Let's Talk About Soul

Perfectly imperfect soulfulness by Violet Victoria Dent

During a design presentation earlier this year, we found ourselves explaining to our clients the importance of mixing old and new, of incorporating items with historic or cultural significance. This is something I find myself referring to frequently, and often describing as:

SOUL

A big ol’ book collection is a one way train ticket to Soul Town. Sibyl Colefax via House & Garden

When we decorate our entire living rooms with pieces from big box retailers, the missing element is soul.

Carolina Irving’s Paris apartment — perfection.

A very charming kid’s room by Whitney McGregor

Think of your things as people with personalities, and your rooms as parties. What makes the best parties? When the people you invite are different ages, come from different places, and have different stories to tell — but are able to find a common thread.

Traditional lines + fresh colors, old + new via the great Jeffrey Bilhuber

Not every single piece needs to have significant provenance, but you want your antique Chinese screen to tell your West Elm tray some life stories — it's a conversation, and maybe they're both lacquered. Now what a fun commonality. A Target tray and a Ballard lamp have nothing to talk about except the truck ride from the factory to your front door.

Houston’s own Courtney Barton understands the importance of soul and has built her shop around it.

As a young person on a budget, I too once fell into the trap of believing "soul" = "expensive." But that's just not true. If you have the choice between a wooden Pottery Barn decorative bowl and your Great Aunt's ceramic bowl from the 60s, all I'm saying is — who would you want to have a cocktail with at a party?

Max Sinsteden’s college dorm in 2009 — soul on a dime. Pictured: art he and his friends painted, an IKEA lamp, and a mix of sale, thrift and consignment store finds.

I'm starting to see rumblings that the younger generation is moving away from my generation's awful "fast furniture" phase — think MDF coffee table that goes in the dumpster in a matter of years (I'm guilty, too!) — and turning back to refurbishing flea market finds, and searching for quality pieces they can hold onto for longer. Several designers touched on this idea and more in a recent Vogue Q&A for 2021 design trends.

Rita Konig, my forever favorite.

So many of my millennial peers have known nothing but the fast furniture way of design, and so if any of them are reading this, my plea is this: search for pieces with soul, and discover how that soul can transform a space from one dimensional and forgettable, to layered and sophisticated. Let your home tell a story about who you are — the places you've been and the things you love.

My happy desk.

Let’s talk about the desk from which I write this blog post. It’s West Elm (busted!), but I’ve swapped out the knobs for some with a bit more personality. The alabaster lamp is antique from Austin. The “S” cup is new, but it was handmade in England by Bridie Hall and sold by one of my favorite designers, Ben Pentreath. The horn cup is also new, but it’s a timeless and natural material (hell, the Vikings used to drink from horn cups!). The framed intaglio, also newly made, harkens back to Grand Tour intaglios from the 18th and 19th century. See what I mean? It doesn’t all have to be old, but these pieces still have a bit of soul and story to me (and I like to think they’re having a good time hanging out).

Sara Ruffin Costello

If you have a decorative item sitting in your Amazon cart, be brave and delete it. Grab your wallet and head to your nearest consignment shop. Or Round Top. Or a local estate sale. As I like to say, a ship is safe in the harbour — but that’s not what ships were built for. (Good luck applying that to this situation, but it sure sounds nice.)

Alexa Hampton’s bedroom, a favorite.

(Or do what I do — drive to your parents' or grandparents' home and point to random interesting things and say, "Can I have this?")

Pierce & Ward via Architectural Digest

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

— William Morris

A bedside vignette in Rebecca de Ravenel's L.A. house via Architectural Digest

A great quote by William Morris. Well I say, no boring people allowed at the party.

Design Soulmate: Anna Spiro

All images of Spiro’s work from her website.

Today’s Design Soulmate comes from the land of kangaroos and boomerangs. Colorful design genius Anna Spiro of Anna Spiro Design, based in Melbourne, has been a favorite of mine since I swooped up her coffee table book Absolutely Beautiful Things early in my coffee-table-book-collecting career.

The ever-changing landscape of my coffee table usually includes Absolutely Beautiful Things, bottom left. Available on Amazon.

In her words, her work is “a curation of disparate objects brought together to create an interesting, layered and inspiring space that defies the boundaries of dull yet respects the basic principles of classicism.” I am jumping up and down! This is why Spiro is my soulmate.

Photo: Jared Fowler

Spiro feels the most successful spaces are the ones that are “layered and imperfect.”

I loved this entire question and answer from The Design Files:

How would you describe your design aesthetic generally, and also specifically in relation to your new range of textiles?

