IRISH EYES

St. Paddy’s Day may be 16 days away, but you can pretend you’re in Ireland without leaving Dallas this weekend at the North Texas Irish Festival March 3-5 at Fair Park.

The NTIF is the 2nd largest event at Fair Park in Dallas after the State Fair of Texas and one of the largest Irish festivals in the country. (I think Chicago’s may be a bit larger and loonier, when they dye the Chicago River green and drink green beer. I have lived through many a St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago — a wee worse for the wear!)…
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MORE COFFEE

I per$onally prefer Todd at $tarbuck$ (working, of course) whenever he can, but there is a new coffee place on Lovers Lane… Daily Drips or something… let’s check it out and then go back to $tarbuck$!

I THOUGHT YOU ALL WERE PROTESTANTS

What’s with the no-work-ethic? What’s with the sipping coffee in cafes and getting your pores cleaned in the middle of the day? What do you think it is, Fat Tuesday?

RE: SUNSHINE AND LATTES FOR EVERYONE

Sorry, Todd, but I don’t drink coffee. I did get a facial today, though, and they pumped hot, humid air on my face. It was just like being outside on a sweltering Dallas July day–one sure to make the sidewalk coffee drinkers swoon. I’m setting the over/under on the first 90-degree day at April 12. Takers?

SUNSHINE AND LATTES FOR EVERYONE

I just made my daily stop at the Starbucks on Knox Street. (Yes, I know. I’m Starbucks’ whore. Deal with it.) The espresso maker is remodeling and has set up a sidewalk cafe for the next two weeks. They can do everything except Frappucinos. What makes this newsworthy is how wonderful the concept is: a sidewalk espresso stand. Especially on an unseasonably mild and wonderful winter day like today. In Europe, this isn’t notable. But in Dallas — where fresh air is so often replaced by central air conditioning — sipping an espresso al fresco seems so civilized. Everyone should enjoy it. I say go now.

YUMMY SPROUTS

Cheap modern furnishings are hard to find in Dallas. Yes, Collage, Century Modern, and Smink are fine stores. But they ain’t cheap. Pad in Deep Ellum is affordable, but the selection is small. Therefore, I often turn to the web to satisfy my urge for clean lines and sleek form. And our friend over at Mies and Carrots recently turned me on to Sprout Home. Cool stuff, but what I find truly groovy in a far out happening way (thanks, Greg Brady) is SH’s collection of mod garden accessories such as the spring green watering can pictured. Check out the Sprout here.

COOLING MARKETS?

Always good to read this doom and gloom just to keep us humble here in the land of 5 percent home appreciation…

SEXY SINKS

Washing has never been more fun: This is the latest vanities collection from Cole & Co., that award-winning Dallas manufacturer of fine furniture for the bath. This one’s called Urban Theory—a custom collection of bathroom vanities in minimalist undertones and modernist design. Cole & Co. is aiming for the urban loft-cum-condo market, but I personally would like one in my house. Ditto the free-standing vanity, what a great idea! (And they start at $595!) Unfortunately, I already have so many sinks, I have to buy Scrubbing Bubbles by the caseload. Stay tuned for more great news from this company…

GOOD FIT

Fort Worth-based Legare has launched a line of furniture without nails or screws or tools. It fits together the old-fashioned way with dowels (albeit a very modern version of dowels). It comes ready to assemble. Look for desks, book shelves, TV and stereo stands, etc., in espresso and natural finishes.

BLUEBONNETS 2006

After this soggy weekend, talking about the Texas drought may seem velly velly strange, but in fact our overall lack of rain means a sad season for bluebonnet lovers. “The dramatic displays of color Texans are used to won’t be as evident,” says Dr. Wayne Mackay, carefully, as is the custom of anyone predicting Nature. Mackay, a horticulturist with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Dallas, does have some backup though. Check it out.

GEORGE CAMERON NASH EVENT

Yes, Christine, the lunch was GCN over-the-top–everyone received a canvas tote in bright beach fabrics. Custom Quadrille fabric jackets for sale and on all the staff, a sushi/bento box lunch from Wendy Krispin, and new sofa and chair models from Cameron Collection in Quadrille brown and blue. The fabric scheme samples were ordered by Richard Trimble, Sherry Hayslip, and other top designers. You’re going to see a lot of this Chinese toile.

COOL NEW GALLERY OPENS TODAY

Marty Walker, who studied under Vernon Fisher and Robert Jessup, opens a new gallery today in the hot and burgeoning photo district, which edges up to the Dallas Design District. Marty’s cadre of Texas artists are well-established and high profile, including Ted Kincaid (formerly of Barry Whistler Gallery), Frances Bagley, Tom Orr, and Mark Flood (formerly of Angstrom Gallery). Marty used to be the assistant director at Conduit Gallery.

See Marty:View image

GEORGE CAMERON NASH EVENT

I got caught up judging treehouses at the Arboretum. How did it go, Peggy?

ESSAYS OF THE VOYAGER

For those of you who like your fabrics with smarts, or at least smart names, Donghia launches their new collection of Moroccan-inspired textiles, each named after a famous travel writer. Where else can you find Neruda (Pablo) and Bowles (Paul) snuggled together but at www.donghia.com.?

