When you move to a new city, one of the most important things is finding a place that feels like home. For Pam, an ER doctor and NYC native, this was particularly important when her first post-residency job brought her to Houston, Texas. She found this spacious, modern townhouse in a neighborhood close to Houston’s downtown, and turned it from a blank slate into the welcoming, personal space you see here.

When you have a home like this, it’s nice to have someone to share it with, maybe someone small and furry. When you see the rapport between Pam and her dog Franny, you’d never guess that’s she’s never had a pet before. It was the house that brought them together: a few weeks after Hurricane Harvey, Pam found Franny stranded on the patio. Pam decided to adopt him, and he’s since become a fixture; friends even say that he matches the decor. And after a stressful day at the ER, the house feels like an oasis of calm. “Coming home is always a pleasure,” says Pam.

My Style: I’m not a creative/designer by profession, and I’m a bit of a nomad, with five moves in six years. I’m an ER doctor, which is probably as far from artsy or glamorous as it gets. I think less about specific styles and more about specific goals I had for my place. I want my place to be my “recharging station,” as I call it. So I tend to stick to more earth tones, plants, not too many patterns. I want my place to have some character and be somewhat androgynous, so there is no pink and very sparse on the sparkles.

Inspiration: Coffee shops. I know that sounds odd. I could never study at home, so all my years of studying were spent in A LOT of coffee shops. Usually the decor is cool, cozy, trendy, dark, or moody and a good coffee shop has a vibe. If I could incorporate some of those vibes I found in Kyoto, Copenhagen, Marfa, Marrakesh, and Bushwick and birth a mixed apartment baby… that’s my inspiration.

Favorite Element: My place kind of came with a dog! I moved two weeks before Hurricane Harvey. A few weeks later, I literally found a dog who whose leash was stuck on a chair in my backyard. His owner had just died and no one wanted to claim him. As a born and bred NYC girl who grew up in an apartment most of my life, I’ve never had a pet. So we were both traumatized at first but now, I can’t ever imagine being apart. He’s truly one of the biggest blessings, and people tend to say “he matches” my decor.

I often find myself daydreaming about coming home and laying on my very comfy couch with Franny. It’s probably one of my most proud and prized purchases. I stalked the Crate and Barrel outlet for weeks. Then one day, there it was. Brand new-ish, in a custom color someone ended up not liking. I got it for a very, very affordable price but had no clue how I was going to get it home. I ended up finding a phone app for people with pick-up trucks providing instant delivery. I got my couch delivered two hours later. Moral of the story: There is an app for everything!

Biggest Challenge: Trying to differentiate what’s trendy now vs. what the future me in three-five years will still like. Basically, I spend my time resisting the urge of buying anything macrame, circular mirrors, or a ton of wicker furniture. Also, trying to hang art in an unbalanced balanced way is really challenging!

What Friends Say: “Looks just like the pics on Instagram!”

Biggest Embarrassment: Probably my “guest bedroom.” I honestly don’t get many guests, and I’ve been procrastinating buying a second bed. Mostly because I predict one more move in the near future. I do have a top-of-the-line air mattress though! Also, I have a confession. I do not consider myself a yogi, as my “guest bedroom” would suggest. I mostly lay in shavasana. So basically… I take naps. I also went through a VERY bohemian phase, and most of my purchases ended up in my “yoga room.” Conveniently enough, I can drag my stuff through my sliding doors for a little outside makeshift Moroccan oasis, pour myself some mint tea, turn on my portable speaker for some tunes, and feel transported.

Proudest DIY: My pottery! I’m fairly new to the art of ceramics but I absolutely love it. Scattered all around my home are mugs, vases, bowls, incense holders, which I’ve made with love.

Biggest Indulgence: Smell is absolutely essential for me, especially in my home. I definitely splurge on candles. But instead of accumulating 10 less expensive ones, I invest in one or two for the year. My favorite are candles from Le Labo.

Best Advice: I honestly try not to get too attached to anything I own. If someone comes over and really likes something of mine, I actually try to give it to them. Positivity recirculates. Life is great and short and full of surprises… Don’t get too comfortable.

Dream Sources: Actually, my dream would be to travel and collect beautiful pieces from talented independent artists that no one else really has. But in the meantime, anything published in a Kinfolk magazine is pretty dreamy.

LIVING ROOM

• Green couch — Crate and Barrel outlet
• Pillow (triangle) — Miranda Bennett
• Pillow (circle) — Miranda Bennett
• Pillow (knot) — Design House Stockholm
• Pillow (black and denim) — The Citizenry
• Black and white art — Kristina Krogh via Nanin Studio
• Blue female art — Richard Colman via Nanin Studio
• Orange Circle art — Bec Smith via Urban Outfitters
• Coffee Table — Bower Studios via West Elm
• Floor lamp — Bower Studios via West Elm
• Rug — Restoration Hardware
• Marble side table — West Elm
• Brown Leather chairs — West Elm
• Black side table — IKEA
• Wood Side table — Vintage
• Grey Couch — TJ Maxx
• Blanket Ladder — BoConcept

DINING ROOM

• Dining Table — Restoration Hardware
• Gray Cabinet — 1940s vintage
• Grey chairs — {Neighborhood}
• Clear chairs — Overstock
• Rug — World Market
• Side bench — West Elm
• Wall art — Artist in Copenhagen
• Erlenmeyer flasks — Amazon
• Light Fixture — Home Depot

KITCHEN

• Bar Stools — TJ Maxx
• Runner — Vintage Turkish Rug from Cappadocia
• Light fixtures — IKEA
• Leather coffee sign — Fourth and Nomad

BEDROOM

• Hats — Goorin Bros
• Rug and chair — World Market
• Side table — HomeGoods
• Blanket — Byron and Blue

GUEST ROOM

• Rug — Bought in Marrakech, Morocco
• Wicker Chest — Vintage find
• Buddha — Vintage find
• Pillows — Mix of World Market, Finds in Turkey
• Yoga equipment — Amazon

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