I am a traditionalist at heart, but I also like a bit of quirkiness thrown in. I don’t like things being too perfect, but a bit of perfection is important! I don’t like anything that is mass-produced. I love antiques and bespoke custom made soft-furnishings. Detail is very important. I like pieces that are unique or one-off, and I love to use beautiful patterned fabrics in the rooms I create. I always think that fabric can change the face of a room in an instant.

From Vogue Australia:

Describe your design aesthetic in three words.

“Colourful, maximalist and high-quality.”

“It’s my constant desire to design spaces that are rooted in tradition, yet unique in their execution.”

— Anna Spiro

On her Buy Once, Buy Well philosophy:

“I really loathe waste – I believe it is worthwhile investing in good, well-made furniture. And if you can’t afford to do it all at once, then stage it out, instead of buying a whole lot of cheap, badly made, mass-produced furniture that you will likely end up throwing or giving away in a few years. I try to encourage people to buy pieces they love that are good quality, and then they will never want to throw them out.” - Anna Spiro, The Design Files

She is perhaps most well known for her work with Halcyon House, the luxury Australian boutique hotel loved by, well, everyone. Elle Decor, Vogue, AD…Each of its 21 rooms are uniquely designed by Spiro, as is its stunning restaurant Paper Daisy and its spa . In 2019 Conde Nast included the hotel on its Gold List. It is definitely on my Gold List, and at the top of my bucket list.

One of the 21 uniquely designed rooms

Her signature eclectic style is around every corner.

The Spa at Halcyon House, also designed by Spiro. Sign me up.

Paper Daisy, the restaurant at Halcyon House.

Paper Daisy, the restaurant at Halcyon House.

Ultimately, it might be Spiro’s office that speaks to my soul the most. I spy several loves of mine: Bridie Hall Alphabet Brush Pots, a Lacquer Company “Belles Rives” tray by fellow design soulmate Rita Konig, a Balineum Flora wall mirror…I identified and named these sources off the top of my head because, ME TOO, ANNA. ME TOO.

Spiro’s office: a perfect vignette to capture classicism meets FUN.

Spiro’s office: playful powder room featuring Balineum’s Flora Wall Mirror.

The most gorgeous design office in the world, probably.

Alphabet Brush Pot by Bridie Hall, from Pentreath & Hall.

Small Belles Rives Tray by Rita Konig for the Lacquer Company.

The dreamiest binders.

If you want to bring a little taste of her playful-yet-classic style to your own desk, Parvum Opus out of Michigan makes several irresistible accessories. Sticky note folios, Moleskin jackets, and more!

Parvum Opus makes the most beautiful things, and are based out of Michigan!

If that’s not enough (it’s not), you can bring a little bit of Spiro into your home, too. Her fabrics and wallpaper are available to browse here and for purchase locally through Houston’s James showroom.

And if that’s still not enough, and you just really feel a soul connection to Spiro too, you can join her for her 2020 Interior Design Workshop at her private home in Brisbane on May 30th. Tickets are a cool $1,365 per person to get an insight into her creative world! Tickets sold here. Anyone wanna book a trip to Australia with me?

Schuyler Samperton Pays Tribute to Her Late Powder Bath

In my last Design Soulmate post on Rita Konig, I shared this image that has inspired me for years. Writing about Rita’s propensity for using personal photos and mementos throughout her interiors made me think of LA designer Schuyler Samperton's touching fairwell to her powder bathroom — due to water damage, she had to dismantle the memories plastered all over the wall, and shared this about the intriguing little space:

“A few years ago, I started creating a ‘wallpaper collage’ in my bathroom of some of my favorite images. It was a giant patchwork of photos of friends and family, postcards from museums and cities I’d visited, watercolors from my godchildren, bits of leaves from Central Park - you get it. Everyday I loved looking at all these things that meant so much to me and on occasion the walls provided a pretty vibrant backdrop for some hilarious selfies. I now have to dismantle this special place - I’m heartbroken to see it go, but I hope to replace it with something just as inspiring.” - Schuyler

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

As someone who has always been captivated by nostalgia and memories, I found the entire tribute incredibly moving. Moreover, the whole design concept just blew me away. That might sound strange, but I'm so used to studying "perfect" designers as well as producing "perfect" spaces for clients, that I nearly forgot that it's okay to completely break the rules in favor of creating a deeply personal, special place. If the bowl of Polaroids next to Rita's oven made me swoon, you can only imagine how much Schuyler's ode to her powder bathroom touched my soul.

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Schuyler is the daughter of an award-winning architect, and later studied art history (does that make us Design Soulmates??). Schuyler describes her work as "modern-classic  — an imaginative blend of low-key and elegant pieces with a youthful, West coast flair." She's been featured in Vogue, Architectural Digest,  and Elle Decor, to name a few. She and her precious pup Tricky (above) were also featured in one of my favorite design books of all time, At Home with Dogs and Their Designers.

