ALL THE BEST BLOGSPOT

Photo by Pieter Estershon. The Web is a strange and mysterious thing. Somehow, Scotland has gotten ahold of Dallas’ talented decorators and is showing their beautiful work via All the Best. Last week it was Jan Showers, now today it’s Eric Prokesh, whose work has elicited so many estatic comments from All the Best readers, that blog founder Ronda Carman wrote me directly to find out how to get in touch with him.

Ronda, some other top Dallas decorators are Julio Quinones, Paul Garzotto, and Loyd Taylor and Paxton Gremillion of Loyd&Paxton.

Readers, I discovered New York decorator Muriel Brandolini’s amazing rooms on All the Best–check it out if you don’t know her work. Simply the best.

SEND TXU A MESSAGE

According to Clean Air Watch, a Washington-based environmental watchdog, TXU has become public enemy No. 1 in the battle against global warming. While our politicians and TXU are duking it out over the preposterous coal plant plans, we Texas homeowners can consider sending TXU a message of our own. Call Green Mountain and inquire about sustainable energy services and pricing. Last time I checked, through Current Energy, the prices were 7.5 percent lower than TXU for the same amount of energy. You can change your provider online in about 20 seconds. Why are we waiting for oil and gas funded politicians to vote for even dirtier air in our state?

WINE-OH! FRIDAY

Grand Tastings is the place to be this Saturday, Jan. 27 if you’re pinching pennies: $1 tastings on select wines from 4-7 p.m. plus free tasty treats to nibble on. This is a deal no oenophile can pass up.

Chateau Wine Market offers a tour and tasting of French wines–from Cotes du Rhone to Sancerre–also this Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Cost is $25 per person. While you’re there, check out their cash-and-carry special: Cardinale meritage 1992, normally $175 per bottle but only $87.50 for cash paying customers. Robert Parker rated the wine a 93 but buyer beware: This lofty red blend might be past its cellaring prime. Ask questions.

Off the Vine/Into the Glass starts off its first platinum wine tasting of 2007 with some big boys: Flora Springs Wild Boar Cab 1999, Arceno Arcanum Toscana 2003, and Arrowood Reserve Cab 1999 just to name a few. Enjoy the premium sips for $50 per person.

RE: SPRINT + PROP TAXES

Take a look at the report at www.wfaa.com. and look at the bar “most watched videos” on the righthand side. Report is called “New Sprint fee prompts criticism, questions.”

SPRINT? DUH, I DON’T GET IT

Paige, please explain: How can a property tax cut get passed down in a cellular phone bill. I am just clueless, but it’s people like me who get, well, “you know what’ed” as I think, I assume everyone is straightforward. I know the property tax cuts–we are talking homes here–were wiped out by rising valuations.

Honestly, they get us coming and going. And talking.

SPRINT TO PAY YOUR PROP TAXES

WFAA’s Brett Shipp had a great piece on Channel 8 tonight. Apparently that property tax cut that Texas legislature passed has found its way right back to you–that is, if you’re a Sprint customer.
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MOD FURNITURE SALE

Need a little Corbusier knockoff for your crib? Design Gallerie has much of its contemporary furniture on sale. Savings are 20-50 percent off. Good stuff at good prices, even if the sale prices aren’t listed on the web site. (You have to visit the Knox Street store.)

EXHIBITION OF DALLAS ARTISTS

A cultured friend in the know just told me that Andelon Gallery is opening an exhibition tonight featuring Dallas artists Julianne Biehl, Rachel Mostert Davis, Charlotte Flowers, and Lee Ford. This new gallery specializes in hosting only local talent. My savvy friend reports that the last show sold out very quickly, so hussle on over if you’re interested. 3737 Atwell, 6-8 pm.

ARCHITECTS: BEST YEAR EVER

Via Unbeige, the Architectural Bill Index was released this week and in it The AIA “reported that 2006 was the best year on record, ever, for both architectural firms and in the construction field.”

HP LOT SOLD TO HIGHEST BIDDER

Strange/rare real estate deals are afoot in Highland Park today, readers.

THIS JUST IN…

Will Kolb (Covins, The Kennedy Group, Ceylon et Cie) is now the first outside sales person calling on designers and the trade for Sherle Wagner in Dallas area… deets to follow.

HENRY VAN DE VELDE

Here’s a history lesson for you.

Check out this hip chandelier made in 1898 by Van De Velde at Galerie Historismus.

I didn’t know they even had hip at the turn of the century.

RE: HELP

Candy, what your reader needs is the help of Rick Garza and his RPGA Design Firm.

Garza is perfect for work in Kessler Park because he’s synonymous with revitalizing and renovating Oak Cliff neighborhoods, homes, and multi-family projects. Garza played a key role in securing the first conservation district in Dallas, the Kings Highway neighborhood.

With the little I know about Oak Cliff, I do know this: It’s important to the community to use Oak Cliff resources and Oak Cliff talent. Garza is just the guy to talk to. If he can’t take on your project, chances are he’ll know someone who can.

STAT! I NEED HELP IN THE BATHROOM!

A reader asks:

My husband and I recently moved into a 1930s craftsman-style home in Kessler Park. We love the house but are ready to remodel both of our bathrooms. I’m hoping to find someone who specializes in designs for smaller bathrooms/older homes. I want to update everything (bigger bathtub, better shower, new flooring) while still making the bathrooms look like they belong in a house from the ’30s (pedestal sinks, wall sconces, etc.).

