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.)

RE: AND DOGGIES TREASURES!

You know, Candy, we could probably take care of the state’s energy consumption just by picking up all the dog droppings left behind in parks and by sidewalks by the thoughtless dog-owning masses (only those that don’t pick up are thoughtless, of course). We could start a million-dollar business! We could be in Gold Pages!

I’M NO MOSES

But I, too, am lost in the reeds, and it’s up to someone out there to help me.

While doing research for a piece in the upcoming issue of D Home, I was directed to the relatively new (for me) world of reed fragrance diffusers. Scented oils are released into the room from the reeds. The one pictured is from Pottery Barn, but these things are popping up everywhere. And while they’re a bit more expensive than a few candles or the plug-ins, they’re said to work better. They certainly are much more attractive–so says the real estate agent I interviewed for the story. What I want to know is, when did these things sweep up the buying public in a attractive-smelling frenzy?

And just as important, what’s the big article I was working on? You’ll just have to wait for the next issue to hit the stands to find out. That’s called a tease, kids.

AND DOGGIE TREASURES!

Many, many dog lovers out there may appreciate this piece on dog poo — I hope this is kosher to do seeing it’s from another media source (full disclosure, say thank you, AOL), but I thought our folks would enjoy this as much as I did! Oh, I decided against a graphic…

CHINA SEA TREASURE

Finding a treasure at Allan Knight’s is not difficult, but this is outrageous. An assemblage of pottery, Hatcher-like blue and white china, coral, and seaweed was found as is in the South China Sea from the treasure haul of a 19th century shipwreck. Knight mounted it on an acrylic stand. It’s going for $9,200. Not just your typical coffee table accessory!

ARTISTS FOR CHINATI

If you are going to be in New York on March 13 and like me are a Donald Judd-o-phile, I will give you my invite to a cocktail reception and auction at Phillips de Pury & Company. Tommy Lee Jones is host. The auction benefits Chinati, the art museum in Marfa, founded by Donald Judd, aka one of my favorite places in the world. I won’t go into the fact that every woman I know has a crush on Tommy Lee Jones. A catalogue will be available online at www.phillipsdepury.com, so you can bid absentee if you like. Or e-mail me and I will send you my invite, first come, first get to see TLJ, I mean, I mean, bid on art for a great cause.

TOUGH DAY FOR SHERWIN-WILLIAMS STOCK HOLDERS

Rhode Island. A tiny state. Just clobbered Sherwin-Williams big time for selling paint with lead content. The state convinced jurors that the company continued to manufacture the paint long after the dangers of lead had been established. Sherwin-Williams, oddly, failed to call any witnesses on its behalf. Guarantee: This won’t be the last one of its kind.

4500 LAKESIDE DRIVE

Bum Bright’s Lakeside Drive estate is reportedly under contract for just under $12 million, the asking price for the 7,224-square-foot, 1.3 acre home built in 1916. Home is owned by the estate of Harvey R. Bright…. and sources say down she’ll go. This home was built about the time of the Titanic…let’s do a story on it before it’s gone! P.S.: The Appraisal District has it appraised for about $3 million — go figure!