John and I are thrilled to be penning a column, so kick back (in a Fusion Furniture sofa done up in Madcap Cottage performance fabrics, natch!) with a cool Negroni and get ready for a few tales from the Madcaps’ far-flung adventures. With some luck, we will offer a bit of sparkle and sizzle to cheer your day paired with some social commentary that’s just south of nice but a notch north of naughty. Just remember to keep that aforementioned cocktail firmly in hand: The more you drink, the more akin to David Sedaris we shall appear.
John and I have just returned from vibrant, buzzy, friendly, and fun Dallas to visit Dallas Market, and John was more of the “rock” — the Miss Ellie, if you will — while I — “I” being Jason Oliver — fully embraced the Sue-Ellen Ewing persona on this trip. Granted, I don’t wear mascara that cakes and runs a la Sue-Ellen in a teary J.R. Ewing showdown, but there might have been a few cocktails too many in the Design District one evening and a rant worthy of Meghan Markle departing the Royal Family.
Ah, well. One must keep everyone on their toes with a dash of drama every now and then, n’est-ce pas?
John and I love, love Dallas Market and adore scoping out what’s new and noteworthy — and not only in the home-design space but also in the gifts and accessories categories.
Herewith, a few favorite finds from our role as Style Eyes, aka roving trend spotters, at Dallas Market:
-We lapped up the gorgeous new lighting and accessories from Scalamandré that took center stage at Port 68, and we are so proud to have the Madcap Cottage products play in the same sandbox.
-The holiday décor from Knovxille’s Glitterville is absolutely inspirational and riveting. The glass elephant ornaments, the fruit-filled holiday garlands, and the tented table decorations are sheer heaven.
-Hudson Valley Lighting’s whimsical Mitzi brand brings a jolt of verve and zing to the lighting category that is fresh and inviting. Such fun!
-Textile and products designer Jill Seale has crafted an incredible line of marble-ized bedding products for Avasa Home—from duvets and pillows to sheets. And, oh!, the gorgeous hand to Jill’s absolutely delicious product.
-Niven Morgan is our most favorite source for candles and his brand-new Harbor [sic] Island scent is absolutely on trend and inviting.
-The Les Fleurs melamine, flower-decorated, highly colored, picnic-like plates from designer Misha Zadeh are worth hanging upon the wall. Chic and cheerful.
Other highlights from the Big D?
John and I were asked to speak at the annual “Inside Design” breakfast at amazing design retailer Coco & Dash in the city’s fun Henderson/Knox neighborhood, and the questions — and resulting organic conversation — were so fun courtesy of Coco & Dash co-owners Teddie and Courtney Garrigan. We had a crowd of more than fifty design enthusiasts, and we all sipped barista-crafted coffees and nibbled charming pastries from Dapper Donuts while discussing all things design. Thank you to the Garrigans for inviting us to take part. Among the breakfast attendees were Dallas design luminaries such as Pam Kelley, Kathy Adams, and Mary Cates; the Furniture, Lighting, and Décor team (thank you, dear friends!); the aforementioned Jill Seale; Susan Palma of Sophistication is Overrated; Madcap superfan Terry Dye (who flew in from Mineral Point, Wisconsin, solely to attend the breakfast); and a slew of other chic ladies.
We participated in a wonderful, insightful panel at Dallas Market hosted by the thoughtful, razor-sharp Pam Danziger with the other Style Eyes participants (including the effervescent Libby Langdon, the Form Studio duo, and The Product Boss team, among others) and discussed how to create engaging, forward-thinking retail experiences.
We supped at Pakpao in the Design District and cocktailed at the brand-new Virgin Hotels Dallas; we dined at the home of D-Town PR guru Cooper Koch Smith and his husband, Todd; we walked to Mama’s Daughter’s Diner; we visited the Irving, TX, headquarters of Michaels Stores; and we meet-ed and greeted aplenty.
And now, before we divulge too many state secrets, let’s sign off. Lest, to paraphrase the inimitable Sue-Ellen Ewing, “Your family is going to throw me off the ranch.”
