Twitter / Settings

Twitter / Settings: "http://twitter.com/mdesignsdallas
Checking for availability of this username ..."

Dallas Home Builders Association Awards

Recently we attended the Dallas Home Buildersa Association ARC Awards. As a member for several years now, this awards ceremony highlights the success of home builders in the Dallas area in all design and architectural categories.

We were in the presence of some of Dallas' best and were awarded the prestigious award of "Outstanding Service by an Associate". This is our second year to be nominated and awarded in this category and were are awarded based upon ballots from our builders and those we serve in the construction industry.

Thanks so much for this opportunity Dallas HBA and to all our our builders, it is our pleasure to serve you and your clients in creating beautiful homes.

Here are a few of our friends and winners from the industry:

Studio Sneak Peek

Recently I was encouraged to post photos of our studio for others to see. If you haven't ever toured our space, it's full of energy and great furniture for our clients to purchase as well. We love to meet with clients in the "yellow room", offer a cappucino in our mod kitchen, and present great design ideas in one of our consultation rooms.

We are making color changes for Fall and will debut our new meeting rooms in a later layout. Come see us soon and let us create a great space for you too.

Denise

Outdoor Designs in Texas

OK, Let's be real....we live in Texas and for the last three months it's been SO blazing hot, I almost couldn't stand to be outside for more than 20 minutes. But thankfully the seasonal God have shined down and we have the the most beautiful mornings on the patio recently. I will take a 68 degree morning over a 90 degree morning any day.

We have lots of family and friends in town for Labor Day weekend because it's an intense week full of celebrations. It looks a little like this - son's birthday, daughter's birthday, my birthday, our anniversary and Labor Day BBQ's....my husband just hands me the credit card with a sheepish grin on his face and plays along.

With all of this fun, our pool and patio get one last workout before summer says good-bye. Since yours probably does too, I thought now would be a great time to talk about everything you will need for that last "hurrah".

First, make sure you have a great buffet table to place those great drinks, snacks, food and other miscellaneous needs. Out door floral arrangements can be made up of things you already have in your backyard. Cannas are in season now and have lots of great tropical color. Those great lime green sweet potato vines also add pop to any arrangement. Finally, with our recent rains and cooler temperatures, the roses are blooming again. Pull all of these options together and you can make a quick, affordable arrangement in no time.

A grill is a must, and make sure you have lots of landing space next to it for platters, tongs, marinade bowls, and of course a cool beverage. We love to grill meats, vegetables and fruits and this means less cleanup when everyone is done.

Comfortable, waterproof seating where non-pool goers can enjoy the shade, will create that outdoor room feeling we all crave. Make sure you have enough room for everyone to sit and dry off before heading back inside and have enough towels for all your guests. I prefer monogrammed towels that tie in our outdoor color scheme.

Last, but not least, beautiful, billowy drapery and an outdoor rug. These will also need outdoor drapery hardware, which is usually powder coated to prevent rust from ruining your drapery panels. I think this is an opportunity to be sheer and romantic, or make a bold statement. Either way, these options make your outdoor room complete.

Remember, it's not to late create your outdoor room, and you can enjoy it well into November with the right planning and design!!

Enjoy your last summer weekend with friends and family and toss a watermelon in the pool to keep it cool....this is what my children remember the most about their birthday weekend.

Denise

Back to School Blues

Back to School in my household means labels on everything, new notebooks and sharpened pencils. I have this inate desire to organize everything neatly and clean out the closets. Back to a schedule and lists for everything.

Have you seen the August to August calendars at Paper Tree??

Who knew there was such a thing and that all my Junior League Dallas provisional pals lived by one? Check it out if you still work on paper along with your BlackBerry. I have my entire life on my Smart Phone and reminders pop up throughout the day to pull me out of my design dreaming. but if you're one of those who needs paper for your to-do list and you have different colored highlighters for each organization and activity, this is for you.

With the loss of my favorite shelter mag, Southern Accents, I feel lost. With Southern design being such a different genre than any other region, I will crave the articles that show our clients how their neighbors live. We will miss you and will keep up online.

While you're at it, check out my favorite design maven Jan Showers who is featured in this months issue....I LOVE what Jan brings to a room.

Last but not least, with back to school, we have begun receiving lots of phone calls for clients wishing and wanting for a new look. Please give us a call if you want to bring a newly designed space into your household...here's a few of our latest inspirations for our projects.

Stay tuned for details from the Dallas Home Homebuilders Association ARC Awards where we were awarded "Outstanding Service by an Associate". What an honor........

Denise

Coral Inspirations

It all started with a sale.....doesn't everything? Two dozen roses on sale at Central Market in a great coral-y/beige combo. I filled vases with them everywhere and instantly became inspired for my next project presentation.

This great color can transition from Spring fresh to Fall warm and I love how it can be paired with browns, turquoises, beige and grey to create incredible statements.

I am imagining coral taffeta panels in a dining room with a this beautiful rug and these great chairs from one of my favorite antiques dealers in Texas....

And while we're on the subject of coral......look at these great fashion finds in coral:

Nancy Gonzalez Clutches in Crocodile

Alexander Wang One Shoulder Dress - Pre-Fall 09 Collection

Elizabeth Showers Necklace

Can't you just see it now??.....Stay tuned for more color inspirations as we work on new projects for fall and we will post our newest installations soon.

Denise

Dallas Market Center's Home for the Holidays

Recently we were asked to create a media/room den for Dallas Market Center's "Home for the Holidays" exhibit. With the support of Alicia Segal here at "M" and our fabluous summer intern Lisa, we whipped up a hip and happenin' media room with a lot of glamour and punch.

We love working with Alden and Naseem at DMC and better yet, benefitting the Dallas Furniture Bank - thanks to everyone who supported this great cause and what's better than Christmas in July??