Milagros Win Your Heart

The Milagros are from Behind the Garden Gate, in Houston Heights.

The antique Ex Voto is from Tongue in Cheek Antiques, the on-line Brocante in France

Handmade, antique gown from Willow Nest at Marburger Antiques Fair.

The long, gray linen scarf is from Beadboard UpCountry, Brenham, Texas. Maggie the Mannequin is from Heights Antiques on Yale.

Resources:

Behind the Garden Gate

238 West 19th Street, Suite B

Houston, TX 77008

713-864-1679

felix.flowers@yahoo.com

Beadboard UpCountry

Tongue in Cheek Antiques

Willow Nest

Heights Antiques on Yale

A Peek Behind the Garden Gate

Preserved hydrangea in a vintage Hungarian seedling pot.

An antique German pudding mold.

An old antique bed fit for a shabby chic princess.

Unique floral arrangements and a wonderful ceramic chicken, taking it all in.


The Fabulous Flora of Behind the Garden Gate

Behind the Garden Gate, a popular Houston Heights shop, recently moved into a new space, just down the street from the original spot on West 19th. Flora, aptly named canine shop girl, greeted Tall Husband and me on our visit there today.

Felix Hernandez, owner, has a wonderful way of juxtaposing floral arrangements, organic candles and unusual antiques. He also has a great selection of botanical books and local honey. His new shop offers the ultimate in chic cocooning.

There was a handsome, whitewashed terracotta toad hiding under an old table, next to an antique German pudding mold. He came home with us and will find a home with Tall Son, who is absolutely superstitious about toads. This toad truly seems magical, like everything Felix brings to Behind the Garden Gate.

Behind the Garden Gate
Felix Hernandez
238 West 19th Street, Suite B
Houston, TX 77008
713-864-1679
felix.flowers@yahoo.com

See more photos of the shop and Flora here.

Behind the Garden Gate

Behind the Garden Gate has moved.

The other day, Tall Husband and I went looking for Felix Hernandez's Houston Heights shop, Behind the Garden Gate. We found him in his new space, a jewel box of a shop with sea grass floors and bright jewel-toned walls. He wouldn't let us leave without a gift box of some his new products: an orange blossom candle, Houston Honey, and soap from Provence...a bee theme!

Next Saturday we get to go back and shoot some photos so you can see Behind the Garden Gate for yourself.

Holiday on 19th

Behold, the entrance of Behind the Garden Gate with the fresh arrangement of roses and lilies.

Windows of Behind the Garden Gate, decorated for the season, invite you in.

Here are a few of the Seasonal decorations at Behind the Garden Gate. Isn't that child's antique bathtub filled with mistletoe charming? And the tealights nestled in the cranberries!

The crowds grew at Behind the Garden Gate. We put the camera away and chatted with the other visitors. One always meets such interesting people at Felix's place.

Last night The 19th Street Merchants kicked off the Season in downtown Historic Heights (right here in Houston) with Holiday on 19th. There were strolling carolers, live music and each shop served food and drink. Tall Husband and I headed for Behind the Garden Gate where Felix Hernandez displays his wonderful floral designs and antiques. Felix Hernandez of Behind the Garden Gate has designed the floral decorations for one of the Homes on the Historic Heights Holiday Home Tour this weekend. Lucky home owner!

Click on each photo to enlarge.

Behind the Garden Gate

There is always fresh drama to delight your senses when you enter Behind the Garden Gate, a boutique in historic Houston Heights that offers international antiques and original floral designs.

Everywhere your glance takes you in this magical shop, you discover evidence of Felix Hernandez' talent for mixing texture, color, light and fragrance to achieve a primitive yet chic atmosphere.

Preserved flowers on an antique metal washstand.

An antique bed with antique Mexican measuring boxes, repurposed to display books and an apple.

Soft lighting, the fragrance of flowers and a romantic bed...

Mystery at the foot of the bed: what does that old trunk hold?

Step back, take it all in and imagine!

A contemplative corner with pale green walls.

A corner of Felix Hernandez' long work table, where he creates floral arrangements for clients.

Small floral designs that utilize pale preserved roses.

Another quiet corner

A sultry moment


Another preserved arrangement.

Some of the antique garden furniture to be found at Behind the Garden Gate

Old French terracotta pots and a garden bench with the perfect patina

Simple tablescapes on primitive tables

The patina of age on garden furniture: enough to melt your heart!

The perfect summer wreath

A fresh arrangement awaiting a client.

An antique Korean mouse of bronze (He's not for sale, as he lives at the shop.)

Old zinc with fragile white flowers: perfect!

Country simplicity

French lavender for sweet nostalgia

Perfect for giving a country-feel to a city kitchen

To bring out the child in any of us

An antique industrial grinder is elevated to art.

An old Boston rocker and other antique pieces exude character.

Can't you just imagine having a candlelight dinner with friends here?

A client's own container filled with an arrangement of exotic flowers, which she will give as a wedding gift to her new husband. What an original, wonderful gift.

Felix Hernandez, shop owner, working his magic.

Just a short walk from The Bunny Bungalow, in historic Houston Heights, is Beyond the Garden Gate, a shop where Felix Hernandez mixes international antiques with flowers to create enchantment. A gentle warning: you may leave his shop feeling as though you have succumbed to some supernatural power. You have! You see, Felix can cast wonderful spells.


Behind the Garden Gate: Antiques, Garden Decor, Dried Florals, Weddings
355 West 19th Street
Houston, Texas 77008
713-864-1679

(Click on any photograph to enlarge.)