Source: Schuyler Samperton

I kind of feel like Schuyler is the cool, laid-back American cousin of Rita — the  Los Angeles counterpart. Her work is similarly classic but playful. They are both clearly drawn to pattern and color and a thoughtful touch of ‘clutter.’ I'm inspired by her fearlessness in being so effortlessly casual and fun. Voila, a wall of framed Simpsons screenshots:

Source: Schuyler Samperton

What a vibrant little vignette below. I spy some Paule Marrot! (I wrote about Paule’s colorful textile art here.) Schuyler’s clearly not afraid of pops of fuschia and lime green, which you’ll see throughout her work. Below, a selection of some of my favorite Schuyler spaces.

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Wallpaper from Schuyler’s textiles line. Source: Architectural Digest

Okay, I need this art studio. Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Source: Schuyler Samperton

Schuyler launched her textile line last year, which you can see here.

““Ever since I was young, I’ve loved pattern and have gravitated toward things that are colorful and have a sort of exotic element to them.””

— Schuyler Samperton

Design Soulmate: Rita Konig

I have recently been on a British designer kick. The traditional, classical, elegant foundations of architecture and furniture you so often see in London townhouses — mixed with fresh, colorful, playful textiles, rugs, lampshades and accessories. To me, it’s the perfect marriage.

Rita in one of her first NYC rentals / Source: The Selby

One British designer who I really admire is Rita Konig. Her interiors are elegant but oh so fun. She doesn’t play by the rules, and I find it incredibly inspiring.

Rita’s old NYC rental / Source: The Selby

I have adored the above image on Pinterest for almost ten years. The display of personal notes and photos up the wall, and a bowl full of photos right there next to the stove. (Fire hazard??) I love this so much I have replicated it in my own apartments over the years — antique teacup full of photobooth strips over here, platter full of Polaroids there. I’m as nostalgic as they come, and I feel strongly interiors should be too. If not nostalgic, meaningful. Personal. Your home is an intimate projection of who you are. To see someone’s home is to see them naked. You can quote me on that.

One of Rita’s NYC rental / Source: Rita Konig

Another one of Rita’s NYC apartments / Source: Rita Konig

Here she goes again, breaking all the rules! I’ve never seen a designer plaster hundreds of photos above a fireplace, and I love it. I think that’s what it is though. Rita doesn’t scream “designer.” She screams “friend with insanely, insanely good taste and style and confidence.” Unlike most designers, she’s not concerned with perfection or rules. She’s just living her fabulous life, and you’re getting a little sneak peak.

One of Rita’s NYC apartments / Source: Rita Konig

For example, I love that the gallery to the left of the fireplace doesn’t make any sense, but totally works. No one would get out a measuring tape and lay that all out and say, “Yep! Perfecto.” And that’s the point. It probably started as just the big piece, and spilled over with time. It’s collected. Gathered. Perfectly imperfect.

Source: Rita Konig

I think why I respect Rita and admire her is because she does know the rules. She can pull together a beautiful, tailored space — with careful attention to scale and spacing and a restrained use of accessories. She just chooses not to in her personal home, because it’s not what makes her happy. It’s why Hemingway could get away with incomplete sentences (but you could not in your 9th grade English class). Everyone knew that he knew how to write. Once you’ve proven that, you can break the rules a bit.

Clean, tailored, restrained……

Rita’s London flat / Source: Rita Konig

Source: Rita Konig

Source: Rita Konig

WHAM. GALLERY WALL OUT OF CONTROL. FUSCHIA. TRINKETS ALL OVER FIREPLACE MANTLE:

Rita’s London flat / Source: Rita Konig

Source: Rita Konig

I’ve also always loved the below desk image on Pinterest for as long as I can remember. The dark moody walls, the simplicity of the little writing desk. (Isn’t it fun to discover the designer behind images you’ve always loved? I was blown away when I realized how many of my much-loved inspiration images were the work of Rita Konig.)

Source: Rita Konig

Source: Rita Konig

Oh, there they are again! The photos are spilling everywhere. I love this extremely down to earth kitchen niche. It’s not desperately waving at Elle Decor, it’s just hanging out and doing its thing, 3 worldwide clocks, butcher block counter and all.

Source: Rita Konig

“A home should suggest a life being lived.”

—Everything I learned from a day with Rita Konig, British interior designer

Rita has a shop on her website, and also has a beautiful collection with The Lacquer Company. Below, a few of my favorite (soooort of reasonably priced) items:

1. Rita’s Book 2. Scallop Tray 3. Daisy Glass Tumbler 4. Brass Corner Tray 5. Horn Serving Spoons

Beyond the Storm Showcase House

Sketch via Stone Acorn Builders.

