Treasure hunting at Adkins Architectural in Houston

March 08, 2015


Since last summer’s visit to once-upon-a-dream-like Bella Madrona in Portland — a garden in which junk and architectural relics are transformed into mysterious, magical art — I’ve been on the hunt. For what? For ways to add a spark of discovery to my garden, and in particular for cast-iron earthquake stars. I already had a few and decided to collect a dozen more to set in the gravel path of my front garden — an homage to Bella Madrona, which had a star-studded path that I adored.


Earthquake stars are star-shaped bolts traditionally used on tie rods that run through buildings to hold them together. They’re commonly seen on Civil War-era buildings in South Carolina, where I grew up. Today you can find old stars and, more often, reproductions in antique and junk shops and farm-supply stores — or at least you can in the Lone Star State, where stars are beloved as a decorating motif. Callahan’s General Store in Austin carries them, but I found them priced lower at Adkins Architectural Antiques & Treasures in Houston. I was there last weekend, and so we stopped at Adkins to check it out.


What a treasure-hunter’s lair the place turned out to be, with so much more than just earthquake stars. Architectural remnants and reproductions were stacked head-high in the patios around the shop, which is located in a rambling, old house sheltered by a massive live oak.


We poked around in the yard, finding everything from Victorian-style furnishings, containers, and fencing pieces…


…to whimsically goofy statuary. What is this guy — a fur trader wearing a rabbit-eared hat?


And doesn’t everyone need a griffin to grace their garden? No, me neither, but it was fun to imagine.


Inside we discovered a warren of rooms packed with a hoarder’s assortment of architectural doodads, perfect for giving your home a bit of vintage charm or for repurposing into something totally new. Everything was neatly organized, and the salespeople were friendly and helpful.


I found bins of earthquake stars, including some 6- to 7-inch stars marked down to $3 each.


These aren’t antiques, but they will do the job.


“The streets of town were paved with stars,” sang Frank Sinatra, and now so is my garden path. It’ll remind me of Bella Madrona every time I walk it.

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All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

24 responses to “Treasure hunting at Adkins Architectural in Houston”

  1. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    Another fantastic place to shop. I am surprised you didnt come home with something more.

  2. Oh my, you are so lucky Pam. I have finally worked out that I need to start buying secondhand for my garden. Your first three photos made me green. If only … I’d even have the griffin! But I couldn’t vote for you, although I tried. Hope you do well!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      That griffin just needs a good home! 🙂 Thanks for trying to vote for me, Cathy. Maybe it’ll work for you another time. —Pam

  3. Great follow-through on a spark of inspiration.

  4. Melody McMahon says:

    Pam, this post reminds me again why I love your blog so much! You post about so many interesting plants and places to visit. I went back to the Bella Madrona post and saw the sphere planted with succulents that I want to copy. So cool!

    Good luck on the Better Homes and Gardens bloggers awards contest! You deserve to win!

  5. TexasDeb says:

    The stars at night, are big and bright, (clap-clap-clap-clap!)… OK, I always get a little carried away with stars in any form or formula. Your use of them in the path is ingenious and very Texan, despite the “away” roots of your inspiration. This is a concept (path inlays) I’ve been meaning to visit if I ever got everything weeded at once. Hence my ongoing delay.

    Your stars are well thought out and super pleasing in every way. Did you apply some rule of thumb to the spacing used?

    I can’t wait to see what other folk come up with in response (so of course everyone who does draw inspiration will link back to here and share, yes? Please!)

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Stars are a decorating motif I’m fond of too, Deb. (Aren’t all Texans?) I like orbs more, but it’s close. As for laying my stars, I just chunked them on the ground in a loose zigzag pattern, making sure they didn’t all point the same way or have regular spacing, and then dug them in. They’ll be easy to alter later if I decide I didn’t get it quite right. —Pam

  6. Heidi says:

    Looks like an intriguing store I need to visit, as I love to repurpose rustic antiques into yard decor. Your star and gravel pathway is fun and whimsical, touches like these that make a yard unique are inspirational. I wonder if readers are clicking on the BHG picture section labeled 2014 Top Blog Awards that is beneath the section where they should be voting, as I mistakenly searched there first. I’ve tried to vote often, as it doesn’t take long to do!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Heidi, thanks so much for taking the time to vote. I appreciate your support! I agree that it’s a little confusing. In a week or two they’ll have the Gardening category on the front page, which will help. Of course you’ll still have to click all the way through to the end, after voting, to make sure your vote gets counted. —Pam

  7. Ally says:

    Architectural salvage stores are so much fun. Do you have any favorite places to go in the Austin area that aren’t too spendy. Since junk has become so popular, I’m frequently amazed at the prices for things like bed springs and old doors.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Hmm, I guess I don’t, Ally. I used to be more into shabby chic and would frequent the antique store behind the skating rink off Burnet Rd., but I haven’t been there in ages. Oh, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore is always a good bet. —Pam

  8. Laurie says:

    Love that rusty junk, and it is nice to see it incorporated into a cool, urban garden, rather than limited to a country, victorian, “shabby Chic” type setting.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Are you talking about my garden, Laurie? If so, I’m flattered! I’m not sure mine qualifies as either cool or urban — it’s a bit of a mishmash of styles and located in suburban northwest Austin. I used to be more into recycled junk than I am today, and I still like some pieces (bottle trees, for example). In recent years, however, I’ve moved toward a more modern aesthetic in furnishings and decor. Hence the mishmash! 🙂 —Pam

  9. You’re so right about finding so much inspiration in Portland. Since that Fling, I’ve been wanting to add more spheres to my garden. Seeing this helps hold on to those wonderful memories. Can’t wait to see your Portland/Hollywood star walk.

  10. rickii says:

    Knowing that a bit of Portland is creeping into your garden makes me smile. Wish I could crrep in there for a peek myself.

  11. Shirley says:

    Another fun place to explore next time I’m in Houston. Bella Madrona is a good garden for inspiration, I saw so many good ideas visiting the post a second time.

    We have several places like that in San Antonio. I visit them often and there are a couple more to check out in the next few months.

  12. Ginny says:

    OMG! What a “died and gone to heaven” sort of place! I’m so jealous 🙂