Dallas Blog | Material Girls | Dallas Interior Design

One of my clients brought this Verner Panton chair to my attention yesterday.  Dubbed the System 1-2-3 Dining Chair, it’s currently for sale at Design within Reach and was just recently brought back into production-

What’s the verdict? Love it or leave it?

Personally, I’m not loving it.  I much prefer the good ole basic Panton chair without the leather and fancy swivel mechanism.  I don’t doubt that the 1-2-3 chair is more comfortable, but I’m an original Panton chair girl at heart..sigh.

This past weekend, one of my absolute favorite furniture consignment shops, Again & Again, opened a new, improved, and HUGE location near the Dallas design district.  Leslie Pritchard continues to expand her stores around the Dallas area, and I could not be happier that she is doing so!  This lady is building a vintage furniture empire here…

Honestly, I wanted to take home everything with me, but didn’t think my fiancee would appreciate that so instead I snapped a few photos to share with you. Take a look at some of these amazing pieces!

I was really digging this tufted leather chair-very unique!

Leslie has a similar pair of chairs in her own home- sadly, these ones below are sold!

I stumbled upon these amazing acrylic bar stools that would look perfect with a reupholstered seat-

And speaking of acrylic, I found a coffee table that I almost died over (sadly it’s another one of those pieces that was already spoken for).  The person who has this on hold, is one lucky little shopper-

You can never go wrong with a chrome shelf unit-

I fell in love with this bold pink lacquered buffet.  Now whose home can I squeeze this gem in?

If you are worried your dining room doesn’t have enough personality, I have the table for you-

Brass coffee table- yes please!

A pair of sculptural table lamps-

And finally, an interesting acrylic pedestal and two funky bamboo stools-

I could go on and on about the rest of the treasures I found but I don’t want to spoil it for you! There is so much to see at their new location- plan to stay at least an hour like I did

On another note, if you find a piece you fall in love with but it is not quite the color or fabric you want, Again & Again will refinish, reupholster, and even rebuild the piece to create exactly what you are looking for.  They just finished refinishing a console for one of my clients as well as building new legs for another client’s mirrored console.

Aside from refinishing, they also build custom furniture. The possibilities are endless!

141 Howell Street

Dallas, TX 75207

Last weekend was the bi-annual Roundtop Antiques Fair, in Roundtop, Texas.  You might remember my trip out to Roundtop last September, which I blogged about here.

Anyone who has been to Texas in September, knows how unbearably hot it can be, so after my last trip down there in the Fall, I promised myself that I would go back for better weather (85 to 90 degrees) the next March.

Well, the weather cooled off and March 2011  rolled around.  I couldn’t wait for my adventure to Roundtop to begin!  I had my room measurements and fabric swatches ready to go; however, there was just one small detail that had to be ironed out before the show- I had to bribe my sister into going with me!  Now let me just tell you about my sister, Catherine. She has always had an amazing eye for fashion, but has never really been much into interior design (which is the complete opposite of me).  I could care less about saving up for the “it” bag or switching out my winter wardrobe for new Spring clothes.  I instead, look forward to the new “it” fabric and switching out my pillows for Spring.

I never thought in a million years that Cath would come to Roundtop with me, so was extremely surprised when she said “I will come with you, if you promise a beer, a bathroom, and some unhealthy food”.   Substitute bathroom for “porta-potty” and she had herself a deal!

{No trip to Roundtop is complete without a visit to Royers! Above, picture of Bud Royer}

When we got to Roundtop, I told her my list of things that I was trying to score on this trip.  Here is how the conversation went-

E- “I am looking for an animal head for my wall”

C- “A what?”

E- “An animal head!  Don’t be silly, I don’t want one with a face!  Just one that’s cast in resin.”

C- “Who would want that?”

E-  <Sigh> “People like me.  I also want a bust.”

C- “Excuse me?”

E- “You know, a bust.  But only a woman bust, not a man bust, or Ben might get creeped out.”

C- (shakes her head in confusion)

So thus began our trip to Roundtop!

It dawned on me that the things I constantly see in magazines, on blogs, and in showrooms (things that most of us bloggers/designers are already tired of), were all new concepts to a design newbie like Cath.  I decided to make it my mission to get Cath out of her retail, mass produced, interior design bubble and show her the things that (whether you hate ‘em or love ‘em) people are putting in their houses….

