Big things are afoot at the The Gypsy Wagon. There is talk of relaunch, billboards, and a new website. We will talk of all that in the very near future. But today, I need to keep things simple. I have a move scheduled this weekend. I also intend to become Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke’s new best friend at a Before Midnight screening. So for now, I choose to breathe deep and focus on this sweet “embroidered donkey + horse = mule” pillow. Even with all this stuff going on, these pillows make me smile every time I look at them.
Lakewood home furniture and accessory shop Hess is now carrying Company C furniture. The completely customizable furniture line includes sofas, ottomans, love seats, stools, and headboards in a multitude of fabrics, finishes, and trims. The line is known for their playful fabrics that come in a vibrant color wheel. Think punchy reds, deep turquoise and blues, and the perfect kiwi green. If you’re looking to add a splash of color to your home, it’s the furniture brand for you. Bonus: the line is made in the USA.
To celebrate, Hess is offering 20 percent off all custom furniture orders from Company C. This is for a limited time, so hop in soon and place your order.
We spend an inordinate amount of time around here pondering wallpaper and window coverings, paint and the placement of decorative accessories, but today it seems, well, essential to spend some time being grateful for our homes and all the comfort and joy and shelter that they provide us.
To our friends in Oklahoma whose homes are no longer standing, we send you our love and prayers.
For those of you that want to provide aid, here’s a list of ways to help via Oklahoma-native Sarah James:
- - Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the disaster relief fund.
- - If you prefer to donate to the Red Cross online, click here.
- - Text FOOD to 32333 (the OK Food Bank) to give $10 to help with relief efforts via News 9.
- - The Salvation Army
- - Feed The Children Disaster Relief
- - Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
- - Disaster Relief of Oklahoma
- - World Vision
- - If you are looking for a family member, please visit Safe & Well.
- - Google Crisis Map
- - The Penn South Pet Clinic is collecting displaced animals.
- - Annie’s Ruff House in Norman, OK is taking any dogs displaced by the tornadoes in Moore.
My nine-year-old daughter is obsessed with animals of late, so much so that, despite her severe cat allergy, she can’t resist picking up any and all felines that cross her path (even if it means she breaks out in a massive rash on her face two hours before serving as flower girl in a wedding…thank god for Benadryl). So suffice to say, I’ll be toting her along to see the Kristan Peltan de Navasques exhibit, Animal Portraits and Incidentals, about to open at Wisteria.
In addition to whimsical and dreamy animal works, the artist also does special commissions (Wisteria Style Editor Mary Jane Ryburn and artist Jan Barboglio are both clients). The exhibit runs through June 29, with an opening reception this Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
See you there!
The Details:
Kristan Pelton de Navasques
Animal Portraits and Incidentals
Through June 29, 2013
Wisteria
6500 Cedar Springs Rd.
We asked five of our favorite florists and event planners (Todd Fiscus, Minh Nguyen, Jordan Payne, Robin Brogan, and Haile Wossen) to answer the simple question: Is this Vincent table by Michael Aram crazy or cool? You’ll love the responses, but you’ll have to pick up the May/June 2013 issue of D Home to see them.
But today I’m turning the tables on you, reader. What do you think?
P.S. If the answer is cool, you can find the table at Nest for $2,900.
Hi. It’s Friday. I’m trying to finish D Weddings, so without further ado, here are the wise words of ID Collection’s Jim Williamson. For the non-bloggers out there, spamments are SPAM that appear on websites. They are disguised as friendly comments. Some people call them “ham”; some refer to them as “yam.” I prefer to use the word “Spam,” as I only like ham on holidays.
Typically the comments are something like this: “My first time here. I really like your site. And let me tell you, you have hit the hammer upon the head. I am no expert, but you really sound like you know what you are talking about. This has been helpful to me. I will be back more soon. Keep on keeping up.”
When you initially read a comment like this, you think, “Wow! That’s so nice! Someone is actually reading my stuff. Obviously, they are not from here because this English doesn’t sound quite right. How exciting to have a following overseas!”
