RoomFu

Room Fu is celebrating its tenth year in business this summer, and to celebrate, we’re having a party!

July 13th

6-8pm

Art on 5th Gallery

3005 South Lamar Blvd.

Austin, TX 78704

We’d love for you to come, and to entice you to RSVP early so we can get a headcount, how about a giveaway?

Just head over to our event page and RSVP–whether you’re a yes, no or maybe, that won’t affect your entry for this giveaway. We’ll put all of the names in a hat and draw at random for the prize. If you’ve already RSVP’d, you’re already entered. Sweet, huh?

What is this fabulous prize, you ask? An awesome, upcycled mid-century decorative wood vase:

You must RSVP no later than this Friday, June 21st at midnight, CST, to be eligible for this giveaway. We’ll announce the winner here on Tuesday, June 25th!

Did you watch last night’s premiere of HGTV Star, a.k.a. Design Star Remixed? Well I did, but only because the DVR remembered it was go-time. I’m feeling so ambivalent about it, I forgot it was even starting. A reader recently asked if I was going to do my usual cast critique and I kept meaning to get around to it, but have you seen the portfolios of these people? They kind of all run together. I’ve never seen a more stylistically homogenized mix of people make it onto the show before. I don’t remember thinking anyone particularly sucked, and some were better than others…but there wasn’t (to my recollection) anything that stood out as a big, giant WOW. Well, except maybe for Brooks Atwood, but we’ll get to him in a minute.

Kind of like last year, I’m not invested enough to do in-depth recaps or reviews of everyone’s work this season. For the first episode, I’ll just share…

Little Known Facts

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The cast of HGTV Star, with host David Bromstad.

1. Challenge winner Brooks’ secret identity? He’s really a Royal Tannenbaum.

2. It turns out leopard print is a color. Who knew? Pantone is trademarking that crap as we speak.

3. Due to a wardrobe mixup, Vern Yip appeared in his son Gavin’s outfit.

HGTV Star judges Vern Yip and Genevieve Gorder join host David Bromstad.

4. Thirteen viewers died from Gratuitous Store Promo Syndrome.

5. The only way I’ll ever watch a TV show hosted by Abby Vasek is if she agrees to start smoking pot and chill the eff out.

Perpetual crazy eye.

6. Brooks’ signature scent? The sweat of Frank Gehry, with notes of ozone.

7. Separated at birth: Boris Eckey and Brüno Gehard.

Bruno (left) and Boris.

8. Anne Rue made a big deal out of Boris losing her bedding so she wouldn’t have to admit how fugly her wallpaper was on national television.

How could you possibly sleep in this crazy space?

9. Brooks’ hair makes me miss Project Runway star Daniel Esquivel’s moustache.

Austin fashion designer Daniel Esquivel.

Final Analysis

I chatted with last year’s runner-up Britany Simon last night, and when I asked her who she thought would make it to the finale, she said, “I think the chick with the wacky red hair (Anne) is a strong competitor, and Jessie and Abby seem to know their brand and look well. So I think they will go far.”

If you take a close look at the marketing side of this show, Abby is featured pretty prominently in the on-air promos, the show’s website and their photo gallery. Assuming that’s no accident, I predict they’re focusing on her to get a head start on marketing her show. Gawd help us.

HGTV Star airs Sunday nights at 8pm, EST.

When I visited Susan Wallace’s open air studio during the E.A.S.T. Tour, she told me she was partnering with Crestview Doors to do a production line of her infamous screen doors, and I see now that they’re off and running. You may already be familiar with CD if you appreciate mid-century modern, and now with the addition of Susan Wallace’s designs, they’re absolutely the go-to resource for anyone looking for a mod entry. Check it out:

The “Clearwater” Crestview Screen Door, featuring grillwork by Susan Wallace. $1,850.

The “Mooreshead” Crestview Screen Door, featuring grillwork by Susan Wallace. $1,850.

The “Nantucket” Crestview Screen Door, featuring grillwork by Susan Wallace. $1,850.

Supercute way to boost your curb appeal!

