Articles for March 28th, 2008
Hastens Helps You Sleep Tight
Guess what? I’m getting $36 back from the government. (This is in addition to the $600 free-money bonanza that is set for June.) I realize that people in different tax brackets—roughly 90 percent of the Dallas population—are a little less joyful about April 15. Maybe you’re even losing sleep about taxes this year. Hastens wants to help: they are offering to pay the sales tax on all beds sold through April 15th. As my lovely (and much wealthier) friend puts it: “That’s a huge savings when you are buying a $30k bed!” Indeed.
RE: House Porn
Oh Miss Christine, you are so clever, trying to up your page views by using one of my fave terms. House porn can be clean or dirty, depending on the eye of the beholder. (Like there’s something that turns all of us on, though what turns me on may not waggle your button — I’m totally talking Real estate here.) My my even the W carries JimmyJane products in their squeaky clean minimalistic gift shop. I have been asked where the term originated, my guess is out west, likely LA where all the sins of the world conceive, like unaffordable housing and adjustable rate mortgages, and that Mama at the RealEstalker has something to do with it but gosh, I hate to give her any more press lest she start pickin’ on our Texas hair again. (Don’t touch that link!)
Get Crafty at Central Market
As a serious D Home Craft fan, I feel the need to make a brief pitch endorsing chef de cuisine and Texas boy Kevin Maxey’s upcoming cooking class at Central Market. I remember the day Laura and I devoured the Texas farm chicken or diver scallops, and since then, I feel confident endorsing anything that man makes. Head to the Lovers Lane location on Monday, March 31, 6:30-9 p.m. for roasted mushrooms; wild mushroom & mozzarella fondue; wild mushroom risotto; and mushroom bisque. His kitchen philosophy: perfect ingredients, perfectly cooked.
Screen Door
Look for the opening of One Arts Plaza’s “down home” restaurant Screen Door next month. I don’t know about down home - I would say it will be more Southern mansion, since George Nash and Terry Sweeney are doing the interior design. And, luxury brand Cameron Collection is making it’s first big move into the contract furniture arena by making all the seating. I saw the dining chairs in the finishing stage, hand rubbed, by the way, no sprayed on finish here. This is truly a Dallas restaurant with a Dallas owner, Scott Jones, by Dallas designers, and with Dallas made furniture. Count those tax dollars.
Bunny Williams’ “Point of View”
Dallas is laying out the red carpet for famed interior designer Bunny Williams this weekend and Monday. First, a patron party on Saturday, then a talk and luncheon at “Art in Bloom” the annual floral symposium benefiting the DMA, and on to a book signing and fashion show at Forty Five Ten on McKinney. Her new book “Point of View” will be a must-see - she’s one of the most talented and experienced designers on the planet, her list of clients from the last 3 decades is a who’s who of influential people. And don’t forget her garden shop Treillage in Manhattan is the model for all the fresh garden shops that have sprung up in the last few years.
Word Usage: House “Porn”
I’ve heard that sex sells. I won’t deny the veracity of that statement. But how much porn can one site take without being put under probation by the FCC? Candy, I like this little abode on San Fernando Way, but there’s nothing dirty about it. Or at least nothing that a little Windex and Lysol couldn’t cure. So I’m going to put the kibosh on the term “house porn,” until I see something really sexy. Otherwise, it’s false advertising.
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