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.

THURSDAY’S RUN DAY

I thought it might be fun to include a weekly update on what I’ve seen on my runs from week to week. I see all kinds of interesting items: roadrunners, coyotes, woodpeckers, cottonwoods, bobcats, huge pecan trees, even dogs without leashes. Sound like fun fellow bloggers? Good.

So guess what I saw this morning? That’s right, momma, $10! What kind of sweet action is that? And out in the middle of a dirt trail a few miles from the nearest house to boot.

I’d like to tell you I took the D Home staff over to the 5 and 10 for some penny candy with my new-found fortune. I’d like to tell you that, but my wife adored that little $10 bill. So she took it. But I still ended up with 600 calories in the bank before sunrise. Cha ching!

25 MILLION SALE?

Ok, I have some really hot news from the street: a $25 million dollar home is under contract, gadzillion square feet, 7 acres in Preston Hollow on Inwood and Lobello. Haven’t confirmed but if this is true, it will be the biggest, most expensive sale in Dallas’ history. Remember Chateau Du Triomphe burned before it could be the biggest sale. Who bought it? Coming up after this break!

TIS THE SEASON

So, you know how I know when Xmas is upon us? When Nuvo (3900 Cedar Springs Rd.) gets its annual collection of MoMA holiday cards. They are smart and well-designed, a far cry from the hokey holly trimmed cards I receive each year. (So, if you’re sending me a card this year, the pressure’s on, eh?)

DAVID IS MY HERO

David’s writing his January colunm? Now?! Now I can do my happy dance!

FIRST ENTRY

Here goes my first attempt at blogging. It seems to be working pretty well; I’ve only tripped once.

I can’t offer any secret information on David, but I can report that Hannah is currently talking to her mom on the phone. She seems to be having a pleasant conversation, so I guess it’s not one of those “When are you going to get married?” kinda conversations, which I hear can be sorta rough.

SPYING ON DAVID FELD

I’m watching David Feld as he writes his January column, A Fallow Garden. He doesn’t know this. He’s very intent, although I have to laugh because sometimes he looks 12 years old — you know how kids will read and their mouths drop open a little? He’s adorable.
Anyway, I’m going to try to get him busy on choosing gowns for D Weddings, since we are shipping. I’ll keep you guys posted on developments.

STAR STUDDED CAST!

Nicole Hinkle reports that poor Carolyn Shamis broke her wrist in two places and is in a cast. Says her associate: “However, nothing slows her down - she continues to work 24/7 and is showing Highrises all over the city. Of course, in keeping up with the Shamis style, we have added crystals to her cast to make it pretty! Only Carolyn! “

TEAM PLAYER

Freshly minted Realtor Lydia Player has joined Virginia Cook Realtors at their Forest Lane location. Go girl go!

SEE-THROUGH CHATEAU

I am so glad we can sell things on our Blog, just wait till I get a picture of my old lamps up! Guess I could also sell property if I was a Realtor. Della Lively tells me that Chateau Du Triomphe, or rather what’s left (not much) of Jean Boulle’s burned-out 43,000 square foot French chateau on Strait Lane, is on the market for $14 million. That’s right, $14 million for 9.665 acres and a coach house on Strait Lane, of course. Go ahead, make an offer.

So who’s looking? What’s the weird twist of fate involving some of this home’s property? Stay tuned!

YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE MOVIE, NOW BUY THE SOAP

TheMemoirs of a Geisha marketing department must be very excited about the December 23 release of the movie. Maybe a little too excited. Neiman Marcus at Northpark already has Memoirs of a Geisha soaps and the “Kyoto Empress” Gift Set on sale, produced by Fresh. It’s only a movie. (It’s only a movie.)

LOGO

For those of you who just can’t get enough designer names on shoes, bags, purses, scarves, and jeans, you can now have your favorite designer’s logo on lamps and tole trays. Yes, Madison in HP Village has a tole painted Louis Vuitton lamp that you can buy for $1325. Or you can serve drinks on a tray of your choice, maybe Kate Spade or Armani. Perhaps we can have our coffee served on a special D Home tray?

TEA FOR YOU AND YOU FOR TEA

First, congrats to the Galleria Dallas and its recent facelift. It’s airy and cheerful, transforming the once dowdy mall into a true shopper’s destination. (Any mall that houses a Saks, Gucci, and the ubiquitous Banana — though one on steroids — under a common roof gets my attention.) Though I could do without the palm trees (South Beach we ain’t), the Galleria is one stylish lady. And another new discovery that gets my tung ting jade oolong simmering is Teavana. Open only one week, this new tea purveyor is a true treasure, selling bulk tea, delicate teapots and accessories, and sporting a cute tea bar. It’s a soothing respite for the serious shoppers like myself. However, if going to the Galleria for a Moroccan mint black tea is a tad too out of the loop, fret not. Teavana opens a NorthPark outpost in spring 2006.

