Dallas Blog | Material Girls | Dallas Interior Design

I’m getting ready to move and am looking for a new sofa to go in my future house.  Sofas are the hardest piece of furniture to pick out since it’s the piece you end up spending the most time with so it truly has to be right.  Comfort, style, depth width, etc are all key factors when choosing a sofa.  Of course, how could you forget cost and lead time too?  I am needing a sofa QUICK and did I mention, on a budget?  Those two factors combined is not going to make for an easy hunt.

Of course I have my dream sofa in mind, (don’t we all?) but the dream sofa just isn’t feasible right now.  It’s something that I really need to save up for and spend my time thinking about so I don’t jump into something that I’ll be wanting to sell on Craig’s List in a couple years.  The sofa I am looking for is my “transition sofa”…one that will last me a few years and eventually (hopefully) lead to the dream sofa.

I’ve found a few stylish sofas, for under $1,000.

{Olivia Slipcovered Sofa- $599}

{Carmen Sofa- photo via Shelterpop- $799}

{Ektorp Sofa- $399}

{Sutton Sofette- $699}

{Chloe Velvet Sofa- $899- photo via Decorpad}

{Emerson Sofa- $499}

{Dean Sofa- $999}

{Troy Sofa- $999}

{Jefferson Sofa- $929}

{Studio Sofa- $499}

{Westwood Sofa- $999}

{Pauline Sofa- $999}

{Avenue Sofa- $899}

{Night and Day Convertible Sofa- $588}

{Dallas consignment sofa- $400}

Which one is your favorite?

I just got back from seeing Avatar (I’m a little behind on my movies as you can tell!) and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it.  It’s nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars this year and it should be really interesting to see if James Cameron takes home the statue for this one!

{Neytiri- whom my boyfriend had a crush on throughout the entire movie- probably because she was only wearing a few necklaces and a small piece of cloth}

The Oscars is like my Superbowl.  I prepare a big thing of queso, drink a cold Bud Light and get ready to scream my head off when my favorite picture wins.  I try not to miss a second of it- from the initial red carpet segment to the closing credits.

How does this relate to interior design you might ask?  Well, there is a little private room at the Kodak Theater, where the Academy Awards are held, that goes by the name of the Greenroom.  Each year, this legendary room is designed by an interior designer chosen by magazine great, Architectural Digest.  This year, it was created by Roger Thomas and has a 1930′s Old Hollywood feel to it.  It was designed around shades of black and white, with touches of platinum, blonde, and silver added in for a glitzy effect.  Roche Bobois, Amadi Carpets, Sunbrella, and Restoration Hardware are just a few of the vendors whose pieces are shown in the room.

At 1,029 square feet, this hidden gem is where the Oscar hosts and nominees reside during the awards ceremony.  Unfortunately, only people like Meryl Streep and George Clooney will be allowed back  here, but we do have an all-access pass for you…to see the rendering!

Isn’t it lovely?  These are always so much fun to get a peek at!  I love the layering of flooring, crisp white furniture, mirrored walls, and colorful screens.

Only a week left until we find out the official winners of the 2010 Oscars! I cannot wait.  Who is your vote for Best Picture this year?

Voting has officially begun for the Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge!

These three room vignettes (currently on display in Bloomingdale’s windows) were each designed individually by Bloomingdale’s, Apartment Therapy, and Elle Decor.  They were required to use Bloomingdale’s furniture and accessories (including a three-drawer chest from Bloomingdale’s new Hudson Park Loft collection).  After they were done furnishing with Bloomingdale’s items, they were allowed to bring in some of their own favorite antiques and collectibles to add the finishing touches to the room.

You have from now until January 28th (at midnight EST) to cast your vote online HERE or you can vote by texting this number- 89800 and entering the number for your favorite window.

1- ELLE DECOR

2- Apartment Therapy

3- Bloomingdale’s

We just sent our vote off!  Here is the current tally-

Who will win?

Will it be Eileen Joyce for Bloomingdales?

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy?

Or Eddie Ross for Elle Decor?

We shall soon see!  If you live in NYC, you can stop by Bloomingdale’s at their 59th Street location and see these fabulous window displays in person.

Lauren Haskett this one’s for you…

You see, my co-blogger Lauren has always had a thing for JBJ (Jon Bon Jovi if you want to get technical).  I remember her going on about JBJ during studio classes back at O.U., on her 18th birthday when everyone else was asking for makeup and clothes, Lauren was begging for JBJ concert tickets, and her first dance with her husband at her wedding was to what else? A Bon Jovi song.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this poster was hanging from her ceiling right now…

So now I’ve combined her two favorite loves in one post-JBJ and Elle Decor.  Today must be her lucky day!  I think I deserve some kind of gold star for merging the two together for Lauren.

We recently were sent these photos from the December 8th event introducing Newark’s HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes, a new groundbreaking “green” housing project which was developed as a result of a public-private partnership between HELP USA and Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Foundation.

{Exterior}

Fifty one new units of affordable housing with support services for special-needs individuals living with HIV/AIDS and low-income families were unveiled.

{Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Elle Decor Editor-in-Chief Margaret Russell, and Jon Bon Jovi in the model apartment}

Elle Decor supported and donated to the project as well as MG favorite, Home Goods.  The model apartment was completed using stylish and affordable accessories from the retailer and was created by talented designer (and one of our favorite people) Elaine Griffin.

{Elle Decor’s Model Unit (designed by Elaine)}

All of the items in the model home will be given to its residents through a lottery so everyone in the building will benefit from the donations.