Unfortunately, it turns out that these things are merely computer-generated comments that pick up on SEO words. These seemingly nice comments are actually hiding RSS feeds. So when you post these comments showcasing how fabulous your writing is, you are really adding their RSS feed to your site. And usually those hidden feeds are coming from places like BUY MICHAEL KORS CHEAP, MONTCLER AT UNBELIEVABLE PRICES, and UGGS LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN.
I am glad I figured this out before posting one particularly nice comment. It linked to male enhancement products.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that pretty much anything becomes infinitely more chic if you dip it in “gold,” driftwood, rocks, rope… (all of which I’ve recently subjected to a can of gold spray paint) you name it.
I’m also going to say that Seletti agrees.
For their brilliant (no pun intend) Estetico Quotidian line, the Italian company known for its whimsical, high-design furniture and decorative objects has gilded sundry everyday items (i.e., colanders, laundry detergent bottles, pie plates), taking them from merely utilitarian to totally-in-your-face little works of art.
My friend Sam gifted me with a Seletti sardine can a couple of years ago, and I can’t help but smile every time I look at it. It’s a total happy maker. (Bonus: every piece in the Estetico Quotidian line rings in at under $100.)
You can pick up your own piece of smile-inducing gold goodness locally at Nest, We Are 1976, and TenOverSix. Or you can nab one online.
Happy shopping!
Prior to my gig here at D, I worked in corporate America for nearly 14 years. And while there were certainly many perks to my job (i.e. international travel, an office with windows, a pension — old school, I know), sanctioned “shopping” during the work day wasn’t one of them.
But as the market editor for a shelter magazine, I need to know what’s, well, out in the market, so in this job, “shopping” is actually “scouting.” And, yet, earlier this week I found myself at the West Elm desperately searching for hand towels to replace the shoddy ones that currently reside in my guest bathroom (I’m hosting a party for 60 at my house tomorrow, so the hand towel situation required immediate attention) and feeling guilty for shopping in the middle of the day.
But then I thought, hey, I can multi-task here, I can get those pretty Hammam hand towels, thus avoiding massive hostess embarrassment, and do my job. At which point, I went all Sheryl Sandberg on the situation and leaned into my purse to retrieve my iPhone so I could snap photos of all the things I was “scouting” in the “marketplace.”
The end-result? Those seven beauties above. All at the West Elm in Mockingbird Station right this very second. All completely awesome. All likely coming home with me at some point in the near future…
Just doing my job friends. Just doing my job.
The Goods:
- 1. Mottled ceramic pitchers — I have no idea what these are actually called, as they’re not online yet, but I’m seriously digging their whole Commune Design/Adam Silverman feel.
- 2. Ikat Squares pillows — So pretty in person…and the pink feels earthy, not twee.
- 3. Huron outdoor chair - I love the Calatrava-esque vibe of this woven cord stunner.
- 4. Marbleized Cylinder planters — I want to replace every pot on my patio with these beauties. Full stop.
- 5. Copper and wood twine holder — This is another in-store only find, and I want it bad (even though, given the fact that I have never actually used twine for, well, anything, I have no idea what I would do with it).
- 6.Wood and glass vases — Also not online, and maybe not even vases, but awesome nonetheless.
- 7. Paper flowers — So festive. In mass, they would be fantastic for prettying up a wedding shower or graduation party. Oh and the entire lot is 20% off in store.
The Constantine bedding from Isabella Collections by Kathy Fielder.
Local high-end bedding designer Kathy Fielder is opening up her I.B.C. Design Studio at 2000 Greenville Avenue for a trunk show and sale next Thursday, May 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. Her luxurious Isabella Collection (you can shop it at Horchow) will be the star of the show. Bedding, draperies, decorative pillows, and fabrics will be available, as well as one-of-a-kind samples at discounted prices. This is a rare opportunity to pick up discounted pieces!
She has also invited some other locals to be a part of the fun. Glam Girl is selling jewels at affordable prices. Georgia Stuart, medical skincare specialist, is offering mini glycolic freshening peels and deep tissue hydration treatments for $40. Are you an antiques enthusiast? Rue Seven Seventy just got back from Paris and will bring their recently hand-picked selection of 18th and 19th century antiques. On the food front: Nora will be serving up their signature Afghan dishes. If you’re planning on attending, RSVP here: info@isabellacollection.com.
