Artful Austin :: Texas OK, so I grew up in Texas, but am always surprised when I return, to see what is new. It is a super young town. Energetic, frenetic, yet laid back, at the same time. Here is what I found and loved. For unique finds :: MERCURY DESIGN STUDIO Mercury Design Studio, on 2nd Street, is the perfect place to buy gifts, not only for the home, but small quirky things, like candles, jewelry, books, stationery and beautiful little, intricate things. If your shopping to furnish your new home, the owner has some serious pieces that stand out – couches, pillows, chairs. This is more of the finely tailored suite of interior offerings – by owner Steve Shuck, who is fun to talk to, that is beautifully merchandised. Their aesthetic makes across-the-street neighbor Design Within Reach seem rugged and casual. For eats :: SWAY THAI Bon Appétit named Sway one of the “Top 50 Restaurants in America” this year. The outdoor patio with its modern chairs and tables is straight out of Dwell, while the lively interior glows with warm wood and open kitchen, create a vibrant atmosphere. The menu is full of sophisticated, Thai-inspired noodles, grilled meats, curries and fresh innovative salads. Not to mention a drink list, that is impressive, complete with “drinking vinegar” sodas. The Strawberry Basil served over crushed ice with sparkling water was a great cool-off from the heat. Off the cuff :: ART Personally, I found quite a bit of street art on this trip that I liked, but for the more refined, head to The Contemporary Austin, which, has a few different outposts in the city. The Jones Center, the museum’s site located in downtown Austin on Congress Avenue, offers visitors the opportunity to engage with contemporary art in an architecturally significant building in an urban environment. Not to mention, a fabulous rooftop, for private parties and events. At Laguna Gloria, a fourteen-acre site on Lake Austin, boasts grounds with a historic villa, sculpture aplenty and an art school. In 2017, patrons and revelers will celebrate the hundred-year anniversary of Clara Driscoll’s 1916 Mediterranean-style villa with a garden party.