Articles for April 15th, 2008
Salone del Mobili - Milan
Once again, I’m receiving all kinds of cool invitations to events at the grandissimo annual furniture exposition in Milan - again, my airline ticket must have gotten lost in the mail. Once I get there, (positive thinking), I’ll just have to bunk with my friend Loyd Scott since there are no rooms available for under $1200. It is the coolest, most innovative show - as those crazy Italians just outdo each other in the pursuit of designs that will capture our imaginations and our dollars. I’ll report back when Loyd Scott returns and tells me all about it.
Stairway to Heaven
While out scouting last week, Clif Ellman and I were knocked out by this staircase at Hermitage Antiques. It’s practically a house in itself with a closet, and built in clock and a Harry Potter cubby hole. Of course, we had to hear the whole story. It was from the Chateau Hermitage originally built by the Duke Emmanuel of Croy in 1748, and completed by his son in 1789 as it stands today - over 110 rooms on four floors and “as many windows as there are days in a year.” It was sold to a private individual in 1924, pieces were auctioned in 2001. It’s not officially for sale, unless you happen to find the owner on a good day - couldn’t you picture this in a grand Dallas home? Go exploring on Slocum Street some day, there are a lot of treasures to find.
Trinity and Design District
More controversy about Lower Oak Lawn - the people responsible for efforts behind branding the Design District as “Trinity and Design District” are having a problem with the new name of Lower Oak Lawn. Yesterday, Ed Oakley, Bob Darrouset, Gary Elam, and Brendon Bass discussed the fact that not one of them had been consulted, and that the Wood Partners that are building the proposed condominiums were not aware of this new name. Seems that this decision was made by Pegasus Ablon Properties, and that to close streets and access TIF dollars, they will have to go through the political process. I’m just reporting, but it seems it may be time for the new kid to make nice with the neighbors.
New at Newport Collection
I was out last week pulling products for our fabulous outdoor living spread coming in the May/June issue. (Note to self: next time feature tassels and pillows instead of stone statues - much easier to move.) Of course, I went into the Newport Collection and fell in love with this Chinese lacquer cabinet from Shanxi c. 1780. It needs to be in my house. I also wanted to check on my friend Blair Newport, who is at home recuperating from a brutal series of chemo treatments. He’s doing well, and loves to hear from friends and have visitors, check with Dennis Kelly at 214-747-9600.
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