There are things about me that may surprise you. For example, I have never had anyone say, “Oh, that makes sense.” when I reveal that I went to Baylor. Here’s another thing: I have a friend (from Baylor!) who teaches etiquette. Something that may not surprise you: I am typing this as I wipe crumbs from a cardigan that may or may not be clean but most definitely has a gaping hole. Anyway, back to my friend Sarah Aynesworth—she contributes to this neat home design blog called Hadley Court. You should check it out. People seem to like it—the site is up for a Best New Design Blog award. So that’s pretty cool. And if you feel so inclined, you can participate in a little blog voting here.
Perhaps you’re attending this month’s International Lighting Market? If so, good news. During that very same International Lighting Market, Arteriors is opening its new 1,200-square-foot showroom at the Dallas Market Center. The new space will feature lamps, pendants, chandeliers, as well as collaborative pieces by folks like Barry Dixon, Lisa Luby Ryan, and Laura Kirar. The grand opening party is January 18th from 5 to 7 pm. So if you’re attending market, you should definitely pop in!
I have just heard the news: Scalamandre is moving out of its Dallas digs. Why? Because they are going to be repped by Robert Allen—so it makes sense to move on in! The move is scheduled for October 1.
Doris Jacobs wearing a Chanel jacket that I want. Wait, left corner, is that Derrill Osbourne?
Q. I am totally obsessed with your Chanel jacket. May I have it?
Doris: No, but you may borrow it. I had my eye on it all season and leaped for it when it was marked down, and down, and down.
Q. You know every great house in the city. How did you select yours?
Doris: I always look at the architecture first. Mine is an early Fooshee and Cheek design (architects who produced Highland Park Village among dozens of other houses) but the rookwood tile in the sunroom had been covered up with yellow shag carpet; the leaded glass and natural wood doors had been obscured over years of neglect; the garden was completely overgrown, very Grey Gardens. We reworked all of the landscaping, and now it is a joy to walk up to every morning. (Ed.note: Found out last week that her house is now for sale.)(UPDATE: Ed. Note: Wrong! Not for sale! Never believe a journalist!)
Q. Is it wishful thinking or are house sales picking up in velocity? The spec house on Beverly behind mine has sold, and it had been on the market for more than a year. Sign of something, or serendipity?
Doris: It’s the market. And these recent sales have created an inventory so low it is alarming. With spring upon us, all of us need to build inventories in all categories. People have been stymied with the slowdown in the economy and are hesitant to put their properties on the market. Prices are rising due to simple lack of supply and the increasing demand. I am encouraging people who want to move to contact us, so we can make a plan. I have a lot of pent-up demand for homes not currently on the market. The product is simply not there.
Q. You are high profile, but my take is that you are really private. True? What would surprise me to know about you?
Doris (laughing): Actually I am very “out there.” Jack (her husband) says I talk too much telling everyone everything so there really are no secrets in my life, except perhaps for the fact that deep down, I am shy.
Sure it looks a little bleak out, but we’re not afraid. We’re braving the 35% chance of rain to hit the grand opening party at BelAir Studio and Design on Greenville from 5:30-7:30. (We’re just crazy like that around here friends.)
Care to join us for some wine, mini cupcakes, and furniture ogling?
The lovely ladies at BelAir Studio & Design on lower Greenville are hosting a little open house tomorrow from 5-7. Pop-in for a glass of wine, some hors d’oeuvres, and a little pre-dinner shopping.
Seems like a perfect way to kick-off the weekend, yes?
(Stay tuned for a bigger peek at BelAir in our upcoming March/April issue of D Home.)
Sample Sale at the Dallas Design Center
You might want to check out the first ever Sample Sale at the ultra exclusive Dallas Design Center. Why is it the first ever? Well, there was a certain attitude that the riff raff might get in, or that sale prices weren’t deep enough; many showroom samples are consigned merchandise and the manufacturer that owns the chair or table doesn’t want to discount, or pay the freight back. But I have to say, the prices are discounted deeply—I saw a sectional from the Cameron Collection for $6000 including kick-a– fabric. That’s pretty comparable for what I might pay for much less quality. But, alas, Neal Stewart has beaten me to it. Hurry up, before Neal buys it all.
1. The new Gary Riggs Home showroom, located across from the Galleria, is a whopping 45,000 square feet.
2. Price points range from $7.50 to $25,000.
3. All merchandise was hand selected by Riggs himself.
4. Brands include Ralph Lauren, Baker, Henredon, Sherrill, Century, and more.
5. You can find everything from gifts and home accessories to artwork, furniture, and bedding.
6. The showroom also carries Riggs’ private line, Gary Riggs Art in Design.
7. Riggs and his team offer full interior design services.
8. Customization is available to fit each client.
9. There are thousands of fabrics to choose from.
10. The looks on display range from ultra-contemporary to very traditional.
*And a bonus No. 11: In a former life, Riggs helped create sets for the likes of Donny & Marie and the original Footloose. I’m pretty angry that I didn’t know this piece of information until now. So angry, in fact, I want to do this. Don’t bother me for the next two minutes and 47 seconds.
Jump for a peek inside the new showroom (photos by Mark Herron).
