THE BUBBLE BUILDERS

It is not in my nature to be critical, but I disagree with Danielle DiMartino, business columnist for the Dallas Depressing News…I mean Morning News… a bright writer and fellow Columbia grad. She wrote a column Jan. 26 titled “Builders should study data – carefully”. Her point – builders are living in la la land, ignoring the signs of a cooling housing market.
(more…)

GET THEE TO KNOX STREET

As many of you know, D Home’s palatial world headquarters are just around the corner from Knox Street. And as many of my friends know, I am Knox Street’s whore. Can’t help it. I love me some Forty Five Ten and Restoration Hardware. That said, I noticed a bevy of bargains on my last sojourn (that would be today). So here they are:

Into the Garden: Patio and lawn furniture sale
Rose Tree: 20% off linens
Restoration Hardware: Annual bath event (20% off regular prices)
Z Gallerie: A sale of some sort that I’m sure involves all things fur-trimmed, feathered, and faux French
Bodum: 50% off tabletop, cookware, and cool coffee stuff
Smith & Hawken: Indoor garden event (indoor plants on sale)

Wow. As my Aunt Evie used to say, “Now that’s a whole lotta sugah.” Enjoy and spend freely!

FIRST HOME

I got a charming little flip book from FedExKinko’s marked “Design Ideas” this morning, appropriately enough in a Fed Ex package. Since the words design and Fed Ex and Kinko’s have never, to my knowledge, ever been uttered together before now, I was intrigued. People have been using Kinko’s for seat-of the-pants decorating all this time anyway, so it was nice of them to notice and help us out.

Here’s some ideas of what Kinko’s will help you make: a wall mural from preprinted images with adhesive backing; oversized art from your own photos; update your kitchen with backsplashes made from images of fruits or herbs on canvas, covered in vinyl, or put adhesive panels on cabinet doors, and make sturdy vinyl floor tiles for the bathroom or kitchen. Put vinyl tiles on a shower curtain, around the tub, or around the mirror. Use their collection of copy right approved images, or bring your own copy right approved ones.

Yes, adhering vinyl things to the walls and floors can be tacky. But it’s up to you not to allow this to happen. Use nice images, and decorate sparingly. Use it where appropriate — a child’s room or bath, a kitchen that needs re-doing but you don’t have the money yet.

DOG DAYS OF JANUARY

Some of us will be crying this Sunday–our first football-free Sunday in months. But it’ll be easy to turn that frown upside down. Go visit The Crow Collection of Asian Art. The friendly, and free, museum is teaming up with The Association of Chinese Professionals, DFW to offer a free festival in celebration of the Chinese New Year. The fun starts at 12 p.m. and culminates with a Dragon Parade and Lion Dance at 4 p.m.

Added bonus: If you were born 12 years ago (or 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 years ago), then you’re a dog. Not literally, but this is your year–the year of the dog. No word on whether you get special prizes at the festival, but I doubt it. You’re not that special.

SHOPPING THE CLIFF

A D Home fanatic contacted me yesterday, asking the following question:

I’m looking at buying a house, and it looks like the cool ones I’m interested in are all in Kessler Park. But is there anything to do over there?

I always love this question. For some reason, crossing the Trinity River equals an exodus of Moses-like proportions. All will be happy to know that North Oak Cliff is only 10 minutes from Uptown, Downtown, and Oak Lawn. And within the neighborhood itself, there’s plenty of places to sip, sup, and shop. The Bishop Arts District features plenty of funky shops, including art galleries and vintage finds. Jefferson Boulevard is an amazing strip of hispanic-owned boutiques and stores. And just west lies two burgeoning entertainment districts, one of which promises to house a performing arts space, jazz club, and restaurants. Plus, you get rolling hills, wooded terrain, and a diverse population. Okay. Enough Oak Cliff ego boosts today. To discover more, go here and here.