May 8, 2008
A Long Weekend
With such gorgeous spring weather we’re having, take Friday off and head out for the weekend to the family-run Greer Farm, about 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas in Daingerfield. Bet you didn’t know we had anything like this within driving distance.
Williams-Sonoma Home Party Tonight
In the words of a co-worker, “do you enjoy free food, wine, and sales?” If so, join us for all three tonight at Williams-Sonoma Home at The Shops at Legacy. We are celebrating our new Best of Everything issue, so come grab a hot-off-the-presses copy and eat treats from George catering. Oh, and did I remind you about the 10 percent off any and everything? 6-8 p.m. 7300 North Dallas Pkwy.
Let’s Talk Meat
Did you know that May is National BBQ Month? Like teacher appreciation week and Black History Month, it’s more awareness than anything else. And because I don’t live with a barbecue expert (dad) anymore, it’s time to learn. Good ole J.W. Foster, the Fairmont’s chef, is reviewing all things Texas barbecue: preparing ribs, sausage, and brisket; using a variety of different woods to enhance the meat’s flavor; learning how to create your own sauces. Post-lecture, enjoy meat and libations. For reservations and details, call 214-720-5340. $95 per person.
La Cuesta Farm
This falls into the Who Knew? category. Beautiful goat’s milk cheese is produced on La Cuesta Farm, about an hour and a half outside of Dallas near Lake Whitney. Order online, or find their cheeses and other goat’s milk products in one of the groceries listed on the website. York Street Cafe and Parigi both serve their cheese.
May 7, 2008
Anteks 20th Anniversary Tonight
Go over to Anteks on Lovers Lane this evening and help Jason Lenox and family celebrate 20 years of business in that location. And, as an added bonus, the party benefits Dallas Habitat for Humanity - some of the vendors will be donating 100% of sales on certain items, and a portion of all sales from May 7 to May 14 will go the Habitat. Go, enjoy, and release your inner cowboy - you and your ranch will love it, and so will Habitat for Humanity.
Unusual Item Of The Day
This is an Hungarian goosedown, horseshoe shaped pillow designed by a Highland Park chiropractor for people who sleep on their sides. Sold at Peacock Alley and the Linen Boutique. Looks comfy, but someone needs to design a pillowcase that will fit it.
Newest Book Obsession
This exquisite little book just came out in April. I love its apple green cover and the watercolor sketches inside are so pretty.
Here’s an excerpt from the description: “Trained as both architects and historians, Andrew Zega and Bernd H. Dams are skilled artists known for their expert restitutions of historic buildings, rendered in a realistic watercolor technique that has become their trademark. Originally published as a limited-edition collector’s item that sold for $1,100, this affordable reprinted edition presents fifty charming images, the results of more than a decade of study of historic European and American architecture and garden ornament.”
Their work reminds me of this guy.
Our New Issue Is Out
Our annual 2008 Best of Everything issue is now out. Read it online, but to see all the great photos, and full stories, buy the magazine. Don’t you just love this image? Peggy Levinson and Cliff Ellman found all of these sculptural outdoor pieces. [Photo by Jan and Ka Yeung]
May 6, 2008
My Newest Obsession: Raffia
Raffia upholstery makes even the fanciest furniture feel right at home. I saw this Hannah chair by Oly in a magazine and looked it up. I could probably cover everything in raffia and be happy, but something tells me that would be a mistake.
In Dallas, Oly is sold at Mecox Gardens and at Lisa Luby Ryan’s Vintage Living.
May 5, 2008
Mother’s Day’s Ideas (x4)
1. Time with Mom: Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother’s Day Home & Garden Tour, May 10 and 11. Promote historic preservation and citizen involvement while securing the title of best child. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
2. Sweets with Mom: Cakes from La Duni Latin Café are now available online with a 5 percent discount. Order favorites such as the famed Quatro Leches Cake, and save yourself half the calories by splitting it con tu mama.
3. Flowers for Mom: See No. 2. La Duni now offers signature arrangements (at left) of Amazon roses, tulips, lilies, and orchids online. With 72 hours notice and a few clicks, La Duni’s signature arrangements will be made to order at $20 and up.
4. Best choice: All the above.
What Can’t Eve Reid Do?
