WISTERIA WAREHOUSE SALE

BRIGHT CHAIR COMING TO DALLAS

Bright Chair Company, a 75-year-old New York based seating manufacturer, is opening a new showroom in Dallas’ glitzy new International at Turtle Creek design center in May. Lovely, yes, but green, too, made from sustainable woods from certified Green suppliers. All other materials used including adhesives and foam are non-toxic. Alain Ducasse has bought them for his new restaurant at the St. Regis opening this summer, and you can also see Bright Chairs at Le Bernadin. Sound like a place you’d like to work? They’re looking: BRIGHT, a 75-year-old New York based luxury wood seating manufacturer (www.brightchair.com), is looking for a showroom sales manager to drive the sales of Bright Chair, Manheim Ruseau, Knowlton Brothers, and other product lines to the residential design trade from our new showroom in the International at Turtle Creek Center. A minimum of 10 years experience in the design trade selling to residential interior designers is required as well as someone who will proactively seek clients and coordinate marketing
and promotional activities. Email resume and 2 designer references to ss@brightchair.com

YES, THERE IS A SANTA, AND HER NAME IS NATALIE SARABELLA

Last November, mid-Christmas shopping season, I discovered exquisitely hand-painted ornaments by Natalie Sarabella (which I shared on the blog, “Christmas Ornaments at Madison“). Anyway a month ago, I got an e-mail from a reader wondering if I’d ever purchased one of these creations to give to my grandfather. “No,” I replied. “I loved them, but not on this editor’s salary.” Yesterday I received a package with this note:
“It was a very special feeling reading your story. It made me smile. But I just couldn’t let it go. I wanted to make sure that you that your wish for Grandpa was granted. Enjoy, Natalie Sarabella.”
(!) When I opened the green velvet box from Sarabella creations, there was a beautiful ornament, embellished with Swarovski crystals, which was signed and dated by the artist. Christmas in March–I love it.

RE: BAD HAIR DAY

All I’m sayin’ is that Mrs. Wearstler has more problems than just her hair.

BAD HAIR DAY

Todd, I sympathize with Kelly (though not her pre-design career for Playboy). These mops of curly hair often test our time and patience. I know one Dallas Realtor who gets her hair done every day to look her best. It is a luxury I would splurge on if I had a million dollars to play with, or earned 3 percent on $20 million dollar sales. Another Realtor told me today how the major firms emphasize appearance–go out and buy the best suit you can afford, ditto shoes and jewelry to make a smashing first appearance, they advise. This before the young agent has even sold a picket fence. So yeah, you are right: What about that HAIR?

D HOME CONTRIBUTING EDITOR PUBLISHES BOOK

Hot off the presses: D Home Senior Contributing Editor Denise Gee and her photographer husband, Robert Peacock, have just published a beautiful book together, Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions & Classic Libations. Gee grew up in a wonderful old antebellum mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, so learning to mix a classic mint julep was important if you were going to entertain on the veranda. She’s a talented writer (check out her story in our current issue) so the book is a good read, full of fascinating tidbits, and fun quotes on aspects of Southern drinking (”Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough.” — Mark Twain) and has easy to understand recipes. Do you know about the Sazerac? It’s a true New Orleans insider’s drink. Drinks are beautifully shot, of course; Peacock’s photographs appear in our story this month on Vintage Place.

PRESERVATION DALLAS HOME TOUR: THE RANCH HOUSE

This month, it’s Back at the Ranch. Next, Around the Lake. Get ready for one of the most fab home tours ever… until my home tour next month, that is. I’m talking the “2007 Ranch House Tour” by Preservation Dallas this weekend, 3/31/07 with an opening presentation by writer Alan Hess, author of “The Ranch House” and “Palm Springs Weekend.” His lecture commences the tour and will be held at the Angelika. For more information, check out www.preservationdallas.org or call 214.821.3290.

