 The cutest clothes in the world – awwww, I wish I had a baby or a grandbaby to dress!!   Helen certainly knows babies – she had five of her own.  Yes, you heard me correctly.

 

 

olivine 073The hottest thing going – the Market Sling for babies – Helen confessed to me she put her new puppy in one.   You have to understand – her “human” babies have flown the coop and she must be missing them.

 

 

olivine 074 Baby nighties.  Everything is displayed so cute – in charming vintage chests or on old shelves with baskets. 

 

 

 

image Theses angels come large or small and are so beautiful – they were hard to resist. 

 

 

olivine 079 An antique armoire holds bedding, while a French chair hosts the wonderful Les Indiennes fabric samples. 

 

 

image There was a lot of trendy burlap – bags and rugs and wall hangings. 

 

 

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This chair from French Laundry Home is on order and will be in the shop shortly.   Love, love, love it!!!!!!

 

 

olivine 057 A view towards the front window.  This Italian chandelier by Aidan Gray is hard to find – the company can’t keep them in stock.    Olivine has a nice selection of wooden chandeliers and light fixtures and tons of great lamps too. 

 

 

If you are out and about in Houston, be sure to stop by the Rice Village and pop in to welcome Olivine to the “hood.”   And don’t forget, for a $25 donation to the Houston Humane  Society – the store is all 20 percent off – including any special orders!! 

59 comments :

  1. Yum.
    You Houston girls still have all the fun! (again ... .)

    Judith

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  2. Oh, if only!!!!! Think I've said this before, but decorating my home would be so much easier if I lived in Houston. Sigh.

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  3. Too bad I'm alll the way in Vegas..looks so beautiful in there!

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  4. It looks like a perfectly delightful store. I adore those stone cow heads. And of course, any shop with resident dogs has my vote.

    Marvelous idea about the SPCA donation! Good for them!

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  5. Oh...I love that chair by French Laundry! And Aidan Gray is another favorite...need to find a source in Ca. As you known, I'm a Bella Notte nut,...just dropped in for a peak at their warehouse this morning. Thank you for taking us shopping with you, Joni. Trish

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  6. Rice Village has certainly transformed since I was there 15+ years ago! Add one more store to my list for my next visit to Houston (hopefully it will be sooner rather than later!). This store looks wonderful.

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  7. Drrreamy! I have that same black and white pillow and that lamp! I need to come shopping with you, Joni! I want one of those angels... or 10!
    xo Isa

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  8. What a fabulous shop!!! I love everything in every photo.

    If any of you come to Dallas, visit Mary Cates and Co. on Lovers Lane for some similar wonderful things.

    I also love the idea of a 20% discount offered for donations for needy animals.

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  9. Hi Joni,

    Thanks for sharing and taking us shopping with you. Throughly enjoyed it. As I was looking at the pictures it occurred to me that if I was actually there I would buy at least half of the things in the shop!!!! Not a good thing on the hip pocket, but look what you would get for your money!!! (sigh) Ah to dream....
    Take Care
    Janine
    XXOO
    Tasmania, Australia

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  10. What a beautiful store! I'm so envious of your wonderful places to shop. laurie

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  11. Fabulous shop Joni. By the way, I have tagged you as a Kreative Blogger. If you have done this before please consider doing it again or pass it along. I chose the ones who helped me and made the biggest difference when I first began blogging

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  12. * "Joni, Joni, Joni"...

    ... ANYONE w/ a store like this, who LOVES DOGS/ANIMALS enough to have several, who lets them join her at the store, who will wear a "dog sling" for her latest "baby" and who will DO WHAT SHE CAN to "help the cause", is A-OK, NUMERO UNO in M*Y book of FAVORITE PEOPLE!!!!!!!! Oh yes, ANNNNND, she has great taste, too!!! MANNNY THANKS for the info!!!

    Smiles n' XOs,
    Linda in AZ *

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  13. I'll have to check it out. I like that clean store front in black. But...there couldn't be a worse time to be in the village with all the road work on Kirby underway. She might be yearning for her former locale soon.

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  14. I would love to visit that little shop. I so want that goat hanging behind the daybed. Maybe Susie (Susie Harris.com) and I could stop on our way to Round Top in the spring, visit the shop and take you to lunch.

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  15. What a fun post full of treasures! I would SO love to visit this place. I especially like the white bed lines and headboards.

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  16. Love the pics! I'm seeing that mercury glass everywhere!

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  17. I'm not sure how long you've been in Houston or where exactly you live, but my good friend from college (John Spalding) lives in the old Joan Robinson Hill (Murder in Texas) house on Kirby. He's invited me down to see it. I'm interested in the "music room"...remember that one? (if you aren't familiar with the famous murder case, you'll have no idea what I'm talking about)....

    Anywho....

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  18. That's a gorgeous store Joni! Thanks for sharing! Now get over to my blog and tell me what you think of my picture. I need a photography class. :(

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  19. What a great store, the bedding and bed are just fabulous. I made a puppy sling for my pup too.....

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  20. What fun! Yes, I agree with Things That Inspire. My list of places to visit when I come to Houston is going to be a mile long. Can't wait!

    xo
    Brooke

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  21. Now that looks like a great fun place. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Just beautiful! Houston is claiming it's place as a shopping mecca. I hope these shops realize how lucky they are to be recognized by the world famous Joni!

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  23. What a beautiful store :) Love it !