Hello. I am very busy trying to finish the Fall/Winter 2013 issue of D Weddings. But when I get a free moment, I am going to pop over to the Dallas Design Center (Ste. 620) to check out the new Gracie Studio showroom, which opens today. I think you should do the same. Then let’s eat cupcakes and talk about how much we like it. (I’m very, very hungry today.)
After a recent trip to High Point Market, Kathy Adams of Kathy Adams Interiors shared her insights on trends worth talking about this year. From bold hues to the “it” fabric, Kathy explains what to watch for.
1. Honeycomb
The home furnishings industry is right in line with the newest designs from Alexander McQueen. Honeycomb patterns were very prevalent. Hexagons, pentagons, and other geocentric patterns were incorporated into everything from bookcases to chests.
2. Malachite
This year is truly the year of emerald. Pantone’s color of the year was very evident in fabrics and fabulous malachite accents. This magical mineral was spotted everywhere in items like accent tables and nesting boxes.
3. Monaco Blue
Emerald was not the only bold hue to gain popularity. There’s a new shade of blue that is headed more toward a deep Monaco sea color. The emergence of this hue is exciting because it walks the line of feminine and masculine and has potential for both casual and formal use. It can be zipped up with other brights for a bold look or combined with a cool gray for a more soothing effect.
4. Gold
Say goodbye to “modern” polished nickel. Gold was the word at High Point. A true 20K color was the dominating look. Hammered, brushed, and polished golds were popular, but a warmer gold prevailed.
5. The “It” Fabric
Every High Point Market, there is an “it” fabric—a fabric so irresistible that it is contagious. This time, it is Mary McDonald’s ode to chinoiserie, Chinois Palais in lettuce. This large-scale linen print features exotic birds among a flowering tree of peonies and cherry blossoms. Derived from an antique Chinese painted silk mural panel, the soft color palette is the perfect choice for refined elegance.
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If you’re like me, you might think you’re doing a good thing in the kitchen when you purchase a box of fresh herbs over the dried, ground, and bottled versions in the spice section of the grocery. But consider this… For every expensive box of fresh herbs that you purchase, you could have nurtured a live plant and avoided another herb purchase all together! At least that’s what I finally put together.
So, here’s my next tip for feathering your first nest… resurrect your green thumb and invest in a few small containers to create a beautiful and useful fresh herb kitchen garden. It’s so incredibly very easy. I picked up my pots at a local thrift store (figures) and chose some hardy and popular (see: useful) species such as rosemary, sage, and cilantro. I repotted them carefully and placed them next to a sunny window. Not only does my kitchen now smell amazing, but it looks pretty darn good too!
Next up, actually cooking with them… In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m feeling very “Martha Stewart” right about now.
(Ed. note: You can keep up with Hilary on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.)
One of our favorite stationary gals, Chelsea Carpenter, is throwing an open house and garden party tomorrow night to celebrate Southern Fried Paper’s relocation to the Design District. We’ve got the details over on BridalBuzz.
She’s decorated the space with the coolest paper flowers to create a garden wonderland. We’re seeing paper flowers pop up in stores (Joslyn spotted some at West Elm) and it’s a fun alternative to the real thing. We all know I can’t keep real plants alive. Maybe I should give the paper version a try.
Check out the party tomorrow from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and peruse her selection of stationary, art prints, and wine tags. The wine tags make the best hostess gifts.
Yep, it’s true friends…Your chance to win fame and fortune (not to mention discounted paint for life) is almost over, as this Wednesday, May 15 is the very. last. day. you can submit your entry for the Texas Paint & Wallpaper/D Home Life in Color contest.
What are you waiting for?
(And for an added dose of inspiration behold that color-laden playroom to the right designed by Dan Nelson for Pat and Charles McEvoy’s Park Cities home.)
I’m sick of the same ol’ Bloody Mary mix (Zing Zang + Tito’s) and mimosa (OJ +sorta cheap champagne) recipe. I need to mix it up (literally). Do you have a favorite brunch drink? I want to hear from you if so. This post is strictly for personal use. I’m shameless like that.
Why am I asking? Well, I came across these glasses on sale at West Elm. They will match my new ombre hair color and I think they’d look good with a fun drink in them. Okay, reader. Ready, set, go.
