No Walks for a Week

The neighborhood is safe for a week, I’m going to Buenos Aires, so I’ll be walking there. And probably commenting on the design and architecture. By the way, at the Best Builders party, a really nice young man named Mark Danuser, principal of Tatum Brown Homes, asked me to go for a walk with him and Betty Lou Phillips. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.

The New French Decor

Just when you thought no more books could be written about French decor, here’s another one. “The New French Decor” by Giles Trellard, published by Abrams is pictures of vignettes. Not whole rooms, just a viewpoint - maybe a tabletop, or a corner window. It’s really charming, and very styled. My friend Stephen Dunn showed it to me, and suggested that everyone style a vignette - chefs, floral designers, socialites. Just pretty pictures from a personal point of view. I don’t know, we might have to edit the ones by plumbers.

Speaking of Feeling Rich

I feel like I’m living in luxury when I hop into ultra-comfy bedding. Many designers are coming out with their sets for spring, but the best ones I’ve seen are from Peacock Alley. Their room setups—in blues, grays, and browns—are so serene … I just want to jump in one of them and take a quick nap. Anyway, their new bedding sets are to-die-for. Lots of embroidery, intricate patterns, and rich colors. The trek to Southlake Town Square is worth the trip. It’s a great excuse to shop and stop by Campania for pizza, anyway.

Lemon Curd Recipe

Who says New Yorkers aren’t nice? My friend Ashley who is studying at the Institute of Culinary Education sent along the recipe adapted from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution. (Same Waters from Chez Panisse in San Fran.) Spread it on toast or scones, as the Brits are apt to do, or as Ashley recommends: “Lemon curd can be baked into a tart or used filling pastries such as eclairs. You can also churn it into vanilla bean ice cream. Yum!” Plenty of caloric options. (more…)

Manhattan? No, Dallas Design Center

The latest re-incarnation of the George Cameron Nash showroom includes the new Holly Hunt boutique. Those of you who know George will not be surprised that the space is as perfectly finished as a $14 million penthouse overlooking Central Park West. The lighting is subdued, the luminous whitewalls are thick, and the wood floors are stained a perfect shade of walnut. In other words, Christian Liagre’s chic sofas, crytstal pendants, and buttery leather chairs are living very happily in Dallas. Looking out this window, I really expect to see the Manhattan skyline, rather than a bunch of cars. George, can you do something about that?

A Citrus Clean Friday

I’m getting a maid for today, which makes me feel so rich. (”Feel” being the key word.) Spring cleaning is coming to my house in the form of the new, eco-friendly service Nature Maids. I’ll get back to you with the results, but they come highly recommended by Rebecca. I can almost smell that nice lemony clean smell. Lemon options for you:

1. Meyer lemon and key lime trees that can be harvested on your porch. $69, at Williams-Sonoma.
2. Naturally biodegradable Meyer lemon cleaning collection. $9-$29, at Restoration Hardware.
3. Homemade lemon curd. My culinary school friend loves the recipe in “The Art of Simple Food,” by Alice Waters.

Another Fashion Designer Takes the Plunge

Well, she certainly isn’t the first and probably not the last. Designer Monique Lhuillier has created a new line of fine china, crystal stemware, flatware, and vases for Royal Doulton. The collection, featuring colors and detailing that correspond with the signature sashes of her bridal gowns, became available at the beginning of this year. How have we missed this unveiling? Well, it’s only available at Bloomingdale’s. The collection isn’t dramatic or unique–it feels very bridal–but the Femme Fatale place setting with its embossed lizard edge is fun, and the crystal vases with their honeycomb facets (shown) would make a charming gift. Now if only we can get Bloomingdale’s to come here.

Sneaking Out The Sneakers

I don’t know if you are, like me, constantly trying to streamline your home from clutter, but for me it is a constant battle. We accumulate so much stuff, and my husband is a rat-pack: like these Stan Smith tennis sneakers he refused to let me donate or recycle. So yesterday I spent all of $12 on this display box and mounted the blasted things. They are going in his office, high on a shelf where no one can smell them. But he can see them 24/7. The things we have to do…Â

Some People Really Need Those Tall Ceilings

http://dallasdirt.dmagazine.com/2008/03/13/rumor-has-it-a-very-tall-bball-player/