A Peek at Peckerwood

November 17, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

After years of benign neglect, several of Houston’s major public parks and gardens are being transformed. The Memorial Park Master Plan, for example, is a complete revamp of the city’s most-used and largest (nearly 1500 acres) urban-center park. The plans were approved by Houston City Council in April 2015, and work...

10 Nosy Questions with Too Cheap Blondes

October 7, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Jen Meneely and Pippa Williams tell the story of Too Cheap Blondes this way: It was March 2013, and both women happened to be shopping in the same Goodwill store when Pippa recognized Jen from a recent Houston Chronicle article in which Jen had been featured. Pippa introduced herself and told Jen...

Big Opportunity for A Small Space

September 16, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

A powder room may be the tiniest room in the house, but its impact can be – and should be – huge. Designers often suggest ways to make small rooms seem larger and airier. You can ignore that advice for the powder room. Instead, embrace the intimacy. Think jewel box. Here...

X Marks the Spot: How to Begin a Map Collection

August 16, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Intrigued by a collection of beautiful old maps of Persia that Cameron’s father has entrusted to us, we recently sought the advice of Ed Grusnis, owner of The Antiquarium on Kirby Drive. Grusnis, who bought the shop from its founders in 2014, deals in vintage maps, as well as antique prints,...

Double-Duty Davenports

June 13, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Cameron and I visit both the Blue Bird Circle and the Guild Shop – two of Houston’s best resale shops – every week or so. We’re not hoarders, but we do like to find old stuff for our old house: vintage light fixtures, brass hardware, old art books, blotchy antique mirrors,...

Nosy Questions for Brent Hull

May 6, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Photos courtesy of Hull Historical You know that expression “God is in the details”? Brent Hull probably whispers it to himself about 100 times a day. As owner and president of Hull Historical in Fort Worth, Hull is a nationally recognized authority on historic design, architecturally correct moldings and millwork. His...

How to Don a Derby Hat

May 2, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

This Saturday, May 7, marks the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. It’s a minor holiday at our house, complete with bourbon cocktails and a Southern menu at dinner. Besides mint juleps and “My Old Kentucky Home,” what else do you commonly associate with “the run...

Horsing Around

April 18, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

People often talk about bucket lists – that is, things we want to do before we’re, well, dead. Yours might be to climb Machu Picchu, restore an MGB or go on a cattle drive a la Billy Crystal in City Slickers. My own bucket list includes learning to surf and playing...

The Holy Sale: Fresh Paint and the Right Saint

March 14, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

You’ve fluffed your house to within an inch of its life: painting, decluttering, staging and even planting a couple dozen Knock Out roses. And your house still has not sold. A savvy listing agent who truly understands the market is always your best resource, of course. But, just for fun, we...

Nosy Questions for Charlotte Moss

March 7, 2016October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Photos courtesy Charlotte Moss Interior designer and author Charlotte Moss, who has written nine books and is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, has spent more than 30 years decorating beautiful homes for private clients. As a furniture and upholstery designer she collaborated with Century Furniture on a collection....