Sur La Table Holiday Cooking Classes

The classy culinary retailer has announded its holiday-themed cooking classes for November and December. Check out the Dallas round-up here.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

I had to down a cup of coffee before I could even begin to type this blog because there is so much to cover. Here it goes…

First of all, Neiman’s is discounting several of their new home and entertainment pieces (designer frocks, too). Yep, you can save up to 40% off on new stuff.

As you might have seen yesterday on ShopTalk, LFT is closing its doors for good. Here is what owner Ort Varona had to say…”Due primarily to the current state of the economy and a yet to mature trade area, we have reluctantly decided to close our doors. LFT, as it is now known, cannot sustain the high level quality product we provide along with the personalized customer service that our loyal patrons have come to know.  We are deeply saddened to see the doors close after a successful 20 month run. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who made this store a great success” While this is terrible news and LFT will be dearly missed, they will have a closeout sale beginning today at 11. Rumor has it, everything is 55% off. I will be there when the doors open.

As you learned earlier this week, Fusion Home Fashion (Shops at Legacy in Plano) turned 2 this week. In celebration of this milestone, Fusion Home Fashion will be having a customer appreciation sale. Several furniture floor models (sofas, rugs, dining tables, coffee tables, etc) are on sale. If you can hold out until Saturday, you can savor sweet treats and drinks while you peruse the sale.

Nest is really coming through with the sales. I am pretty sure they have had one every weekend for the past month. Thanks Nest! Anyways, Nest is having a Sticks Thanksgiving Promotional. $50 off lazy Susans, heirloom boxes, and serving trays. $150 perpetual calendars, and medium and large mirrors. $250 off (whoa!) urban game tables and buffet tables. This promotion is an email exclusive offer so mention the “email you got.” Don’t forget, furniture is 40% off through November 26.

Finally, The Whimsey Shoppe on Henderson just got in a mother load of new French antiques. Check it out.

No weekend shopping report next week. I think it is safe to assume that everyone will be having their infamous day-after Thanksgiving sale (a.k.a. Black Friday). Happy Shopping and Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Tie Dinner

There are so many reasons to attend the Black Tie Dinner on Saturday, November 22 at the Sheraton Dallas. Not only is it great fun (can you say flamboyant?), but you get to meet Kenneth Cole, and all the proceeds go to gay and lesbian support organizations in Dallas. But, here’s the clencher - for the silent auction, Elegant Additions has generously donated perhaps the coolest bathroom you could ever have. The Ayoura tub by has a message table on top, 63 jets, a heated back rest, and chromatherapy. If this doesn’t relax and pamper you, you need drugs.

Saturday: Architectural Tours

After last week’s AIA Tour, you’ve probably developed an insatiable curiosity about learning more about Dallas architects. Tomorrow is your lucky day - start with Preservation Dallas‘ book signing event of “Great American Suburbs” with Willis Cecil Winters at The Turtle Room, 3525 Turtle Creek Blvd; followed by a tour of Howard Meier’s masterpiece 3525.  (Of course, this lovely house on the cover was torn down earlier this year - does that make anyone else crazy?)  Then, at 2:00 head north to 23 Ash Bluff Lane for a (probably never to be repeated) tour of the Clint Murchison mansion built in the 1930s by Anton Korn, and recently renovated by Wilson Fuqua. This benefits the Dallas Architecture Forum.  So, you started last week with the present and future, this week go to the past and find out about the historical side of our city.

Barneys Private Sale

It’s here! It’s here! For one week only, save up to 40% off regular priced gifts and home items. There’s lots of smart and stylish stuff available including Superdeluxe monogram stationary, John Pomp vases, and coffeetable books galore. Get going and get shopping.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

Boy do we have some hot sales and new arrivals on our hands this week. The weather is going to be fantastic and our economy needs it, so get out there and shop, shop, shop.

First of all, I have two reasons for you to make your way over to Snider Plaza this weekend. At My Table has marked down all dining tables and chairs to 40% off (sale starts Saturday). That is a HUGE discount. If your desire for furniture has still not been fixed, Nest, located right across the plaza, has marked down their furniture by 40% as well. Also, if you don’t feel like hopping in your car and heading to Nest (and you live in the Park Cities), you can call in your order and they will deliver it gift wrapped for you or to you for FREE.

