Natuzzi to Launch Dining Room Line

Natuzzi, which opened a store in Mexico City on Monday (and continues to rapidly grow around the world), will be expanding to include a dining room collection this year. No items on the Preston-Forest store’s floor yet—or additional details—but expect sleek dining room chairs and tables similar to the brand’s high-quality modern furnishings (complete with Italian leather, of course). Pictures and details to come.

John Gormley’s Turquoise Pool

I was chatting with John Gormley at last night’s fancy Best Designers Party at Christine Allison’s manse. His current projects include some clients’ second home outside of Louisville, Kentucky. When he told their landscape artist in Kentucky that he had a turquoise pool, she said, “Yes, but it is in Dallas.” Did she mean: “In Dallas, you can get away with that.” “In Dallas, no one has taste.” Or “In Dallas, people are fabulous and have great taste.” Neither of us knew, but if she had been among the crowd last night, it could only be the latter.

Crow Art Tag Sale!

[Stained Glass Window, Late 19th Century, 84 inches diameter, $3,000-$4,000 estimate; Available at the Crow Art Tag Sale]

Heritage Auction Galleries is hosting a tag sale and live auction of more than 1,000 pieces from the Crow Art Partnership on Saturday January 26 and Sunday January 27. Says Heritage’s Carrie Hunnicutt: “…this premier collection of decorative art has graced hotels and office buildings around the world. Wedgwood, furniture, sculptures, paintings, rugs, lighting, stained glass, architectural elements and more will be sold at very deep discounts, some items as low as $10!”

View all of it before you buy, today and Friday, at 4814 Bengal Street, Suite 1 (MAPSCO 34Y). Contacts for the sale are Randy Rinestine, Rrinestine@HA.com; and Lindsay Walton, LWalton@HA.com.

High-End Consignment Opens!

[Eames for Herman Miller Rocking Armchair, circa 1959. $1,950]

Dallas designer Debra Owens has opened a consignment shop called Vinya on Buena Vista and Fitzhugh that specializes in mid-century modern pieces by Herman Miller, Knoll and Robsjohn-Gibbings. Here’s what makes her home consignment store stand out: not only does it specialize in mid-century modern (I can already hear Mil Bodron, James McInroe, Jan Martin and Rob Brinkley storming out of their offices to get there first) but Owens–who has always been a bit under the radar until now–has worked deals with the top showrooms to consign pieces to her from their warehouses, including Allan Knight. Designers will also be consigning furniture and accessories from the houses they are redecorating. Owens rattled off a few furniture manufacturers’ names whose pieces are on the floor now: Holly Hunt, Dongia, Baker, and Roche Bobois, and some fantastic Asian antique armoires from Allan Knight. Says Owens: “Prices are much less than you’d buy from the showrooms, but they’re high-end,” so in other words, don’t come expecting to find a $10,000 Bill Sofield sofa for $100. Still, Owens assures, “there’s a wide price range.” All of her furniture and accessories are displayed beautifully in room vignettes, another plus if you need extra help visualizing.

No More Plastic Bags at Whole Foods

Whole Foods, already one of my favorite stores, is phasing out plastic and encouraging shoppers to carry reusable bags. Nice.

Green Kids Patrol for Energy Waste

Love this effort. Someone is training them well at home…

Book Drive at Central 214

I am a magnet for books, and as there are only so many surfaces and storage space in a 1500-square-foot cottage, I am frequently chastised for rooms that look like Philip Seymour Hoffman’s in The Savages. In February, Central 214 is hosting its inaugural book drive for the Krissi Holman Family Resource Library & Children’s Collection at Children’s Medical Center. I thought it was the perfect chance to clean off the shelves, but the library is in need of new or gently used English and Spanish books for ages two to 18, so instead I’m buying new ones. Bring in three, and you get free dessert. Totally worth it. Add a note with your name in the book, so donor plates can be added in each book.

RE: Those Hicks Boys Engagement

News Christine and I told you about eons ago makes it to the DMN today…..