UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

Hey H-town, you've got a not-so-secret in your midst. The University of Houston is an incredible institution of higher learning and now, under the guidance of one (much more wealthy) head coach, they're also undefeated in football. To celebrate yawl heading into these last few weeks, you've got your own spot on this football series.

This living room is steeped in Houston - picture these pieces in one of the many beautiful, industrial loft spaces cropping up in renovated warehouses all over town. Soaring ceilings, expose beams and ducts, huge, steel, industrial windows. Modern and comfortable, much like our much-loved city.

1 ] Starting with this amazing buffalo-check chair from Anthropologie - hint hint buffalo bayou anyone? its been a while since I've had a bad pun - would make the perfect book-nook chair from which to gaze out over our bustling and incredible city.

2 ] Did you know that Houston is home to the fifth most significant museum district in the country (the world?) from the MFAH, to the Menil, the CAMH to all the galleries and smaller museums that sprinkle through our city. Grab a part of that spirit for yourself - visit one of the many art shows or if you don't have the time head on over to Minted - a website full of artists and makers creating beautiful art like these abstracts from Christina Flowers.

3 ] That powerful Cougar Red. Again I'll admit the difficulty I have using red. That difficulty stems from the exact same reasons red makes such a fantastic color for a school. Red is bold, powerful, exciting, and strong. Everything a university could want to be known for - and traits the University of Houston definitely embraces. West Elm made my job a little easier when they started making the Martini Side Table in all sorts of beautiful lacquered shades.

4 ] What Houston tailgate is complete without some of our stellar Houston brews? Buffalo Bayou Brew Co has been pushing the boundaries of beer in the bayou city. And with the Cougs practically setting the city on fire with their string of wins I thought a little Smoke of the Bayou was in order.

5 ] You know me and pillows. They add complexity and comfort; layering color and pattern to liven up an otherwise simple couch. This selection is a mix from West Elm and CB2 - both great sources for modern patterns and colors that easily compliment city living.

6 ] Another stellar choice from Bryght, the Sven Sectional in gray leather is a sleek addition to any city dwellers home-sweet-home. Plenty of room for all your friends who want to come over to watch the games. 

7 ] A simple, modern geometric rug keeps with the theme while softening and warming those polish concrete floors any loft around here is bound to have.

8 ] This coffee table brings the whole room together. A sophisticated marble top and a bright and bold laquered red base carry the UH spirit into the heart of the room. Have I ever mentioned that Anthro makes the best, most interesting coffee tables I've ever seen?

A COLORFUL CLEMSON LIVING ROOM

You did it Clemson. This week you are #1 - will it last? I guess we'll see tomorrow but to honor this moment in time - it's your time to shine! Gather close all your Clemson Orange and Regalia (I know you're probably already decked out in orange, it is Friday after all). This blog post is almost more exciting than that moment you got your t-shirt at Tiger Town Tavern. Almost. So what are my first impressions of Clemson? For one, I know you're rabid football fans, next I know that you live in an absolutely gorgeous state. I had the honor of spending some time in South Carolina recently and let me tell you  wow. I never wanted to leave. Those blue ridge mountains y'all. We don't have mountains here in Texas, that was a real treat. That and everyone was so, so friendly. So lets see, friendly southern hospitality, football fanatics, and fabulous outdoorsy-ness? I'm sold. This one is pretty wild - an orange and purple color palette will do that - so lets dive right in: 

1 - Since from what I can gather it seems that all of your Clemson bars close at midnight, how about bringing the party back to the house, and while you're at it, class it up a bit. These beautifully packaged small batch mixers  from Jack Rudy Cocktail Co deserve a place on any bar cart, but since their made in Charlston, South Carolina they're extra special. Drink up Tigers!

2 - These pillows from One Kings Lane and Manor inject pattern and color and help break up that great, orange, expansive couch.

