Last Chance

Today is the last day to take 40% off on furniture at Nest.

Welcome to Dallas, stellaDallas

New obsession on Lovers Ln. in the old Stephanie Anne space. Vintage furniture, paired with modern pieces, Missoni throws, plush pillows, handmade cards, bold wrapping paper varieties, and more. Stop by and welcome them to the scene. Something tells me you will be obsessed as well.

The Book Club: French Country Kitchens

Yes, I know. Modern kitchens are all the rage. Everyone’s getting all Bulthaup-ed and Arclinea-ed these days. Begone copper hoods and farmhouse sinks. Farewell bistro chairs and rustic urns. Don’t get me started on roosters. Still, there’s many a Dallas homeowner that loves the French country look. And that’s okay. I also love it (when it’s done well). For those with a passion for the Provencal, you should get a copy of French Country Kitchens: Authentic French Kitchen Design from Simple to Spectacular by Linda Dannenberg. This isn’t that faux French stuff. It’s the real deal: true French kitchens in all their sunny, farmhouse glory captured in beautiful photography. This book has lots of ideas as well as recipes and a directory of sources. Get your copy at Legacy Books in Plano.

Tuesday Trend: American Graffiti

Graffiti has long since been frowned upon…perhaps, until now. Graphic graffiti designs in various shapes and colors can transform any room into one that is ultra-funky, urban, and fresh. CB2’s Graffiti Punch pillow ($39.95) is just the product that will give your room the extra punch it needs. IKEA, normally crazy-cheap, has this not-so-cheap Hedda wool rug ($249). The design is simple, yet striking, and black and white go with everything. Re-Surface’s More-Light Shade ($350) tastefully brings street graffiti indoors, if such a thing is possible. Street-style coming indoors??? What do you think?

Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement to spraypaint underpasses, buildings, etc. with gangster signs. IJS.

Must-Have Monday: Great Gift Idea

I was given a Night Star Amaryllis plant a while back from our friends at North Haven Gardens, and it got me thinking about how this beautiful plant would make for a fabulous hostess gift. It is only $18.99, effortless, and lasts forever. Mine has been in full bloom for over 3 weeks and smells amazing. Best part about an Amaryllis is, you can cut the leaves off of the fully-bloomed plant, store the bulb in a dry, cool area, and save it for next year. Everyone loves a gift that keeps on giving.

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!

Splurge vs. Steal: Elegant Tabletop

Target’s new Dinnerware Collection in cream and gold porcelain (left) strikes an uncanny resemblance to Kate Spade’s “Primrose Hill” china collection (right). The price for the two sets, however, is quite distinguishable. For example, a Kate Spade “Primrose Hill” dinner plate is $38 each at Macy’s, whereas a set of 4 dinner plates at Target will only cost you $27.99. Gotta love saving money!

Happy Belated Birthday

Plano’s hippest home store, Fusion Home Fashion, turned 2 yesterday. Congrats on the major milestone and best of luck!

Tuesday Trend: Hippie Revolution

At least as far as Barneys is concerned. Barneys’ holiday catalog is straight from those peace-loving, bra-burning days of the 1960s. First off, how about Barry Miles Peace: 50 Years of Protest ($29.95) for your coffee table? After all, nothing says happy holidays like pictures of angry mobs and torches. Or, how about this Fazzoletti & Cane bowl by Venini ($2,960)? Pretty groovy huh? This Peace Lovin’ Piggy Bank by Billy Beads is too cute. Too bad it would require saving up 49,500 penies to buy the thing.  Last, but certainly not least, are these awesome “Peace Sign” ($250) and “Make Love Not War” ($295) pillows by Armand Diradourian.

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.

Splurge vs. Steal: Beveled Mirror

Todd has been going on all week about how Z Gallerie is the place for “designer inspired” home decor. My personal fave, Target, is also infamous for replicating some of our favorite pieces from various stores (okay, just Pottery Barn). The Cyrus Silver Leaf Beveled Mirror from Target (bottom left) and the Devon Mirror from Z Gallerie (bottom right) are virtually twins. Identical, not fraternal. Who knows who copied who (I’m guessing they were both “inspired by” someone else), but one of them has a much lower price than the other. Who do you think has a better price? Z Gallerie or Target? The answer awaits you after the jump.

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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!).

Tuesday Trend: Black and White

It is not like the black and white concept is new or anything, but the contrasting color duo is very much on the scene. The best part about a black and white color palette is any color (yes, any) makes for a beautiful, bold statement when paired with the two. For instance, take this pillow from Stacy Hyde ($200). It goes with just about anything, whether your pad is decked out in soft yellows or plush purples. I don’t think there are even words to describe my obsession with these Thomas Paul doily melamine plates ($40). So chic and classy (even though they are melamine)… Last but not least, I love this rug from CB2. The abstract pattern of CB2’s Zephyr Rug ($199-$499) is bold enough to be conversational, yet sophisticated enough to not be a distraction.

