Holly's House in the heart of Houston
Who? Holly Taussig; Houston native, estate sale addict, self-made clothing designer and lover of all things vintage.
Where? Holly and Ed's bottom floor duplex in Boulevard Oaks, Houston.
Kara: What are three words you strive for your home to be described as?
Holly: Funky, warm, silly
K: Where do you collect most of the pieces in your home?
H: Estate sales. The best sales are usually on Thursday or Friday. I really love driving out for them like to Baytown, Katy or Sugarland to find a nice old couple's home... that's my number one love because of my vintage clothing business. I'm always going straight to the closets but also love finding really cute things for the house.
K: What's a challenge you've faced with loving your home?
H: Odd spaces and settling with the fact that not all our furniture is what we love right now. Like using my grandfather's old dining table until we can afford another one, or how we have already switched couches three times since moving in. We ended up finally finding a Restoration Hardware couch for like $200 on OfferUp. And the rental bathroom... it's pretty sucky but we are working with it. It's definitely my least favorite place to be in the house.
K: How have you used your unique touch to help you love your home when it feels difficult?
H: Appreciating the work that our hands have done to make it the home that we live in. Picking it up every now and then feels like a fresh start. Cleaning and settling in to do a project on the couch, read a book, or listen to a podcast while a candle burns makes me love it again.
K: What's your favorite part of your house?
H: Right now, it's the bedroom because it is so great when the light comes in in the afternoon. But it can definitely get messy fast with my closet.
K: What's the most treasured item in your house?
H: Our travertine tables, because it really kicked off Ed and I's relationship in a new direction. We had a big fight about the purchase of them. They are now complimented by everyone and I love that it made Ed realize that furniture can be something that is enjoyed by many people. I actually drew them on our wedding program as a little easter egg to that argument, which is pretty funny.
K: What are some renter friendly ways that you have spruced up your home?
H: Painted the trim of the ugly bathroom mirror a warm green instead of black. We've put potted plants in the front, we attempted an herb garden that the squirrels keep eating. I've put things on the wall, like a curtain, to hide ugly paint colors.
K: What's unique about your neighborhood?
H: I would say the people and the walkability. I don't think that many people can say that they have a bunch of people they know and love on the same few streets around them. I have always loved this neighborhood and have always rented here.
K: What are your favorite Houston spots?
H: Croissant Brioche in Rice Village for coffee and pastries, Local Foods in the Village or on Kirby, Hermann Park for walks and people watching, or walking down our street.
K: Best Tex Mex spot in Houston?
H: Andy's on 11th street is open 24 hours (editor's note: that's concerning) and has the best enchiladas!
K: What's your favorite spot in Texas?
H: My family has a river house on the Neuces in Camp Wood. It will always be special to me because of childhood memories and it's where I got married.
K: What's your favorite thing about Houstonians?
H: Houstonians are open to trying new things in a way I haven't seen in many other places. Even if they fail, they still give it a try.
About Holly's business, & Daughters Vintage Clothing
Holly says, "It is a women's vintage clothing business and I think it's the kind of vintage that you could wear every day and mix in with your wardrobe." Her business can be found at @and_daughters_vintage on Instagram, and is described as, "A lovely place for Texas vintage finds."
