Articles about SHOWROOMS
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.
Auction Haus
If you’ve been to Scott + Cooner, you have probably found quite a few things you would can’t live without. I know my husband thinks he’s in a toy store and wants everything. Until he sees the prices. Most of us non-royals can’t get everything there, but be sure and check out Auction Haus at 2150 Irving Blvd, November 21 12-4. I’ve bought quite a few pieces there at incredible savings, and they are open for bids. I’ll probably see you there.
William Haines Style
I have always been intigued by Billy Haines. He was a celebrated director and movie star who, after opening an antique store in 1930, became the original decorator to the stars. By transforming dark, Spanish interiors into light classic he became the father of what is now known as “Hollywood Regency.” The book about him, “Class Act”, is a must for thousands of mid-century modernists. I’m happy to say that Allan Knight is now carrying the “William Haines” fully licensed collection. That means his designs can’t be knocked-off by every little shop in East LA. It also means I can go sit in my favorite chair, the chair. So called, because a lady could sit in it with full ball gown and turn to engage her admirers. PS - it also works wearing jeans.
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.
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.
Vintage Owls
Holly - Whoooo would have thought that owls are not just the new bird on the branch. These wise guys have been watching over our foolish trend spotting for over 50 years - at Collage on Industrial Blvd. Cliff Ellman and I just spent the afternoon there re-creating a vintage architectural masterpiece that you are going to be lucky enough to see in Design Book.
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?
Auction Haus
You better get up really early to catch up with the ladies at Scott + Cooner, they always seem to be just a little ahead of the game. Now, they have an online store called Auction Haus which is opening tomorrow with everything in their warehouse at 2150 Irving Blvd, available for you to make an offer. Remember, this is all authentic brand furniture, not, as Loyd Scott would call “curb fodder.” Go ahead, make an offer on these cool table from Edra listed for $2900 for the three.
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.
Slocum Street Thursday
Don’t forget that tomorrow is the Slocum St event from 6 - 9, where over 30 showrooms will be open to the public, and benefits go to DIFFA. More on that tomorrow. Free parking at Slocum and HiLine, and good food and drinks at all the stores. There’s even a trolley from one end to the other. This is really a fun event, and it is supposed to be great weather. Find out why Slocum St is known as the Portobello Road of Dallas, and check out these cool lamps at Debris.
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!
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.
Corey Pope is Fearless
Local designer Corey Pope is opening a new showroom at the International - just goes to show that we Dallasites aren’t afraid of some little thing called recession. Its exciting to me, because I think this is the first locally owned multi-line showroom opening in about 7 years. (Haroo & Haroo was 2001, am I right?) From experience, I can tell you that to open a showroom in a slow economy takes a lot of guts, creativity, luck and loyalty. Check later for a list of lines, but I love this Jakob Schlaepfer. I knew it was familiar, because they created some of the really cool couture fabrics for Creation Baumann.
Fairest Mirror of them All
You must try this out - go to the Elegant Additions showroom at the International and look in the Duravit StarckX mirror. It’s almost as good as a face lift - the diffusion of the light behind stainless steel just makes you look great - kind of like the mirrors in the cosmetics department at Neimans that make you buy outrageously expensive magic youth potions. Wrinkles, blemishes - nah! Please try this out and tell me if I’m crazy. (Julie Koch agrees with me.)
Fabric Art on the Grand Scale
You can view magnificent antique textiles at museums - from a distance, please; but starting Sept 7, you can have your own. Touch all you want. Next week, Loyd-Paxton is having a special sale of textiles they have collected through the years. They are either custom framed in-house with the flawless eye of Loyd and Paxton or have the original antique frame, some dating from the Qing Dynasty period - you remember that, don’t you. It also gives you a chance to visit their highly dramatic showroom in it’s most pedestrian location surrounded by trucking companies on Irving Blvd.
HaRoo & HaRoo September Sale
Up to 85% off all floor samples for the entire month of September. Except I am pretty sure if you want a decent selection, you better get there today. For sale: Baccarat, Philippe Starck, Modenature, and Driade furniture, lighting and accessories. Attention mere mortals: this sale is open to the public. HaRoo & HaRoo is in the Dallas Design Center at 1025 N. Stemmons Freeway, No. 749. 214.747.1700
Trade Only? Not!
