Mid Market Madras

Looks like Ralph Lauren. Feels like Ralph Lauren. So, what’s with the cheap pricing on this madras sheet set? It’s JC Penney’s newest brand, silly girl. The giant retailer expects their new designer wares to become a multi-billion dollar part of their business. Clothes and home furnishings have just begun to appear in the stores under the name American Living. See some of it here.

Valentine’s Cards

This year, I made homemade cards. Knee deep in glitter, glue, red and pink paper, and stamps, I regretted my decision, but in the end my crafty cutesy epistles were successful. Except for the one friend I forgot–oops!–so I had to run out and find a card. Paper & Chocolate is my standard, but the stock at Haven surprised me. Amid all the glam furniture and accessories were these unfussy letter-pressed cards from Soolip Paperie & Press. I sent “I heart us” to my friend, but they had a dozen others–I heart earlobes. I heart you. You get the picture. All I’m saying is that there is still time; don’t forget the ones you heart.

Decorating at the White House

Candy, I also enjoyed the article in AD about the White House. I also loved working with Laura Bush and Ken Blasingame when they were doing the WH, Camp David and the ranch - all the decor came from Dallas showrooms. One of my stupidest comments ever - when Blasingame’s office called to order some fabric for Camp David, I asked “Shall we just send it to Camp David? What’s the address? There was total silence.

The last two administrations have been good for Dallas showrooms - the Clintons’ decorator Kaki Hockersmith bought everything in Dallas and a few of us were invited to a dinner at the White House with the Clintons. But, that’s another story.

John Hutton - The Next Generation

I had a wonderful visit with Douglas Hutton at David Sutherland’s showroom last week. He has taken the reins of his late father’s design business, protecting the Hutton legacy. His cousin Jennifer Hutton is design director - she’s another Donghia alum and some of her designs there are still best sellers. The good news is that there are archives of John Hutton designs that have not been produced yet - he was such a prolific designer, he could draw a complete collection in a month. The Collection Pierre is the most recent to be produced - you know we love it, a chair from the collection was one the cover of last year’s Design Book.

Stainless Steel with Eco-Sense

When evaluating a product’s real environmental merit (or lack there of), the true bottomline takes into account material sourcing and lifetime use. The more I learn, the more I value a company like Julien. They have designers who create beautiful stainless steel products - and executives who insist on using 100% recycled and recyclable stainless steel. Last year alone, the company sold over 1,000 tons of stainless steel to steel reclaimers for reuse. Treat yourself to a gorgeous new sink from a company with a conscious.