Eve Reid and daughter Claire, lounging at home, were on our first cover. That was eight years ago and the image still holds up as one of our best, don’t you think? Since then, she married Sotheby’s chairman Warren Weitman, bought an apartment in New York, and as an investment, purchased this fantastic example of 60s modernism by architect Glenn Galaway, who trained with Philip Johnson. Galaway designed this house for himself and it stayed in the family until Eve and Warren bought it last year. It’s a time capsule of design from the era, with the original paint, flooring and cabinetry. The kitchen hasn’t been touched. Eve put some money into it — shoring it up basically by fixing the roof and a few other necessary improvements. They located the original blue prints and documented it on paper and in photography. Read all the mod details in our November Architects’ home issue.
The Sod Man Cometh
I like to do home projects, I just do. However, what I don’t like is probing accusatory questions from the Trophy Husband, such as, “Did you bite off more than you can chew this time? How much was your copay at the emergency room?” You know, stuff like that.
Don’t tell him, but…this time I did bite off more than I can chew.
I was feeling froggy last week, all a twitter about spring. I was going here, and there, and everywhere, choosing colorful annuals to punctuate my garden.
May 2, 2008
Sofa Sale at Haven
While you’re out this weekend, enjoying the weather and trying to figure out how to spend your tax rebate money, go down to Victory and check out the sofa sale at Haven. Victory is rocking on the weekend, interesting shops with a different take on retail shopping, and some fun restaurants. I particularly love this Gonzalez sofa - available this weekend for $1500. It’s a deal, and very chic. And if you haven’t met Homer, it’s high time you did.
May/June DHome at William Sonoma
If you haven’t made that drive up to the shops at Legacy to visit the new William Sonoma Home store, you should. Even at 6:00 pm - which is when DHome is hosting the preview party for our May/June issue, next Thursday, May 8. The drive is worth it because a) William Sonoma Home is one of the coolest, design oriented home store there is anywhere - I know you get the catalog, but you really have to see the furnishings. And b) this DHome issue features outdoor living like you have never seen - there’s not a striped umbrella, barbecue tools, or a pitcher of Margaritas in sight. PS - there’s a 10% discount on all purchases that evening.
May 1, 2008
Everyone Gets Cake
Peggy and I just returned from cake and champagne at George Cameron Nash’s showroom. (150 Dallas Design Center) People, there’s still time to enjoy petit fours and Veuve Clicquot. Drop by today, and wish George a happy 21st birthday. Also, enjoy the luscious bright flowers (excuse the poor cell phone image) by Chris Whanger.
Lourdes, I’ll Take Two, Please…
Lourdes is my long suffering staffing sidekick for my little projects. The Trophy Husband sighed with relief as I finished unloading 360,000,000,000 plants and bulbs. (I used the money he’d been saving for his record label…)
Kelly Wearstler Used My Chair!
I was flipping through the new issue of Domino, and saw this photo of Kelly Wearstler’s chic redesign of The Tides Hotel in Miami, with a dramatic phalanx of man-made tortoise shells on the wall (see page 32 in the May issue). Upon closer examination, I saw that she’s used the same stylish 1980s era “rope” chairs that Julio Quinones found for me several years ago! Same color, but without arms. Take a look.
Spring Thing at the Decorative Center
Be sure and go to the Spring Thing tonight at the Decorative Center - it’s always fun, and you never know what kind of extraordinary new product you’re going to see at Scott + Cooner, and what high fashion both Loyd Scott and Josie Cooner will be wearing. William Stubbs, host of A Moment of Luxury on PBS is the featured guest, but Loyd and Josie are always the stars. PS - great food and wine, too. It’s all good.
Slick Returns Home, Canine Amber Alert Cancelled
Excitement abounds at Chez Tackett.
As I returned home from my early morning garden center run to cherry-pick crimson hued zinnias…I saw my Trophy Husband standing on the corner of our cul-de-sac. His car was parked akimbo to the curb. Said spouse was waving his arms, then crouched, then began making kissing gestures. I assumed this was directed toward me.
My heart filled with mushy girl feelings, thinking of how loving and romantic my man is, and then I saw the object of my husband’s attention.
Meet Slick, a Boston terrier/rat terrier mix, and longtime Waterview neighborhood resident.