Readers, any suggestions? Does anyone specialiaze in designs for smaller bathrooms in older homes? If not, maybe someone should!

A WHAT KIND OF MALL?

Paige, what is a Firewheel Mall? Sounds like what happened at The Greenhouse.

(Oatsie?)

OATSIE AND CANDY

1) Oatsie?

2) Candy looked at local property taxes and decided she’s not going to take it anymore!

3) Oatsie?!

THE GREENHOUSE GOES UP IN FLAMES

Breaking News: The Greenhouse Spa has suffered “extensive damage” from a fire that was just extinguished, according to WFFA Channel 8. The Greenhouse is a legendary spa in Arlington that has lured the rich and famous for decades. I am particularly interested how Newport socialite Oatsie Charles has fared, since Dallas decorator Joe Minton and his client Betty Blake told me last week that Oatsie was slated to go to the spa this week. She would be staying with Blake before and afterward. (We have a fabulous photo shoot in Blake’s highrise apartment next week–I can’t wait for you all to see it).

DALLAS INSIDER REAL ESTATE INFO

Editor-At-Large Steve Snider is really into real estate and never misses an MLS meeting. Did you know they were open to the public? If you are interested in some very insider scoop, show up next time. Uptown and Turtle Creek MLS meetings are held every first and third Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the basement of Pappadeaux’s on Oak Lawn. A special third meeting will host Mayor Laura Miller on Jan. 31 at 9:30, who’s going to chat about the plans Dallas has for developing Uptown and Turtle Creek. If you want to know the insider scoop on real estate in the Park Cities, MLS meets every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Romano’s Macaroni Grill on Northwest Highway at the Tollway. Steve says the breakfast food at the Park Cities MLS meetings is to die for.

ROOMS

Our Editor-At-Large Steve Snider stopped by to lend me a copy of a new book he’s nuts about, Rooms, which you should buy. It documents some of the world’s greatest rooms including Pauline de Rothschild’s London apartment, Elsie de Wolfe’s Versailles pavilion, and Marques de Casa Torres’ town house in Madrid. The photos are all by Derry Moore, an English aristocrat who photographed for Architectural Digest for 30 years.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

Just got back from the kick-off for the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival at Abacus. Lunch was wood grilled John Dory with roasted clam chowder sauce and mascarpone and grilled corn polenta. Let me translate: Yum. I also was offered wines from Texas’ Fall Creek vineyards, which of course took them up on.

The best, though, had to be the dessert–fresh ricotta cheese from Paula Lambert’s Mozzarella Factory made into cheesecake amcur, saffron Anglaise, brown butter pears, and black current sorbet.

Thank heaven, I’m going to the gym later. For more info on the upcoming festival, hit this site. If anybody needs me, you can find me napping under my desk.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

From DMN’s Steve Brown today:

“Dallas-Fort Worth developers went on a shopping spree in 2006, building the most retail space in five years.

There’s now more than 28 square feet of shopping space for every D-FW resident–one of the highest ratios in the country…

“That’s the equivalent of adding five Firewheel malls,” said Herbert Weitzman, president of the Dallas-based retail brokerage company.

Say it with me, “Five Firewheel malls? NOOOOoooo!”

MARY NIX SHOULD RUN FOR MAYOR

Haven’t heard of her yet? You will. Let me explain: Dallas has a new recycling program. I’ve been too busy to get details, but the City delivered nice big blue recycling cans to our homes shortly after New Year’s. We’ve recycled for years, back when I lugged bales of newspaper to Dry Gulch to last year’s blue/brown bag system. But now…
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MATHEWS NICHOLS TEAM SUPREME

My sources tell me that Briggs Freeman was burning up the company credit card at the Mansion today, celebrating being named the No. 1 producing team at Briggs Freeman with $85 million in sales for 2006. And it was also Erin Mathews’ birthday. (Don’t ask, don’t tell.) She leaves tomorrow for California to be on a panel discussing the “Team Approach to Success in the Luxury Market” at the third annual Luxury Conclave at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point. What a way to spend your birthday! (Going by private jet, I hope?) The conclave is attended by the top agents and marketing experts from the U.S., Canada, etc.

Call me when you come home. We’ll slum it at Starbucks and I’ll hang onto everything you’ve learned!

STEPHANIE ANNE: FOR THE HOME…AND THE BRIDE

Great scoop! Ever wonder what style mavens choose for their own homes? The other day, at Rebecca’s suggestion, I stopped in to Stephanie Anne. While registering there, I found out that Stephanie is engaged; they’re getting married in the garden of a Tuscan villa, and of course, she’s registered at her boutique. I asked her to give me a rundown of her list (see her china at left). Read about it and this weekend’s elaborate bridal event in the jump.
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SNEAK PEEK INTO BALENCIAGA SHOW

Our dear intern, Eugenie McCarthy, just came back from a sneak preview with Jo Szymanski, associate director of the Meadows. And she’s raving about the upcoming Balenciaga show. Eugenie reports that it was so amazing she thought she had visited the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, as it harkens back to the Jackie Onassis exhibit. More on this show…
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