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.

Haroo & Haroo - Bye Bye

Haroo & Haroo in the Dallas Design Center has locked the doors. Or maybe the center has locked the doors, I’m not sure, I know she was trying to get someone to buy her company. I hate to see it go - Mik Yung is so cute and has so much style, and the showroom in it’s early days was always full of surprises. I remember a party she had for Philippe Starck a few years ago that was the true reincarnation of the original Starck Club.

Getting Ready For Thanksgiving

Home!James reminds us that next week we have to plop that bird on something, so it might as well be a pretty platter like this one that can be had now for 20% off… Home!James also has a huge selection of table linens, all machine washable…and all at 20% off! This might even be pretty enough to use if the bird disintegrates.

Katie Award goes to Amanda Tackett for her splendiferous D Home columns

Amanda won “Writer of the Year.” Kudos! You can sample her word-crafting here and here and here.

AIA reports interns for architect firms now earn $45,000 a year. Do not tell my staff.

Just received an email from the AIA. Apparently, before it got bad, it got better for architects. Mid-level architects benefitted the most.

Average compensation:                                   2002                  2005                   2008

Senior designer/project manager                   $77,300                $85,800            $98,800

Architect/designer                                         $52,600                 $57,700            $71,600

Intern                                                               $35,300                $38,800            $45,400

Okay, interns make $45,400? Really? I know that there is an apprentice-like phase in the process but in magazine land we call that “editorial assistant.” I looked on a semi-ridiculous called site simplyhired.com to see what other folks are making these days. These numbers are adjusted for Dallas: designers, $61,000; decorators $31,000; architects $82,000; gardeners $32,000; school crossing guards $30,000; clowns $39,000.  $39,000 FOR CLOWNS? Really? They should make much more. 

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Legendary Realtor Ebby Halliday launches new career as a writer

So typical for a 97-year-old. Not.

I Love Popcorn

Out and about, I stumbled across this cute little shop that caught my eye.  This dazzling beauty behind the counter created I Love Popcorn and has run the place by herself for about a year.  Sarah Conrow, a native of Dallas started out with her Grandmother’s caramel recipe making popcorn out of a church kitchen.  Offering customized tins and 30 different flavors of popcorn from pina colada to lemon – and the colors to match - the blueberry popcorn is really blue and grape flavored popcorn is really purple.  With her Grandmother passing away this past Spring of Alzheimer’s, she donates 10% proceeds of each tin to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Cute idea, sweet owner and the caramel popcorn is the best I’ve ever had.  www.ilovepopcorn.com

Re: Luxe Showhouse

Just a little back story to my blog - yes, the final decorative touches to the home were put together on a whirlwind by Debra Owens, with help from Myrl Talkington, Mary Kate Erwin, David Sutherland, Allan Knight, and Craighead-Green. What I didn’t know was that Debra has been working on this house with Mark Molthan and Robbie Fusch for 2 years. Picking finishes and fixtures, designing bathrooms, and creating the whole design concept - all that on top of opening her smash success store Vinya on Buena Vista a year ago. Hey, we all need a little help from our friends.

I want to be an intern at Wilson & Associates in my next life

They know how to party hearty.

Thanks for the Pellegrino!

Here’s my diligent team while we wrapped up the last shot of our 2009 Design Book photo shoot. (From left: Portland, Cliff, me and Stephen). Homeowner Eve Reid was gracious enough to let us use her award winning Mid-century house as a backdrop for our story. She was also kind enough to keep us hydrated with Pellegrino. Thanks, Eve! Everyone must make plans to secure a Design Book issue when it hit’s new stands December 11— you’re going to love it!

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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?

Frisco family launches get out the vote effort

…of an unusual kind.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/station/as_seen_on/Frisco_Haunted_House_Gets_Freaky.html

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.

Must-Have Monday

The bird trend did not fly south for the winter. Birds are still very much a part of the decor we are seeing this Fall. These little guys (in blown mercury glass with a copper finish) are precious, seasonless, and cheap! $16 for the small and $24 for the large at West Elm.

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.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

For those of you who aren’t going to the game, Saturday will be a great day to leave the house and hit the shops. The rest of Dallas will be glued to the couch/TV or at the fair, leaving the parking lots and streets of Dallas empty. So Dallas, here’s the scoop:

THIS MORNING Opening Bell Coffee (D’s Best Coffee House in Dallas) and Mattress Giant have partnered up for an event-test out Sealy’s new Posturepedic mattress and receive a free cup of coffee while you are at it. Let’s face it-with all that is going on it the world, we could all use a better night’s sleep AND a free cup of coffee. Event at 300 N. Akard location.

This weekend is Fall Herb Weekend at North Haven Gardens. Free programs and 4″ herbs for only $1.99 all weekend. Find the list of programs and details here.

Nest is still having their Kartell sale. 10% off all Kartell and 30% off floor models. I was just there last night and can attest that they have plenty of Kartell goodies remaining (like this lamp).

Z Gallerie is paying sales tax on all your furniture, art, gallery, and lighting purchases until November 3rd. Of course the one thing I bought the other day (a pillow!) does not apply. Go figure.

Don’t go too crazy this weekend though! Partner’s Card is coming up (Oct. 24-Nov. 2). Details to come.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is kind of a D Magazine insider day

So look here.

Miss Me?

I’m off to a bi-coastal family trip.  And I mean bi-coastal. One daughter is getting married on an island off the coast of Portland, Maine on Sept. 20.  The other daughter is starting Seattle University on Sept 20.  Sound ridiculous? - just owe it to SU being on the quarter system, and of course, my flawless timing.  My daughter and I will be flying at 6 am across the North Pole the morning after the wedding with a hangover.  When I return, you can hear all about Peggy’s Folly -the move from Highland Park into a modern 70’s split level that I started having an affair with last spring.  Needs a lot of work - but most new relationships do. (How do I file this, Adam, under nuts?)