Hable Construction at ID Collection

One of the true media darlings in the fabric industry right now, Hable Construction is now available at ID Collection.  Maybe they are just returning to their roots - Susan and Katharine Hable were born and raised in Corsicana, and when they decided to pool their talents and start a business in 1999, they named their fabric collection after their grandfather’s construction company.  They combined Katharine’s salesmanship and Susan’s artistry with a heavy dose of Southern charm and heavy Texas accents, and took New York by storm. They are still very visible at their shop in the West Village in New York and Susan still draws their fresh, graphic designs by hand.  Welcome, ya’ll.

Champagne and Shoes

Can you think of a more divine combination for a Friday afternoon?  Edelman Leather is hosting Wilson & Assoc., AKA “the Wilson girls” today for champagne and shoes.  The shoes are cool gladiator sandals donated by Sam Edelman.  Hmmmm, could there be a family connection?  Do you think Wilson did any business with Edelman this year?  One more rhetorical question - do you think I can sneak in as a Wilson girl?

What’s New at Walter Lee Culp

If you’ve been to the Dallas Design Center lately, you’ve noticed that the Culp showroom is a mess.  Specifically Clarence House, which used to have it’s own showroom managed by Culp.  What you probably don’t know is that in 1994, Robin Roberts,  president of CH opened his then very deep pockets and spent over $3,000,000 on this little 3000 square foot showroom.  Custom built skylights for trees in the front, gray suede curved walls, and very expensive lighting.  The problem was that it was a moody, sexy atmosphere, perfect for cocktails - almost impossible to shop for fabrics.  All that is changing - the light is better, the walls are lighter, and you can bet Kelly Hardage is not spending a fraction of that amount.

New Nina Campbell

My friend Jim Williamson just sent me this shot of the new collection from Nina Campbell - it looks just like Designer’s Guild to me. Nina was the queen of traditional linen prints when I carried the line in a previous life - those traditional reds, greens, and blues that looked good with antique woods, and were incorporated into almost every family room in the Park Cities in those days. This new hot pink and fuscia looks like the chairs that have been in the fabric area at ID Collection for the last year. Covered in - Designer’s Guild.

Big Sale at Big Mango

Big Mango on Industrial Blvd is always a shoppers’ feast - exotic furnishings, architectural pieces and pottery from Bali and Java, all with a distinctive Asian influence. It is also well priced, so when they have their semi-annual sale (starting this Friday), it’s a good thing to get there early. This gorgeous blue glazed fountain pot is going to live at my new house - when we sell our old house, when the bill-payer husband loosens the purse strings, and when he has done all the research possible on modern architecture, geo-thermal heat pumps, solar panels, and Japanese gardens. It could be awhile…..

Blair Newport with a Little Help from His Friends

Blair Newport, as many of you know, is fighting a pretty ferocious battle with cancer right now at home. Call him, 214-691-6641, or go see him (6641 Desco) because he still has that great smile and sense of humor. And when you go, you’ll probably sit in some pretty tired club chairs that Blair inherited from his parents. That is getting ready to change - courtesy of David Sutherland and George Cameron Nash. When Blair asked me if they could help, the response was basically “how much can I do, and how fast - whatever you want.” So, expect to see some Cameron Collection chairs recovered in a Classic Cloth fabric from Dessin Fournir at Sutherland. It sort of wrecks that national stereotype of the warring, backbiting design divas of Dallas, doesn’t it?

Looking For Something To Do Tonight?

The Goss-Michael Foundation invites you for cocktails and conversation with British artist duo Tim Noble and Sue Webster. Kenny Goss and George Michael’s private collection of Noble and Webster sculptures are currently on display at Goss-Michael through the end of September. Rub elbows with the artists themselves and throw a couple back from 6:30-8:30.

John Robshaw brings us Southeast Asia

I just got a card from John Robshaw Textiles listing their national showrooms and didn’t see Allan Knight, so, I immediately panicked because this is one of my favorite collections and must be available in Dallas.  His fresh batik prints on fine cotton are inspired by the intricate patterns in Indian designs and are available in fabrics,  paintings  (I have two), pillows and tabletop designs.  Oh, yes, pajamas.  Not to worry, I was still assured they have the line and you can see the new designs at the showroom.

