GLOBAL WARMING SOLVED!

No, no, no, no, no! But yes. Loyd, you’re going to want to sit down for this one.

WHY CRIMINALS BREAK IN TO CARS

Received this LH homeowner’s association crime report today. All looks pretty standard until the third paragraph.
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RE: JOE MINTON

In Betty Blake’s apartment, you will also see a spectacular collection of art. Notice, I didn’t say artwork. When I complimented her on her artwork, Betty’s friend from the up East said, “Now why did you say that? That’s stupid, it’s art.” I guess I have to agree–artwork is redundant. I learned something, and I can’t wait till I’m old and eccentric enough to just say anything I want to complete strangers.

JOE MINTON’S BIRTHDAY

John Bobbitt, who is known for a wicked sense of humor, gave fellow designer Joe Minton a copy of Decorating For Dummies Monday night at his birthday party. “Thanks for giving it to me after you’d finished reading it,” Joe shot back. The bash was full of decorating types and their clients, including Loyd Taylor, Anne Bass, Betty Blake, Oatsie Charles (visiting from Newport, RI), Ted Pillsbury, Claire Barry, Nancy Dedman, Jacque Wynne, and Nancy Lemmon.

Joe and Jacque stayed up until 2:30 in the morning Googling various people and topics, including the Titanic. Betty Blake’s mother was on the same lifeboat as Mrs. Astor, it turns out. According to Joe, Google has the life boat numbers, the people who were on the boats, and what time they left. Until that night, Joe hadn’t Googled anything before. Next morning, Joe got up at the crack of dawn, as did Betty, for our photo shoot at Betty’s spectacular Gold Crest apartment. There’s no souvenirs from the Titanic there, but there is an amazing collection of Syrie Maughm and Jansen furniture, which Joe reupholstered. Check out D Home’s March issue for the story and photos.

RE: REALITY DESIGNERS

Several readers have commented on my choices for judges in our imaginary reality design show. One very emphatically said that all these people are just too nice, don’t I know some really snarky ones? As a matter of fact, yes, I know some really mean designers. But, I think I’ll just keep that to myself. You know who you are.

COOL MOD LIGHTING

Shopping for a new chandelier for my dining room, I thought I’d try something unconventional and checkout MoMA store (one of my favorite sites for way-cool contemporary finds). This IQ light shade by Holger Strom is a great 1970s design for the DIY generation: The kit contains 30 interlocking modules of translucent white PVC, allowing for more than 20 different designs when you piece the shade together yourself. It’s like art class for the tragically hip. (No, it’s not right for my dining room–but I’m still buying it.) While you’re at the site, check out MoMA’s winter sale and deep discounts.

SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE CITY

I have wanted to go to one of these Saturday outings since the Nasher opened, and this one sounds like a stand-out: a three-course French dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck Catering, a stroll through the galleries and garden, a tour of Matisse: Painter as Sculptor, and dancing to big band music. $50/person includes a red rose, too. Art, music, and dining–love it! Feb. 10, 6-11 p.m.

U.S. HOME SALES FALL BIGTIME, TEXAS STILL A-OK

U.S. home sales fell bigtime in 2006, the biggest plunge in 17 years according to real estate gurus at Texas A&M University. Texas, as Steve Brown tells us at the end of all his stories, did okay. No huge gains, but we actually sold more homes in Texas in ‘06 than ever before. Which makes you wonder: Could we have done even better with lower property taxes?