13 Things That Inspire Designer Robyn Menter

Author:
By
Post date:
December 13th, 2012 3:50pm
Category:

(Some of Robyn’s favorites: 1.Anish Kapoor 2.Baskets by Yamaguchi Ryuun 3. Dan Flavin’s light sculptures 4. Mid-century modern 5. Rodolph’s Bolero fabric 6. Her spa bathroom)

Designer Robyn Menter is known for her artful, modern interiors. The spaces she creates through her eponymous firm manage to be at once sparse and welcoming, with a muted palette and iconic furniture providing the backdrop for character-infusing lighting, books, fresh flowers and, of course, eye-popping works of art. We asked this maestro of minimalism to share some of the things inspiring her of late, and her list did not disappoint.

Herewith some of Robin’s favorite things.

(more…)


3Comments Read More

D Home Thursday Tastemaker: Sabrina Dee

Author:
By
Post date:
November 15th, 2012 11:56am
Category:

Who she is: Sabrina Dee, Chief Strategy Officer Black Book Ink

Why we love her: She channels her creative prowess into creating some seriously fun marketing and branding projects for a slew of stylish clients (think: Forty Five Ten, Crazy Water, and Mr. Mesero). An example? In September, Dee and team set up camp in a posh “glampsite” outside the Apple store in anticipation of the iPhone 5s launch… She’s fun, a bit irreverent (in the best possible way), and has fantastic taste. What’s not to love?

 

Herewith a few of Sabrina’s favorite things…Enjoy!

(more…)


  Read More

Retail Mastermind Brian Bolke Loves T-Shirts, Bassett Hounds, and A Good Margarita

Author:
By
Post date:
November 1st, 2012 3:47pm
Category:

When it comes to knowing exactly what people (and by people, I mean me) want to own, Brian Bolke is Dallas’ resident savant. The retail mastermind susses out the most compelling, unique, and just plain lovely clothes and lifestyle goods for his wildly chic shops Forty Five Ten and its Highland Park Village little sister, Five and Ten.

For his latest concept, he’s partnering with juice mixmaster Dana Card to open Number One/Le Jus, a boutique-cum-organic restaurant/juice bar also in Highland Park Village. And, well, if his previous ventures are any indication, I’ll need to freeze my credit card in a block of ice before opening day.

We checked in with this aesthetic dynamo to see what’s inspiring him of late. Herewith some of his favorite things.

  • 1. Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio – This was my favorite car ever. I gave it up in the early 90’s, and I regret it to this day.
  • 2. Anything Hermes – An orange box always fits.
  • 3. Jeans and T-shirts – My uniform. But they have to be right.
  • 4. The color green – It is absolutely my obsession this season. From shoes to bags to sweaters. And Le Jus juice!
  • 5. Bassett Hounds – I grew up with them, and they always make me smile. But they do smell a little.
  • 6. The Crosby Street Hotel in New York – If I had to live in a hotel, this is it. I love the eccentric English-ness of it all.
  • 7. Margaritas, straight up, in a martini glass – I find it to be a drink that no bartender can mess up. Best with Patron Silver. And salt, of course.
  • 8. Double Double from In-n-Out – Growing up in Los Angeles, this was a Sunday treat…if we were ‘good.”
  • 9. Common Projects “Achilles Low” white tennis shoes – I wear them every day, everywhere. I love how generic they are. But people who know, know.
  • 10. L’Hotel in Paris – I have stayed here literally 25 times, and I adore it. Every room is different, the neighborhood is perfect, and the bar is divine.

1Comment Read More

Thursday Tastemaker: Textile Designer Bonnee Sharp’s Top Ten

Author:
By
Post date:
October 4th, 2012 8:22pm
Category:

Textile designer Bonnee Sharp is notorious for the graphic fabrics she creates for her line, Studio Bon. But she also has a bit of a reputation for her home.

The oft-photographed space (we featured it in a 2009 issue of D Home, and it made an appearance in last year’s Design Sponge at Home) is cozy yet highly curated — an ideal lab to test drive her new designs.