The Lamp Shoppe on Dragon Street
Melissa Woody has been selling her antique accessories for years at Lovers Lane Antiques, Nick Brock Antiques, and The Mews. When she found out that most of her pieces were going to be made into lamps, a light went on (excuse the terrible pun); and she decided to make the lamps herself. Now she has opened The Lamp Shoppe on Dragon Street with a full service workshop for custom made shades, stock of shades ready to go, and a delightful inventory of antique artifacts, porcelains, and minerals just waiting for you to be turned on (ew) and turn them into lamps. Best part for you last minute designers—turn around time can be as short as a week.
Sutherland Showroom's 35th
The David Sutherland Showroom is celebrating it’s 35th anniversary in business tomorrow. Having a thriving showroom business for thirty five years gives you some serious bragging rights, especially one that not only keeps ups with the design curve, but has been known to cause some as well. But serious accolades have to be made to someone who has changed the complete landscape of design. Back then outdoor furniture was iron, plastic or some pretty clunky teakwood. Outdoor fabrics ran the gamut from stripe to stripe to solid in primary colors and had the feel of a paint encrusted drop cloth. Enter the Sutherlands—David, with his great friendship with John Hutton started enlisting the top designers in the world to do magic things with teak furniture creating curves and delicate turns, his stable of designers is the Who’s Who of the design world. Ann Sutherland, with her fabric line Perennials, began experimenting with acrylic color and created the all weather fabric that we know now, designing in beautiful subtle designs and colors and in every weave from velvet to canvas. Everyone else’s “outdoor fabric” is an afterthought. Bravo, to both of you, can’t wait to see what the next 35 years does.
Corradi Outdoor Living Structure
A new pop up showroom has just popped up at Neal Stewart’s Dwellings 5 showroom at 320 Dallas Design Center—Corradi Outdoor Living. It’s particularly close to my heart because I’ve been intrigued with the idea of an eco-smart permanent portable building ever since going to the Living Village at SMU last fall. And, I want just that for a large deck on an “island” behind my house. Corradi is the answer, and one of the most innovative structural furniture collections I’ve seen in years. Please check it out, and if you want to learn more, and get a little continuing education credit, please rsvp for the lunch next Wednesday to victor@exdesigngroup.com. You may just find answers you’ve been looking for as well, if not answers, certainly inspiration.
Highgate House on Dragon Street
New doors are opening on Dragon Street quicker than Highland Park Village (not quite as pricey, either.) Some are pop-ups—the newest of the new buzz words intended to create just that—buzz; others are rather doubtful art galleries that probably aren’t going to have a long shelf life. Right now I’m liking Highgate House which just got it’s signage up for the last Design on Dragon—a welcome and different addition to the showrooms on the street and a more traditional point of view than others like Smink or Art of Old India. Owners Aimee and Dudley Simms brought their collection of English antiques from their previous pop up in Highland Park Village, (see how this all comes together?) and have added a reproduction textile collection by Nicole Fabre and paintings by Charlotte Seifert compliments of the Norwood Flynn gallery. Check it out for a fresh viewpoint of traditional mahogany.
Chris Sharp at The Rug Co.
I just finished chatting with Christopher Sharp owner and founder of The Rug Co. Besides being tongue-tying-ly handsome, he’s quite funny and has great stories. I went to hear the stories—if you work with the top interior and fashion designers ( egos?) in the world, you’re bound to have some good stories. The Rug Co. started in 1997 and invited the top 10 interior designers in England like Nina Campbell, Tricia Guild, and Kit Kathson to design a rug for them, and they would take care of the logistics of having the rugs handmade in Nepal and Iran. The plan obviously worked because now they work with over 400 artists including fashion designers and fine artists and ceramicists like Grayson Perry of the YBA. “The first time I met Perry was at an art show. Here’s this big bloke, about six feet tall dressed in a little frock with white stockings and little girl shoes. He had rouge on his face like a little doll and his hair was back in pig tails. I introduced myself and we quickly started talking about motor cycles, which we both have a passion for,” says Sharp. I, of course, asked him if Perry rides in a dress, and he said, “No, he’s quite normal, married with kids, he only dresses up like that for special occasions.” Now, that’s a story. For more stories, or just to look at Sharp, head over to The Rug Co tonight on Hi Line Drive at 6:30 for their grand opening.
My friend Todd wrote about Patina back in May, but I visited the new Knox-Henderson location last week, so I thought I’d add my two cents. In addition to all of the real-life samples of tile, wood, sample, and carpet and the super nice in-house designers, Patina has these touch-screen computer screens that show you what a number of selections will look like in a “real” setting. It’s so cool. ( I really like pressing buttons.) Sound confusing? Check out this photo. Those cabinets are real. The countertop is real. Even the wine is real. But that backsplash is a computer screen. I talk about the store in more detail in the upcoming September/October issue of D Home, but until then, I suggest you check out the merchandise—both real and virtual.
Chic home furnishings shop Nest is re-launching its web site at the end of the month and kicking it off with a big party Aug. 30. In the meanwhile, the shop is giving away a gift on its blog every weekday until the day of the party. How do you get fab free stuff? Just post a comment on that day’s post for a chance to win.
