Located on busy Westheimer Road is Empire Cafe, a romantic little spot to grab your morning coffee or brunch with a couple of your best friends. The decor is might evoke a European cafe, while the friendly, laid-back service make this a welcoming spot to enjoy coffee and food.

Pick from coffee served with a variety of syrups (or perhaps a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua), or select from teas like blackberry sage and cinnamon plum. The breakfast menu boasts a number of delicious egg dishes, while lunch offers eggplant parmigiana, goat cheese and mushroom ravioli, and a variety of pizzas big enough to share with a friend or take back home to Domain at Kirby to enjoy later.

The patio at Empire Cafe is a must when the weather is nice and makes a great spot for people watching. Empire Cafe is open Sundays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Empire Cafe
1732 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 528-5282
www.empirecafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/empire-cafe-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr russelljsmith

Happy Father's Day! We hope all of the Dads out there have a great day with loved ones! Let us know how you plan to help Dad relax today!

Whether you want to preserve the look of hardwood floors or add more color to your space, incorporating area rugs into your decor is a great way to create a put-together look in any room in your home. Here are a few must-know tips for decorating with area rugs.

• Choose the right size. Be sure to measure your entire room before purchasing a rug, even though the rug will only fill part of the space. As a guide, try to choose one that will sit just underneath the front of your furniture.
• Choose the rug first. Unless you already own the rest of your furniture, it’s smart to choose the rug first, since it likely has the boldest color and pattern.
• Choose something natural. If you’re stuck and just can’t seem to find a rug that works, opt for something made from natural jute or hemp that goes with anything.
• Add a rug pad. If you have hardwood floors, keep your rug from slipping and sliding by adding a high quality rug pad underneath.
• Don’t be afraid of color. If the rest of your furniture is fairly simple, you can get away with a bright color and a big, bold pattern in the rug. Just be sure that one color ties the room together.

7 Rug Mistakes to Never Make [Good Housekeeping]
Timeless Home Decorating Tips [Real Simple]
How to Choose the Right Rug [How to Decorate]
Top 10 Tips for Decorating With Rugs [About Home]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Jamesthe1st