Kyle Bunting is the Man

A friend sent me this web site, and it makes me happy. Not only are Kyle Bunting’s creations—wall coverings, upholstery, and rugs made from hides—really cool, I also have a new crush. My friend informs me that there is a Mrs. Bunting. That makes me less happy. But don’t let that stop you from checking out the site, and shop for his stuff locally at David Sutherland.

Needs More Color

I just had to show this vignette at Allan Knight. After all the stylish muted shades and golden bieges, this kind of hit me. I’m also personally in love with these pillows from Ankasa.

Introducing Kat Burki

Kat Burki, known for her brilliance in interior design in Connecticut, has turned her eye for design into a new line of home furnishings and furniture. Although she is based out of Connecticut, Dallasites are well aware of her talents. She was recently commissioned by Dallas entrepreneur and owner of ViB Beverages, Johnny De La Valdene, to decorate and furnish his 10,000 square-foot Dallas estate.

As of July 1, you too can furnish your home with Burki’s elegant furniture and luxe accessories. In fact, the majority of inquiries and requests about Kat’s new line have poured in from Dallas, which is not surprising at all. Kat Burki associates her line with the Dallas market, saying, “Dallas consumers are sophisticated with a strong sense of style. I think my new signature line translates perfectly into their lifestyle.” We think so too, Kat.

The website is up and running and ready for business. Catalogs will arrive in mailboxes nationwide on August 4th.

A Flower of a Chair

One of the big hits of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan was the Bouquet chair from Moroso. Completely structured of fabric squares on a metal frame, the chair embraces you and uplifts you just as a bouquet of flowers would. Well, maybe. It will be available from our friends at Scott + Cooner to see for yourself. By the way, this is not an idea for all you delinquent designers that have a trunk full of un-returned fabric samples. The Bouquet is made of a special fabric that springs back - last I checked Cowtan & Tout chintzes don’t do that.

Showroom Pets

I just received this from Becky at Elloise Abbott showroom, and would love to post pictures of all the other lovable features at the local showrooms - kitties at Allan Knight, Lisa’s pup at J. Robert Scott, and all the Westies at the George Cameron Nash showroom. Of course, right after I got this we got a urgent message from our building manager, “No dogs allowed on the property, absolutely, shoot on sight, etc.” Lighten up!

Local Talent at Scott + Cooner

Check out the handmade pillows by Claire Minella at Scott + Cooner. I think the crinkled, painted silk pillows from the “I Love New York” collection are a perfect addition to the sleek and sophisticated sofas. Pretty good company to be nesting on the likes of brands like Cassina, FlexForm, and de Sede. Italian high style - meet Dallas.

The Liaigre Legacy

Pam Sommers at Rizzoli sent me the cover of a new book on French designer Christian Liaigre, due out in September, available now for pre-order. My first reaction was, another book on Liaigre? But that got me to thinking, and remembering. For better or worse, Liaigre’s luxuriously spare, Asian-inspired design has been the single most important and enduring design trend of the past two decades and it’s still going strong. So the fact that there are only two books out on his genius is rather shameful.
In Dallas, George Cameron Nash carries Liaigre’s designs for Holly Hunt.

Take the LED Tour at Lights Fantastic

Speaking of LED lighting, Lights Fantastic has just opened a new design studio upstairs that includes real-life examples of the latest in LED and “green” lighting, all installed in a variety of room settings. See what it looks like, try it out. Imagine it in your own home. I don’t know of any other place in Dallas where you can experience all the new lighting technology in such an interactive, complete way. Ask for a tour — you’ll leave being as excited about it as I did.

