HIRE A DESIGNER - REASON # 23

Here’s a really good reason to hire a professional interior designer (trained), as opposed to depending on a good eye and years of design experience (me.) We finally bought one of my favorite tables of all time, the iconic Saarinen marble table from Smink. It was to take the place of a 42-inch ugly wood pedestal table with a bulbous base that we inherited from grandparents. I ordered the same size thinking it fit the space perfectly. Somehow, the scale is all wrong now, the delicate base and whip thin marble top could easily be six inches larger. My husband thinks I’m an idiot, but I convinced him that with the right chairs it will look just perfect. Chairs, anyone?

BON APPET-EATZI’S

I just had a wonderful meal delivered to me by Lisa Cramer Morgan, catering manager of Eatzi’s. The baked chicken was perfectly seasoned, and the salads and vegetables were farm fresh. I had sort of gotten over Eatzi’s last year due to sad produce and salads swimming in oil, but, it’s all new again. Phil Romano bought it back, brought in my friend Leslie Murphy as customer relations, and the place is hopping again–great produce, better service, and more specialty items. Look for expanded outdoor seating, a hot dog stand, and a car wash. I’ll see you at Eatzi’s tomorrow.

RE: SCHOOL OF ROCKS

Paige, fear not, this is a good lesson in how you will deal with your future husband(s). Many a time I came home to the most devastating “masterpieces” created by my husband, only to smile, praise his hard work, and immediately plot the demise of said work piece by piece. Note what I said: piece by piece. To spare your father’s feelings, you will have to switch out the rocks piece by piece with colored rocks–more expensive, I know–but well worth it.

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PHLOX ROCKS

Sweet Kelly Smith just sent this suggestion: “So, I just got off the phone with the venerable Mike Thompson of Sticks & Stones who presented a solution to your problem. He first asked, “why” the rocks were there, was it for drainage, etc. and could something be planted there. IF so, his suggestion is Creeping Phlox, a low ground cover that flourishes in dry, arid conditions and when mature is a beautiful evergreen and appears to the eye as large mounds of clover. Creeping Phlox doesn’t have to be pruned or maintained much beyond water and fertilization.”

I love Phlox! Thanks! But guess what? For some unknown reason, Dad lined the two white rock gullies with plastic. No access to soil. Love is filling my heart as we speak.

MOSSY ROCKS

I love William Kolb, the Dallas rep for Sherle Wagner. He just sent me to this link, and though it involves yogurt, clay, and a blender, it just might be the trick I’m looking for. I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks!

SCHOOL OF ROCKS

Okay readers, I need some serious help. My father, as he is prone to do, likes to invade my front/back yard with his “design” (cough, cough) projects, and I’m left staring in disbelief at the fallout. There’s no use in arguing, it’s like an earthquake, you can’t argue with an earthquake. So my sweet daddy (he is very sweet, and he really means well) has done it again, and I need your help to figure out what the heck to do. (more…)

CALYPSO USHERS IN THAT CERTAIN SUMMER SMELL

Another summery buy: Calypso Candles. Shop Calypso online or at Highland Park Village for what Eugenie claims as the best smelling candles around. “In Jasmine, Gardenia, or Rose you can’t go wrong. I found Calypso years ago in St. Barth’s, and it is quickly becoming a mini-empire with more than five New York stores and now one in Dallas! Check them out for candles, fragrances, and beach-inspired apparel.”
42 HP Village. 214-559-4300.

GREAT GARAGE SALE

Julie and Company is holding a Demolition/Moving Sale this Friday and Saturday.

The address is: 4234 Williamsburg, Dallas, Texas 75220 (more…)

WILLIAM & WESLEY CELEBRATE A NEW HOME; MORE ON BUSH HOME

Thursday night is party night, and William & Wesley in the Dallas Design District served up a great party tonight to celebrate their grand opening. Who was there: every designer in town, Rosemary D’Agastino (who I promised to come back and talk to and didn’t, sorry); Barry and Lana Andrews and daughter Natalie McGuire; Seth Pariser, vice president of Christopher Hyland Incorporated; Shelley and Richard Stanzel, owners of Archiped Classics; Ali and Fara Talebi, owners of Abrash (where Anita Perry is shopping these days); and a host of other design-loving folks. Food by Doug Boster was excellent and served up as real food, not anorexic spoonfuls. Come 9 p.m., warm cherry chocolate chip cookies and milk were served…yum yum. As far the Bush plans…

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“DID PRESIDENT AND MRS. BUSH BUY A HOUSE IN DALLAS?”

