Neiman Marcus Makes the Black Friday Roundup List

We just added a little deal from Neiman Marcus NorthPark. Check it out.

Best of Big D Shopping

Every year D Magazine publishes its Best of Big D issue. Editors collaborate to decide which things in Dallas are so fantastic they must be given an award with our seal of approval. This year, however, we’re opening up voting for readers. We’ve closed the ballots for restaurants, and we’ve finished up the voting for nightlife, but today starts the voting period for best shopping in Dallas. You’ll vote for the best home accessories store, pet store, shoe store, place to shop for designer labels, affordable boutique, etc. You can vote for your favorites every day! If you don’t see your favorite shop, there’s a space to add your nomination. Have at it! Voting ends May 16.

Arteriors Home Annual Warehouse Sale

From Rachel:

Do not miss out this warehouse sale by Arteriors Home. You’ll find  unique furniture, accessories, and lighting with timeless appeal and a nod to the latest trends. But don’t take my word for it – check out their stuff for yourself at http://www.arteriorshome.com/. Over 4,000 pieces will be up for grabs at the sale at up to 80 percent off. January 15 to January 17. 8 am to 5 pm. 4430 Simonton Rd.

All you ShopTalkers who enjoy the finds at the annual warehouse sale will also be pleased to know that Arteriors has recently opened a sample store on Lovers Lane called Arteriors Too. This location offers a weekly featured item, which can be anything from a $39 claw-footed side table (originally valued at $499) to a similarly priced iron lamp for $59 including the shade. The store is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and by appointment only on Monday and Tuesday. –Rachel Frésquez

Update: I added a photo. It’s not a gorgeous one, but it gives you an idea of how much stuff is available! Rows and rows and rows…

Big Sales at the Decorative Center Dallas

What’s the Dallas Decorative Center you ask? A space containing 40 showrooms bursting at the seams with home furniture and accessories. But what does this particular event include you want to know? Two showrooms, Scott + Cooner and McGannon, designer George Cameron Nash, tons of furniture, lighting, and other home accessories in sample sales and on clearance, and Bloody Marys all around. Get your shop on January 15 through January 16 from 10 am to 5 pm. Decorative Center Dallas. 1617 Hi Line Dr., Ste. 420 and 440 and the sidewalks in front of Scott + Cooner.

An Evening with Robert Kuo

Robert Kuo, one of the great creators of the modern Chinese arts of  cloisonne and repousse  is at the Baker Showroom tonight.  You can see some of his amazing works there and meet the master himself, we featured some of his ceramic pieces in the Sept. DHome I’ve  been a huge fan of his for years – used to go to his flagship store in Los Angeles in the 1980s and 1990s every time I went to market there.  Just seeing his works gives me a sense of peace and well being.   I’ve been studying his biography – background and interests,  and am probably going to be best friends with him after tonight.

Architectural Tour at TKO

It’s not exactly what you would think of as a typical architectural tour – it is a display of architecturally sound and design driven gingerbread houses.  Also, sustainable.  Just kidding – sustainable gingerbread??   Just in time for the holidays, four of our top architects/designers – Paul Draper, Vision Design, Ashley Astleford, and Demarest Architects are being given a plain gingerbread house to design and decorate with their own brand of creativity.  So, tomorrow between 4 and 6 come down to TKO in the  and check out the houses.  I  will be judging the contest, and, as always, open to bribery.

Save the Date: Slocum Street Style

Time to mark your calendars–in pen, if you please–for Slocum Street Style on October 8 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. What’s Slocum Street Style, you ask? Well, it’s this super fun event–presented by the good people at D Home and Slocum Street Antiques and Design Association–where you have the opportunity to pop into more than 30 showrooms and galleries on Slocum Street. You can snack on fabulous hors d’oeuvres from Savor Dallas participating restaurants (like Go Fish, Hibashi Teppan Grill, Paciugo Gelato, and more) and drink adult drinks while you shop! You will also be powerless to resist the holiday spirit when you check out a number of gorgeous wreaths created by local designers. Best of all: proceeds from the event benefit Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA). See you there.

Will Kolb Makes the Move to P.E. Guerin

Our old friend Will Kolb (Don’t misunderstand. He’s not old. Rather, he’s been a friend to D Home for a long time.) has left Sherle Wagner and he’s now the National Sales Manager at P.E. Guerin. In case you didn’t know, Guerin is famous for its beautiful selection of fixtures and hardware. The company has been around for more than 150 years, and Kolb is the first to have this title in the company’s history. So, it’s kind of a big deal. Just like Will. So tell him congratulations when you see him!