Continue reading "Slick Returns Home, Canine Amber Alert Cancelled"
April 30, 2008
Mike Modano’s backyard
On Friday we’re shooting Mike Modano’s backyard. I’m kind of nervous and excited about it, because he’s famous. The yard is charming, however. A nice guy named Jarod Cossell brought it to us. Cossell, who owns Earthquake Exteriors (what a name!), worked closely with Mandy Modano (a.k.a. Willa Ford) to design it, and it’s got a definite Italian feel to it, which she loves. Lots of wonderful fountains made from huge urns, and beautiful stone unearthed from a small quarry in Arkansas. You’ll get to see the Modano’s yard, along with the Modanos themselves barbequeing, in our July issue. Mike has promised us some of his favorite recipes. We figure they’ll go something like this,”Put steak on grill.”
We’re game.
Farewell, You Bunch of Pansies
When I lovingly plant pansies each October, I know this day will come. 
After all, They consipire and turn on me every April. Therefore, I bid my pansies adieu, all 5,000 of them. I’m making room for a bevy of new spring plantings as we speak. I have much more room than last year, though. Sadly, I lost 1600 snapdragons to aphids. Sound familiar?
Peacock Alley at Vintage Living
One of our very favorite linen collections is now at Vintage Living in Snider Plaza. Peacock Alley used to be downstairs in our building - very convenient for a little product pick up, then they moved to Postal Way. That’s right, over by the main post office - not so convenient. Love the linens, hate the drive. So, we’re excited to have them in the ‘hood at one of our favorite stores. Check out the trunk show on Friday, May 2, along with new linens from Matteo.
Fete du Muguet at Yves Delorme
That’s Mother’s Day to you, or sort of - the French celebration of spring, the scent of lily-of-the-valley, and the love of children for their mothers. Hello? Are any of my children reading this? Yves Delorme celebrates this special day with gifts of robes, sleepwear, candles, and fragrant soaps. All with a savings of 30%. Which is great, because I don’t know about yours, but my children never have any money.
Pineider Comes to the Nest
The darling Nest is now carrying Italian luxury leather and paper goods maker Pineider, which opened in Florence in 1774. According to Pineider, it “has remained a point of reference for people who love style, beauty and the refined culture of writing.” If you are one of these people, a set that includes clients the Pope and Madonna, then head to the Nest for exquisite writing papers (home stationery at left) and desk sets. Owner Heather Wiese-Alexander’s Snider Plaza store is the only one in the South carrying the goods.
Hello? Is This Thing On….check…check…check…
Since Rebecca said I would blog this morning, here I am. Yes, I am nervous. You know what they say about public speaking, imagine your audience is…naked. That’s what I am doing right now. All of you…in the buff. I feel much better.
Confession? I’m technology-phobic. Check back later today, after I figure out how this new fangled blog machine works. I have to buy some sod, but I’ll be right back. In the meantime, I humbly offer this.
April 29, 2008
A New Voice On The Block
Amanda Tackett joins D Home in the morning as our newest blogger. You already know her from Amanda’s Dream House. She’s nervous, so help her out. I don’t get why — Amanda is locally famous with a cult following of Dream House groupies and one of the funniest writers in town. She’s got plenty to talk about — she’s doing all the renovations on a fabulous but crumbling 60s era house herself. I can’t wait to see what she blogs about first…
Charles Faudree Book Party
Charles Faudree, the “king of toile,” as Peggy crowned him, is stopping by At My Table on May 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, to sign his newest book, Charles Faudree Country French Florals & Interiors with Toni Garner. Faudree, despite his international clients, is still a Oklahoma man, and like me, a Francophile. At least it seems that way (previous titles: French Country Signature and French Country Living). This book features some variation–Toni Garner, a Tulsa florist who has been named Oklahoma Magazine’s “Best Florist” for 10 years and counting–with the addition of floral.
Everyone Gets Cake
Thursday, May 1, drop by the George Cameron Nash showroom for cake and champagne - it is the showroom’s 21st birthday. And they said it wouldn’t last. At least, there were those who thought that - when George opened in 1986, he had some open stock fabrics, a few pieces of upholstery, borrowed antiques, and a super-abundance of style. The showroom has changed, the style remains the same. Be sure and go upstairs for the latest surprise. P.S. - he always serves good champagne.
April 28, 2008
Meletio Electric: So Much More Than Just Current Events!
But the Preston/Forest location is shuttering, while Frisco and Harry Hines stores get better and better. Whole story over on DallasDirt.
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