That is a question just posed to Briggs Freeman’s Karen Fry today from a producer at NBC. I guess the entire national media is salivating to find out where they will land, as we (duh!) all are. And if one more person tells me it’s the lot on Euclid (did ya hear that NBC?), I will call Elizabeth Albanese to see if she knows anything. No doubt wherever they live will be more secure than Fort Knox. The Bush home when they lived in Dallas in the early ’90s was 6029 Northwood.

“I think they got my name off the blog,” Fry said. “Good thing my dad worked for NBC at one time–I told them I am happy to help!”

WHERE IS JOCELYN WHITE? (DIGGING FORECLOSURES)

Jocelyn is working for Jeremy Louder in marketing at DFW Luxury Property, Monarch Vision and Benchmark Mortgage. Had lunch with this sharp young man today and learned all about his unique, one-of-a kind company. If you salivate over the word “foreclosure,” read on.

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ANDY WARHOL AT GOSS GALLERY AND AN INVESTMENT TIP

Now through May 11 at the Goss Gallery, see Christophe von Hohenberg’s photographs of the artists, designers, and celebrities going up the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Andy Warhol’s 1987 memorial service. We saw the exhibit, “The Day the Factory Died,” on Tuesday, and the black-and-white images of Liza Minelli, Raquel Welch, Calvin Klein, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg, and Yoko Ono are stunning. In addition the exhibit has culled together some of Warhol’s prints, including a series on Jewish thinkers and a stardusted Mickey Mouse. If you don’t have the cash to purchase your own Warhol, get the book, like we did, which is filled with the photographs and various written tributes to Andy from his friends. However if you do have the cash, gallery associate James Cope told us that “art is becoming the new fashion for the hedge fund set. It is being seen more as an investment. Instead of the stock market, which goes up and down, art primarily just increases in value.”

JUST WHAT WE ALL NEED: MORE CAFFEINE

As if my daily Starbucks doesn’t pump me with enough caffeine, now a new product out of New Orleans will give me yet another excuse to keep up the hype: N.O. Brew.

Those 100 degree days are coming, this new drink sounds as delicious as my favorite award-winning hat at yesterday’s Mad Hatters Tea: the Starbucks hat. A sister caffeine addict created an entire Starbucks hat complete with latte and frappaccino cups and even a stir stick atop. When asked if she had stock in the ‘Bucks, she said she should and confessed to at least two trips a day to Starbucks. Figures she drops about $5,000 a year on coffee. We have with held her name to protect her from spousal wrath. Good thing about this N.O.: can be purchased at Whole Foods Market, hidden in the “grocery bill”. (Now, if Whole Foods would only start carrying shoes…)

MAYBE THE ANSWER REALLY DOES LIE IN THE SOIL

The English Gardener, Patrick Butterworth, said this when speaking about the symbolism of daisies: “Pop a daisy bloom in your shoes at night, and you will dream of your future partner.” Aww. Forget Match.com, ladies. This is the way to go!

CULINARY CONNECTION CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

Culinary Connection owner Pam Vincent is celebrating her one-year anniversary at the helm of the Shops at Legacy specialty tabletop and gift store. Drop by this Saturday, April 28, from 5-9 p.m., for an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and door prizes from Vietri, Arte Italica, Love Plates, Studio Vertu, Cucina Fruits and Passions, and Ironwood. 5700 Legacy Dr., Ste. A-3. 972-398-9009.

DEEP ELLUM ART STUDIO OPEN HOUSE

I have twice attended the Continental Gin Building Open Studio Tour, and both times I’ve come home with some beautiful art. Meet the 30 artists who work in the building, tour their studios, eat a little cheese, drink a little wine, and check out a variety of oil paintings, sculpture, portraits, landscapes, and mixed media. And if you go, be sure to say hi to my friend, artist Sally Pryor Taylor. Friday, April 27, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday, April 28, 2-8 p.m. 3309 Elm St., the building with the water tower on top.