PARTNER’S CARD

I may be hiding out at D Home next month when the credit card bills arrive — I did some major damage during Partner’s Card at several local antique stores. This is my once-a-year turn to feed my Delft fetish. But we all must grow: today I bought two to-die-for Blackamoor lamps at Lover’s Lane Antique Market and a huge silver chafing dish for next week’s Supper Club at Antique row (menu: prime rib) where I also fell in love with the work of designer Gary Owens.

You asked for favorite shopping websites. Au currant mine is www.spacebags.com… I have finally found a way to keep our childrens’ piles of linens and clothes neat and manageable. Also available at The Container Store so hurry– Partner’s Card ends tomorrow!

MY NYC FIELD TRIP

Spoke with home builder Travis Blaylock today and he raved about my Real Estate adventure to the Big Apple chronicled in the new D Home. Travis knows the Real Estate community well — he said with all those power brokers on board a new reality show could have been born: The Negotiator!

Lest you think I am bragging, full disclosure: the artwork was what drew him into the story! Knew I should have majored in art!

O-WHAT-A-FOO-I-AM

Okay, so a few entries back I asked the great Wendy Who? question, as in “Who is Wendy Stark Morrissey?”, which is one reason I am grateful that this is just a practice run. Turns out, that, sure she is a VF contributor and an LA socialite, but Wendy is one of those people who is mainly known for her middle and last names. Wendy is daughter of now deceased Ray and Fran Stark (Ray as in movie producer and Fran as in daughter of Fanny Brice) and wife of Morrissey (formerly of The Smiths, that Morrissey). It may still be a reasonable question: we know who her parents are and to whom she is married, but who, deep down, is Wendy? Well, judging by her behavior at a private party held at The Mansion following the Hermes store event Thursday night, she is someone who really really enjoys her wine. That Wendy.

THERE GOES THE MAGAZINE

I think the staff of D Home owes profuse apologies to the staff of D Magazine for thinking, even in the dark — and I mean dark — recesses of our subconsciousnesses that the Front Burner team spends too much time blogging. The fact is — and I point to Todd’s numerous entries IN HIS FIRST 24 HOURS as just one example, and yes I suppose my late night entries as another — this blogging business is addictive. And as kicks just keep getting harder to find, I am all for it.

A LOCAL TREASURE

Have you kids been to Local — that Deep Ellum haunt of minimalist style and great gastronomy — since they expanded? Owners Tracy Miller and Alice Cottrell — who’s residential dining room was featured in our July/August 2005 issue — have created a stylish dining boutique that feels hip, contemporary, yet warm and inviting. Go check out the newly expanded digs and steal a few design ideas for your own home. Plus, indulge your sweet tooth with the candied ginger carrot cake. I did last night and it nearly brought me to tears. Sniff.

SWEET GIFT IDEA

Yes, yes — it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. Way too early to discuss Xmas and the hordes of gifts I’ve yet to buy. But I feel it is my duty as D Home’s resident shopaholic to pass along my gift ideas as I stumble upon them. One of my standbys is Kessler Cookie Company’s tins of crunchy, sweet goodness. The oatmeal-cranberry cookies are a personal favorite. You can order them through the website or find them at Bishop Street Market in Oak Cliff. However, I am not responsible if you eat them all yourselves. You (and your waistline) have been warned.

SHAMELESS SELL TACTIC

So here’s the great thing about being on a blog: taking advantage of said blog. In other words, Todd needs to unload some furniture. A lovely Thomasville table for only $2000. Slow down, kids. No need to stampede. I’ll take the highest bidder. NOW!!

MY VIRGIN POST

Hey gang: So this is my first post to our brand spankin’ new D Home blog. As you’ll discover, I fancy myself a shopping expert. (Meaning: I love to shop.) So, I’ll alert you to sales, great finds, and new stores galore. Come on. Let’s go shopping!

EARS WIDE OPEN

Peggy, John Gregory is right on the matrimonial money. All my husband wants in terms of decor is no pillows, no bills. Going out to grab some real estate news and get blonde at the same time. That’s another sign of the times: going to my hairdresser (my mother called it “the beauty shop”) is now basically research. I’ll chat up several Realtors and keep my ears wide open while under the foil. I have one little piece of dish but it involves children, where I usually draw the line to self-muzzle. But now that I’ve got your attention….

WENDY WHO?

My social calendar is as empty as my professional calendar is full. This is not because I hate dressing up and making insipid small talk at parties where I am not the prettiest woman in the room. In fact, it is because I have young ‘uns who want and deserve my attention. Which is why I will not be plied with cocktails tonight at the Hermes and Vanity Fair confab at HP Village. Hermes is hosting a party with VF contributing editor Wendy Stark Morrissey. I read VF, but the name did not click. I googled Ms. Morrissey and no one came up. For James Wolcott or Chris Hitchens I would ditch my children in a minute. Wendy, uh, not so much. Anyone know who she is?

I’M FROM MISSOURI

Got any photos of the cool repros, Peggy? We be so visual around here.