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!

D DESIGN BOOK

This morning I was writing a letter to some of our VIP advertisers about the D Design Book. Not the Dallas Design Book. But the (big red) D Design Book. We changed our fab-o annual’s name to include the (big red) D logo because a) I was, how do you say, a dolt not to have done so in the first place and b) because we are also changing up the editorial strategy and the new pub is going to be smashing! Todd, can you show the class some of our sample covers so everyone can see what I am talking about?

RECLUSE SIGHTING

I forgot to mention–an early morning Ernesto Klun sighting. Yes, even a nice chat and free time browsing around his incredible showroom. According to Raymond Pittet, his neighbor, Klun wrote the book on antiques. Infamous for only opening his store when he feels like it, and not showing up for important appointments, I was thrilled to see him and visit the inner sanctuary. By the way, he’s bringing some incredible antiques from his warehouse. But, you probably won’t be able to see them. Too bad…

DALLAS HAS IT ALL

I’ve not been slacking–I’ve been shopping. Design District shopping with a decorator from Munich who is doing a huge project in Monterrey, Mexico. I can only say it is a 7,500-square-foot modern home on 500 acres on the side of the mountain in Garza Garcia, outside of Monterrey. She was amazed, impressed, and ultimately delighted with the range of products in the Design Distict, everything in walking distance–if one walked in the district. She was especially impressed with the fine antiques on Slocum Street. Should be a good year for everyone!

AND THE WINNER IS…

Christine Allison for her dead-on suggestion. Will & Grace. David & Rebecca. That was a no-brainer. (Though we had several “heck ya”s for “The Odd Couple” — another Christine entry — and “The Avengers” theme.) So Christine, the book is yours. Come claim your prize! (Oh, and by the way, Christine tells me that “basta” means “enough.” See, blogging is educational, too.)

THE MAGIC FLUTE

Photo by Karen Almond

You still have time to buy tickets for tonight’s performance of The Magic Flute, one of Mozart’s most charming operas. The great pop fashion designer Zandra Rhodes designed the costumes. A final performance will be held Saturday, January 25, at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Start times are 7:30.

OF COURSE IT WAS RIGGED

And actually, you are ten times the lady (a la Audrey Hepburn and the real Grace, as in Kelly) that Ms. Messing is.

LOVE IT

I’ll take Debra Messing over the Hulk any day. But is Christine eligible to win the prize since she owns the company? Was this rigged?

THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT

THEME SONG

BASTA! Okay, everyone. There is a phenomenon called reaching. I am guilty of it myself. It occurs when instead of going for the obvious, you reach for something better, more original, and generally less than spot on. Sort of a lame one-up-manship. Which is what is going on now. All of these nostalgia theme song nominees, while mildly amusing, don’t work. THINK: a pretty redhead and a gay guy. Who room together. A sit-com. THINK. Todd, it’s time to shut this contest down and name a winner!

WEBSITE OF THE DAY

Check out these amazingly beautiful historic fabrics which have been reproduced and are for sale by the 1/2 yard at www.reproductionfabrics.com.

The photo above is one of many old indigo Japanese fabrics for sale. There’s also historic and significant designs from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

YOU CALL THIS A THEME SONG?

I really protest. Whoever nominated the music to The Incredible Hulk as my and David’s theme song should be flogged with a soggy Rogers & Goffigon wing of fabric. This is not me at all. To boot, no matter what I or anyone else might call David behind his back, it’s never anything remotely close to the Hulk. I loved Bill Bixby when he was on that charming Courtship of Eddie’s Father, however. How he transitioned from that lovely show into to the icky Hulk, I’ll never get.

KELLY CLARKSON

I’m working a report that Grammy award winner Kelly Clarkson has listed her four-bedroom home at 3413 Vista Lake Circle in Mansfield for $358,000. The 3,200-square-foot home was custom built in 2003. Clarkson is moving somewhere else in Texas. (Report from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, thank you very much!) If any of you faithful out there have details, call me. Do tell!

RE: SALUM SALUTE

Wow. Didn’t I say on Friday that I would turn in a report about my visit to Salum? Didn’t I say I would do this on Monday? And isn’t it Tuesday? Say it together, kids: slacker. So here’s my report. I won’t get into chef/owner Abraham Salum’s vittles too much. Suffice it to say, they were deliciously inventive without being cloying. (The brie-and-asparagus tart for an appetizer and cinnamon-and-honey creme brulee as a sweet ending were showstoppers.) What really had us glowing was the restaurant’s look. Or rather, designer Julio Quinones‘ deft touch with lighting and neutrals. The space is sensuous without trying to hard: creamy tones, caramel colors, and capiz-shell chandeliers draped in what looked like raw silk. The setting was sexy, and you couldn’t help but feel sexy yourself. (Great lighting will do that.) The room is small, which means you can see everyone and everything: the bar, the open kitchen, the entrance, and, of course, the A-list foodies that populated my visit. Salum’s vibe is celebratory on the downlow, a suave party that you don’t want to leave. I bumped into Julio yesterday here at D Home’s world headquarters. He said he’s going to change out the material around the chandeliers in time for spring, a tealish-green I believe he said. Sigh. Guess I’ll have to visit again. Save me a creme brulee, Mr. Salum.

HERE COME THE BRIDES

Crate & Barrel is hosting Sunday Morning Engagements: an event designed to take the stress out of planning your most cherished day. You’ll get free advice, entertaining ideas, C&B’s new registry guide, and — if you register that morning with C&B — a pair of heart-shaped champagne flutes. (Say it together, “Awwwwww….”) The remaining events are scheduled for Feb. 26 and March 5. RSVP at 800-996-9960. And if you do register, don’t just go for the crystal and silver. Add a dash of whimsey to your new love nest. C&B has some great spring-inspired kitchen gadgets. I, for one, am in love with the yummy new melamine egg cups for only $2.50 a crack. Nope. That’s not a yolk. (Cue rimshot.)

YET MORE THEME SONG NOMINEES

Wow. And the entries keep pouring in. Here are two suggestions from a magazine-tallying D Home fanatic:

I wasn’t sure if you were going for an existing theme song or just any song that might work, so I came up with both. An existing theme song would be the theme from the TV show “The Incredible Hulk” with Bill Bixby. As for a normal song, what about Public Image Ltd.’s “Rise?”

Now that’s obscure and…well…obscure. Perhaps this next nominee from a botox-pushing DH fanatic might be a little more mass market:

Love theme from Valley of the Dolls. That or Ted Nugent’s Cat Scratch Fever.

Lovely. But who will do the head-banging guitar solo? Keep those entries coming. Three hours to go.

I JUST LOVE THE NEW YORK TIMES

So in yesterday’s NYT, there was some breaking news. Apparently people are starting to invest in fancy, clutter-free garages. Fancy, like Garage Tek, big-buck fabulous garages. The kind of garages that Dallas people have been lusting after (and installing like crazy) for, say, a year or two. And while it’s fun to catch the Gray Lady breaking old news, I did learn that there are now about a half a dozen books on organizing your garage, including, wait for it, “Your Garagenous Zone” by Bill West. Pulease.

THIS JUST IN…

The Park Cities Historical Society has been in talks with Preservation Park Cities concerning a possible merger! PPC’s board of directors has already approved the action, now the ball is in PCHS court. They just sent me a card asking for my opinion, and I’ll tell you how I voted…
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SONG SONG

The Avengers, hands down. Emma Peel had such clever STYLE!