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

If you like deals, and you don’t mind going to the mat for your finds, then jet over to the Sample House & Candle Shop warehouse sale. It’s today only (till 6 p.m.), and it’s at the Sample House warehouse (4722 Bengal St.).

What will you find? Huge markdowns on candles, tchotchke, and tons of wrapping paper–all in a dusty warehouse filled to the gills with well-dressed women in various states of delirium as they fight it out to wait in line for a hour and a half to buy the last box of tissue paper. But still, the deals are incredible.

Beware: You’ll also see a random guy dressed like George Washington handing out shopping bags at the door. Why is he there? Not sure. But he’s very friendly, in a creepy, dead president sort of way.

SAKE TO YOU

I’m not sure if the Reidel glasses work in the traditional Japanese sake ceremony. My dad traveled to Japan three to four times a year for many years, and he tells me it is considered very bad form, not quite hari kari, but close, to drink sake without first serving your companion. That means every sip, every pour. With clear glasses, you would be always watching the glass. Give me the ceramic, it adds a little mystery. Kampai!

P.S.

Yes, I am gabby tonight. I will post pics of Presbyterian’s new Breast Diagnostic Center in a few days. Went to the ribbon cutting tonight — it is GORGEOUS! It def has the feeling of a spa — I asked if I could grab a pedicure. Ann Saks mosaics in the baths, vessel sinks, limestone counters and marble, and a mix of linoleum with sealed wood on the floors that had me on my hands and knees tapping, this is not your Grandmother’s linoleum! The bathroom doors have those naughty filtered glass panels (like La Duni), great curves everywhere. Thank God there’s a place that caters to women that isn’t mauve!

REED THIS!

Aha! Todd, Roger, time to start fanning your red faces and experience what it’s like to be menopausal. I gave reed diffusers for Christmas this year! I bought several sets at Takashimaya in November and passed them out like candy canes… including to our precious publisher! I was delighted with the concept because I live with a man who hates candles. He has a very sensitive nose (which makes me wonder why he chose his particular profession) and the smell of burning candles irritates his breathing, nasal passages, allergies, etc. (Leave that toilet seat up. I light an arsenal.)

We compromised in our home with a powerful Vent A Hood, and I light candles only for dinner parties and Valentine’s Day (and I fill him with enough wine that it doesn’t matter if he can breathe or even talk). So for me, the reeds are a perfect way to add scents without burning candles. I like the look of the sticks and the bottles. Let us also discuss…
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RE: SAKE TO ME

An organic-pushing D Home fanatic comments on the new Riedel sake set:

I appreciate the aesthetics of the set, but it spoils the experience for me. The best part about sake in the white ceramic carafe & cups is (1) that you have no idea how much you have had to drink and (2) you only know when to stop because you see the little blue bulls-eye at the bottom. It’s so much more fun to make fun of your friends at the sushi bar that way. However, I’m dying to know how much better sake can taste in Riedel vs. ceramic.

Good point. I know I savor my malt liquor much more when it’s covered with a brown bag and I can’t see how much of that bubbly beauty is left. Hmmm. Suddenly, I’m quite thirsty…

SAKE TO ME

Hot off the success of Riedel’s stemless “O” tumblers comes their latest creation: an “O” sake set. You get two glasses and a carafe that are kabuki cool. Dishwasher safe too. You can find them exclusively at Williams-Sonoma.

RE: I’M NO MOSES

Geez. Thank goodness I didn’t go buy a case of those things (canceling online order as we speak). Guess that’s what I get for trying to be trendy. Sigh.

THE FREUDIAN REED

I’ve never understood what the attraction is to reed diffusers either, Todd. They are downright unattractive and, as you aptly put it, reedy.

I’ve analyzed this, and your aversion to reeds might have origins in your fundamentalist Bible college background, where you were forced to do many papers on Moses. You alluded to such in your last posting. My aversion to them is still a mystery, as I went to SMU, where there was nary an Old Testament within 100 feet of campus.

I CAN JUST FEEL THE PEACH SAP ON MY LITTLE PALMS

I spent most of my childhood in a peach tree. So today at the Dallas Arboretum, I did a major rewind — as in color me 8-years-old — when judging plans for treehouses from 54 local architects. The Arboretum, which gets smarter at marketing every year, gave any interested architect his/her choice of 12 trees, and each entrant designed for the chosen tree. The plans were genius. You will be able to see the winners in mid-June. That is, you and the 120,000 visitors who are expected to attend the exhibition. Don’t miss it.

NORTH TO McKINNEY

Has anyone been to the Society? It’s a new shop in McKinney that’s supposed to be pretty fabulous. Owners are Pamela Jackson and Jeremi Headrick. I’m going to check it out this weekend. But before I make the exodus (after all, we are talking about a 30-minute drive), I thought I might see if any DH fanatics had already made the trek. Would love to hear from ya.

RE: I’M NO MOSES

Those reed diffusers have been popular for at least a year, Mr. Brooks. And I’m not their biggest fan. Too showy. Too big. Too reedy. I say just buy a quality candle with a subtle fragrance. Not only do you get a pleasant scent, but it’s nice lighting to boot. (Reed lovers, you may start your hate e-mails… now.)