Yesterday I stopped by Southern Living’s current “Beyond the Storm” Showcase House, built by Stone Acorn. Two of my favorite Houston designers Lindsey Herod & Meg Lonergan absolutely nailed the interiors. The designers split the house in half, yet everything felt incredibly cohesive.

Meg’s upstairs family room — art by Dimmitt Art, console from Joyce Horn Antiques.

The new home was constructed on a property that was previously flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Stone Acorn Builders wanted to rebuild a resilient home in spite of Harvey’s devastation, hence “Beyond the Storm.” Some flood-mitigation measures taken in the new home include using permeable concrete for the 1,950-square-foot driveway — which can store 3,740 gallons of water, raising the home more than 3 feet, and placing electrical plugs above the 100-year floodplain line in the garage.

Meg’s upstairs family room.

One of my favorite “moments” of the house was Meg’s use of a cozy daybed at the end of the hallway, next to large windows — the perfect (unexpected) spot to curl up with a book.

If the stunning interiors aren’t enticing enough, there is an amazing lineup of special events — chefs from Etoile, Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, Brennan’s, and Nobu will be making appearances, as well as a floral and centerpiece design demo. I had the pleasure of tasting Houstonian chef Catherine Rodriguez’ Barbara Bush cookie recipe while listening to Lindsey’s interiors tour. You can see the full schedule here.

Biscuit bedding in Meg’s guest bedroom.

Inside you’ll find art, furniture, accessories, bedding and more by several amazing local vendors — Lam Bespoke, Lettrefina, Biscuit, Carl Moore, Found, Backrow Home, Dimmitt Art, Matt Camron Rugs and more.

Bedding by Biscuit Home in the childrens’ room by Meg Lonergan.

Stone Acorn Builders incorporated many sunny corners and niches throughout the home.

Lindsey Herod’s peacock blue high gloss library, with deco chairs from Backrow Home.

Entry vignette by Meg Lonergan.

Amazing dusty pink dining room by Meg Lonergan.

Details of kitchen by Meg Lonergan

Kitchen by Meg Lonergan

Lindsey had the coffee table custom made by Segreto.

In the main living room, Lindsey added a formal touch with bullion fringe around the sofa.

The home will be open to the public from 10 to 5 for tours on September 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30. Tickets are $15 at the door, and all proceeds directly benefit the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation.

Galveston's Carr Mansion

Source: PaperCity

I recently became a member of Preservation Houston, and have since been increasingly interested in preservation efforts in and around the city. One exciting historic renovation triumph is Carr Mansion, a new little boutique bed and breakfast in Galveston. Built in 1866, it is one of the last remaining landmarks of the island's original building boom in the mid 1800s. 

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion

Just after the Civil War, the Greek Revival mansion was built by Lewis W. Carr. In 1870, Texas governor Richard Coke, who founded A&M, purchased the house as a summer home. Over the span of 150 years, the home has endured a lot. From surviving the devastating hurricane in 1900 (the deadliest natural disaster in US history) to being used as a home, church, boarding house and more, the mansion has had many owners and its ups and downs of both TLC and disrepair. 

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion

In 1889, Herman and Bertha Marwitz purchased the home as a gift to their daughter and her husband, Ida and John Gross. John worked with Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton, who was well known at the time, to remodel and expand the property. A new ballroom with a turret and bay window were added. A new front entrance with French doors, ornate fireplace mantles imported from Europe, along with plumbing and electricity, were just a few of the major additions. 

"This suite is called The Newlyweds for John & Ida Gross, who were given the estate as a wedding gift by Ida's parents, Herman & Bertha Marwitz." Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion

In 2017, the estate was purchased by Clay Carter, who runs an Austin-based investment team. Carter, who grew up in Houston, saw potential in the mansion and wanted to create a destination in Galveston that travelers would be excited about visiting. 

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion

“One of the values that drove me to revitalize this house," Carter says, "is a desire to be a part of good things being redeemed and resurrected.  We’re thrilled to be able to breathe new life into this beautiful, historic home and provide memorable experiences to tourists and the Galveston community.” Austin-based Shannon Eddings was selected as the interior designer, and the team went to work renovating the historic home. 

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion

Each of the rooms are thoughtfully named after historically significant people to the mansion's past: The Preacher, The Church Lady, The Socialite, The Newlyweds, The Merchant, The Grocer, and the Governor, as well as The Carriage House -- a later addition to the home that used to house a horse-drawn carriage. 