#1- Ginormous Foo Dog- Ok, I can’t say that this would be the first thing I’d choose to put on my doorstep to greet visitors, but it was fun to see the look on her face when she saw this enormous red Chinese guardian lion.

#2- Elegant Bust (pearls included?)- Cath had to get a pic with her new lady friend….

#3- Oversized Crown- Cath admired a crown accessory fit for the Jolly Queen Giant (he he)

#4- Animal Head- I think this was the thing that shocked her the most (and she is still skeptical to this day…)   I promised her that she will think it’s normal once it reaches Pottery Barn next summer.

#5- Cowhide- Cath got “Cowhide 101″ and literally had to “pet” the rug

#6- Suzani- Cath enjoyed taking her time checking out this Suzani (I got excited thinking that she and the suzani might have connected, but I think it more had to do with the fact that this was the only booth with A/C)

#7- Clam Shell- If there was a cartoon bubble above her head, Cath would be thinking “You don’t see these mammoth clam shells lying on the beach every day in Cabo…”

#8- Mystery Glass- Here Cath is, weighing in on the mystery glass (literally).  I actually bought one of these for myself to put on my entry chest and am so in love with it.   Granted it’s not Kryptonite like the booth owners originally told us, but it comes in close, as colored glass from a glass plant overseas.

#9- Nude Figure Drawing- Another piece Cath had a hard time understanding.  I think at this point, she’s not liking this blog post game anymore and is begging for me to stop thumbing through original art sketches brought over by an adorable French couple at this booth here.

Now she’s thinking…”We’re finally done!  Take me somewhere in Roundtop that I really want to see.”  So off we went to the worlds’ smallest Catholic church!

{Thanks for coming with me Cath and for being a great shopping buddy! I’m putting you down for next year’s tour.. }

Back in 2007 when I started the Material Girls blog, there weren’t a ton of design blogs on the scene just yet and my blogroll included friends that I considered the group of “early adopters”.  It’s funny how I can still remember exactly who those bloggers were.   We all bonded over a shared love for interior design and the blogging platform, Blogger.   One of the first people I remember “meeting” was Franki Durbin of Life in a Venti Cup.

Back then, she lived in St. Louis, so our communication was limited to emails and back-and-forth blog post commenting.  Though we had never met, I’d always imagined Franki would be just as fabulous, fun and stylish in person, as the voice behind her blog.  And guess what? I was right.

{Franki’s original blog header when she first started blogging}

What a nice surprise it was, to receive an email from her a few weeks ago telling me that she had recently moved to Dallas, was practicing interior design also, and had an idea for a new series on her blog, called “Show Me Your Dallas”.  The idea was for her to meet up with different bloggers from the Dallas area and have them “show her their Dallas”.  If there is one thing that I love, it’s exposing friends to all of the hidden gems that Dallas has to offer.  Of course I agreed to Franki’s proposal right away and got started planning our day of shopping!

I couldn’t wait to meet her and find out who the woman was behind the Venti-

You can read about our whole shopping excursion HERE in Franki’s new blog post feature- Show Me Your Dallas!  Also, our day of fun is “to be continued” on her blog site tomorrow, so be sure to check back for more shopping fun!

The picture above of Franki and I was taken at one of my favorite showrooms in the Design District, Leslie Taylor.  I was first introduced to the showroom through fellow blogger/designer, Abbe Fenimore, of Studio Ten 25.  She had cited it as one of her favorite places to get overscale abstract art (and since Abbe’s design aesthetic is similar to my own, I knew I’d love LT).  Franki quickly became equally obsessed with it too!  We snapped some pics of their vignettes yesterday to show you how gorgeous everything in there is. If you are a designer who is planning a trip to Dallas, it’s definitely a must-see!

I’ll take one of everything please!  And if Franki’s hubbie is reading this, she would like a Neiman Marcus Pop Up Book and a mirrored table from Leslie Taylor for Christmas

Serena and Lily’s Bazaar is now officially open!  Featuring one-of-a-kind goodies from around the world, this unique display of furniture, art, textiles and accessories closes in just six days (Thursday, 1/27).  I already went looking for art on there and a bunch of it is sold already!