3 - South Carolina is a beautifully artistic state. These pieces from Minted are a beautiful, colorful addition to the space and for me the images evoke the feelings of being immersed in the beautiful natural surroundings of South Carolina. Clockwise from the left they are Sunset Fade 2 by Kelly Ventura, Cacophonic by Kelly Witmer, and Midnight Mountains by Holly Royval.

4 - Make sure everyone who comes over on gameday cheers at 110%. This River Rock side table and planter are from a fascinating little (oh but really not at all little) shop out of San Jose - which is even better because - for those not in the know - Howard's rock was originally a gift from Death Valley, California. Fitting. Buy it and you, too, can stroke it lovingly on game day hopefully securing yet another Tiger win.

5 - The orange couch. I went for it. Clemson. Orange. You can't miss it; this couch packs a powerful, midcentury punch. Not for the faint of heart this orange couch would shout your school spirit from the rooftops of Tillman Hall and is definitely giving 110%. Not to mention that it will easily seat all your rowdy orange-clad friends.

6 - This coffee table from West Elm encourages resting your feet, drinks, and eyes (that orange couch though!). It has a rustic mid-century vibe and is big enough to hold it's own against the Joybird couch and visually heavy enough to ground the space. Style it up with a tray full of tailgating snacks!

7 - Finally a rug because I can't do a space without a soft little guy underfoot. This rug from Lulu & Georgia not only defines space but gives little nod to tiger stripes with it's subtle Moroccan inspired pattern.

Alright Tigers! I hope you liked it, it's a little wild but hey, so are you! Good luck holding on to that #1 spot this weekend! 

A RED RAIDERS DINING ROOM

My Facebook newsfeed recently reminded me of one fateful, exhausting night in 2008 where I was living abroad and stayed up until 4am watching a very stressful football game. One that resulted in me using some choice words on said social media platform involving Crabtree, fire, and perhaps a not-so-accident car accident. But thats neither here nor there right? I can put that aside for a couple hours....(but I'm not sure I'll ever truly forgive). Red and black are tough colors (for me) to work with. They're sharp and excitable and masculine. I found some inspiration for this  thinking about Spain - red matador capes, red and black dresses (think: "dancing girl" emoji), starkly contrasting tile patterns, and moorish architecture. Not to mention that all these images are also conjured up by that Zoro-like masked rider.

In case you're not familiar with moorish or spanish influenced architecture I wanted to share some of my inspiration for this room. Picture the pieces below in a dining room with white plaster walls, arched doorways, and heavy timber beams above. You really wouldn't need much with such a architecturally powerful room.

{1} These red plates from Hermes would make the perfect accent. I definitely see red as more of an accent color in any space. Red is such a strong color and definitely draws your eye no matter how little of it you use (much like that flowing red cape on the masked rider). These plates would make a big statement and add another layer of pattern with moorish influence. And in case Hermes plates are more of a "wishlist" than a "reality" I've heard Target carries a line that looks very similar.

{2} Keeping with the Spanish/Moorish theme - this is a chandelier with clean lines but definite old world charm. This beauty is pretty reasonably priced from Shades of Light (one of my favorite online resources for lighting!) You can definitely see this hanging between some big heavy wooden beams.

{3} Since we're modern Raiders here, and to keep all the mix and match patterns from overwhelming us, this table from Crate and Barrel works wonders as an anchor in the space. The wood top keeps it textural and the steel legs are super modern. Even better it's on sale!

{4} Encaustic tiles are beautiful. I really don't need to say more than that...but instead of having a rug a patterned tile floor offers a great way to bring in a little more subtle pattern. Plus I hear Red Raiders like to throw things and I figure that extends to their food as well. A tile floor offers quick clean up.

{5} Artwork! I wanted to bring in some of that Wild West, "Guns Up" spirit. This photograph from Fine Art America would look incredible blown up huge on a wall - maybe over a buffet. The large scale and black and white printing would keep it from looking too cowboy. I really can't get enough of large scale art these days too. Super dramatic.

{6} Finally these dining chairs from Crate and Barrel bring in the last, perfectly patterned piece. The upholstery would soften the hard floor, angular table, and iron accents.