Now, this is a new direction for previously “trade only” showrooms. I’m thinking those closed doors are really crashing open when J. Robert Scott has a humongous billboard at a very important intersection in Los Angeles. So what’s next - a George Cameron Nash billboard at the intersection of Woodall Rogers and Central Expressway? Nah, George is still very much of the “to the trade only” mind.
Mind Your Manners at Miele
Here’s your chance to learn proper cocktail party etiquette - IFDA is sponsoring the lovely etiquette coach Marsha Horne on Wednesday at Miele on Oak Lawn. I’m already pretty good at sipping wine, I wonder if she’s going to address slamming tequila shots or chugging beers - that’s where we really need the manners. Maybe I can find out how to manage the glass of wine, the bite sized hors d’oevre that’s really not, and the person in front of me asking me pointed questions. Or, the all important “rules of the napkin.”
Knoll at One Arts Plaza
Knoll Inc. is leaving the Design District for the heart of downtown. They will be opening a 10,000 square foot LEED certified showroom at One Arts Plaza in January. The reason: To connect people with how they work and how they live.” It’s a cool space, but I think it’s kind of a pain to park there. Of course, you can always go to Smink Inc for your cool Barcelona chairs and Saarinen tables.
The Swan is 50
The iconic Swan chair by Fritz Hansen turns 50 this year - don’t you love it when something is so perfectly designed that it just never goes out of style? In honor of the 50 years, there will be a limited edition of 1958 chairs made upholstered in swan white leather with a sterling silver bracelet around the base. Maybe you could wear the bracelet, too. Of course, you should place your orders now with Scott + Cooner.
Corey Pope at the International
We have a new showroom opening this fall at the International Design Center - a new locally owned multi-line showroom. How long has it been since that has happened in Dallas? I’m excited because local talent always created the best, most innovative showrooms - think about Allan Knight or George Nash. Corey Pope is a local designer and his showroom promises to quite stylish - I know he’s ordering lighting from Italy for a finished ceiling. And, he’s bringing in some new lines that have not been in the Dallas market - Savel fabrics, Tuell & Reynolds cast bronze, Lewis & James Fine Furnishings. Also, some familiar faces - Michael Taylor, Micana, Victoria Hagan, and Jean de Merry.
Local Talent on Bravo’s Top Design 2
Thanks to former D Homer, Miss Paige Phelps, for alerting us that super-cute Plano resident, Shazia Kirmani,is a force to be reckoned with on Bravo’s interior design reality show, Top Design 2 (starts September 3). In 2006, at the young age of 28, Shazia’s east Dallas apartment was featured in D Home, and she was named the “it” gal of interiors. These pics (shot by Steve Wruble for D Home) of her old East Dallas apartment show you what this girl is capable of. Go Shazia, go!
New Showrooms
Not much going on right now at the magazine, so I was out trying to get inspired. And, did I ever! Between the old and the new, there’s a lot going on. So much for the recession, here is a list of new showrooms that I just happened upon. There are probably others, please let me know if there are. At the International on Turtle Creek, we have Corey Pope(I’m dying to know more about this), Gallery Six, (a reincarnation of Rhonda Mueller), Laufen Int’l, and a new rug showroom. At the old Del Saxon space, we have Janus et Cie - the very chic-est of outdoor furishings, and Leslie Taylor on Slocum St. More all on of this later…..
Lladro in the Bath
No, I’m not talking about ripping out towel bars so you can display those darling little porcelain angels or puppies, this collection is very sophisticated and stylish. Nautilus is Lladro’s answer to plain porcelain fixtures, and how to further satisfy your collecting needs. do you realize that Lladro is one of the most collected items in the world, they have categories for every interest - circus, angels, winter sports, the black heritage, now they have an equestrian collection. The classic Nautilus shell comes on fixtures and matching accessories and is available at Bath and Kitchen Showplace.
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