Last Saturday Karly and I accompanied our bff on an alcohol soaked wedding dress shopping extravaganza (holy jeebus, Sunday sucked), and we happened to pass by Howl‘s new storefront on South Lamar while hoofing it across Unbridaled’s parking lot. I’ve driven past this place a few times and their siren sign always calls to me. Each time I’ve fought the urge to U-turn in the middle of Austin traffic, fishtailing and tires squealing all 70′s car movie style. Did I mention that the sign is eye catching?
It promises a carnivalesque good time, and it delivers. Come on, let’s take a little tour.
The first thing you need to know is that this place is dark and moody, and my ancient point and shoot just can’t handle anything other than rainbow flecked crystalline sunlight with grace and aplomb, so sorry for the janky pictures.
I’m going to go ahead and say this place is one part Uncommon Objects, one part Uptown Modern, and no parts Room Service. If you aren’t an Austinite, let me translate: there’s some rust, some burl — both 70s and antique, and there are zero ceramic owls.
Karly already has her first purchase wrapped up and ready to go. Too bad we are po bitches.
We both deemed this lucite couch worthy of our love and affection. I am burning that pillow with my mind, though. Firestarter style.
Jesus don’t want me for a sunbeam.
Cousin It the goat wants to live in Ike’s room.
A gorgeous olive burl Baughman table just like the one I found for my buddy’s house. The elephant is trumpeting his seal of approval.
I found the store to be charming, and the proprietor to be adorably adorable. The prices ranged from holy %^* expensive to quite reasonable — they had a flossy Paul Evans/brutalist barrel chair in dire need of upholstery for about $250, which is not bad for Austin prices. I was hoping to find a bit more modern in the mix, mostly artwise. I’m on a big antiques jag right now, but I feel like all that patina needs some edge to sharpen it up.
Hopefully Howl is reading this and will call me with a bargain basement de Kooning or Sol Lewitt… fingers crossed!
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janky: I like that word. may I use it?
Man this place is like the animal figurine jackpot. I’d like to take home those lions with me.
It is pretty cool. I love the story on the website about being inspired by Ginsberg’s “Howl” to pursue his dream at a crossroads in his life. Very inspiring. I wonder if they have that cool leather hassock I should have gotten for $60!! Woulda, coulda, shoulda…
Austin is the epicenter of truly cool vintage shops. So envious!
This place gives me goosebumps. In a good way.
The sign painted on the side of the building is fantastic!
I challenge you to a dance-off for that goat. (You just got served).
Yeah, that place looks great.
But let’s get back to the real badassness of this post: drunken wedding dress shopping. You guys are baller.
Hehehe…what Rebecca said.
Rosie, come on down and bring it! I will whip up some Chubby Checker shit. Because I am gangsta.
Y’all, I am never going to drink again… until next weekend — which is ROUND TOP! Holla!
I love the store!!!!!
“I’m going to go ahead and say this place is one part Uncommon Objects, one part Uptown Modern, and no parts Room Service. If you aren’t an Austinite, let me translate: there’s some rust, some burl — both 70s and antique, and there are zero ceramic owls.”
Maybe one of the best paragraphs in DC history.
dude! what an amazing place!!!!! i wish i was there RIGHT NOW!!!
Karly, please put this store on the list of places to go next time I visit. Eero can come too; a little drool wouldn’t hurt anything would it? Do we get any pics of the alcohol fueled Say Yes to the Dress adventure?
Wish I could transport myself to Austin today and shop that place like crazy. Looks like big fun. Great writing too, Erin!
I’m a little sick I’m not in Austin. And that I didn’t find that Formica&brass cocktail table. It gives me anxiety to be missing out on all that cool vintage.