Tuesday Trend: Hollywood Regency

That is it. I am redoing my room immediately. Hollywood Regency is my new design fixation. The glam style is everywhere and you can’t help but fall in love with this timeless, effortlessly-chic style. See my glam finds after the jump. (more…)

I’ll take Dallas

I asked earlier how the local design business is doing. A D Home blog reader sends this in: 

No insight on the Dallas design scene, but here is a market indicator from NYC/Upper East Side – the closing of the Charlotte Moss townhouse.

Will Preston Center become a Ghost Town?

Question, Candy - with all the bank closings and buy-outs, what will happen with all the branch banks that have opened in the last couple of years?  A bank on every corner, and about 30 in Preston Center.  Do you think its too much to ask for a few local shops to open back up?

Must-Have Monday: Presentable Plastic Plates

Plastic plates are so easy (minus the fact that you can’t use them for microwaving). You just throw ‘em around wihtout fear of breaking or chipping. You can use them indoors or out, with kids or adults. However, finding plastic plates that are acceptable at one’s dining table and don’t look like total cheapies is kind of an art. The Winchester Mandala Plates (at Madison; $15 each) are simply divine. I love the combo of deep purple, magenta, and gold right now- hence the obsession with these plates.

Dallas design business: what are you seeing?

Are we in sync with the economy? I talked to a prominent local designer late last week and he told me that he has more clients than ever. Went to Porthault and Yves De Lorme and business was about usual. Questions: 1) Are we in denial? 2) Is Dallas insulated? 3) Is it all too soon to tell? D Magazine has been around for almost 35 years now and we have seen it all, we know the strong survive, we know there is always a light at the end of the tunnel — but what kind of tunnel are we facing? What’s up in your world?

Weekend Shopping by Holly

Good morning shoppers! Not going to lie, there isn’t much going on this weekend in the shopping department. However, the few things that are going on (new shipments, antique sales, etc.) are worth leaving the house for. Take a peek after the jump. (more…)

It’s official: From now on it is Vestie Friday

Please note: D Home account executive Richard Graziano has declared that we will no longer be required to wear linen on Friday, and that the new uni is anything with a vest.  He made this announcement today, his fourth anniversary working at D Magazine. Happy Anniversary Richard and everybody vest up.

Splurge vs. Steal: Sawhorse Work Desk

For a while now, I have noticed Sawhorse Work Desks at various stores. I love the cleanliness and simplicity of such a desk. Of course, one touch of the finger to any part of the desk results in a majorly obvious smudge. Williams-Sonoma Home happens to have my favorite of the Sawhorse Desks right now. There isn’t anything I would change about it. It is exquisite! Well, on second thought, maybe the price could come down a bit…$1,350 is kind of steep. Good thing West Elm has a similar desk for a  fraction of the price ($449; bottom picture). Similar look for almost a third of the price.

I Wanna Rock

Some women want flowers or jewelry for their birthdays. Not me. I wanted this fabulous (in my opinion) mid-century inspired rocking chair that I found while perusing my favorite website. Yes, I like Craigslist. I can admit it. The owner didn’t really have much information on the rocker—she said she found it in a flea market in California. She recognized its potential and rescued it. I thought I would ask some of our well-informed dear readers, if they might know more about it. It’s pretty groovy, no? Comments are on!

D Home editors are Christmas shopping: Help!

D Home editors are all over town this week pulling Christmas gift ideas for the November/December issue. Of course the gifts have to chic and pretty because we are all about chic and pretty, but also they have to be based in reality. So I am buying for my mom, whose short-term memory is no longer; my sister, who is taking care of my mom, and therefore deserves nothing short of my entire estate; and my four daughters who are 23, 21, 20 and 17. Email me directly or comment, please. I am at a complete loss for ideas, don’t like malls, and really — don’t like browsing. And my allergies are clouding the head even further. Hep me!

Dining by Design 2008

…is this weekend at the Hilton Anatole. Diffa’s Dining by Design brings together some of the most talented and respected names in fashion, interior design, architecture, and art to create spectacular, over-the-top dining arrangements. You just might happen to recognize some of the following names: George Sellers, Hotel Zaza, Vivienne Tam for HP, Marc Blackwell for Beringer Vineyards, and Doug Wilson for the New York Times. Not to mention, all of the fun goes towards Diffa’s fight against AIDS/HIV. Here are the deatils:

COCKTAILS BY DESIGN
Friday, September 26; 6 PM – 9 PM
Designers and guests mingle, preview the designers creations, sip superb libations including cocktails from Stolichnaya ELIT and wine from Beringer Vineyards.
Tickets are $50 per person.

TABLE HOP & TASTE
Saturday, September 27; 11 AM – 3 PM
Ticket holders view the amazing design installations and sip Beringer wines paired with culinary treats from 13 of Dallas top chefs and restaurants.
Tickets are $35 per person.

GALA DINNER
Saturday, September 27; 6:00 PM – 11 PM
Table-hopping and opening of the design installations to guests for a luxurious seated dinner, followed by dancing and dessert. Tickets begin at $500 per person, reservations required.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.diffa.org or call 972-239-6999. The Hilton Anatole Hotel is located at 2201 Stemmons Freeway.

Tuesday Trend: Seventies Sensation

I wasn’t born in the Seventies (actually, not even anywhere near the Seventies), but I have seen my parents wedding album (Powder blue tuxes? Really?) and I have seen Austin Powers so I feel like I know a bit about that groovy style you people were rocking back in the day. I don’t know if I can say the same for leisure suits, but 70s-inspired decor is making a comeback. I don’t think we should let it come all the way back (refer to picture on left), but a hint of it here and there can make a room pretty far out. See my finds after the jump, and all you people that experienced the 70s with your own eyes, send me your finds.