If you please, Crate & Barrel has a Thanksgiving sale worth gobbling up. If you haven’t gotten all of your pieces to set the table with, time is a wastin’ and this sale couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

Casa di Lino (4026 Oak Lawn Ave.) just got in these beautiful tassels made of antique jewelry and precious stones. They would make for the perfect enhancement to any chair, lamp, curtain tie-back, and armoire.

Finally, Robb & Stucky Interiors of Plano will host sculptural lamp artist and Texas landscape painter, Elaine Gleason. Come meet her at 2pm and check out her work. RSVP to 972-403-3063.

Allan Knight Bucks

Check out that pile of mail on your desk, if you have received an invitation that looks like this, you have the possibility of winning $16,000 worth of credit toward purchases of Allan Knight products at his “Falling in Line” event tonight at 5. Also, Betty Lou Phillips will be signing copies of her new book “The French Room”, and new collections from Patina, Fuse Lighting, and William Haynes will be previewed. Don’t get in my way, I’m planning on winning at least some of these goodies.

Re: Thursday Parties

Whoa, Holly, don’t tell everyone to program their GPSs just yet.  It’s Dallas, it’s the fall, and it’s Thursday, which means there are more events than you can possibly attend.  Here are a few more musts:  Paws Cause at Stanley Korshak, 5 -8, previewing “Designer Pet Beds” benefiting the SPCA, (slam a few Grey Gooses there.)  Then, check out the newest European appliances from Electrolux at Capital Distributing from 6 - 8, (you know there will be great hors d-oevres there.)  Then go to Allan Knight’s for a fabulous event featuring new lines there. (You might want to look at your invitation, there are about $10,000 worth of prizes to be raffled.  (Catering by George will be making sure you lack for nothing.)  After that, you can go home, and just hope you can get up in the morning.

Thursday Night Parties at Gardens and Nest

There are two big events going on tomorrow night. First, head over to Gardens in the West Village for a good cause. Gardens is hosting a booksigning and reception from 6-8 benefiting the Literary Council for the Dallas Arboretum. Pick up your copy of hard-to-find The Gardens of Brecy: A Lasting Landscape (not available through U.S. booksellers) and Sanctuary: Photographs (artist will be present; image below). And, as if you would need any more of an incentive, Gardens is offering a 10% store-wide discount during the event.

After you are finished up at Gardens, head over to Nest in Snider Plaza. Nest is having a bash from 7-9 to celebrate Greg Piazza’s art opening in their upstairs gallery. I blogged about Greg’s work in the past, but if you need reminding, he does the striped/plaid artwork on plexiglass backs (see below). Super mod and chic. You can gaze at all his work while sipping on some cocktails and grooving to some live music. Make sure to call 214-373-4444 to RSVP (if you RSVP, you get a gift!).

The Knockoff Files: Z Gallerie Sale Extended

Look, let’s be honest. You can’t outfit your entire house in showroom couture (or maybe you can and, if so, I applaud your financial dexterity). Sometimes you need to augment those designer pieces with a few choice knockoffs. That’s where Z Gallerie comes in. Shop carefully and you can find some choice pieces at reasonable prices. And shop now and you’ll save 15% on accessories, 10% on stocked furniture and lighting, and 25% on select bar and dinnerware. Whew. That’s a lot of savings. But shop quickly. The sale only lasts until Nov. 17. I’m in love with this Ming end table in white lacquered wood with tiered glass tops. It’s only $299 and that’s for any size: coffee, end, or console. Once again: that’s a nice price and for a lot of look.

Re: AIA Home Tour

Comments?  What was everyone’s favorite?  Bluffview - beautiful construction and views.  I also liked that the interiors, while sleek and modern let in a little transitional style.  Kessler Woods - of course, I loved all the finishes in Bentley’s house., it let us see some details that are planned for ours.  Urban Reserve - did you notice how most of the houses have names?  Abbott Pl - although the floor plans were all the same and the galley kitchens all by Bulthop, the art was pretty serious in one (David Gates and James Surls), and I loved mixing a traditional table with modern chairs, and throwing some Oriental rugs around.

