STYLISH SHOPPING IN HOUSTON: FOUND FOR THE HOME

I went to Houston a week ago. I have gotta tell you, Houstonites, I had the best time in your fair city. Everything is bigger, especially the unbelievably chic home boutique, Found for the Home. A few people told me I needed to make a visit to this Highland Park shop, but the first time I tried to go on Friday, at 5:30pm they had closed (It's 5pm closings in design world, I had forgotten). I was late because I had spent too long across the street at Thompson and Hanson, the transporting compound that encompasses a landscape architecture firm/garden nursery/home shop and restaurant, Tiny Boxwoods. I went back Saturday after hitting the Houston MFA and Menil Collection. I am so glad I got to see Found, because it's elegant mix of vintage pieces, artwork, retro signage, upholstery, books and classic decorative accessories blew me away. The industrial mid-century space occupies 5,300 square-feet, with a wall of floor to ceiling glass windows and concrete floors. Add it to your list of must-shop stops in Houston.

Photos courtesy of Found

Started in 2006 by Aaron Rambo who came from special events and floral design and Ruth Davis, who joined him with a background in finance, the two collaborate on finds and arranging displays with style. Rambo's open design studio in the back means he can pull pieces from the floor to work with directly on a daily basis.

Woven wicker and more serious antiques together kept things light and a bit more casual, a la Marella Agnelli's living room.

Fresh fruit and flowers lend an air of photo-ready beauty to the shop.

The table at the entry filled with a vast collection of while resin  by Tina Frey. Seeing it all together is much more powerful than just seeing a few pieces- the hand-created designs and irregular shapes are so unique.

 The expansive store goes on and on. Exploring it makes every step an exciting discovery.

 A pair of Spitzmiller lamps on a wood console with bone inlay tables in front and an Italianate gilt-wood mirror above.

The latest design books on display in big piles.

 Most of the upholstery was covered in white, making the antique frames and pretty silhouettes really stand out.

Stone architectural salvage blocks make great end tables.

Combining reproduction pieces with fine antiques, design and line are elevated.

The space is filled with interesting pieces that push the boundaries of art and object, like a driftwood table.

My favorite thing there? A pair of vintage scroll arm chairs in a tortoise lacquer finish.

A terra cotta lion mid-roar is fierce. He would be great outside in a garden.

A sculpture made of barbed wire on a white base. Careful with this one.