"This room, aptly named The Preacher, is a token to the pastor and his wife who lived upstairs in this room during the 1950's and led a church on the main floor of the estate for local Galveston residents." Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion

Eddings filled the home with a mix of antiques and pops of mid-century, giving it a welcoming, colorfully eclectic feel. The designer says that Carr Mansion "combined two of [her] passions, history and design, and got [her] seriously interested in 1800's Texas architecture." 

Throughout the hotel, guests will find nods to the mansion's past, from historic maps to framed postcards from the bygone era. Eddings told the Houston Chronicle that it was "exciting to juxtapose the historic woodwork and molding of the place with clean-lined, contemporary furniture and lighting."

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion

Hestia, Greek Goddess of the Hearth, is an ivory carving detail over the antique fireplace in the pub. Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion 

Only an hour from Houston, Carr Mansion is beckoning to me as a local oasis -- one where historic preservation meets fresh design, and I'm looking forward to visiting the beach again to see this beautiful mansion in person. 

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion 

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion 

Photo by Maggie Kloss / Source: Carr Mansion 

Mid-Century Nursery

I've been helping our good friends Jon and Lauren brainstorm nursery design schemes for their sweet baby due in a few weeks. Their home's style is cheerful mid-century (in love with their yellow front door!), which we decided should carry over into the baby's room. They wanted the room to be gender neutral and not too too "baby-ish", so we worked together to find pieces that could relate to the rest of their home, while keeping the room plenty cheerful for a baby. She's a professor at Rice University, hence the darling owl hamper in this first concept.

Our first inkling was to search for a knockout oushak rug, like the one above, since they are timeless and nearly indestructible (been around forever, and they're great at hiding stains!) Then I stumbled upon this incredible whimsical crewelwork rug from Anthropologie (and nearly purchased it for myself):

But we ultimately opted for a soft jute chevron rug with tassel ends, and layered a super fun leaf rug Lauren found from Urban Outfitters on top. The stained wood crib and painted chest still felt too masculine, which led us to the next, brighter scheme. We decided on white furniture to keep the room neutral and to bring in fun colors through pillows and accessories, which allows for an easy design change as the baby grows up.

I found these great black and white ikat curtains from West Elm, and Lauren found a brass drapery rod from CB2 similar to the one pictured below. 

Inspiration photo by Ashley Hizer

The couple also found an amazing deal on two Oeuf pieces, a popular modern eco-friendly furniture maker out of Brooklyn, and I gave two thumbs up on purchasing!

Next on the list - picking out new hardware for the dresser, and selecting lamps, art and accessories. We're kind of leaning toward the precious animal knobs from Anthropologie: 

It's been so fun helping these two brainstorm on this sweet little nursery, and I can't wait to meet their baby in just a few short weeks! Know someone who's designing a nursery and would love some of the sources from these schemes? Email me at sari.imber@gmail.com. 

Design Soulmate: Jenny Wolf Interiors

I first became familiar with Jenny Wolf Interiors when I was a junior at Wofford. My passion for interior design was swelling, and I'd reached out to the college's career counselor to discuss my design interests and job opportunities. I learned about Dakota Willimon, a Wofford alumna and fellow Art History major, who was working in New York City for Jenny. It was a powerful feeling seeing another Wofford Art History major go on to be so successful working for such an incredible firm. I quickly became absolutely enamored with their work and an admirer from afar, and it's not hard to see why.

A brass train rack, like the one used above as an entry catchall, is a nice alternative to boring hooks. I spy one of my favorite Urban Electric fixtures!

A lot of designers love the quote "God is in the details." But not all designers are masters of this. Like most people, I'm a sucker for the details, and Jenny Wolf nails them. In all of her projects, the attention to the small things is what elevates her spaces into rooms with endless depth and character. 

New Orleans born, Jenny opened her firm in 2011 after working for Ralph Lauren and earning a degree in Interior Design from Parsons. She believes "a home should reflect the sensibilities of the people living in it, showcasing the things they love and have collected over time." She also echoes one of my own beliefs: "When you buy things you love, they always find a way to work together." 

Layering is key. The secret to visually appealing details is a variety — of height, material, textures, new and old.

It's no secret that blue grays and whale blues and whale grays and all the combinations thereof make me weak in the knees —but I'm also inexplicably drawn to European mounts (I'll owe that one to my brother's influence.) Several of Jenny's spaces utlize both, which gets a giant two-thumbs up from me.

Blue gray STRIPES?  Gold-framed nude sketches?? I might faint!  Perfection.

There they are! There's just something about a collection of European mounts that feels so...right.

Let it be known that this is the paint color of my future closet.

