Today, is a smorgasbord of several different topics:
First, there are quite a few new Sponsors on Cote de Texas and I hope you will take a minute to visit their web sites. First, there is Trove’ which sells French antiques and items for the home and garden. Then, there’s EI Home, which sells an assortment of home décor items, Kate Designs – an interior designer who creates wonderful chairs and Best Prices for Furniture – which sells furniture from North Carolina at great prices. Lacefield Designs sells textiles – pillows, bedding, and lamp shades and Gabby – Décor with a Story sells furniture and other items for the home. And these are just the newest sponsors! If you have time, visit all the others who have been sponsors for a while now. Many of the great giveaways have been donated by the sponsors and we have several good giveaways planned for the next few months.
I get enquiries almost every day, asking about ads on the blog, but I try to choose those that I think are a good fit with the readers. I resisted having ads on the blog for three years, thinking it would mess up the design of the blog, and frankly, I didn’t want to lose editorial control over Cote de Texas. Neither of these things have happened. In fact, I think the images of the ads actually add to the look of the blog and are a resource for the reader. Most important, having the ads allows me to thankfully take less outside design work which gives me more time to spend on research and writing the articles. And, paradoxically, having the sponsors inspires me to make the blog better and more appealing.
Most of the sponsors are from around the United States, but a few are local, here from Houston. One of these local sponsors is Memorial Antiques and Interiors. I was thrilled when they wanted to be a sponsor because I love their shop. MAI has over 15,000 square feet of antiques – spread out over two buildings. There are 55 handpicked dealers and designers who show their wares here – a few of their dealers are from France and other states around the country. Their dealers sell things you see in magazines – which I love, they are on top of every trend. They always have a great collection of painted furniture and whitewashed garden items for the interior. I have never MAI left empty handed – never! There is always some item I just have to have – or a client has to have. Here are a few photographs from the dealers to give you an idea of what’s in shop:
Yum. Those sconces!! I want those. Wait – seriously I do. Remember when we saw some similar ones???
Remember this image from a house Pam Pierce designed? I thought this was the prettiest sconce I ever saw. The ones at MAI look very similar!!
I love the chair and table here – but my eye goes straight to the alabaster grapes. I don’t think you can have too many of them:
I have 5 bunches – here are two in my living room. I love these particular ones because they are so white!
I could buy this entire booth at MIA. I love all the yellow confit jars. This booth is a great one – I’m seeing a lot of customs tags which means it was bought in France and brought back to Houston.
A French armoire that would go great in a Belgian inspired room. Again – love that tell tale tag.
You can’t have too many mirrors – that’s for sure. And the shutters. They are so in right now. Look how Velvet and Linen’s Brooke Giannetti uses old shutters in décor:
Here the Giannettis used shutters to hang art work from in their beach house breakfast room.
And at the beach house’s garden – more antique shutters were used to hang pots from.
At MAI, more crusty shutters and a park bench. But, I’m eying the balls. I just posted a picture of these same ones that Amy Howard collects:
In Amy Howard’s house, she puts the balls in a crusty garden urn.
That wire metal piece would be great to combine an industrial look with an antique look. Love it. Great lamps too. Swedish styled barrel chairs.
This booth at MAI is jammed packed with goodies. I’m noticing the clocks – two French station clocks on the back walls. The Visual Vamp has one that I’ve always loved:
The Visual Vamp changes her décor more times than I change purses. I swear. It NEVER looks the same from month to month. But, one thing always remains – her set of old shutters (that hides an unbalanced window) and her amazing station clock. (Confession: I was the one that told her to put the clock on the shutters and lo and behold it’s been there for years.)
More from MAI – I’ll take it all – the cane settee, the arched window!, the cabinets, the trumeau, the statue, yes! I love cane – especially settees like this. The blogger Trouvais has a similar one that I’ve always loved:
Trish, of Trouvais found this settee missing an arm and she bought it for just $400. When she got home, she found it was signed, and made in the Paris in the 18th century. Arm restored, here it is in all its glory!
If you live in Houston or are just passing through, take the time to visit Memorial Antiques & Interiors at 8719 Katy Freeway. Just do me a favor, give me a chance to buy those sconces tomorrow. ok?
Their web site has photos and prices of much of what is in store – so if you are looking for something special, check it out: www.maihouston.com
To call MAI: 713.827.8087 ; To email: info@maihouston.com
Next up today - take a look at the blog Splenderosa. She is hosting a by invitation only linky party where bloggers show their hometowns. Splenderosa is from Houston and presents a beautiful look at our great city. She was sweet enough to include me in her story - just disregard the horrible, huge picture, yuck. At the end of the story – be sure to visit all the other bloggers listed who show their hometown - they are from all over the world and most took incredibly, gorgeous photos.
The link to the story on Splenderosa is HERE.
And lastly today, there is a video that is making its way across the globe via www.youtube.com. It’s amazing how much the internet has changed the world – and for the better – and this video is an example of that power. It’s about one man – Joseph Kony. If you’ve never heard of him, you aren’t alone. NO ONE had heard of him, until this video came out. After you watch this, you will be stunned that no one had ever heard of him before. It’s about 20 minutes long, so sit down, and watch it when you have the time to be undisturbed. It starts off slow and then builds and builds – it has a very important message that no one should ignore – or can ignore, after they watch this.
You can watch it here – or go HERE to see the video.