I’m going to shelve Magazine Monday for another week because I don’t have time this morning to go down a Pinterest rabbit hole. Instead, I’ll share a supercute restaurant discovery I made last week, thanks to my BFF Karen’s recommendation. épicerie bills itself as a French cafe and grocery store, carrying a curated selection of wines and cheeses, as well as specialty jams and treats. Lunch was amazing–I had the chicken terrine, which was to. die. for. But what struck me immediately was its minimalist and modern design. There’s nothing “extra” about the decor of the place, and that kind of quiet simplicity is perfect if you need a break from a frenetic workday. It reminded me a lot of Marfa in that way. Read more about Marfa style here.

Gawd, how I love this ivy backdrop and the charcoal exterior.

Leather faux finish on the ceiling and charcoal walls are the perfect foil for a chic pendant and white furniture.

Speaking of chic pendants, I just adore these copper beauties, paired with Edison bulbs.

A novel way to handle order numbers.

Fresh stack of baguettes.

I forgot to take a pic of my dish, so I stole this off their website. Photo by Steven Ruud.

A glimpse at their tasty, tasty menu.

Photo by Steven Ruud.

Photo by Steven Ruud.

It’s no surprise to find out that Austin’s superstar architect Michael Hsu is behind the look, or that chef Sarah McIntosh was trained by Thomas Keller of the infamous French Laundry. What is surprising is that the surrounding Hancock neighborhood tried to prevent its opening. I would kill for something like this in my ‘hood.

épicerie
2307 Hancock Drive
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 371-6840

It seems like Sarah Richardson’s been on HGTV forever, and since she still looks like a relative youngster, she must have been at it since she was barely out of college. Currently working on her sixth series for HGTV, Sarah 101, Sarah’s House, Design Inc., and Room Service have all been viewer faves. I had the opportunity to interview her for Williams-Sonoma’s Designer Marketplace, which was a real treat. Fans won’t want to miss it, and if you’re buying a home in the Toronto area, you might want to check out this casting call for her new show. Maybe you’ll get lucky enough to appear on the show and receive a $25,000 makeover designed by Sarah!

There’s been a lot of dead air on this blog lately, and I do apologize for that. It is hard to juggle a blog and a design practice and the needs of an eight-year old–especially when that eight-year old’s after school program has ended for the year. Of course it’s awesome to be granted this extra time with my dumplin’ girl, but I have less time to cram a full workday into. Obviously, as much as I enjoy writing this blog, it has to take a backseat to client work. Then all of a sudden, I look up and notice it’s been a week between posts. Crazy! 

Today’s another abbreviated day with a full agenda: creating a playroom spaceplan for Jennifer and Michael, and picking out furniture for Elaine and Roy’s 4,700 square foot empty house. I love days like this, decorating virtually from my pink power chair and catching glimpses of the longhorns grazing in the pasture behind our neighborhood.

How cool is it to see this beyond our backyard?!

Ahhh, summer.

So to keep things short and sweet, I’ll share a few noteworthy discoveries I’ve made recently via Facebook:

Indie Home

I’m digging all of the mid-century furniture this rehab artist sells. Pricing is great, too. Follow them to get first dibs on new pieces like these recent offerings:

Indie Home

Indie Home

Sway Vintage

Might have a new reason to veer off the interstate in Kyle the next time you’re heading south. I don’t know about you, but I’m always curious when I see a new vintage store open up!

Sway Vintage

Sway Vintage

Sway Vintage

Sway Vintage
103 Rebel Drive
Kyle, Texas
(512) 740- 7700

Ashley Woodson

I’ve long drooled over Ashley Woodson’s minimalist/modern jewelry designs at Mockingbird Domestics:

…but lately I’ve been enjoying her photography as well. She recently posted the most beautiful pics of Barton Springs and the trail on behalf of I Love Texas and got me hooked. The love she has for what she’s shooting really comes through to the viewer–it’s such a treat to see that.

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

Photo by Ashley Woodson

To see more of Ashley’s pics, follow @ashleywoodsonjewelry on Instagram or follow her on Facebook.