Bonnee’s latest collection for Studio Bon features the bold geometrics that’s she’s known for, but with a more global bent. The result is a cache of patterns boasting serious punch in poppy color ways.

To help celebrate the her new designs and the relaunch of her website, we checked in with Bonnee to find out what’s been influencing her of late.

Here’s what’s on her mind. Enjoy!

(Image of Bonnee by Steve Wrubel.)

(more…)


1Comment Read More

Thursday Tastemaker: A Peek Into PR Powerhouse Suzanne Droese’s Stylish World

Author:
By
Post date:
September 13th, 2012 3:24pm
Category:

We haven’t posted a “Thursday Tastemaker” in what feels like eons… We could blame the long, hot summer or the fact that we’ve been distracted by pretty candles and marble bowls and travel books, but either way, it’s high time for another one, yes?

And, really, who better to ring in the resurrection of our series than PR superstar Suzanne Droese. She spends her days seamlessly juggling the various activities of her teenage twin boys, Will and Henry, with masterminding public relations strategies for a roster of (incredibly chic) luxury and lifestyle clients. Oh, and in her free time (?!), she can be found chairing some of the most significant charity events in Dallas (think Cattle Baron’s Ball, The Art Ball benefiting the Dallas Museum of Art, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art, and the Stiletto Strut).

Whew… Clearly the woman is no slouch.

Suzanne counts her family and dear friends as her absolute favorite things, but, when pressed, she was willing to share what else she’s loving of late.

Herewith a peek into what’s rocking Suzanne’s world.

(Image of Suzanne by Steve Wrubel.)


(more…)


  Read More

French Movies, 3D Simulators, and Fresh Flowers: Annika Cail’s Favorite Things

Author:
By
Post date:
July 19th, 2012 1:09pm
Category:

Annika Cail can throw a party, and we’re not talking of the pizza and beer variety. When she helmed 521 Events, she orchestrated shindigs for dignitaries, presidents, and celebrities. Shindigs like, say…the Dallas Rocks inaugural gala honoring Magic Johnson and Eva Longoria with proceeds benefitting Russell Simmon’s The Diamond Empowerment Fund.

You get the idea.

Now Annika channels her time into being wife to a serial entrepreneur and mom to two-year-old Nile Henry. She’s also a (hugely) active civic volunteer (think: Kidney Texas Committee Member, Junior League of Dallas, The Entrepreneur Organization, The Phoenix House Associates Group Advisory Board, and Dallas Challenge “Art For the Heart” founder, The Partners Card Committee Member).

Suffice to say, Annika is one impressive lady. So of course, we had to find out more. Herewith some of Annika’s favorites, enjoy.

(1. Amelie/2. The city of light/3. Versailles Grand Galerie/4. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science via Life of An Architect/5. Hermes scarf/6. Flowers via Hello Love/7. Polly Burrough’s Guide to Martha’s Vineyard)

Read Annika’s full list after the jump.  (more…)


8Comments Read More

Bridges, Trains, and Cindy Sherman: A Peek Into Designer Dan Nelson’s World

Author:
By
Post date:
June 28th, 2012 2:48pm
Category:

It’s safe to say that Dan Nelson is well versed in luxury.

As president and owner of Vision Design (he joined the firm in 1991, was named President in 1992, and purchased Vision outright in 2003), he toggles between offices in New York and Dallas, creating compelling and sophisticated spaces for his roster of “who’s who” clients (think The Crescent, The Mansion, Manhattan’s 21 Club, and a slew of tony residential clients).

And when he’s not working, he and his custom furniture manufacturer wife, Chipper, wind down at their own magical abode (a house so lovely that it made our Ten Most Beautiful Homes in Dallas list in 2010).


A true aesthete, Dan gleans inspiration from art, architecture, and even a brilliantly designed soda bottle. He lets us in on more things that have his wheels turning after the jump.  (more…)


  Read More

What Does Design Darling Donald Fowler Take to The Beach?

