2010 Houston Heights Spring Home Tour

Glassell Home
1409 Allston

Photo from Houston Heights Website

This Weekend: Don't miss this wonderful tour: Saturday and Sunday, April 10th & 11th. Click here for information.

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.

Swine Flu

Swine Flu panic has spread to the Historic Houston Heights; however, cool-headed shop keepers have taken precautions...

as have mothers of every stripe.

Spotted in the window of Jubilee by Tall Husband on a Sunday evening walk.  Thanks Jubilee for the pig wit.

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.

Houston Heights This Saturday Night

Redbud Gallery
303 West 11th Street, Houston Texas

Brian Maguire: "The Good American"
Opening: September 6, 2008; 6-9 pm.

Paul Kittelson: "Modern Conveniences"

G Gallery Opening: September 6, 2008, 6-9pm

Show Dates: September 6-23, 2008
301 East 11th Street
Houston, Texas

See you there!

A Gift from the Past

Who was the little girl who wore this white linen dress so long ago? Who lovingly sewed each precise, tiny stitch by hand? What was the occasion for such a fine dress?

I found this small dress in an antique shop in Historic Houston Heights. I purchased it for The Bunny Bungalow because for me it had that "awww" factor.

Old things fill your head with questions, they set you to wondering. You may never know the answers about their past but they present you with the opportunity to use your imagination to construct magical stories of your own. Perhaps this is better than knowing. Isn't this the greater gift?

Pumpkin the Nursery Cat

Pumpkin welcomes Tall Husband and me to Buchanan's Native Plants in the Historic Houston Heights. Buchanan's is Houston's largest garden center devoted to Texas native plants and organic gardening.

"My favorite plant? Let me think about that." (This was a loaded question, since Tall Husband and I had, on a previous visit, seen Pumpkin deliriously silly as she nibbled at the catnip... on the job!)

"I'm still thinking."

"Catnip! Yes, I would have to say that my favorite plant is the nepeta cataria or catnip; it's a great ground cover and is a delicious shade of green."


We know, Pumpkin!

Here is the catnip at Buchanan's. The human staff have to cage the plant to prevent having their profits eaten up by Pumpkin. One staff member confessed that he does occasionally leave a bit of catnip unsecured for Pumpkin's indulgence.

Here's a cat's eye-view of the caged catnip.

After the interview and photo shoot, it's back to work for Pumpkin. "Alright, who disturbed the gravel? This has to be purrrfect. Do I smell the mischievousness of some dog!?"

Rudy: A canine customer at Buchanan's Native Plants; He swears he did not muss up the gravel, "That cat's crazy; I didn't even paws near that gravel! And that's merely water on the gravel to my right!"


This is the third in a series of stories about animals in the retail business. (see the first and second installments.)

Highlights of "White Linen Night in the Heights," Houston, Texas

The Iconic Houston Heights Theater
(for Sale)

This couple just met. His opening line was, "I've noticed that you've got the most wonderful personality."(Though, that's not what I saw him looking at!)

Naü-haus Gallery: First Anniversary

Painting by Lydia Bodnar-Balahutrak

Art Patron viewing works by Chris Hedrick

Sculpture by Joyce Harlow

Art Patrons viewing works by Scott Woodard

Painting by Scott Woodard

Sasha Milby at Redbud Gallery

I just thought this beautiful redhead looked stunning against the red walls, contrasted with the strong faces in the paintings by Sasha Milby.

J. Todd Allison at G Gallery

Lynn Culp's Dog Portraits at Heights Antiques on Yale

See more of Lynn Culp's dog portraits here.

I couldn't resist showing you the portrait of the dog named "Annie."

Megan Salch, Author of "100+ Activities for Houston Kids"
Book Signing at Heights Antiques on Yale

Megan Salch, author and the Queen of Kids' Activities. You can buy her book here.