Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/594381
GEORGIA (BROWN) ON MY MIND CATHERINE D. ANSPON STEPS INTO THE PAST. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL CLIFTON. NOVEMBER | PAGE 72 | 2015 A NEW ANTIQUES AND DESIGN DESTINATION OPENS ITS BEAUTIFUL DOORS. MISE EN SCÈNE: Opening night for Georgia Brown Home. LA PLACE: Georgia Brown's new Houston home design and antiques Mecca, on the West Alabama decor corridor. CONNOISSEUR CROWD: La famille Brown, including owners Kristine and Shane Brown (of the Big Daddy's antiques empire, which extends from L.A. and San Francisco to Seattle; the original Georgia Brown Home is in Aspen) and adorable daughters Raleigh and namesake Georgia, traveling in from California; Houston store team Donna Parker, Chris Clifton, and Saul Pontifes; designers Marie Flanigan, Catheryn Wilson and Ben Johnston (prepping to lecture at Houston Antiques Art + Design Show that weekend); artist Maggi Dunwoody, current headliner in the shop's ongoing series highlighting Houston-area visual talents, with folks Kackie and David Dunwoody, sis Kathleen Graf, and husband Eric Cummings; neighbors Ruth Gay and David Brown, who popped in to offer warm wishes; Lisa and Peter Heinze; chic Lee Williams, who also shops Georgia Brown Aspen, with realtor daughter Ashley Williams; Katie McClure, dishing with Erin Breen; Alexandra Parker with Eugene Terry; Nathan Rinard of Leonard Rutan; Round Top denizens Paige and Smoot Hull; pals Tania DeJohn and Cinzia Holt, making an appearance with Dante the poodle; Stephanie and husband Paul Meyer (a painter whose work includes a ranch-worthy canvas of a burro, showcased that night); Jim Nonus, in from Galveston; Shelby Poortvliet Beeching; Sylvia and Robert Mulcahy; Kristine Brown's mom Norma Woody; Lucy Nguyen, ardently seeking treasures for her new high-rise; and Lou Shaprio, headed home with a garden find. SPHINXES ROCK + ARMANDOS TACO TRUCK: A big tent adjoining the main store transformed a parking lot into a charming annex for several hundred guests, which was infused with a sense of wonder and the allure of lost ages. Set with garden statuary and cafe tables from times past, including a patrician pair of 19th-century stone sphinxes, the tented party palace cast a note of enchantment over the evening. Shoppers lingered in this aerie, sustained by Armandos' signature 'ritas and tacos from the red taco truck. PC MOMENT: The evening began and ended with the appearance of an 18th-century Louis XVI-era salon carriage, which transported the young Miz Browns through the beautiful party. Each departing guest received a flacon of the store's signature home scent, named for elder daughter Raleigh. Armandos Famous Tacos Chris Mulloy with Kaylee Champagne station Kristine & Shane Brown with Georgia and Raleigh Katie McClure Erin Breen Courtney Blair Lindsay Robinson Saul Pontifes Rachel Anderson Kelsey Grant Marie Flanigan Kathleen Graf Allison Knight Alexandra Parker Eugene Terry Shelby Poortvliet Beeching Tania DeJohn Cinzia Holt Dante Georgia Brown, Raleigh Brown Stephanie Meyer Lee Williams Ashley Williams Donna Parker Chris Clifton Kimberly Meyer Rebecca Powers Ivan Saenz David Brown Smoot Hull Paige Hull Jessica Fralick