Here are some pics of what’s still available for the taking-

{Bamileke Stool}

{House with Purple Sky}

{Kuba Pillow #1}

{Upholstered Foot Stool}

{Austrian Schnapps- Gift Set}

I borrowed Mad Men (seasons 1-3) from my grandparents a few months ago, and let me just tell you, I’ve been HOOKED ever since!  This isn’t the first time an MG has blogged about the set design from this addicting AMC show, but there is one element from the set, that hasn’t been pointed out here yet.

The Curtis Jere wall sculpture that you see above the sofa in the photo below really caught my eye for two reasons- 1) it’s amazing and 2) I’ve seen it many times before but just now discovered that it’s a vintage piece.

These pieces of wall decor are not just things of the past (50′s, 60′s, 70′s) …they are incredibly hot right now!  C. Jere pieces are being sold on 1st Dibs and Ebay and according to Elle Interiors-  ”the value of (Curtis Jere) wall sculptures is increasing all the time and should prove a great investment.” You’ll also notice that a bunch of designers as of late have incorporated his sculpture into their projects.

{Sterling Cooper’s former lobby}

Here’s the skinny on these fabu sculptures-

-They were first created in the 50′s by Jerry Fells and Curtis Freiler.

-They are hand-made and constructed out of metal.

-They come in abstract designs and also scenic designs.

{Palmer Weiss Interior Design}

{Elle Decor}

{Metropolitan Home}

{Brass Curtis Jere Raindrops wall sculpture via 1stDibs}

{Flickr}

{Anch Construction Services}

Where would you put this little piece of eye candy if you had it?

Today’s obsession lies in Joe Cariati’s Decanters. I spotted these blown glass beauties on Vogue.com.   The article was in reference to Lauren Santo Domingo’s loft and how you could recreate the look of it in your own home, by using variations of the pieces she used.

{Colorful glass bottles from Lauren’s home}

{Vogue pointed out that Joe Cariati’s glass decanters, above, will give you a similar look}

These colorful creations make gorgeous accessories, don’t ya think?  Aside from the fun colors, I also love the variance in heights.  Those interesting shapes (alternating with tall and short sizes) definitely keep your eye moving!

The phrase “put on a pedestal” refers to a position of great esteem and superiority.  The word pedestal, in design, means a “base support of a statue or vase” (thank you Wikipedia).  In my opinion, pedestals often get overlooked and unmentioned in the business (I can’t recall one magazine article entitled “top ten pedestals”); however, if you look closely in magazine photos, you will notice that designers often use them (and in really interesting ways I might add!)  They are a great way to fill an empty corner or flank a focal point, such as a window, a piece of furniture, or a door.  Feel free to put vases, urns, busts, or sculpture on them and use whatever material you’d like for your pedestal. Wood (painted or stained), lucite, stone, or metal are materials most commonly used for the pedestal.

Take a look at how these designers put their most special accessories “up on a pedestal” (literally!)

{Elle Decor}

{Decorpad}

{Lindsey Bond- Decorpad}

{Tobi Fairley}

{Mary McDonald}

{Domino}

{Elle Decor}

{Tobi Fairley}

What are your favorite go-to places for pedestals?

One of my clients in Dallas just let me know that she is selling this adorable blue desk and lucite chair.  She just bought it last year from a vintage shop and recently had the desk refinished and the lucite stool recovered. She had bought it to use as a desk, but I think it would make an amazing vanity table too!

Isn’t this the cutest pairing? I almost want it for myself, but alas, I don’t have any place to put it.   Email me if interested in purchasing and I’ll give you the deets!

emily@materialgirlsblog.com

White Elephant Antiques in Dallas is hosting an event on Wednesday night called “Antiquing After Dark” to benefit Dallas-based charity, Dwell With Dignity!

There will be store wide incentives and also an opportunity to win a $250 gift certificate to White Elephant for Dwell With Dignity members. Other White Elephant goodies will be auctioned off to benefit Dwell With Dignity.

This is the first Antiquing After Dark event at The White Elephant so it’s sure to be a fun time! Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, November 17th, 6-9pm

White Elephant Antique Mall

1026 N. Riverfront Dr.

Dallas, TX 75208