Philippe Starck at David Sutherland

The Philippe Starck Collection for Sutherland Teak that we hinted at last year is here. David Sutherland is introducing it at his Los Angeles showroom next month at West Week, and we’ll see it in Dallas later in the spring. What I loved hearing, is what a nice guy Starck really is. When Sutherland said he wanted to heavily promote Starck’s name, he very modestly said non. “Half the people in the world love me, the other half hate me, you must promote the Sutherland name.” When was the last time you heard a design rock star like that not want center stage?

Back to Valentine’s Day

Laura’s slacking off on V-Day entries (actually, she might still be crying in her cube. Need to check on her.) I’ll take over. Flavor Asian Fusion and Dessert Bar has a yummy three-course dinner package—$75 for two, $43 for one (not quite the same bargain for singles. Hm.) For that price you get seared foie gras; poached main lobster and a malaccan crab cake, or a grilled ribeye steak with the aforementioned crab cake; and a toasted almond white chocolate truffle. And, of course, there’s always their sushi selection. Happy eating.

Scott + Cooner at One Arts Plaza

It could turn out to be the battle of the models - no, I’m not talking about “America’s Next Top Model”, I’m talking about high rises hiring high profile local talents to design their models. Scott + Cooner has just finished two units on the 20th floor of One Arts Plaza, with artwork by Holly Johnson and Marty Walker. One model is light and ethereal, the other more woodsy and organic. Like the models George Cameron Nash designed for Azure, they are appealing to different clients. Now, what’s next? Someone should snag Allan Knight fast.

Free Money

What are you doing on this Saturday? I’m going to the Modern to see The Gates documentary. Guess what else I’m going to make time for? A trip to the IBB Design Group Furniture Showroom.  Here’s why: every visitor that pops into the showroom on February 2 gets a $100 gift certificate that can be used toward the purchase of $1,000 or more (excluding tax & delivery, one
gift certificate per person, one gift certificate redeemable per household, etc.). See you there.

Room Service Final Sale

Sad as it is, there will be deals to be found.

Fairmont Saves The Day

Last year my father-in-law left Dallas and lost his driver’s license at the airport. (Plain cruel for anyone over 70 to navigate those security lines — or anyone, for that matter. Wheels up!) I was in awe when the good folks at DFW FOUND his driver’s license and sent it his way. But now comes word that at last week’s Terpsichorean Ball at the Dallas Fairmont Regency Ballroom, a banquet captain (read: member of the wait staff) found a diamond and sapphire bracelet on the floor under a table and turned it in. That bracelet belonged to Nancy Underwood, who was overjoyed to call the next day — probably thinking well, kiss that bauble bye-bye — and get her bracelet back.  Bracelet value: $15K.  Honest Fairmont employee Alfredo Hernandez: priceless.

Poundbury Correcton

If you want to check out Prince Charles’ planned community, Poundbury, I’ve corrected the link in this post and below in the original one. Forgot the “d” in Pound.

New at Mecox

Nothing gets stale at Mecox Gardens - they get in new shipments every week of both reproduction items and one of a kind. Which means, you need to go often to snag a cool chair like this. Normally, wing chairs are a little stuffy, but in this color, it is anything but. Speaking of new, the whole editorial staff and has been happily scouring Dallas for the newest, best, and most stylish products you can imagine. Coming to you in the March/April DHome, I promise, you will see something you can’t live without.

Top Design Casting Call

When I’m not reading Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, I am watching reality television programs. (Did anyone see Real Housewives of Orange County reunion show? So. Good.) Project Runway? Amazing. Top Chef? Obsessed. The point is, I love me some Bravo (and MTV. And Vh-1.) I’m constantly trying to figure out the proper venue for my reality television debut. (If only I were a celebrity, Celebrity Rehab would be ideal.) Sadly, I don’t have the talent for Top Design, but maybe you do. If so, head directly to the Dallas Market Center for an open casting call on Feb 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. If you make the cut, rest assured, I’ll be watching.

Powerful organic cleaner?

In Real Simple’s current issue, readers recommend great household products. One woman’s suggestion interested me: Shaklee’s Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. While most of my own cleaning products are green (thanks to Loyd’s prodding and a college-age sister who got me a great retail discount on Mrs Meyers stuff), I still can’t seem to part with my 409 or Kaboom. There’s just nothing else quite like them. But this might be my answer. Apparently it’s strong enough to remove hair dye and other tough stains (I’ll leave the other, grosser suggestions of what it cleans up to them). I’ll try it and report back.

Waterworks News

I’m sort of in a funk, friends. I’m super late with copy, and I can’t seem to write. My inbox is full of Valentine’s Day fare, and I have no special someone. I want to cry, but instead I will post about a different kind of Waterworks—the good kind. The showroom has added two new fancy fixtures. Who wouldn’t want to luxuriate in the Candide bathtub which is said to be “inspired by the graceful beauty of a French copper boat tub”? Then there’s the Demi Lune, an “heirloom piece inspired by half-round tables of the Federal period of the early 1800s.” I feel better already.

