1st Dibs just keeps getting better and better. What started out as small online shopping site with links to a few antique shops around the United States and Europe, has grown into a one-stop web site for everything a decor fanatic could want. Besides showcasing the best antiques available, every Wednesday 1st Dibs presents a collection of wonderful stories and interviews with interior designers, furniture creators, bloggers, authors, and all sorts of other must-reads. The list of cities now represented are the cream de le cream of shopping destinations: Among these are San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, The Hamptons. Paris, New Orleans, and now, my favorite city of all - Houston! Some of the antique stores in Houston have been featured on Cote de Texas, such as Chateau Domingue, and some have been featured on other Houston blogs, such as Found, but all chosen to be on 1st Dibs, bar none, are personal favorites of mine. I'm so excited to finally have my town on 1st Dibs. It sure is going to make sho pping for clients a lot easier. Oh, and that other big city in Texas is now on 1st Dibs too: Dallas. Here are some of my picks from 1st Dibs Houston this week:
Readers of Veranda may recognize these pictures - taken of Kay O'Toole's former highrise apartment. Kay O'Toole's antique store specializes in French, Swedish and Italian wares. Housed in a crumbling, brick building on Westheimer, expect to see the finest here. O'Toole is a gracious host - and if you're very lucky, she may even take you to see her new chateaux, located right behind the store.
In choosing my favorites from the Houston 1st Dibs stores, I will be furnishing an imaginary salon in a beautiful, old home located in River Oaks, Houston's toniest neighborhood - right down the street from Kay O'Toole's. Here, a painted French commode will be placed between two French windows, which are draped in the most gorgeous ice blue silk taffeta (imagine, people!)
Atop the commode, this beautiful Venetian mirror, from Italy, 19th century.
And at each side of the commode, in front of the windows, will be these Northern Italian bergeres.
Next, Found, a unique store - selling both fine antiques and old industrial wares. Somewhat new to Houston, Found is located in an old refurbished factory. Above the stores are offices where some of the best of Houston's interior designers have leased space.
This Italian settee will be floating in the salon. Fabric, to be determined!
Bill Gardner sells his fine European antiques from a home on a charming street filled with other antique shops interspersed between townhouses.
This French upholstered bench will do double duty as a coffee table and extra seating.
These large, French, zinc roof finials will be placed on either side of the fireplace, maybe.
Cindy Neal, proprietress of Neal & Co. located her store on Bissonnet at Greenbriar - a busy corner for upscale antiques in Houston. Besides selling fine antiques, she also sells French candles and soaps.
This boiserie mirror will go above the fireplace mantel.
And Neal & Co's beautiful Swedish chaise will take center stage in the salon.
Right across the street from Neal & Co., Babs Watkins and her daughter sell exquisite European antiques. Watkins and Culver are known as much for their interior design projects, which are regularly featured in Veranda and Southern Accents, as they are known for their antique store. Be sure to remember to step out back - half the store is located across the parking lot!
This French painted sideboard will be placed on the back wall across from the fireplace.
And this Venetian mirror will be atop it.
Chateau Domingue, featured in Cote de Texas last year, specializes in European architectural antiques. It's THE place to go if you are building a home and want some authentic materials such as old tile floors or roofs, limestone fireplace mantels, or door surrounds.
These early 19th century Dutch painted panels will flank the fireplace.
This late 18th century "Garde Manger" from France will be placed on the wall behind the settee - inside a large collection of creamware will be showcased here.
brown, owned by Jill Brown, started as a lighting fixture store, but Jill quickly increased her inventory to include just about everything unique. Specializing in Belgian antiques (she once lived there), her hand-picked antique lighting fixtures are beyond comparison to anyone else's in town.
This Empire bronze and glass chandelier will hang from the center of the salon. This particular fixture may be too small, but Jill will be able to place the exact sized chandelier I need.
OK - is there anyone interested in this Salon for their house? Email me, I"ll be glad to help!