Articles for November 18th, 2005
STARS AT KNIGHT
Allan Knight’s new showroom opened with a bang - dancing Foo dogs (that were a little aggressive with a pretty friend of mine), Chinese drummers, and the lovely “Divine” covered in ivy walking around on stilts. But, that is nothing compared to the impressive array of incredible artistic talent Knight has amassed. New lines that have not been seen in Dallas like Sun, a Korean furniture designer from Los Angeles, and Sabina Fay Braxton whose painted and stamped velvets are so beautiful they will make you cry. As exotic as Knight’s ambience is, he has two new lines that are almost local - First Circle from Oklahoma City uses the most marvelous craftmanship with different woods, and Cowden Bell from Weatherford, Texas does gorgeous hand-studded leather and upholstery. Knight is an incredible talent that has this jaded editor in awe. But, I don’t understand the human pyramids that were at the opening - canvas pyramids with a body inside gyrating and pressing against the fabric. Anyone get it?
GREAT GIFTS: OLIVES!
You now have only 37 days left until the big day. So, here’s another idea for the gift-giving challenged. Oil & Vinegar at the Galleria Dallas is known for … well … oil and vinegar. (Duh.) But it’s also a treasure trove of spices, cruets, and — my personal favorite — olives. Sweet olive jam. Salty tapenades. Fat green olives stuffed with garlic or paprika. O&V’s selection is a nice alternative to the usual waist-expanding holiday assortment of chocolates, candies, and — worse yet — fruit cakes. Dont give a gift that keeps giving (pound after pound). Give a gift of good taste this Christmas.
CROW BAD CHOICE
Hmmmm…. this sounds distressingly familiar - high rents and low margins is a very unhealthy combination, actually lethal as I can attest to. Perhaps a shot of reality along with that flu shot for those brilliant landlords? Well, at least we will finally get our Starbucks, and maybe even a Gap or 2 in the District.
BACK TO THE BIG APPLE
My field trip to New York City was so much fun, I am back to the Big Apple for a few days. Catch you guys later — behave!
CROW CHOICE
Are Joe Minton and Kevin Peavy leaving Slocum Street? Their lease, according to street talk, is up and they, like a bevy of others, are facing get-out-of-Dodge rent increases. We all know the puny margins our brethren in the trade deal with, and reasonable overhead is key. Reasonable overhead is sounding more and more like a thing of the past on Slocum Street, with plans for miles of condos and eateries on the drawing boards. I am as free market as the next man, and I suppose this all was inevitable. Still, it is ugly. And this is just the proverbial tip.
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