Clyde and Betsy Jackson with Prince Charles

Park Cities residents Clyde and Betsy Jackson were among 15 American developers and wives invited by Prince Charles to share ideas on sustainable, planned communities, such as the one the prince developed himself, called Poundbury. During their stay, the Jacksons toured Poundbury (the photo shows Betsy and Clyde Jackson talking with the prince while touring the town), which is in Dorset. Clyde says he’s using many of the prince’s ideas in a planned, self-sustaining community called The Tribute, under construction now near Little Elm. As in Poundbury, the Tribute will even have its own schools. Says Clyde: “We had lots of one on one conversations. He is very passionate about good design, sustainable development and proper architecture. His eyes really light up when he talks about it.” I talked to Betsy briefly before she left, and learned that the prince preferred his guests to dress simply, and via the palace had instructed the women not to wear jewelry except for a strand of simple pearls and a wedding ring. They were also instructed to wear suits. I thought this was interesting. Americans, no doubt, tend to overdress on such occasions.

Benjamin Moore’s “Green” Aura Paint

Finally, a high-performance, low VOC paint! Translated: this is a super premium, beautiful paint with minimal environmental impact. Most paints give off high levels of VOC’s - airborne contaminants that are toxic and contribute to ozone levels. Benjamin Moore’s Aura uses waterbourne colorants that eliminate the problem. In addition, Aura is self-priming and only one coat is generally needed. Over 144 gorgeous new colors have been created for this line, but all 3,000 Benjamin Moore colors are available in this eco-friendly formulation. I am rushing over to the Benjamin Moore store on West Lover’s Lane to pick up a sample and will post my “review” after the weekend. (Oh, how I adore painting!)

Gardens Opens in West Village Today

Austin import Gardens opened their doors this morning in the former Octane space in West Village. The verdict: my new favorite store. Sure they have garden implements, seeds, and spades, but they also have Mariage Frères teas; Geodesis room sprays, candles, and diffusers; Wiseman House chocolates; Olivina lotions; burled teak pieces; furniture; jade bowls; canned pickles; coffee table books; the list goes on. And on. It’s a one-stop shopper’s dream come true. I now understand how the Austin store has created such a faithful following. Flower lovers: They have the prettiest Rembrandt amaryllises blooming now. You heard it here first; this garden won’t be a secret for long.

Beautify Your Bed

I’ve already given you a number of Valentine’s Day options. But guess what? My love for you never ends, people. I just received word from Blanc de Chine–they have started allowing custom orders. So even though we think it highly unlikely that you won’t find lots to purchase from the variety of silk bedding options, faux-fur throws, matching pillows, and cashmere throws, now you can do your own thing. And just in time for V-Day.

Gardening for Fitness

I know, you can’t open a magazine this time of year without learning about a new way to get fit - we’re always looking for something easier than diet and exercise. But, here’s a new one that actually makes sense - doing everyday chores like gardening the right way can actually make you fit. Maybe you, but not me - I have a black thumb. It even gives a calorie burning chart, chopping logs for an hour - fast - will burn 1098.5 calories. Don’t cut off an arm or leg, that’s a bad way to lose weight.

Green Dallas

Since I am always surfing for websites with environmental news, you can imagine my utter delight when I stumbled upon GreenDallas.net. Created by our very own city staff, I am told it is the first of its kind in the country. Never underestimate the dedication of our Office of Environmental Quality. We love you Laura Fiffick (Director).

EPA Ranks Dallas #1 for Sustainable Energy Use

The EPA’s latest ranking of local governments shows that Dallas uses more sustainable energy (wind, solar, etc…) than any other registered local government entity. Wow. Perhaps even more impressively, Dallas ranks #9 on the national list, ABOVE THE EPA! This list includes everything from Fortune 500 corporations to government agencies.
According to the EPA, the City of Dallas’ green power purchase of nearly 334 million (kWh) is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 48,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 33,000 average American homes annually. Nice.

RE: Room Service Closing

What sweetens this sad story is visions of shopping at the new Room Service scratch and dent and one-of-a-kind because anything from this store in any condition is simply fabulous! This from proprietor Ann Fox:

(more…)

Is Room Service Closing?

Say it isn’t true…..

Pieter Estersohn’s New Book With Charlotte Moss

I’ve heard that Pieter Estersohn, who shot this ethereal Loyd & Paxton designed Turtle Creek penthouse for us a while back (when we could still afford him) is working on Charlotte Moss‘ new book. If you haven’t checked out Pieter’s website, do, because he’s photographed some of the most amazing interiors in the world. Moss’ latest book, The Winter House is one of my favorites.

Bigger and Better

Our January-Feburary website is finally up. Have you seen our new issue in person? If not, it’s bigger and in many ways better — lots of clean, white space and full-page images. Check it out, then let us know what you think. Suggestions? We take those.

Lincrusta

For those of you who don’t have an ancestral French chateau with engraved plaster walls or an English baronial mansion with embossed leather ceilings, now you can get the look. Lincrusta, available at Lee Jofa in the Design Center, is a linoleum based wallcovering that adheres to the wall and can perfectly emulate leather, plaster, and metal. Get your Victorian going.

More Lime, More Vinya

Just a few days ago, Rebecca wrote this post about Debra Owens’ new high-end consignment shop, Vinya. Owens’ selection is right on—she has impeccable taste. Anyway, we’ve mentioned that green seems to be the shade this season, and even she has some great consignment pieces with punches of the color—like these art deco, lime green glazed ceramic lamps with high-gloss black shades. They’re nothing short of awesome. And yours, for $2,300 for the pair.

D Home Best Designers

Want to know who the best residential designers are working in Dallas? Here’s the list for 2008.