{Designer Kenneth Cole, Margaret Russell, Elaine Griffin}

What a wonderful outcome- it’s so great to see such talented and successful people give their time, talent and resources to a project such as this.  On a related topic, let’s keep the spirit of giving going…only two more hours left of Pencils of Promise Blog Day!

Well, actually Velvet and Linen blog does.  Brooke of Velvet and Linen is hosting a Restoration Hardware Brickmaker’s coffee table givevaway on her blog and this past weekend, the Material Girls were among other design bloggers asked to judge the 170 room entries that she received (readers were asked to send in a room where they would use the table- and trust me it was not easy judging as Brooke had so many great entries!)

We selected our top five rooms that we thought would be enhanced by the Brickmaker’s Table.  After all of the bloggers’ votes were in and tabulated, ten rooms were named as finalists in the contest.  But the contest isn’t over yet…the winner depends on the opinions of YOU dear readers!  So be sure to stop by Brooke’s blog and vote for your favorite room (one vote per person).  The voting window will end Wednesday morning at 8 am.  The top three will each win a Brickmaker’s Table.

Here are the 10 finalists-

See what I mean- it’s not an easy decision!

I took a trip to the Neiman’s downtown today to get a last minute glimpse of the exquisite Jan Showers’ room that has been on display for the past few weeks.  The “living room” vignette is on the second floor and the display ends November 5th!  (yes, tomorrow!) So go check it out if you are in the area.

The room is wonderful of course (as are all her rooms) and you almost forget you are standing right in a department store!

Neiman Marcus

1618 Main St., Dallas- 2nd floor

with Jan Showers’ new book, Glamorous Rooms!  I read it all in one sitting.  It is 206 pages of fabulous eye candy and noteworthy design advice from the Dallas based interior designer.

With a foreword by her friend, Michael Kors, and a book case created to look like one of her favorite fabrics, Hinson and Company’s Snow Leopard, this book goes down in history as one of my favorite coffee table reads!

There are so many jaw dropping images throughout her book.  I gathered my favorite Jan Showers’ rooms to share with you (as well as quotes), until you can go out and buy a copy of the book for yourself!  It’s too bad this book wasn’t a magazine or I would have torn out a bunch of pages to keep on hand in my Style Book!

“Create an aura of glamour with some or all of these classic design elements: warm silver-leaf tea paper on the walls, a fabulous Murano-glass lamp, gilded mirrors, a pair of eighteenth-century painted Italian slipper chairs, and a graphic animal skin on the floor”- Jan Showers

“Rugs should be kept understated and elegant.  Though it’s not a hard-and-fast rule, low-contrast rugs typically work best.  However, you may opt for a high-contrast black and white graphic rug to mitigate the vastness created by a double-height ceiling.”

“Mix textures and styles liberally.  Cashmeres, low-sheen satins, linens, silks, velvets, mohair, and wonderfully ironed and waxed leathers are favored textures in living rooms.”

“Mixing silver and gold is always a good idea”

“Never be afraid to mix patterns, periods, and wood finishes.”

“Too much upholstery is one of the most prevalent mistakes made in present-day design, because it lacks detail and interest.  Detail is critical to establishing the singularity and quality of any piece.”

“Two lighting elements are central to all my dining room designs: chandeliers and lamps.  Frequently people are surprised when I suggest that lamps be placed on buffets.  They create a luscious glow in a room that can be quite challenging to illuminate.”

“One shortcut to an atmosphere of warms is the use of dining chairs with upholstered backs.  At a rectangular or oval table, have the host and hostess chairs upholstered in a different fabric than the other chairs if they are a different style.”

“The opulence of bedrooms should extend to the walls themselves.  Soothing colors such as soft greens and French blues are just right.  Ivories and pale peaches complement skin tones, which is a very good idea in the bedroom.”

Her first book definitely aims to please!

Here’s a peek at the official photo of the Architectural Digest Greenroom backstage at the 61st Emmy Awards.  This red hot lounge area was designed by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.  I love all of the rich colors, texture, and pattern in this eclectic room. The Greenroom definitely emits a lot of energy!

Click here to download the time-lapse video of the making of the Greenroom.

{Photo by Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging}

Just in case our Marie ever needs a home away from Versailles…

{decorpad}

I’ve found her the perfect residence!  Such a perfect fit- don’t ya think?

They say dogs resemble their owners…apparently houses can too!

Once upon a time, there was a very talented Houston design blogger named Joni Webb.

Joni set out on her daily Starbucks run one morning and happened upon a beautiful French styled Houston home belonging to Sally Wheat.  Joni stalked this house for over a year from her car window until one day she was invited to take a peek inside.  Joni’s love for the home only continued to grow after she visited its interior.  What started as stalking, quickly turned into friendship between Joni and the Wheats.

The rest is history as they say…

And why am I telling you this story?  Sally’s house was recently featured in the August issue of Houston House and Home.  My mom went to Houston last week and after she finished stalking all of Joni’s recommended Houston haunts, she came home and brought me a surprise.  She knew how much I loved Joni’s blog and Sally’s home, so she gave me a copy of this issue and let me just tell you how amazing Sally’s house is!

My favorite photo is the one of her living room that was on the cover-

The rest of the house is just gorgeous!  But I won’t spoil it for you…Cote de Texas has the full story here.

And a big congrats to Joni, who wrote its cover story!  The writing was excellent and the story is more than entertaining.

Joni’s original blog post, Stalking the Wheats, has proved to be one of the most popular stories on her blog.  People have fallen in love with the Wheat’s house and Sally’s unique style.

Can’t wait to see photos of the next time Sally decides to rearrange her furniture.  Congrats to the both of you!!