Author:
By
Post date:
June 14th, 2012 12:20pm
Category:

I’m jonesin’ for a little beach getaway in the worst possible way, but, sadly, it’s not happening, for me at least. However, for dashing Nest buyer and store manager Donald Fowler, some recharging in the surf and sand is imminent. He’s headed to Laguna Beach — his self-proclaimed ”shut down” spot, and, well…I’m a wee bit envious.

But after putting my petty jealousy aside, I thought it would be fun to give you a peek inside Donald’s beach bag in lieu of our standard Thursday Tastemaker format. (Well actually, the beach bag peek was Donald’s idea — he’s dashing and smart…damn you Donald.)

So for your viewing (and reading) pleasure, herewith a little tastemaker voyeurism. The full low-down on all of Donald’s beach essentials is after the jump…

(more…)


1Comment Read More

Cuban Music, A Magic Treehouse, and Peonies: A Peek into Janet Rice’s Glam World…

Author:
By
Post date:
June 7th, 2012 4:46pm
Category:

Janet Rice pays attention to the details.

She gleefully obsesses over the perfect hostess gift and has been known to bolt awake at 3:00 a.m. to rethink the nailhead trim on a chair she’s having refurbished for a client. She sweats the small stuff… in the best possible way.

After spending a decade in NYC making the minutia into magic as an editor and stylist, Janet launched her eponymous firm, offering services ranging from a design therapy session to a full-blown house revamp. When she’s not attending to the little (and big) bits for her clients, she’s ogling art, fishing with her son, and cranking up the Cuban tunes. Take a peek at what else is rocking Janet Rice’s world after the jump…

(more…)


7Comments Read More

Designer Jane Waggoner Loves White Beds, Grey Paint, and Orange Velvet

Author:
By
Post date:
May 31st, 2012 12:38pm
Category:


Jane Waggoner is a bit of a renaissance woman.

After putting her art history degree to use with tenures at The Museum of Modern Art and Dallas Museum of Art, she shifted gears to become a sought-after designer (she graced D Home’s annual list of 101 best designers in Dallas in both 2011 and 2012).

Then for her next creative move, she launched a line of hand-knotted, Tibetan wool carpets inspired by a trip she took to Europe after her daughter Madeline left for college (travel being her antidote of choice for combating empty nest melancholy). Of late, in addition to launching several new highly covetable rug designs, she’s been whipping up some rather stellar necklaces.

Creative prowess aside, Jane is also a devoted mother, so smitten with her daughter that she’s placed her at the very tippy top of her list of favorites, calling her ”my biggest fan, my toughest critic, my conscience, my teacher.” Lovely, yes?

You can take a peek at the rest of Jane’s favorite things after the jump…Enjoy.

(more…)


3Comments Read More

What Makes Stylish Photog Gray Malin Tick?

Author:
By
Post date:
May 24th, 2012 2:14pm
Category:


I’ve mentioned my fondness for photographer Gray Malin’s super graphic (and super chic) images before, and, as with most of my “obsessions”, I had to know more about this Dallas native. Here’s the 411.

Malin grew up in Preston Hollow, attended Lamplighter, and then graduated from ESD in 2004. After ESD, he headed to Emerson College in Boston to study photography and marketing before making his way to Los Angeles. He set up shop at the Melrose Fairfax Flea Market, where his prints caught the attention of gallery owners, interior designers, and stylish art-loving Angelenos, before eventually showing at the Dallas Museum of Art, David Streets Gallery in Beverly Hills, and in the Los Angeles Art Association’s Gallery 825.

Now Malin works independently with online curators, art buyers, and interior designers who clamor for his aerial shots of surfer-specked beaches and his iconic photographs of Prada Marfa. He also does the occasional One King’s Lane Sale, like, say…the one occurring now (pop over and take a peek).

