PLATE HOLDERS

Interesting home tidbit: I, against the advice of many interior designers, hang plates on my walls. I am a blue and white and Delft freak, and when you have so many blue and white plates, what else can you do besides hang them on the wall? So I was pretty surprised when the ceramic backing on one gave way, thankfully before the plate came loose from the wall, fell and crashed to an unfortunate (and messy) destiny.

The good folks at Art Dallas have found a museum-quality solution: acrylic arms custom made for each plate to grip it, and then, voila, hang it on the wall. They have also solved another major problem I have had for three years: how to hang an interesting ceramic mask I bought at an antique shop in Miyajima, Japan. This acrylic deal will be custom made to grip the mask, and finally, I can hang it on the wall!

I’ll take photos of these holders as soon as I get my plates back from Art Dallas… stay tuned.

TACTILE TIDBITS

RE: The Peacock Alley robe. Per a request, I did a price check–$90. Also three other staff members were tactilely impressed. As I said before, so soft.

YOU HAVE TO FEEL IT TO BELIEVE IT

Related to what Rebecca just wrote about Missoni, I love beautiful photos, but sometimes you’ve got to see it (or feel it) in person to love it. This I’ve seen and felt, and I love it. Robes, throws, and travel pillows from the Resort Collection at Peacock Alley are oh-so-soft. Actually I need a word that goes beyond soft, something that means really, really soft. The material is Chelour, and the result is a creamy texture that they say improves with laundering and wear (can it be true?). Head over to Peacock Alley, and put on one of these robes. Just don’t blame me if you never take it off again.

MISSONI RUG AT NEIMAN MARCUS ONLINE

This georgeous, op-art inspired black and white rug is designed by Missoni and available through Neiman Marcus — but only online. Neiman’s response to the arrival of New York retailer Barney’s is a curious one. They’ve picked up Armani Casa, Missoni and Fendi home, but you can’t see any of it at the store. It’s all virtual. Will customers spend thousands of dollars on something they can’t see or touch in person? Possibly. Collectors bid all the time on the Internet for priceless objects, trusting the dealer’s or the auction house’s reputation. I’d trust Missoni to produce a rug worthy of its $2,289 price tag, sight unseen. Still, I’d really like to see Neiman Marcus do something exciting with its in-store home decor shops. Make us get out and dream and admire and buy. Hometown loyalty has its limits.

HOUSE GOLF BUILT II

An interior shot of Tiger Woods’ home…