Must-Have Monday

These Kim Seybert “Spider” Napkin Rings at Neiman Marcus are beautiful ($56). The perfect addition to any holiday table setting, don’t ya think?

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.

Julio Quinones and Laura Miller = Cover story in Traditional Home

Wow. Beautiful.

Be a Star on HGTV

New show Bang For Your Buck is filming its first season for the cable network and is looking for “fun and enthusiastic homeowners” in the greater Dallas area who would like to showcase their fabulous renovation on TV. The show needs homeowners who have spent $30-90k on their kitchen renovation and it must have taken place no more than three years ago. Interested? Contact Keri at 303-712-3137 or kgrogan@highnoonentertainment.com.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

I know what you are thinking. Is there anything even left in stores after two weekends of Partners Card? Yes, there sure is. Stores had products upstairs in hiding, just so they would have new stuff to whip pout after their stores were wiped clean.

Here is the scoop on sales you should check out: LFT is offering a 20% discount to all SMU students November 6-9. Oh to be in school again…

Nest is offering a generous 20% discount on all pillows and throws this weekend. I can testify that this sale is definitely worth checking out!

Last but not least, if you happen to do any shopping at Mockingbird Station this weekend SAVE THE RECEIPT until Monday at 5. Why? Because from 5-8, Monday-Friday Paperie & Co. will give free gift-wrapping for anything purchased in Mockingbird Station (with a valid receipt, of course). Score!

Dish Deja Vu

Something looks awfully familiar about FD Luxe’s new “China Syndrome” spread. Hmm. Where would I have seen this idea before? Oh, yes. It was just the cover/”Dishing It Out” feature for our current October issue (blue spread below). Silly me. Not only is the concept the same, but they didn’t even bother to use different plates. Madison’s “Ming Dragon” plate, Anthropologie’s peacock feather plate, and Hermes’ Cheval d’Orient plate all appeared on our spread first and now on FD Luxe’s. I suppose that is a testament to our great taste? After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Splurge vs. Steal: Fur Throws

I am sure I am not alone in pulling out my winter coat this morning after seeing a brisk temperature off 55 degrees. We Texans are so dramatic when it comes to the cold. Anyways, it is about that time to pull out our throws and get all comfy-cozy by the fireplace (wishful thinking, most likely). How fabulous and glamorous would you feel in Stanley Korshak’s $10,000 fox throw (yes, tails and all)? Probably not near as fab once you see that Pottery Barn has faux-fur throws in an array of colors for $149 each. It is senseless to spend that amount of money when you can get a PETA-friendly look alike for much, much less.

It’s That Time of Year Again…

For those of you struggling with where to even begin looking for Christmas gifts, you will have all of your answers on November 13th (one week from tomorrow!), the day D Home’s November/December issue hits stands. Inside you will find 36 perfect gifts, including stocking stuffers, hostess gift ideas, and fabulous pieces you will quickly be adding to your own list. It is worth the wait…trust me.

Tuesday Trend: Ranch Dressing

Hunting season is officially off and running and ranch-style decor is invading all of our fave home shops. The Aluminum Tree Branch Lamp at Mecox ($585) looks awfully similar to deer antlers to me. The wooden veneer shade accompanies it quite well. Gardens cowhide chairs ($2,295 a pair) are simple and sophisticated with a sleek design. Last but not least, Williams-Sonoma Home’s new Pony Hair Zebra Hide Rug ($795) is fabulous. Very Hollywood Regency mixed with a bit of Texas ranch.

Must-Have Monday

Stacy Hyde always has classically chic and timeless designs and this “Flamingo Rattan” ($575) lamp is no exception.  Simply stunning! Maybe you could add it to your Christmas list. After all, isn’t it about that time?

Weekend Shopping by Holly

Last chance to use you Partners Card savings. 20% off now through Sunday at just about every store imaginable. See the list here. Also, Neiman Marcus has temporarily knocked a good majority of new Fall looks down to 40% off through Sunday. Home products excluded though. Bummer.

Splurge vs. Steal: Quartz Votives

You’ve seen the beautiful quartz votives at Madison and Grange Hall (bottom left) that you don’t dare touch (much less turn over to check for a price). Yes, they are exquisite and stunning, as they should be for that kind of price. You can find the same look for much less at Viva Terra. Each amethyst, citrine, and quartz votive is $42 (bottom right). If I can’t tell a difference, neither can your guests.