Background is fun and all, but you know we really wanted to know what makes him tick creatively, so we asked the photographer to share some of his favorite things here on the blog this week, and, happily, he obliged. I’ll tease you by saying that he has an affinity for sparkly garlands, Palm Springs mid-century modern, and witty silhouette art, and you can check out his full list after the jump. Enjoy!

(more…)


2Comments Read More

Ready for A Print and Pattern Extravaganza? Behold Kyle Knight’s Design Obsessions

Author:
By
Post date:
May 17th, 2012 3:44pm
Category:

(Layout by Charlotte Tobin)

We asked Dallas blogger and decorator Kyle Knight to share some of her favorite things, and she came back with a plethora of pattern goodness. From Matisse inspired outdoor fabrics to bold Chinoiserie-inspired wallpaper and rugs that riff on a star-filled sky, for Knight, prints rule.

After the jump, she shares eight of her latest design obsessions…no neutrals allowed.

(more…)


1Comment Read More

Dallas Design Bloggers Molly and Sally Miller’s Top Ten

Author:
By
Post date:
May 10th, 2012 2:14pm
Category:

 

In a (vast) sea of lifestyle blogs, Sally and Molly Miller’s site, A Piece of Toast, manages to stand-out from the pack. The Dallas sisters, an educator and a buyer respectively, possess impeccable taste and a knack for sussing out the loveliest of  people, places, and things. And their friendly, conversational voice has earned them a loyal international following.

We managed to convince them to share some of their goodness here this week, and happily they obliged (in full disclosure, it wasn’t a hard sell, as the duo is also incredibly nice).

After the jump, the Miller sisters share a few of their favorite things. Enjoy!

(more…)


2Comments Read More

Alice Moore’s (Extremely Chic) Obsessions

Author:
By
Post date:
May 3rd, 2012 1:34pm
Category:

Here are just a few of the skills I long to possess: the ability to speak French flawlessly, the ability to sing without scaring every cat in the neighborhood, the ability to successfully wear florals with leopard print… (I aim high friends.)

So when Wisteria marketing manager Alice Moore showed up for our lunch date a few weeks ago sporting a pair of lean floral pants from Zara and some wicked leopard print heels, I was transfixed. She looked fantastic. Effortless. I, on the other hand, have tried a strikingly similar combination only to have my husband and both daughters (even the “fashion forward” younger one) tell me in no uncertain terms that I “looked really, really crazy”.

In between silently obsessing about Alice’s pattern chutzpa and wolfing down my brie and candied pecan panini (clearly I am not on the “lean pants” program), I did manage to talk a little design with her. And, no surprise, the lady boasts some pretty fantastic taste.

So I thought it only fair to share her goodness with you guys, yes? Without further ado, herewith some of the über stylish Alice’s favorite things…

(more…)


6Comments Read More

What Does a “Room Whisperer” Go Gaga Over?

Author:
By
Post date:
April 26th, 2012 3:55pm
Category:

You know when you’re flipping through a shelter mag (like, say, oh I don’t know…D Home), and you come across a photo of a room where everything is just so — there’s a throw artfully splayed across the back of a chair, a few perfectly placed books, a little clutch of flowers… And maybe upon seeing said room you think, “does anyone actually live this way??

Well I’m here to tell you that yes, some people do, but they are rare (and admirable). All the rest have been touched by the hand of a stylist like the lovely and talented Jenny O’Connor. I liken her to the hair and makeup artist at a fashion show… She works her magic to make an already immensely lovely room drop dead gorgeous.

And Jenny is especially good at it, as she’s regularily called on here at D (not to mention at a whole host of national shelter pubs). While in the process of making lovely rooms even lovelier, she bumps up against a slew of insanely beautiful things on a regular basis, so, of course, we had to ask her which ones she couldn’t stop thinking about.

Herewith a few of Jenny’s favorite things.

(more…)


  Read More

THE STAFF

Product Guides

  • More Products

Room Guides

  • More Rooms

The Current Issue

D Home magazine

100 Most Expensive Homes

Most Expensive Homes#42 $10.6 million