Dean and Deluca Update

From the DMN's Shop Better Here blog:

Is Dean & DeLuca coming to Dallas? Well, we heard just now from D&D CEO Pat Roney, who tells us:
"The only thing we're saying at this point is that we're interested in Dallas. We're looking for a new location there. We don't have a location ID'd at this point, but we hope to be there sooner rather than later."
Of the hot Oak Lawn-Uptown area, he says: "The demographics of that area are strong," especially given its proximity to the disposable incomes of the Park Cities. Mr. Roney acknowledges that because Dallas is so well known as a foodie town, "We'd definitely like to be there -- that's an important area for us."
So ... more on this whenever there's something more to know.

Sale at Forty Five Ten

Starting June 1st, Forty Five Ten will host their once-a-year sale. The upscale Knox boutique will feature markdowns on select clothing and housewares.

4510 McKinney Ave.

Inexpensive Solution

I saw these brick hangers featured on Apartment Therapy. They're great for people with exposed brick inside their homes, but their also great for for the outside of your home. You could use them to hang lights, a wreath, or any other decorative item with out drilling. $9.99 for a set of 4.

Memorial Weekend Sales

Ikea: This sale is happening starting today and running through 6/11. 7171 Ikea Dr., Plano.

Horchow: Memorial weekend sale. 111 Customer Way, Irving.

Scott+Cooner's Warehouse Sale

What: Items like this Cassina sofa on sale this weekend.
Where: 1308 Dragon St.

Via the D Home and Garden Blog.

Ikea Summer Sale

I can't find any details, but Ikea's May calendar lists a Summer sale starting May 26 and running through June 11. A web reference to the Summer sale in the UK boasted 50% off.

Good Idea

Ikea drawer pulls as hooks...
Courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Walls with Stuff

Textured wall tiles seem to be one of this year's trends. I have to wonder if this affect could be replicated directly on the wall or on a large piece of plywood to be installed as wall art? My best guess would be papier mache and some baubles from Sam Moon... I may have to give it a try.

Dean and Deluca Coming to Dallas?

Rumors are flying that Dean and Deluca, the posh NYC gourmet food spot, will be coming to Oak Lawn. See the DMN shopping blog for all the details that were fit to print.

Weekend Sales

Casa di Lino, the new luxury home boutique on Oak Lawn near Avondale, is now throwing an official grand opening, and sale. Offerings include fine Italian linens and home and bath accessories. Now through Wednesday, receive 15 percent off all purchases and special orders.
Casa di Lino, 4026 Oak Lawn Ave., 214-252-0404





West Elm's Web site is having a huge Summer sale. Save up to 50% on select modern furniture and accessories.

The Bodum store on Knox is still running their GOB sale. 50-70% off.
Bodum, 3103 Knox Street, 214-522-0800

Mesquite is for More than Smoking Meat

You can't really say that mesquite is making a comeback since it's never been used for much other than making BBQ, but Ann Sachs introduced a mesquite wood tile at the Chicago Kitchen/Bath Show which is making quite a splash as a resilient and naturally sustainable product. If you've ever tried to cut one down, you know that mesquite wood is extremely hard and the trees extremely tenacious. They will grow anywhere.

If you think this is a fluke, HGTV recently featured mesquite flooring on their "I Want That" program. Bottom line, big name designers beat us to the punch on making our prickley weed tree trendy. The worst part is, it's a great idea.

Make Urban Bazaar

This year's Urban Street Bazaar will feature the hand-crafted work of local designers. Products for sale will range from clothing and jewelry to furniture and wall art. Sponsored by local urban-crafting haven, Make, the Bazaar will take place June 2nd - 4th at Thomas and Boll. The event also features raffles, prizes, hands-on demonstrations, and a silent auction. For hours and details check www.urbanstreetbazaar.com or the Make site.

Sprouts Review

I stopped by the new Sprouts grocery store on Marsh and Forrest this weekend. The store is small, but they had all the 95% of the items on my list, including dried, unsweetened cherries (they didn't have light mayonnaise or toffee). The food prices were better than Whole Foods and on par with Central Market. The service was great - knowledgeable without being intimidating and very friendly. I will definitely be stopping by regularly.

Bodum Going Out of Business

The Bodum store on Knox is going out of business. Everything tea and them some is on sale 30%-70% off.

Design-it-Yourself Trend Shifts the Decorating Power Balance

Great article in the NY Times' Home and Garden section discussing how America's demand for DIY is forcing formerly to-the-trade businesses to sell directly to the public.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/11/garden/11trade.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Brief Baking Tip

I am spending the weekend baking cookies for an office party. I'm starting to feel a little like Donna Reed, but I have to say that if you have tried to bake cookies and they are spreading out too thinly and coming out too crisp, your oven is probably too hot. I finally had to put a candy thermometer in to check my oven's real temperature and found my old stove was running 10 degrees too hot. I turned it down to compensate and got my first batch of perfectly fluffy chocolate chip cookies.

Make this as an Excuse to Buy These

On the off chance you need an excuse to buy these adorable red creme brulee dishes ($1.95 each on sale at CrateandBarrel.com), make this:









Chocolate Mink:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus additional for greasing bowls

3.5 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 large egg, separated

1 tablespoon sugar

Put oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 350 F. Butter Bowls.

Melt chocolate and butter in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove bowl from heat and cool, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Whisk in egg yolk and a pinch of salt until combined.

Beat egg white in a bowl with an electric mixer. Gradually add sugar, beating until white just holds stiff, glossy peaks.

Whisk about 1/4 of white into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining white gently, but thoroughly.

Divide batter between bowls. Cover each bowl with a small square of foil and crimp foil lightly around rim. Put bowls in a baking dish, then add enough water to reach half way up the sides of the bowls, making sure that the foil is above the water. Bake until puddings are just set, about 30 minutes. Puddings will be gooey to the touch.

Transfer bowls to a rack and cool puddings uncovered for an hour.

Just before serving, unmold and top with vanilla or coffee ice cream.

V2 3D-Wallpaper

Make your own wall art out of 100% post and pre-consumer waste paper. The 12"x12" tiles are 2.25" in height and come in brown, white, green, and orange.

$28 for 12 tiles at Followfunction.com.

Design on a Budget

Picked up from Guidelive.com:

DESIGN ON A BUDGET: The McKinney Avenue Contemporary presents "Affordable Housing: Designing an American Asset," a traveling exhibit that shows that good design is possible within the tight budgets of low-cost housing. An opening reception, including light food, will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the MAC, 3120 McKinney. Free. 214-953-1212, www.the-mac.org.

Art Craving?

There's nothing more satisfying than the democratization of art and design, especially when it comes out of a formerly nic-fit inducing bad-boy like the machine above. Artomat.org refurbishes old cigarette vending machines to sell tiny packages of original artwork for a couple of bucks each. The closest Artomat to Dallas is at the Mercury Design Studio in Austin. I haven't had the chance to pop in, but it's on my agenda the next time I'm headed that way (hopefully soon).