I’ve been gathering items for the next installment of Prop Shop, where I highlight recent purchases—whether they’re for shoots or just things I couldn’t resist. After my recent trip to Austin, I realized I have plenty to share. I may have gone a little overboard on buying props while I was there, but they’ll get used eventually—I promise.
Here are the pieces I picked up on that trip and in the weeks surrounding it.
1. Brass towel holders from 340. They’re beautiful and well made, and I’m planning to repurpose them into something else for an upcoming project—I can’t wait to show what they become.
2. A tiny striped floor rug I picked up at Spartan Shop. It’s compact, colorful, and the perfect scale for tabletop and styling shots—one of those small finds that makes a big visual difference.
3–5. A few smaller pieces from local makers: macramé rings that double as trivets from Kettle & Brine; peach and blue postcards from Nannie Inez; and a delicate gold spoon from Take Heart. Each of these items has a handmade, tactile quality that photographs beautifully and adds warmth to a styled scene.
I also visited some favorite shops while in Austin. If you stop at Take Heart, swing by Olive—it’s just across the street and remains my favorite discovery on this trip. I ended up buying a pair of Young Frankk earrings and a top from Whit while there, though they didn’t fit the aesthetic for this particular roundup, so they’re saved for another post.
6–7. Japanese espresso cups from Take Heart, each only $15—such good value and lovely to shoot. I should have bought more than two. The mustard-colored napkins pictured are from Kettle & Brine and pair nicely with the cups and brass accents.
Photography: Amelia Tatnall Lawrence
Styling: Brittni Mehlhoff
One more item to mention: a box of colorful matches I recently added to my collection. I didn’t buy these in Austin, so they aren’t counted among the seven, but they were a recent purchase worth sharing. I picked them up at a local paper goods shop—another charming, useful prop that adds texture to flat-lay shots.
Which of these pieces is your favorite? Have you visited Austin? I’d love to hear about your favorite local shops and small discoveries when you travel.