AMY TIMMERMAN JOINS KELLER WILLIAMS; PAT HARLOE NOW AT BRIGGS FREEMAN

CARBON NEUTRAL PARADE OF HOMES

The HBA of Greater Dallas is partnering with Green Mountain Energy to show off custom, environmentally friendly homes in their annual Parade of Homes beginning May 19th in Frisco. Apparently, Green Mountain Energy’s pollution-free electricity is enough of an offset for the entire event to be considered carbon neutral. Frisco is already beginning to make a name for itself as a green-hearted community and is on the verge of mandating ultra-strict environmental code for all residential building. This year’s Parade is just one more feather in their cap. (Is that environmentally correct lingo?) Get the details here.

RESTORATION HARDWARE HELPS US CELEBRATE SUMMER

Don’t you wish you had a clapboard cottages on the beach to “summer” in? Eugenie discovered a great find at Restoration Hardware on Knox Street to help you mimic the look. She says that all the great beach houses from the Maine Coast to Newport to Martha’s Vineyard and the Hamptons have a model sailboat. “Carry on the summer house theme to Dallas, and plant one on the back of table behind a love seat, and you’ve got the look!” she says. The sailboat shown is $99.

WAL-MART AND HOME DEPOT MARKETING GREEN

Great news! In case you haven’t noticed, big box boys Wal-Mart and Home Depot have just launched new advertising in support of green, sustainable products. Home Depot is also starting a new labeling process designed to indicate whether or not a product is environmentally friendly. (Will it be prorated skull and crossbones graphics?) I am really loving that since many of the products in the gardening, cleaning, and painting sections are currently toxic enough to kill a small child. Tip: Until they come out with the specific environmental label, just look to see if the product is banned in California. If so, you know what to do.

DONALD FOWLER’S PICKS FOR SUMMER

Ever-enthusiastic Donald Fowler is back from Paris and full of ideas for your coffee table, Mother’s Day, and backyard barbecues. Stanley Korshak Gifts and Home boutique has done so well with their beautiful selection of books that they are doubling their inventory. Now Korshak = your source for your library, coffee table, or bedside table. For Mother’s Day, they’ve got new white French Provençal pitchers, hurricanes, and bakeware, plus cookbooks, which would make stylish pairings. Now the best for last: Lux Starck disposable cocktail plates with drink holders. Those of you who went to the DCMSAF “Around the Table Home Tour” saw these ingenious party must-haves. How many times have you precariously balanced a cocktail and plate of appetizers or buffet bites while trying to engage in casual yet witty conversation? It’s far too much work. At the practical price of 10 for $10, they are perfect for barbecues and beer or aesthetically pleasing for sushi and champagne.

CAPEL RUGS IS A BARGAIN

From Eugenie, who has been out bargain-hunting: “At the Junior League Spring Fair this year, I happened upon a booth for Capel Rugs in North Dallas. A coupon for 10 percent off led me to this fabulousness in North Dallas. An oasis of calm, not to mention rugs, I found two beautiful rugs–one 4×6, in yellow and blue stripes. Another, 8×10 is a striking blue background with orange windowpane patterning on it. Not to mention, all for under $40 without the coupon! Find Nantucket inspired looms and lovely oriental styles at a great price. I highly recommend a visit to discover all shapes and sizes!”

WAIT. WHAT BAD MARKET?

Thought I needed new glasses when I saw Allie Beth had an $18.5 million new listing on Hunter’s Glen. But thankfully, sources say I can keep my current Rx and upbeat take on our market:
“Just walked through Allie Beth’s new listing on Hunters Glen. For a cool $18,500,000, it could’ve been mine. But the kitchen (remodeled in 1990) needed a little updating, and that’s just too much work for me. While walking through the home, I overheard news that Cynthia Beaird’s listing on Vassar - $22,500,000 –just went under contract and a home on Baltimore recently closed for more than $18 million. This is all in the last few weeks. Incredible.”
And may I suggest a kitchen allowance?

BAD NEWS IN NATIONAL HOUSING MARKET

It’ll depress you even more than our weather to read this report on how home sales nationally have fared. But let’s find the sunshine: While Vegas and Florida lose, two Texas cities continue to get pegged as hot growth areas: El Paso and McAllen. Just back from San Antonio where things are cooking nicely at about 3-5 percent appreciation per year. And isn’t it interesting that home appreciation in these areas is partially fueled by immigration. Maybe we ought to point this out to Farmer’s Branch…

BRIGGS FREEMAN WELCOMES JAN BALDWIN

Jan Baldwin has joined the lovely ranks of Realtors extraordinaire at Briggs Freeman as sales associate working with super agent Karen Fry. She is married to Barry Baldwin, president of Waterford Construction Company.