Luxe Showhome

Congratulations to Deborah Owens and Myrl Talkington for pulling together a really spectacular showhouse at the Creeks of Preston Hollow.  They had a fery short time frame to pull together furnishings for a rather large house, so they called in some favors from some pretty stylish sources:  enter David Sutherland, Allan Knight, Craighead-Green, and others who supplied furniture, fabrics, and accessories on consignment to make the house a success.   The tour benefits the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

AIA Home Tour

The perfect weekend to look at perfect houses.  Probably not perfect, but definitely cool.  The Dallas AIA is sponsoring their annual home tour, call 214-742-3242 for tickets.  You’ll want the $25 ticket to see all nine of them, otherwise it’s $10 a house.  I have to promote my architect Bentley Tibbs, who is hard at work making Peggy’s Folly work.  I hope.  Anyway, if you can’t find anything to inspire you, you’re probably dead.

New Bookstores in Plano and Bishop Arts

Not that I don’t love Borders and Barnes & Noble. (Hey guys: Keep stocking those D Home’s on the shelves!) But there’s something cozy cool about independent book sellers. Alas, in recent years we’ve seen them fade away due to competition. Happily, two new ones are open: Legacy Books in Plano and Dicho’s in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District. The first one, which Peggy blogged about last week, is having its official grand opening this weekend with books signings galore. One of my favorite local chefs, Grady Spears of Reata fame (pictured left), will be signing his latest cookbook The Texas Cowboy Kitchen at 3pm on Saturday. Dicho’s is much humbler: small selection of best sellers, coffeetable books, children’s classics, and a wonderful bakery/coffeehouse attached. But where Legacy has that Plano slick look, Dicho’s is Oak Cliff kitschy and cool. Check them both out this weekend and get reading.

Exercise Your Right to Redecorate

Z Gallerie–the home of great knockoff lamps and vases–is having an election day sale online. Enter promotion code VOT at checkout and save 10 percent. But shop now. The sale is for today only.

Ladder Day Designers

If you happened to be at the Design Center Friday, perhaps you caught Susan Palma and Muffin Lemak in their latest not politically correct Halloween outfits.  Susan’s comment was, “We really scared some guys because they had never seen women without makeup.”  If creativity makes the designer - these women have it in spades.  And if you have any question about taste, just look at what Susan gave me as the “arbiter of good taste.”  I have to have security cameras at my desk to make sure no one steals it.

Celebrate Design

At the kick-off party for Celebration of Design week at the Decorative Center, tonight at 5. Unfortunately, you probably didn’t receive an invitation because most of the 2500 invites were sent back.  Which is really unfortunate because Scott + Cooner and McGannon Showrooms have gone to a lot of trouble and expense to re-do the showrooms and bring in new lines.  Paola Lenti is not a new line for SC, but the display is spectacular (are you surprised?).  Who knew how much you could create with climbing rope?  And McGannon has modernized their look with the addition of Adriana Hoyos, and her particular style of modern Spanish design.  So, cancel that manicure and go to the Dec Center.  And maybe they can get the invitation situation cleared up, so people actually get them.  I hear there was a magazine involved that didn’t exactly perform according to plan.

More Thursday Night Fun

Jennifer Sbranti, of Hostess with the Mostess, and Tim Laird, Chambord’s Chief Cocktail Officer (how do you get that job?), will teach you all you need to know on how to throw a modern, hip Halloween party. From table settings to Vampire Kiss cocktails, this event will equip you with all you need to know. The event is on Thursday from 6:30-8 or 8:30 to 10 at The Apartment (1444 Oak Lawn). The event is FREE but you must register first (www.chambordonline.com/hostess).