I could go on and on about what makes her work so amazing, but I'll let it speak for itself:

The vintage -looking powder blue Smeg refrigerator and the built-in chalkboard make the kitchen feel playful and casual, the perfect family gathering spot.

One of my favorite bathroom vignettes. So masculine...then wham! Those vivid orange roses. 

Sari's Arbitrary Design Rule: Every house should have a gold, round convex mirror.  And probably a Le Tigre silk velvet lumbar pillow, too, if we're being serious. 

Trying to capture this eclectic feel in your own apartment or home? Go antique shopping! Mixing in antique paintings, accessories and furniture makes a space so much more interesting than using all squeaky clean West Elm or Ikea.

You might think black doesn't belong in a little girl's room, but Jenny just proved you wrong. It so, so belongs. 

I'm also a  big fan of vintage trunks used as coffee tables. 

If you want a bathroom you don't have to remodel in 10 years, white subway tile will never go out of style. Black and brass accents make this monochromatic powder feel so clean and fresh.

Design tip: if you often use your coffee table for snacks, board games, or to kick your feet up on, keeping your accessories on a tray helps keep the surface clear at a moment's notice (and sure is pretty to look at!)

Love Jenny's taste as much as I do? Check out some of my inspired finds below. Lastly, I spy a Paule Marrot print in this living room above. Stay tuned for my next post — I'll tell you a little more about the Parisian textile artist and show you which print I purchased for myself — one of my first big design purchases! 

1. Gold Convex Mirror $89.90/  2. Cire Trudon Candle $55 / 3. Scalamandre Le Tigre Pillow Cover $249 / 4. Mini Vintage Match Bottle $10 / 5. Vintage Mounted Horns $52

Hotel Emma: A Love Affair

Hotel Emma's reception feels like a warm hug from a long lost friend. [Photo Source: The Hotel Emma] [Cover Photo Source: Jason Risner Photography (Beautiful work!)]

My heart has exploded into a thousand itty bitty pieces of sheer joy. My fiancé (eek!) pulled off the most magical proposal of all time ― one that included a celebratory stay at my #1 design crush of all time: Hotel Emma, located in my hometown of San Antonio.

Hotel Emma is named after Emma Koehler, the wife of Pearl Brewery's President Otto Koehler. [Left Photo Source: The Spaces]

Many of you reading might have heard about Hotel Emma, or maybe even visited, but probably few have pondered the design genius behind this shining star of the Pearl Brewery complex. Opened in 2015, Hotel Emma is a 19th century historic brewery turned boutique hotel, with 146 rooms, a glistening pool, three divine restaurants, and my favorite bar of all time, The Sternewirth. 

Emma's warm and inviting lobby. [Photo Source: Conde Nast Traveler]

The Sternewirth bar [Photo Source: Roman and Williams]

I don't know which magical suite offers this balcony, but I might just find out and move in forever. [Photo Source: The Hotel Emma]

Now I'm not usually drawn to the industrial look of exposed pipes and old rusted machinery, but Hotel Emma calls to me like the song of the sirens. Maybe it's the combination of brass and blue-gray in the bathrooms (swoon). Or maybe it's the layers upon layers of textures and antiques and leathers and textiles that compose a living, breathing building with never ending details to discover. Or the Wes Anderson-esque reception. Whatever it is, I've always been an enormous fan of the two mastermind interior designers behind the hotel: Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman & Williams in New York City. The pair have been honorees of Architectural Digest's Top 100 since 2011. 

From conception to reality... [Left Drawing Source: Roman & Williams / Right Photo Source: Metropolis]

The hotel is located at the heart of the Pearl Brewery complex, a riverside neighborhood established in 2009 with apartments and dozens of shops, restaurants, and bars. Hosting a bi-weekly Farmers' Market, Pearl is always teeming with life and energy, and has become a must-see for visitors. Grab a coffee at Local, a macaron at Bakery Lorraine, and take a stroll through designer's heaven. 

The lobby embraces San Antonio's history and culture. [Photo Source: The Hotel Emma]

Details, details, details! [Photo Source: The Hotel Emma]

[Photo Source: Jason Risner] 

[Right Photo Source: Travel & Leisure]

Born and raised in the Alamo City, I'm a proud San Antonio gal by most standards. Even after all these years, I ooh and ahh over the twinkly lights of the River Walk and the bright colors of Fiesta. But, San Antonio's design scene is lacking. I've never been exactly over-the-moon inspired when I visit my birthplace. Then Hotel Emma was born, and I finally had a place I could point to and say: "This. We need more of this." 

