DIFFA Gems

 Feast your eyes on these pups generously lent to me by J. Pacetti for DIFFA, where everyone is be-jewelled — design by Mauboussin in 18K yellow gold: 55 cts diamonds, 15 cts rubies, 15 cts sapphires, 15 cts emeralds. And they felt like heaven to wear.

Elloise Abbott and Rusty Arena

Rusty Arena, one of the most talented textile artists we know, has just announced his new partnership with Betsie Weatherford, owner of the Elloise Abbott showrooms. We say perfect, because Rusty is as talented as they come, and, like many terrifically creative people, could use a little business savvy. Betsie has all that, and she’s represented Arena Design for years. Look for lots of new delicious product from this “21st century Fortuny.”

Kathryn Ireland at ID Collection

Kathryn Ireland, one of the most talented and fun women I know, will be at ID Collection tomorrow for lunch and a book signing.  She introduced her fabric collection a little over ten years ago, inspired by an old quilt her boys and dogs had destroyed.  Her signature look is a little country French with LA funky chic, and her home is always open for grand scale, informal entertaining - say 30 for dinner. I don’t know how she does it with 3 boys, but she’s quite an inspiration. I look forward to seeing the new book, one of the quirky elements of her style is un-matching - colors, patterns, but, somehow, it works. Let’s go see how.

More DIFFA

Our host for the evening, the delectable William Kolb of Sherle Wagner International.

More DIFFA Divine

The gorgeous Michelle Nussbaumer, one of the event sponsors, wore feathers. Loyd Paxton and me again, and how I wish you could see those earrings up close…

Diffa Divine

Saturday night was DIFFA in all its glory…..and here I am sitting at Sherle Wagner’s table with Lee Ann Harrison, the gorgeous wife of plastic surgeon Scott Harrison, and designer Sherry Hayslip. (Note to self: never pose for photo next to plastic surgeon’s spouse.)
What you cannot see, but I will show later, is the bling I was privileged to wear courtesy of the one and only Mr. Joe Pacetti: $300,000 worth of it!

March Design Calendar

[Karim Rashid, left, will speak at the Dallas Architecture Forum March 29]

March 3: Meet the great Italian product designer Alessio Alessi at his new Dallas store, Alessi Dallas, located at 629 Preston Royal Shopping Center.

March 5: Dallas designer and showroom owner Jan Showers is previewing her new spring shipment from Paris. 1308 Slocum Street. Lunch from 11:30 - 1. RSVP, 214.747.5252

March 25: Patrick Frey, president of French fabric house Pierre Frey, will talk about the history of French textiles and how they are used today in modern interiors. 4pm presentation, cocktails from 5-6pm, at Walter Lee Culp Associates. 214.651.0510.

March 29: Celebrated pop designer Karim Rashid will join designer and architect Christopher Deam and architect and urban designer Howard Elkus at a symposium for the Dallas Architecture Forum. The trio will discuss interior and product design from 9 am - 1pm, at the Inwood Theater. $50 per ticket, 214.764.2406 for ticket information.

Lexington Avenue

I know real estate is not my favorite subject, but I do like to walk and critique the neighborhood.  The corner of Lexington and Byron is new construction on steriods. Period.  We walked through the house, I thought it was an apartment complex, on the SE corner.  It’s a spec house built almost to the property line of a very big lot.  Not to worry, there are about 6 fireplaces for our frigid Dallas nights.  Lots of balconies, one is about 15 feet from the neighbor’s house - nice view.  And your choice of living areas downstairs - so you don’t have to mingle with other people.  Who is going to buy this?  Someone with 12 children?  I think not.