House Porn

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Design Classes at Dr. Delphinium

Summer Design Classes at Dr. Delphinium!

Learn floral design principles and elements; the use of color; proper care and handling of flowers; the history of Ikebana; floral identification; and floral mechanics. How Much: $99 a class or a discounted rate of $375 for 4 classes or $549 for all 6 classes. And those completing classes are entitled to 15 percent discount off of special event floral services. Discount valid for events taking place before December 31, 2007.

When: Every Thursday starting August 2th to September 6 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Renters Like Air Conditioning

From the Department of No Duh, just got a press release with this as the headline: “Renters say air conditioning is the one amenity they cannot live without; Apartments.com survey reveals renter amenity preferences.”

Wow. I would’ve never guessed.

Neiman Marcus Lighting

Check out Neiman Marcus’ Carnivale Pendant lamp, which would be cool in a small powder room or in a mod baby’s room, for only $149. Not the price I expected from good ol’ NM.

Nothing To Rent

Here’s yet another danger of an overheated real estate market: nothing to rent.

Get Your Garden On

Lambert’s president Paul Fields will be giving a presentation on creating your own lovely outdoor environment next Wednesday, Aug 8, at 10:30 a.m. at the new Robb & Stucky store in NorthPark. Fields will also be signing his book Leading Residential Landscape Professionals for all you landscaping groupies out there. RSVP to 972-403-3063.

California Real Estate Makes Us Look Good

I will no longer tolerate any gripes about our real estate market after visiting the northern peninsula of California where I am helping my son get settled before he starts his first post-college job. Every clerk he encounters (Whole Foods, Costco, Bed Bath & Beyond) cannot figure out why he is moving here from Texas, and the chief complaint is the cost of housing. After having just read Richistan, I am seeing with my own eyes how a whole new breed of uber-wealthy individuals live: my son’s landlord has a Lamborgini and there is an Aston Martin dealership three blocks from his new home. The homes are stunningly beautiful, the small towns like Saratoga and Palo Alto just picture-perfect havens of easy living with Starbucks, Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table on every corner. What we are hearing, though, is that so many people are priced out they are looking elsewhere, and now I finally have proof that California investors are plunking money in Dallas because trust me, we are the bargain basement of real estate compared to this part of the Golden State!