CORAL WATCH

On that note, Rebecca, I regret to report two coral sightings today at the Festival of Trees at the Dallas Country Club. One of them I’d estimate to be about a two-footer, in an otherwise chic display by Todd Fiscus. The other in Mary Anne Smiley’s truly ingenious chandelier tree with an ocean theme. I am rather glad that Mr. Feld was not at my side today. I fear he might have contracted an extreme case of agita.

WEDDING HEAD

Wedding head is like bed head. You feel kind of groggy and dreamy. Mainly, you just look groggy. We have been on deadline for more than a week for D Weddings, so I’m buried in brides. Still, I’m always thinking about the homefront, as are our brides (when they are not sorting out catering quotes and trying on gowns). Some of the newest wedding registries are: Napa Home which has one of the best dinnerware collections in town.

I love Marc Blackwell’s Robin’s egg blue china with silver trim and his rich, mahogany collection that looks like polished wood. I think I like them because they are blue and brown, two colors which continue to show up everywhere and always manage to look chic.

Speaking of pretty blues Peacock Alley’s brand new line, Vera Bradley is something I discovered while perusing their wedding registry. Vera Bradley’s claim to fame are her pretty cotton handbags and totes in pretty colors, that celebrity moms like Cindy Crawford carry. Bradley and Peacock Alley have teamed up on bedding, and since I’m a huge fan of blue and white, I love her blue and white paisley and blue and white coral patterns.David Feld says coral is out and he’s probably right, but nobody seems to be listening. Coral, like blue and brown — which has theoretically been out for several years– just keeps hanging in there.

NORDSTROM REPORT

Fashionistas and the baby stroller brigade were out in full force this weekend for the new NorthPark Center Nordstrom. And the Seattle-based retailer didn’t disappoint. Yes, we all know that Nordstrom is shoe Nirvanna for the well- and high-heeled. But what does this have to do with home decor? Glad you asked. Tucked away on the third floor, next to the new in-house cafe, resides Nordstrom’s first home department in Texas. It’s tiny yet tight, featuring a few select furniture pieces from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, bedding from Westin Heavenly, Nambe tabletop, and, just in time for the holidays, over-the-top bedazzled ornaments by Mr. Jay Strongwater. One helpful employee hinted that Nordstrom would debut a bath line possibly next July. Plush towels and Prada loafers under one roof. We’re so there.

KAPPAS LOOK OUT

Today I joined acres of loquacious ladies at the Dallas Country Club; they were Thetas, mostly, there to experience the 4th Annual Festival of Trees. Alexandra “Love and Live Happy” Stoddard was the keynote speaker. Primed with some white wine, ladies paid nearly $5,000 for a Neiman Marcus Christmas tree, $600 for a trade paperback copy of the newest Harry Potter book (autographed by the screen star), among other items in the live auction. All proceeds benefitted CASA. Best tree design goes to Mary Anne Smiley and Mary Cate Antiques. Highest dairy content goes to: cream of watercress soup, although the chicken souffle with white sauce and souffle with whipped cream came in a close second and third.

BRITISH KHAKI

Commenting on Briish Khaki, they have added new looks to their signature Anglo-Indian designs - elegant sleek curves in teak and mahogany. Speaking of mahogany, I had the opportunity to visit with my friend Robert Lighton about the mahogany he uses. It is heavy, dense highly figured wood that he buys at government auction, naturally harvested from the trees the British planted in their Indian colony in the 1900s. Those darned imperialists did do something good after all!

FLOCK OF SHEEP

Contract designer Alice Cottrell shared a new source for us in the products she uses in both contract and residential design. One of her favorites: a flock of sheep, sheep-shaped benches covered in curly white fur with cute little leather noses, ears, and tails. Great in bars and and family rooms. Just be careful if you have an Australian Shepherd - she will drive herself crazy trying to herd the sheep into a circle. Also noted, a white goose feather ball pendant lamp, that quivers with the slightest movement of air. How sexy!

THIS IS IT

D Home enters the cyber-fray today and I look forward to reading blog notes from all members of the blog team. As for me, the Design District beckons. Specifically ID Collection. The hot potato known as British Khaki has landed at ID and I am going to take a look. I rather like that along with a bevy of chic national magazines, D Home is featured on the BK press page. On the same site, ID might ask to be listed as a vendor. Just a thought.