There are over 135 years of history behind this beautiful building. [Photo Sources: The Pearl]

One reason I deeply admire Roman & Williams is the firm's dedication to creating spaces that speak to local culture and landscape. My own architect dad has always preached "a sense of place" in design, and Roman & Williams exalted this, by "incorporating a deep reading of the location –tracing the intersection of historical trade routes that mingled Latin influences with European culture, and investigating the original materials that still rested on the site, obscured beneath layers of dust."

[Photo Source: Jason Risner]

What resulted, they say, "is an eclectic and curated juxtaposition of a whole spectrum of styles - old, new, industrial and refined - evoking a domestic yet romantic mystique throughout the hotel." How cool is that? Check at more of Roman & Williams' stunning projects here. 

The library, where guests are greeted with a complimentary margarita. [Photo Source: The Spaces]

[Photo Source: Jason Risner]

The Sternewirth bar. [Photo Source: Jason Risner]

Hard to decide what to keep staring at, the ring or the room??? [Left Photo Source: The Hotel Emma]

A few steps from Hotel Emma, nestled in between shops and apartments, is another design favorite: Cured. Might just be my favorite little building in the city. (Sorry, Alamo!) [Photo Source: The Can Plant]

Wedding planning has been a doozy, hence the silence these past couple of months, but design inspiration is all around... Stay tuned!

Design Soulmate: Courtney Hill

I thought it would make sense to introduce one of my biggest Design Soulmates of all— my boss! Promise I'm not brown-nosing — coming to work every day is a joy, plain and simple, and just about every single space we design for our clients I envy for myself (if only I had our clients' budget!)

I'm not kidding people, I could move into this powder bathroom. One time I just stood in there for like 10 minutes, soaking up the lacquered eggplant walls and drooling over the brass details. Think I could squeeze my suitcase in there...?

Courtney received her degree in interior design from the University of Texas at Austin before moving to New York for a few years, honing her style under Victoria Hagan and Gregg Jordan. She opened Courtney Hill Interiors in 2001 and today is one of the most well-respected designers in Houston. Full disclosure, all of these projects were completed before my time at CHI, so I can't take any credit — but they're some of my favorites.

There's a lot to love about this space, but if I had to choose just one detail, it'd be that inlaid brass border! To die for.

It's difficult to pin down Courtney's style, because she makes a concerted effort never to use the same piece twice and to make each project reflect our clients' personalities, needs and wishes. I admire her steadfastness in searching for perfection and settling for nothing less — it really makes each project unique. Since I started with CHI, we've worked on a modern project, a traditional John Staub home, a ranch, and a Manhattan brownstone, to name a few. Every project — every day — is different at the office. If I had to pick a few all encompassing words: polished, sophisticated, and fresh.

Courtney loves pairing antiques with fresh modern touches.

This photo just does not do the space justice. This study is a perfect balance of feminine and masculine, and the sage paneled walls are both sophisticated and cozy.

You might have seen Courtney's well-loved bulletin board design floating around on Pinterest.

Below, navy paneled walls balanced with elegant brass touches transformed a once drab media room into a sophisticated space for father and son, both avid golfers, to enjoy a golf simulator with friends. Luxurious textiles and thoughtful details work together to make a tailored and polished space. If you know me, you know I have an undying penchant for navy and brass.

I love the pop of orange of the books in the niches flanking the sofa.

On my wish list: my own serpent mirror. One day....

Now THAT'S a powder room sure to wow visitors.

Courtney's little girl's room is one of the most darling I've seen. I want the headboard and bed niche for my own room!

Another one of my favorite CHI projects is this chic farmhouse in Brenham. I was lucky enough to spend the night in the room below during a photoshoot, so I can confirm that this bed is as cozy as it looks. Truly a countryside getaway!

The Schumacher ikat fabric on the euro pillows is one of my all time favorites — so cheerful.

Courtney kept this bright, light-gray two-bedroom guest farmhouse lively by marrying chic and subtly rural touches. A mix of textures, from the alpaca headboards to the cowhide coffee table, makes the retreat both comfortable and elegant. All the wood floors are painted the same, as well as the shiplap walls, giving the farmhouse a cohesive look.

I wouldn't expect to find soft lilacs and blue-grays in a farmhouse, and that's exactly what I love about this.

If you want to keep up with some of our current projects and see what we've been working on lately, follow us on Instagram! ( @courtneyhillinteriors) Here are a few of my favorite CHI inspired things, if you want a bit of the magic in your own home:

1. Kelly Wearstler Tray (quite the splurge, I'll admit) 2. Serpent Magnifying Glass 3. Shagreen Match Holder 4. Silver-Rimmed Horn Bowl

Design Soulmate: Bailey McCarthy

Working for Courtney Hill Interiors, I see a lot of inspiring design on a daily basis. Floating around in my head are images of brass inlaid floors, striped velvet trims, navy lacquered dens, intricate marble tilework, and antique decorative hardware —  it's pretty dizzying. I’ve been wanting to start a design blog of my own for quite sometime to get it out of my head and into writing (After all, I authored the L/E Journal design blog for over a year), but never quite had the right inspiration to kick start things. Until last week. At home sick as a dog, I stumbled upon Bailey McCarthy’s Instagram and blog and found myself completely enamored. A total design crush was born.