Jan Showers Does Glamorous Rooms

No surprise there, but it is published and official now.  Her new book “Glamorous Rooms” comes out in September.  Get ready for the social book signing event of the season.  Not only in Dallas at Neiman’s downtown and the David Sutherland Showroom, (where the Jan Showers Collection is featured), but all over the country at showrooms and places where most of us can’t afford to shop (Henri Bendel anyone?).  I had lunch with Jan last week and talked about the experience of writing her book and what makes it different.  To start with is the name – the book isn’t about houses.  And when you think about it, most houses have one or two really great rooms but the whole house is featured.  The book is in first person, so Jan can tell you how to’s and how not to’s ( don’t paint a bedroom red.)  Find out more in the next issue of DHome coming out in October.  Just think, it might even be cool then.

Third Thursdays at the International are Going Green

The Third Thursday events at the International on Turtle Creek have taken on a new color. Tonight there will be demonstrations of sustainable products and the latest local green products, and an auction at 7:45.  It will be interesting to see how “green” these products are, because there are a lot of shades of green popping up these days.  But, it’s a good effort to get more people at the International.  Wish the two anchor tenants Allan Knight and Ellouise Abbott would participate.

25 Ideas from Crans Baldwin

Seems to be the topic of the day – “Ideas to Navigate through Change and Challenge” is the subject of Baldwin’s talk on Thursday at 2 at the Atrium at the Dallas Design Center.  When this topic just keeps cropping up (like the seminar I was in last week at the Spring Thing at the Decorative Center), why should you listen to this guy?  For one, he’s the president of Bergamo fabrics, for two, they now own Donghia.  At a time when some of the biggest fabric companies are just a little iffy (Scalamandre, anyone?), he obviously has something to say.  A few years ago, there were quite a few mergers and acquisitions going on the very exclusive (and incestual) designer fabric world, I predicted then that Bergamo would be one of the ones left standing.  I’m still betting on them, and I’m going to count to make sure there are really 25 good ideas.

Tiny Chairs at Manheim Ruseau

These are not for your average dollhouse – unless your doll lives like a classic designer in a 1940s New York apartment.  Jane Templeton was the founder of Don Ruseau furniture which is now Manheim Ruseau.  Ruseau was one of the first authentic fine reproduction furniture made in this country that really promised to keep the value of an antique.  Think precurser of Rose Tarlow or Quatrain. An exact replica of three rooms of Jane’s apartment in miniature will be on display at the Bright Group – opening party is Thursday, May 14, 4-6.  It’s a beautiful and touching tribute to 75 years of fine furniture – but not looking backwards.  There will be plenty of new pieces on the floor.

LOL – A New View

Last year I had a pretty contentious conversation with Michael Ablon about his renaming the district .  Basically, he told me I didn’t know what I was talking about, and I told him the same.  Last Friday I had a much different meeting, I have to admit I’m very impressed.  Instead of telling me what they were going to do, he showed me the progress they’ve made.  They have thrown some serious money at this project – check out site plans at Pegasus Ablon.  Michael is a serious arm waver regarding this project and it’s hard not to be entusiastic – it’s a wonderful collection of old and new.  All those red brick showrooms will remain the same – the undulating I beams will carry flags that spell out Design District to sort of define the space.  The big pile of dirt at the corner of Hi Line and Oak Lawn will be the Amphitheatre surrounded by 3 restaurants.  Smart guy – opening 3 at the same time instead of 1 which would probably die.  Don’t look for a Starbucks – only non-commodified (realtor-speak for no franchises) names need apply. And, check out the cool Philippe Starck-ish pool at the Alexan.

First Thursdays on Dragon Street

Remember tonight is first Thursday – that means that Dragon Street is open until 8.  It is such a great urban experience to ditch the car and just walk in and out of art galleries, antique stores, and showrooms.  I hate to miss it but I’m having what could end up being a wild night with George Nash and some of the crazier editors here at the magazine.  He’s coming to check out the mess at my new house and hopefully add some much needed advice, and the editors are coming to add a little spice to the evening.  Hmm, George Nash and Laura Kostelny could be dangerous.  Be sure and check out Lance Letscher’s new work at Conduit Gallery on Hi Line.

Champagne, Showrooms, and CE Credits

Come join us at the Decorative Center May 7 and 8 for Spring Thing.  Seminars for continuing education credit are still available but some are already full. (Yes, folks, designers have to take classes every year to keep their license – housewife decorators don’t.)  Check the website to see where the champagne will be flowing – you can always count on it at Scott + Cooner, and please come to the seminar tomorrow at 3:30 at Pettigrew so you can throw some crazy questions at me.  The subject is “branding” and other panel members are Jan Showers, Lionel Morrison, and Ron Wommack.