Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/126364
The cozy chocolate-brown master bedroom has a Venetian gilded headboard found in France, flanked by two large white-lacquered chests from Shabby Slips, which Abbott has reconfigured with brass hardware (formerly door knockers) from Fixtures & Fittings. The crystal baluster lamps from Visual Comfort can be found at Shabby Slips. Pair of gilded Louis Philippe mirrors from France. Louis XV bergères. Antelopeprinted carpet from Creative Flooring Resources. you, yet you see the lake." He also notes, "From the water, the houses look very European — but without all the clichés." While the interiors are as drop-dead glamorous as the city abodes that Abbott designs, she readily admits that many of the pieces are actually castoffs from her stylish Houston shop. Like any talented designer, she understands the importance of playing with a high-low mix — for instance, works by artist Ford Beckman or an 18th-century Italian commode sharing the stage with curtains from IKEA or an oversized ottoman upholstered in bargain $12-a-yard fabric. "When you first walk through a house, you point out things like 'That fan has got to go,'" she says. "But as you see, it's still there. I would have rather had a light fixture, but you have to stop at some point." It's a sentiment many can relate to. After weekend-living for years in Santa Fe, the couple relishes the easy drive this getaway provides. Along the way, they've even inspired many of their Houston friends not only to visit and stay the weekend, but to look for Austin real estate, too. And speaking of Austin … Many years ago, Abbott had a hand in establishing the Austin outpost of Shabby Slips, but now she acts more as a mentor to its original owner and is consumed with her own bustling Houston business, which recently expanded yet again. Yet these days she and Manteris, who routinely travel from Round Top to Paris to find treasures for Shabby Slips and their own houses, have an escape. They're able to shut their shop doors and leave the demands of their busy careers several comfortable — and convenient — hours away. PREVIOUS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LIVING ROOM: Leopard print is the predominant animal pattern in Abbott and Manteris' Austin home. Here it's used in pillows and the Scalamandré cotton velvet covering a pair of gilded Italian pope chairs. Greek-key silk-velvet pillow fabric by Clarence House. Bronze horse sculpture by Siri Hollander from New Mexico. LIVING ROOM: The antelope taxidermy trophy was acquired at Lewis & Maese Auction House. The small wooden chair was made in Africa and bought at a flea market in Santa Fe. SITTING ROOM: Just off the kitchen is a suite of upholstered pieces designed by Abbott and covered in white muslin. The pair of club chairs is from Houston shop neighbor Watkins Culver. Sisal rug and Fortuny silk light fixture from Creative Flooring Resources. THIS PAGE, TOP LEFT: In the living room, the view from the corner toward the arched opening in the dining room and kitchen areas reveals a stone hearth and a Black Forest antler trophy. Mirrored cocktail table from Shabby Slips. Holding an orchid is a silver vessel procured by Abbott on a recent buying trip to Marché aux Puces in Paris. The contemporary artwork is by Ford Beckman, from McClain Gallery, Houston. THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT: The dining room, open to the kitchen and sitting room, has a table and upholstered chairs from Shabby Slips. A Robert Kuo silver vessel holds decorative greens. The chandelier is from a former West Alabama haunt, Brian Stringer Antiques. JULY | PAGE 19 | 2012