McCarthy's work is fun, colorful, chic and sophisticated all at once.

Scrolling through her enormously popular blog Peppermint Bliss, it doesn't take long to discover just how funny and lovable Bailey is. She and her husband Peter, who are based in Houston, call their house in the countryside "The Shmamptons", for example.

The always cheerful Paint Wall at Bailey's home goods store, Biscuit.

I’ve followed Bailey on Instagram for years, and I’ve frequented her vibrant and beautiful store Biscuit since I moved to Houston, but it wasn’t until last week that I really delved into her "creative legacy." House Beautiful has called her style "quirky chic," which I think really nails it.

Left: The giant glittering work of art at the entrance to one of her previous homes is by one of my favorite artists, Ashley Longshore.

I felt this kinship with her colorful, humorous style — an aesthetic I’ve appreciated myself for as long as I can remember. As I lay in bed surrounded by crumpled-up tissues, my nose redder than Rudolph's, I could feel her fantastic design work slowly bringing me to life, one sparkly bar at a time.

Right: McCarthy's own jewel box of a bar was just published in House Beautiful this month. Can I live in there? 

Above left, the moss-green leather-wrapped counter top, the nail head detail and the tortoiseshell wallpaper have me drooling. Below left, the giraffe head above the fireplace is exactly the sort of quirky surprise I love about McCarthy's interiors. Shout-out to you, Bailey — you're cool beans, and my new idol.

Right: A sheep, a walrus, a vintage trunk, and antelope print carpet? Honestly, it doesn't get any better. 

Left: I love everything about this little boy's room. Right: Oh, and I love everything about this little girl's room.

If you've been on Pinterest, you've seen her incredibly fun monochrome dog powder room below. No matter how many times it pops up, it always makes me happy. On the right is her guest room, currently featured in House Beautiful. The vibrant Zoffany wallpaper frames the bed's niche, which manages to perfectly balance traditional and elegant with cozy and welcoming. That's Bailey again and again — her interiors are just so chic and sophisticated while somehow staying completely unpretentious and playful. 

Left: Everyone needs a powder room with dog wallpaper, in my opinion.

One of the reasons I adore McCarthy's work is because I see a few similarities in my own design style. Like her, I try to infuse my personality, travels and a good sense of humor in my interiors. 

“My style is traditional with a sense of humor. I don’t like items that just sit there. Your surroundings should engage you, make you laugh, make you smile — otherwise, what’s the point?”

— Bailey McCarthy

Pieces from the gallery wall above my sofa have been collected over the span of many years. (Note to self: buy candles for sconces.)

Above my sofa, antique sconces found at Paris on Ponce in Atlanta flank a collection of eclectic and playful art. The map of Paris was given to me before my semester abroad there. The "deer gentlemen" paintings were purchased from an artist in a Parisian flea market. The Boston Terrier head was gifted to me by my best friend (Terriers are my alma mater's very fierce mascot, if you can believe it). And, I have a confession. Mr. Squirrel was purchased from Urban Outfitters in 8th grade — the art historian in me is crying — but he makes me smile. It's not serious — and that's the point. It's a collection of things that make me laugh, and to me, that's the mark of a well-decorated home.

I'm also fond of collecting coffee table books, particularly ones that have personal meaning or make me laugh.

Below left, holding my giant collection of photo booth memories, is an antique German mug from Uncommon Objects in Austin that reads "I'm not greedy / I just like a lot". The monkey on the right was a birthday card from my brother years ago. Inside the card reads: Happy Birthday! Enjoy this photo of a monkey in a hat. Oh, I'll enjoy it alright. I'll even frame it in a (deliberately) cheap gold frame and place him in my bathroom to greet me every morning. 

♫♪ These are a few of my silliest things ♫♪

Do I think that when I'm an "adult" (not sure what that really means) I'll still have a framed monkey in my house? Maybe. Okay, probably not. My design taste will evolve and mature, but for now, these things make my apartment a very happy place, one that resonates with the core of who I am — and to me, that's exactly the point of good interior design.

“An interior is the natural projection of the soul.”

— Coco Chanel

If you're ever in Houston, Bailey's store Biscuit truly is a must-visit.

My wish list is growing:

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