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  24. Joni, What a wonderfully unique shop with so many beautiful items. I love the black shaded lamp.It is fun seeing a shop through your eyes, it is always a treat. If I ever go to Houston I will have this lovely shop on my list of places to visit. So glad Rice Village is staying the charming place you have described, too many large stores are taking over and I love the individual shop owners personality coming out in their shops not the big corporations personality or lack of,hehe. Kathysue

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  25. What a great job Helen has done in relocating Olivine. I agree with you, that daybed is amazing and I am also intrigued by the bull and ram heads--love the zinc color--are they metal, composite? And I also appreciate that she has actual beds on display so you can really get a grasp of the full look of the bed with all of the wonderful linens and bedding. Such a treat. Thanks for the tour. ~Jermaine~

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  26. ok I feel like you are my on personal shopper! I saw the swedish secrretary on your blog that would be at Round Top and I had a friend there get it for me!!! Thankyou! And now I have found Olivine...I have never subscribed to a blog but I have yours. In love your style! You are precious!!! Does Olivine have a web site that you know of? Thanks again!

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  27. ok I feel like you are my on personal shopper! I saw the swedish secrretary on your blog that would be at Round Top and I had a friend there get it for me!!! Thankyou! And now I have found Olivine...I have never subscribed to a blog but I have yours. In love your style! You are precious!!! Does Olivine have a web site that you know of? Thanks again!

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  28. Oh, Joni...thank you so much for this lovely piece about Olivene. I cannot wait to visit with my friends. Your pics are so inviting.
    Marsha

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  29. First, it was great "chatting" with you last night:) This store is FABULOUS! Too bad I live so far away, we ahve nothing like it around here! The fact that she will give that wonderful discount to help out animals is so, so sweet! What a lady.... Hugs, Pinky

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  30. Thanks for all of the great photos. This lady is so talented, and has a ton of energy--love all of her inventory. Thanks, Mary

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  31. Gorgeous shop, Joni! Wish I was a tad closer to Houston!!

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  32. Hi Joni,

    I am so glad you wrote about Olivine. I discovered this wonderful store when my cupcake order at "Crave" wasn't ready! I was walking to Starbucks to wait and never got further than Olivine where I saw a king headboard I loved and then came back and ordered it a couple days later. I was in the previous location a month ago when Kathy told me they were moving. I drove thru the Village two days ago looking for them but now I know why I didn't find them...no sign yet, so I'll get there this week. I have bought several items there plus the Kai shower products. Thanks for spotlighting this shop. Maybe I'll run into you there!!??

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  33. What a great store...love her design and finishes she choose - the compliment the items she is selling so well!

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  34. LOVE the chair too Joni! I've been inspired to do something like this to my dining room parson chairs. This got me all inspired again. Next time I'm in Houston, I'll have to stop in.

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  35. Houston...I am coming there! I can't resist all this beauty.

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  36. Love, love, love it, Joni! Oh, it is a magpie paradise! I wish I lived in Houston so I could ogle this store in person. :-)

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  37. Do you realize just how lucky you are in the design access department , I had no idea that Houston was was stylish .

    My hubby will pull off Jon quite easily , gonna let him borrow some faux diamond earrings and he will put on his most rock hollywood t-shirt jeans and miserable face a little spikey hair should do it , I am thinking of putting foundation in his crown to mimick the balding look , it should be fun...
    You know when I put the lanterns there I knew you would approve , I love them too ...
    thanks for stopping by my blog
    Chris
    Just Beachy

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  38. OMG, had no idea they moved although one of my favorite stores...this is so much closer to me so I may have to drop by tomorrow!

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  39. I am going to Houston this weekend for a getaway trip...what shops would you suggest are can't miss??

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  40. i am both jealous and excited too...now Olivine is further from me (though it is good for my hips it moved from near the cupcake store;;;) but i love rice village..have you been in Nest and Cot?? great for babies! this is like the third move for Olivine right? she started over by Second Baptist I think??

    i think that Urban outfitters in rice vilage has better home stuff than any other UO i've ever been in????

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  41. I can not wait to see the new location.
    J'adore!!!

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  42. Love the pics! Olivine reminds me of NEST in San Francisco. I could buy everything in the pics, thanks for sharing! Owner has great taste and kudos for her pet friendly store and support for HSPCA! I'll shop there!!

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  43. Although the shop in Uptown was tiny, it was packed with fabulous stuff...an adorable dog, and a charming woman form "Oz"...I read about Olivine in an article in Country Living regarding shopping jewels in Houston...sooo glad they are now in Rice Village...construction and all...hey, people, this is HOUSTON...construction is a way of life....get over it!!! True hunter/gatherers let NO detour keep us from our treasured haunts!!
    Mary Frances

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  44. I too love that tufted mattress. Perfect.

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  45. The store looks absolutely amazing. I first met Helen and Cathy when they kept shop at Woodway and Voss. These two ladies have such a knack for creating rooms with a relaxed, casual atmosphere that are completely livable, yet so beatiful to look at. I have purchased all of my bedding from their store and will continue to return time and again. Congratulations on your new store ladies!

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  46. Olivine has been one of my favorite stores ever since their appearance on Woodway and Voss. The new location looks all the more beautiful in person! I could pass the day in there considering all there is to see (and buy). Wonderful pictures!

    And that's great she's out to help animals! Makes shopping all the more enjoyable!

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  47. What a charming shop, Joni. I love those headboards! xo

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  48. The first time I visited Olivine, that gorgeous dog was sleeping on a double bed with incredible pillows all around, I thought he was a stuffed toy! When I realized he was breathing, I was stunned. I fell hard for the dog and these talented ladies! Congratulations to them both on the new location. Can hardly wait to see it all!

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  50. I walked into Olivine and at first thought I was back shopping in Paris on the Left bank. The new store is c'est magnifique!

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