Niermann Weeks at Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman

Eleanor McKay, CEO of Niermann Weeks, talked to about 60 designers today at a luncheon at the EF/LM showroom about “Life after Incandescent.” Not only did she entertain everyone with her very outspoken views, (thankfully, that pesky pc concept doesn’t seem to bother her,) but she gave some really honest opinions about CFL and LED lights. One is ugly, the other is not quite competent yet. So what do we in the “beautify the world” industry do? We make ourselves heard that lights need to look good too, and as a last resort - hoard those chandelier lights!

Four Miles of Nickle Plated Chain

The Atlantis chandelier by Terzani just made its debut at New York’s Design Week. Press materials claim it’s made from four miles of nickel plated chain, but no matter — it drapes like silk. The website says the line is only available in Florida, but the press release indicates that it’s available at Hudson Furniture in New York, at least for now. Peggy says she thinks Lights Fantastic has carried Terzani before.

Birds and Butterflies Flying Around Fabrics

When I’m feeling a little stressed, I go out and look at fabrics. Just seeing the new ideas, images, and details delight and inspire me, for no other reason except they are visually pleasing. Not particularly necessary or life saving, unless living in a beautiful world is important to you. I’ll be sharing a few with you… Christopher Hyland has a new collection at William Wesley, unapologetically traditional with classic weaves and colors, not for the minimalist. Read below what Seth Pariser says: (more…)

Small World

While I was out this afternoon scouting Josy Cooner’s amazing new house in Forrest Hills (just a splash away from White Rock Lake), Peggy was back at the office, furiously working the phones with George Nash, trying to schedule a shoot this month of his east Texas farm. Turns out Nash was lunching at that very moment with Gonzalo Bueno in somewhere in Mexico. And, probably at that very moment, Josy Cooner was showing me the beautiful brushed stainless steel doors and other muy bueno details that Gonzalo had built for her house, which we are shooting later this summer. I just love that about Dallas.

Spring Thing at the Decorative Center

Be sure and go to the Spring Thing tonight at the Decorative Center - it’s always fun, and you never know what kind of extraordinary new product you’re going to see at Scott + Cooner, and what high fashion both Loyd Scott and Josie Cooner will be wearing. William Stubbs, host of A Moment of Luxury on PBS is the featured guest, but Loyd and Josie are always the stars. PS - great food and wine, too. It’s all good.

Everyone Gets Cake

Thursday, May 1, drop by the George Cameron Nash showroom for cake and champagne - it is the showroom’s 21st birthday. And they said it wouldn’t last. At least, there were those who thought that - when George opened in 1986, he had some open stock fabrics, a few pieces of upholstery, borrowed antiques, and a super-abundance of style. The showroom has changed, the style remains the same. Be sure and go upstairs for the latest surprise. P.S. - he always serves good champagne.

Sabina Braxton Models at Allan Knight

Sorry if you missed the Sabina Fay Braxton trunk show at Allan Knight. Not only did we see some of the most splendid fabrics I’ve ever seen, she very quickly found exquisite coordinating shawls for some of us, here I am hamming it up with Mary Ann Smiley and Harriet Adams - Charlotte Comer and Myrl Talkington were probably laughing at us. We perused volumes of haute couture runways featuring her fabrics used by Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix, and other names you might recognize. Too bad she couldn’t whip something up for me for the Art Ball on Saturday, rather than the LBD that I wore.

The $175,000 Bed

This can be yours for a mere $175,000 and is on display right now at William & Wesley, where designer and author Betty Lou Phillips is signing away her newest book. Meantime, go lay on 250 yards of precious Christopher Hyland fabric and look up at the candelier which is not included in the price. (Would it drive you crazy to pay $175K for a bed and then have some naughty couple, ahem, mess it up?)

Ann Sacks Grand Opening

If you haven’t gotten a chance to visit the new Ann Sacks Showroom, here’s your opportunity.  Today is their much delayed grand opening from 6 - 8 at 1616 Oak Lawn Ave. It’s right across from their old showroom that now says LOL on the front. The tile and marble displays are exquisite - it makes you wonder how they come up with some of these new tile concepts. Until you realize, some of these tile designs date back to the Ottoman empire. What changes stays the same, I guess.