SMYTHSON NOTEBOOKS FOR WINE LOVERS AND MORE

Todd and oenophiles, you’ll love this–a calfskin, hard bound notebook for all your well-seasoned tasting comments. The Smythson notebook in all its variations is Eugenie’s favorite item this spring. “One can record many a topic in these fabulous little journals. In an era of e-mail, why not use a diary and a fountain pen to record, write, and review? In lipstick pink, peacock blue, or spring green with gold lettering, here are a few titles in the collection: With Love and Kisses, Fashionista, Shopaholic, Birthday Notes, Restaurant Notes, and Seduction Notes (for the James Bond in your life). The original store is on Bond Street in London, and there’s a flagship store in Manhattan on 57th.”

SPRINKLES LINE OUT THE DOOR; HERE’S A SOLUTION

Dallas is officially cupcake-crazed. But if the 25-person line at Sprinkles is deterring you from achieving the icing bliss you seek, try this web site. Replete with photos, baking tips, fantastic recipes, and camaraderie with fellow cake lovers, it’s honestly one of the most amazing blogs (not counting this one) out there. Hannah gets the credit for this sugary find. (At left, a cherry vanilla treat.)

JOHN HUTTON’S SALON

The late John Hutton’s last collection (saying that makes me want to cry) is on display at the David Sutherland showroom. Entitled “Collection Pierre,” the pastel-colored, satin-covered, small-scaled chairs and chaises are accompanied by occasional tables–with an ice bucket for your Veuve Clicquot built in, of course. Perfect for a French salon… how we miss John.

DRAGON STREET FRIDAY NIGHT

See, Adam and Eve got your attention. Dragon Street will be busy Friday night with Craighead Green’s opening, Holly Johnson’s reception, and the chance to check out the new Joel Cooner Gallery. Put your walking shoes on, and your art appreciation in gear.

SHERLE WAGNER FOR THE REFRIGERATOR

Eugenie went to a Sherle Wagner presentation and lunch organized by Will Kolb yesterday. Did you know that Sherle Wagner is the oldest advertiser in Architectural Digest? The Dallas showroom has been carrying beautiful fabrics, wallpapers, and even rock crystal soap dishes for the past few years if you haven’t seen. Kolb said that someone has just purchased clean modern door handles for a refrigerator door. How stylish.

TOP DESIGN, BAD HAIR

Bravo’s Top Design is empty-headed fun: not quite as snippy as the network’s Project Runway but easier to digest than Top Chef. But what is up with Top Design judge Kelly Wearstler? Sure, here designs are divine. But the glam gal needs some hair intervention. Girl, put down the crimper. (As for the Dallas connection to all of this: Top Design’s boyish and charming host Todd Oldham.)

CHRISTIAN TORTU VASES IN DMA’S GIFT SHOP

Iconoclastic French floral designer Christian Tortu was at the Dallas Museum of Art on Sunday and Monday demonstrating the art of arranging. In his delightful French accent he told us that his goal was always “to use as much as nature can offer us” when creating floral arrangements. He got ohhs and ahhs from the crowd of pastel-suited women for his out-of-the-ordinary floral choices of artichokes, papyrus, wheat, lotus flowers, ginger, fiddlehead ferns (which he called monkeytails), bear grass, and tiger orchids. For more tips and info on his stunning vases, jump. (more…)

SPENCER DE GREY TONIGHT AT DMA

Spencer de Grey, the lead architect for the upcoming Winspear Opera House, will be speaking tonight at the DMA Horchow Auditorium at 7 p.m. with the Dallas Architecture Forum. You can usually buy tickets at the door, but for more info or to join the DAF, call 214-764-2406.

WOODALL RODGERS PARK “BEST REAL ESTATE DEAL 2006″

From publicist Juliette Coulter: Dallas Business Journal has named the Woodall Rodgers Park as the “Best Real Estate Deal Announced in 2006.” The announcement was made Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Real Estate Deals of the Year Awards Gala. Judges chose from a pool of more than 400 nominees.

