The It List: Houston's Secret Source For The Best In Home And Design
By The EditorsBy The Editors|January 6, 2020|Home & Real Estate,
More-is-more design shops and over-the-top properties set the tone for Houston’s happily maximalist home-design scene.
Moxie’s new room of curiosities features a collection of storied accessories including porcelain, art, worldly antiques and a whimsical art taxidermy entitled “Geisha Bélier.”
MOXIE (2031 West Alabama St.) What was once a discreet warehouse-style source for industry insiders is now an 8,500-square-foot, 15-room decor emporium chock-full of eye-catching vignettes, midcentury finds and handpainted murals. At the helm is designer Dennis Brackeen, who travels to France and Italy at least twice a year to source one-of-a-kind pieces for the shop. (He also offers concierge buying trips for his elite clientele.) Insider tip Moxie is the only retail dealer in the state that sells ultraluxe C2 Paints.
A shelfie from Montrose’s Biscuit
BISCUIT (1614 Westheimer Road) This jewel box of a store on Westheimer has long been known for its bespoke bedding and kicky collection of home decor and tabletop items. This past year, the shop underwent a refresh, expanding its selection of oh-so-giftable entertaining items to better complement the new wine-and-cheese shop next door. Insider tip Pop into neighboring Montrose Cheese & Wine and take a glass of vino with you while you browse Biscuit’s selection.
Etel’s Jorge Zalszupin Brasiliana sofa at its Shops at Arrive showroom
SHOPS AT ARRIVE (2800 Kirby Drive) This Upper Kirby destination has quickly become a hotbed of international design shops and showrooms, from American favorite Ann Sacks to more recently opened luxury European showroom CAM Studio. Insider tip Newcomer Etel sells collectible pieces, bringing back to life the iconic designs of many of midcentury masters such as Oscar Niemeyer and Lina Bo Bardi.
MARTHA TURNER SOTHEBY'S INTERNATION REALTY (1717 W. Loop S., Ste. 1700) In 2019, this real estate powerhouse with the most coveted listings in the city moved to a swanky new office at the LEED-certified Amegy Bank Building. Insider tip Scroll through the agency’s listings via its website; browse wow-worthy properties like a current 15,000-square-foot Piney Point manse situated on 8.7 acres—5.5 of which are wetland reserve—with a $35 million price tag.