Already have all your Halloween entertaining details squared away? Then come check out Waterworks new collection and get your copy of Betty Lou Phillips’ The French Room signed by Miss Betty herself. The event is from 6-8pm and yes, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Thursday Design Events

Thursday is the day for important events in the Design District, this week I’m only aware of one - and it is really special. David Sutherland is hosting a party for Galerie Diurne and Sandra Jordan. Galerie Diurne is a world famous European rug gallery, and they have chosen Sutherland to be their US rep (good choice). The whole upstairs has been converted to a gallery; these are the coolest, most highly designed rugs you have ever seen. And Sandra Jordan with her great alpaca textiles will be uncorking wine from her family vinyard. Jordan Winery - ever heard of it? Have your attention now?

Partners Card Kick-off at Victory Park

Street traffic is pretty dismal at Victory Park, but they are doing everything to get people down there.  Thursday is your chance to support these pioneers - Partners Card kick-off - buy your card, get 20% off everything, great food, and a chance to sip and stroll and discover new places.  And free parking with your card.  We love Haven - you’ll see great goods from the store in every DHome issue. PS - If you don’t know what Partners Card is, your head has probably been under a rock.

Frighteningly Low Prices

If you want to stock up on Halloween decor, now’s the time to hit the stores, especially the big box retailers. Sur La Table is offering 50 percent off all kinds spooky stuff. Pottery Barn is big on the skull-and-crossbones thing this season and, likewise, is discounting select merchandise. Even everyone’s favorite discount yet stylish store, Target, is getting in on the action.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

First and foremost, if you have not signed up for your Partner’s Card, the deadline for mail orders is today. However, you can purchase it online here or at a participating Tom Thumb. What is the Partners Card you say? Only a shoppers dream. 20% off at all participating stores, spas, and restaurants including At My Table, Anthropologie, Bliss Spa!, Bottega Veneta, Casa di Lino, Eiseman Jewelers, 4510, Grange Hall, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Madison, Paper & Chocolate, Scott + Cooner, Stacy Hyde, Stanley Korshak, Williams-Sonoma Home, Craft, and over 720 more. A card is only $60 (all of which goes to support The Family Place) and is good October 24-November 2. Therefore, do the bulk of your shopping next weekend.

Today, At My Table is hosting a Sabira Collection trunk show. Sabira Collection has the most ornate and elaborate tablecloths (Perfect for that all day eating-fest we call Thanksgiving). The event goes from 10-5.

If there is one thing that is evident about Dallas women, a dog in their arms/purse is a staple accessory. Attention all people that can’t leave home without their precious pooch: Saturday, Highland Park Village is having its first annual Dog Walk from 12-4. Grooming, photography, and dogs available for adoption will all be on site. Pick up a little something something for yourself while your dog gets the royal treatment.

Porthault - Not Just for Sheets

D. Porthault in Highland Park Village is one of the most frequented sources for some of the finest, softest cotton linens around.  It’s about to show its wild side, and get a little more macho - Patrick Mavros, the world-renowned African sculptor and silversmith will be showing his incredible work at a trunk show next Oct 21 and 22.  Christine Allison and I saw this display at the Kappa Kappa Gamma tablescapes and went crazy for it; this is just one of the little animals adorning the table. He’s cute, huh, and so is Mavros.

Thursday Parties

Don’t you love Thursdays when there are cool new openings and events to attend? Especially when they are as compelling as these. JANUS et Cie is celebrating their first showroom here in Dallas at 1525 Dragon St. You will see some of the coolest, newest international designs in outdoor living. The collection is stunning - and the bright white showroom is such a contrast to the old Del Saxon space (but, I do miss him.) When you have been wowed by the originality of some of these pieces, walk across the street to the 40th birthday of Vivian Watson Associates , and meet some of their suppliers that have been along for the whole ride. And be sure and have a few drinks, Vivian (as seen on page 78 of October DHo me ) is there with you in spirit.

Designers’ Choice - Your Choice

This Saturday, October 18 promises to be a perfect day for a home tour, the Designers’ Choice Home Tour, to be exact. Don’t miss the chance to see some of Dallas’ great design talent’s best work: Cole Smith, Bernbaum-Magadini, Robyn Menter and Richard Drummond Davis (this is their collaboration), Gary Riggs, and Tracy Rasor. Just check in at the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church at 10 am and be prepared to be inspired.