Two local artists–Carolyn Kimball and Cathy Savage–have come up with an ingenious way to help offset the cost of their studio at the new Canopy Art Complex. For $15/month, you can subscribe to their art-by-mail service and receive something they’ve created in their studio each month. They’ll be sending anything from new prints to printed tea towels, to notecards and laser cut pieces. You’ll get a preview of what they’re sending each month, at which point you can elect to have it sent to yourself or gift it to someone else. Sounds like a superb idea and a pretty painless way to support the arts.

From their email:

“We can offer you our work at below-market prices because you are buying it sight unseen. Once finished, these same works would sell for up to double or triple the monthly subscription price. Because your subscription helps to cover our overhead costs, we’re able to pass along the savings. It’s just $15 a month–or as the Kentucky girls says, the price of a good bourbon on the rocks (that’s four lattes for the rest of us).”

If you’re interested, you can find more details and payment info here.

I am a huge ninny where tornadoes are concerned. As a person who likes to be in control, the randomness of tornadoes freaks me out. When the weather service decided to be more forceful with their warnings last year, I took them so seriously that I dragged my family–dog and cat included–to a local hotel one night when they predicted super severe storms and tornadoes. I figured we’d have a better shot if we were in some big, concrete high rise with bunker-style stairwells than our janky little suburban ‘hood.

Seeing the devastation in Moore, Oklahoma, it’s impossible not to wonder about your own chances for survival in the event something like that blows through your neighborhood. They don’t build basements in Texas and acrylic bathtubs being the new norm, what’s your best option? I’m sorry, but it’s hard to be confident about an interior closet or bathroom staying put when you see the pictures of entire neighborhoods completely flattened.

So when I saw an article about above-ground storm cellars–and in-home safe rooms, I was intrigued. Why have we never heard of this before?

Did you know you can create a room inside your home that can weather 250-mph winds and withstand any degree of lumber chunked at it? Not only is this possible, but it can be a bathroom or a closet that is functional when not in use as a safe room.

Oh my gawd, the peace of mind this would bring.

If you create a safe room during the construction phase, it’s a relatively low-cost upgrade. Jiminy Crickets, what a selling feature. If you live in tornado-prone areas, you may even be eligible for rebates through FEMA.

For more details, check out the info from Texas Tech’s Wind Science  & Engineering Research Center and FEMA’s website.

Looking around for something interesting to post this morning, I headed to the “sale” link at CB2 to see if they had marked down anything worth noting. This is what followed…

Origami Bunny Ornament, $0.95 on sale (reg. $3.95).

Oh, cute–an origami bunny! That would be so perfect for Phoebe. She loves bunnies and she loves origami…for less than a buck, I should go ahead and get it for next Christmas.

Add to cart.

Barista Ornament, $0.95 on sale (reg. $3.95).

Wow, I’ve never been a barista before, but she kinda looks like me! What’s another buck…

Add to cart.

Wire G-Nome, $39.95 on sale (reg. $89.95).

A nearly 4-foot high gnome that holds plants? On sale for $50 off?

For the love of gawd, add to mother-effin’ cart.

I enjoyed my morning coffee on my back patio this morning, completely blissed out in my newly spray-painted and colorful outdoor furniture. Would you believe that in the nearly five years we’ve lived here, I don’t recall doing that one single time until today? Want to take a wild guess as to what drove me out there and what kept me from doing it before?

It wasn’t “me.”

Our backyard has always been hurting in the personality department. So neglected, it was just “there.” We haven’t prioritized doing anything about it, but the mild weather we’ve had this spring has been so inspiring. I couldn’t resist plunging into a little project, but as you know, I had very little budget to work with, so I decided to paint our existing metal cheapo furniture and add a few pillows and plants.

Of course I forgot to take “before” pictures, but we have the kind of standard-issue backyard furniture with atrocious flower details on it that you’ve seen a hundred times before. I tried to find a pic online of something similar, but evidently it’s so hideous no one’s sharing photos of it anywhere.

It still has stupid floral crap on it, but now it’s in GLORIOUS COLOR:

All told, I spent about $175 on spray paint, planters, plants, pillows and the paint for the back door. Not a bad price to pay for so much happiness!

Pillows and planters from Home Goods. Luchador painting by Parker / High Lonesome Gallery.