The 5.2-acre park, which will be built on a deck over Woodall Rodgers Freeway between Pearl and St. Paul Streets, will feature a children’s garden and playground, a dog park, café and outdoor terrace, interactive water features, and wireless Internet access. Also included in the design is an acoustical performance stage with lawn seating for up to 3,300 people and a 25-foot high glass water sculpture.

PALOMAR, SORRENTO, AND HIGHLANDER HIRE PERSONETTE

Interesting new development: These three condo high-rises have shucked local Realtors for the services of Personette, a Houston-based high rise condominium marketer. Sources tell me these units were not getting results, and they sought more intensive, on-site staffing, the kind Personette apparently specializes in. Personette’s sales team markets the units 24/7, with a salaried someone always at the condo, much like a model home. The firm was founded by Edith Personette in 1985 and displays the W Residences on its web site as one of their clients.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ARCHITECTURE: DOMUS

Are you looking for a definitive book on twentieth century architecture? Or do you want a collection of books to make you seem like the definitive source on architecture? Eugenie found this stunning Taschen book.

“Some of the most monumental architecture is covered in this book set. From Art Deco to Functionalism to post-war art on toward Pop and culminating with Late Modern, Domus is a beautiful set of twelve volumes. It will fill any library’s shelves quite beautifully and make a great point of reference. Domus:1928-1999, $600. Buy it here.”

JOEL COONER GALLERY

Joel Cooner’s new gallery has opened on Dragon St., and it rivals anything you’d see in New York. Or as he says, “Nothing in New York is this nice–because we have the space to show off the art.” And show off he does, the front space is light and airy, the back is dark and sexy. And the entry way rivals East & Orient on Slocum Street for pulling you in. I really noticed the photography, this photo by Sebasian Salgado, “Work” will make you cry.

NIKOLINI CAFE: FRESH FOOD, EXPENSIVE ART

Speaking of yummy organic dishes, Loyd, I had lunch at Nikolini Cafe on Monday. It serves up organic vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine from Northern Greece. One tip I took away from my dining experience was mint and lemon. The water, which was left on the table in a cold carafe, had fresh mint leaves and lemon wedges in it–so tasty and refreshing. I think I had four glasses.

The cafe also displays art by the owner and chef Gino Nikolini. The piece next to our table was a large canvas two Greek male heads, and it was more than $100,000. And the large warrior painting with lots of red paint was $320,000. I’m not even kidding.

ORGANIC VEGETABLES AT THE FARMER’S MARKET

Ever wonder why you don’t see more organic vegetables at our Farmer’s Market? Chef Nick Pavageaux at KOZY (4433 McKinney Ave.) just let me in on a little secret. The organic goods are only there from 12 a.m.-8 a.m. Friday. That’s why I haven’t seen them… Here’s another tip, Nick serves fresh, organic dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Menus vary, depending on what came into the market.

PRESERVATION DALLAS HOME TOUR

Preservation Dallas presents their annual home tour this Saturday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at the Angelica. This year they celebrate the evolution of the ranch house. How great is that–North Dallas sprawls with the Texas vernacular ranch house. A few years ago, you couldn’t give them away. Now they have a sexy new name, Mid-Century Modern, and they get the respect they deserve. This tour features some of the best, by architects such as Charles Dilbeck and David R. Williams.

BETTY BLAKE DOES DALLAS

[Photo by Danny Piassick]

Does this look the living room of a 90-year-old? It’s the very chic Dallas apartment of Betty Blake, who is our cover girl this month. Blake also makes a cameo appearance in the New York Times magazine this week in a Travel story on Dallas. It’s a hoot, just like her.

SUB-PRIME MORTGAGES:DALLAS POLITICO CALLS THEM TRASH

Found this interesting news on the sub-prime mortgages, which experts tell me are contributing to a record number of foreclosures in Dallas since January.

TOWN & COUNTRY GOES GREEN

My friend Susan Palma (Design Girls) just called to tell me that the latest issue of Town & Country is devoted to coverage of green design. They did something like this last year, and it was fabulous. Since I haven’t gotten mine yet, I am pointing my Prius towards the nearest newsstand…