Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/98152
CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER AT CURATE Curate, 1141-03 Uptown Park Boulevard (next to Paul Carter Jewels). W e have very short attention spans at PaperCity, so catch Curate while it���s open ��� till the last bells toll in 2012. Curate, the PaperCity book and curiosity shop, stocks most predominately hundreds of the hottest tomes from the worlds of design, architecture, art, fashion, gardening and pop culture, including many signed books (by Miles Redd, Amanda Nisbet, Thom Filicia, Kelly Klein and more); vintage books from David Hicks, Cornelia Guest (our muse) and Billy Baldwin; and design books from the library of the late Paige Rense, Architectural Digest���s tenacious editrix in chief. There are also bits of taxidermy, Hybrid plates, platters and bowls where chinoiserie design is fused with American hunting scenes; artist Henri Gadbois��� faux foods; and more. Meet Thom Filicia Tuesday, December 4, 7 to 9 pm, when he signs his new book American Beauty. Information curatebooks@papercitymag.com. FRESH SPOTS TO SHOP GAZE AND GRAZE , WE���RE LUSTING AFTER LOUIS, PIMPING FOR A PEDAL PUSHER, CRAVING FLUFFY BISCUITS; RETHINKING OUR SPACES AND CURATING OUR LIFE. BYE-BYE, 2012. FLUFF UP YOUR BISCUIT LOUIS! LOUIS! Biscuit Delicious Homegoods. 2606 Westheimer Road, 713.942.9797; biscuithomegoods.com F rench luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton has opened the doors to a completely revamped store in Houston ��� its largest in Texas. Designed by famed architect Peter Marino, the new store, nearly double in size from the previous, is inspired by travel (or perhaps by the jet-setting global clients to whom Vuitton caters), starting with a luggage wall unlike any other in the U.S., studded with the brand���s iconic trunks, suitcases and travel accessories, modeled after the luggage wall of the Louis Vuitton store in Singapore. Global in���uences abound ��� from the parchment-paper wall paneling in the women���s leather-goods area that harkens back to leather and travel, to the intricately folded paper origami ceiling in the watch and accessories space (inspired by Louis Vuitton���s famous Omotesando store in Tokyo) to the spice color palette used throughout, which architect Marino describes as ���a spritz of the oriental spices.��� Vuitton Houston carries a much richer offering of bags, ready-to-wear, shoes, jewelry and watches for both sexes, and has an awe-inspiring room of exotic bags, many one-of-a kind. We were excited to see the women���s cruise collection already in store. The men���s bag bar is just that ��� a bar, but in lieu of liquid libations, it���s stocked with stylish wallets, briefcases, messenger bags and totes. The men���s shoe and ready-towear offerings have expanded exponentially, and men���s suiting and tuxedos are available for the ���rst time in Houston. More new perks: a customer service area for special orders and after-sales service, such as repairs, as well as a private entrance and salon for jet-lagged VIPs. Kate Allen Stukenberg GREAT SPACES Spaces for Home, 2439 Westheimer Road, 713.520.7167 JENNY ANTILL Louis Vuitton, Houston Galleria I, 713.960.0707; louisvuitton.com I f a bed is anything, it should be warm and homey. Hence, design blogger Bailey McCarthy���s favorite euphemism for a bed is ���the biscuit��� ��� and her eponymous bedding line and storefront give you ample reason to curl up. Seeing a void in the market for luxurious, affordable bedding, McCarthy parlayed the success of her interior design blog, peppermintbliss.com, into collections of coordinating prints and linens. The American-made line is manufactured and printed on 350-thread count sateen, with designs named for McCarthy���s favorite fellow bloggers, including The Joanna in honor of Cup of Jo���s Joanna Goddard and The Katie for Matchbook Mag���s Katie Armour. Her new 1,400-square-foot storefront, Biscuit Delicious Homegoods, at the corner Bailey McCarthy of Kirby and Westheimer, also stocks reclaimed furniture refurbished and repurposed, lighting, and other goodies McCarthy has collected over years of client work and doubles as an of���ce for talking design with clients, as well as a gallery space for a rotating roster of artists ��� currently featured is Texas-born photographer Gray Malin. From a forest-green-lacquered console with matching China rose stools upholstered with playful, unexpected ���oral fabric to tufted headboards and a funky chintz chaise, McCarthy seamlessly blends preppy and playful. Caroline Gallay EASY RIDER Bici Showroom Cyclery, 2309 Dunlavy St., 713.522.8330; bici713.com Have a cup of joe, a brew or just hang out in the beer garden while your bike is being serviced. This is why Bici (Italian for bicycle) is so cool. With a vast selection of bikes ranging from European-style commuters to fast-paced road bikes, and an inventory that includes brands Cinelli, Linus, Surly, Brooks and Phil Wood, Bici is full-service for repairs and advice on all types of two-wheelers, from derailleur to protunes. Owner Michael Dihn has a passion for Houston���s ever-evolving cycle culture, which is perhaps what we ���nd most interesting of all. So what are you waiting for? Pedal on over and pimp your ride. Rosi Ruiz Spaces for Home has arrived in Upper Kirby next door to Avalon Diner, with 4,400 square feet of space devoted to all things homey. Vignettes re���ect stylish worlds from coastal to New York loft to ranch to Tuscan, with an inventory that���s constantly updated. An ideal bar cart, a perfectly put-together tabletop vignette ��� from sofas, lounging chairs and beds to wall hangings to trinkets, with everything on the ���oor available for immediate sale. And if you love the bones but want a spruce job, owners Susan Gay and Liz Schlotzhauer can make magic with custom upholstery. Caroline Gallay DECEMBER | PAGE 20 | 2012