(more…)

Painter Beatriz Ezban’s not warm welcome by U.S. Immigration officials at D-FW International Airport

Last year, when Mexican painter Beatriz Ezban traveled through D-FW International Airport she was detained by immigration authorities who wanted to talk about her newest show, “The Border,” which metaphorically and literally addresses the plight of illegals at the Mexican-American border. Ezban says “It was very intimidating. They asked me about the content of my paintings, I was afraid they wouldn’t let me in. After, I realized they went through all my luggage, and the next days I felt very watched as though I had done something very wrong.” Ezban diplomatically allows that many people are stopped at D-FW — but most, I’d wager, are not drilled about their artwork. You can see it now at the Latino Cultural Center.

Must-Have Monday

While out-and-about this weekend, I spotted this Orange Suede vase ($200) in the window at Haven. As a graduate of the University of Texas, I have a particular affinity to burnt orange. Lucky for me, there is no denying orange is a hot Fall color (as evidenced in our upcoming October issue). Hot color + Suede= Fall Must-Have. 

�

Small Is the New Big

Over at Apartment Therapy, there’s an interesting post about McMansions. According to a 2008 report by the Urban Land Institute, interest in big domiciles is decreasing. Go check it out and hug a cottage today.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

Unlike last weekend, this weekend’s weather is going to be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I have plenty of reasons for you to get out of the house and shop around after the jump (Note: if you aren’t interested in free cocktails while you shop-SCORE!, new shipments, and serious sales, no need to continue on). (more…)

Good Design Is Yummy

A D staffer and I just returned from Bijoux to look at a dish we will photograph for D’s December issue. (Yes, we work that far ahead.) Anyway, we talked about how Bijoux is one of those restaurants that is built for the long haul: a well-designed, graceful room that feels elegant and timeless. It’s not overdone or overwrought. It just feels right. Two of my favorite restaurants — the effortlessly chic Hattie’s and the downtown hip Local — get it right as well. Oh and the food is pretty great at all three too. So, which local restaurants do you feel “get it right” when it comes to decor?

Re: Scalamandre No Mas

Guess they paid their bills or worked something out because Scalamandre (in the Dallas Design Center) is back in biz. Welcome back!

From One Reader To Another

I got an email from a D Home blog reader that I thought I should share:

“The site is somewhat remiss without the mention of Linde Browning-Did excellent work in a friend’s house (featured on her site, the Lancasters in Preston Hollow). She flies under the radar a bit, almost exclusively working with architects and rarely taking on freelance projects, but when you see her stuff you know its her.

Her site is at lindebrowningdesign.com. Enjoy the blog, good read.”

Thanks for the feedback and the heads-up! Check her out…And keep it coming y’all!

Scalamandre No Mas

Peggy leaves us for a week and all heck breaks loose in the Dallas Design Center. A couple emails from some very relaible sources (and the notice slapped on their front door) confirm the Scalamandre Showroom has failed to pay their rent and has been locked out by the management company. Uh oh.  Comments are on. Gossip if you must.

This is kind of a D Magazine insider day

So look here.

Come play the “D” game with us

Monday the whole company had its Q3 meeting and we talked about the D “Brand Study” that the Richards Group will be conducting for us over the next few months. They will be doing qualitative and quantitive studies all over Dallas to better understand how our brand is perceived. So here is the game: if “D” was a person, what kind of person would he or she be? My guess would be that when we are at our best our brand is a well-educated, stylish, knows-what’s-happening gay man, who is a foodie, great host, goes out on the town but isn’t desperate about it, keeps up with the Mavs, has a bit of attitude, and is the best friend you could ever have. OMG. I just realized: I work with that guy. Who do you think the “D” brand is?

D Home Cookies

Here at D, we are fortunate enough to have some great interns. In fact, probably the best interns. Jordan, one of our summer interns (we miss you! come back!) was kind enough to send us some cookies thanking us for her wonderful experience. These cookies aren’t just your average cookies though-they are D Home and Garden cookies. How flippin’ cute are they? The bubble bath, the lamp, the flower, the iconic D logo, and and the chandelier are all adorable and delicious. She (being from the ATL) got these customized treats from Cookies Creations of Atanta. I have got my eye on the bathtub (it has the most frosting)…

Thanks again for everything Jordan!

Splurge vs. Steal: Sea Horse Prints

The horse trend is an obvious one-those galloping beauties are everywhere this season. Not to be excluded are those horses in the sea. While I was out shopping, this antique sea horse print at Mecox Gardens caught my eye, but the price (($985) quickly lost it. Williams-Sonoma Home has a similar sea horse print (except in a fun, bright blue) for a fraction of the price. You can get WS Home’s version of the print for $299 (originally $595). Gotta love those steals…

A Trend to Hoot About

We’re putting the finishing touches on our October issue as I type and we have one page dedicated to all things orange, my favorite color and a hot home decor trend. This 70’s inspired cookie jar caught my eye at Anthropologie while I was out shopping all things a la orange. But I noticed another trend too: owls. I saw them everywhere: rugs, salt/pepper shakers, pillows, even earrings. I find it all rather kitschy and a trend I’ll tire of quickly. But it is cute. So what say you, D Homers: are owls the new coral? Discuss.