• Home
  • popular
  • Events
  • Submit New Event
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • News
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Home + Design
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Innovation
  • Sports
  • Charity Guide
  • children
  • education
  • health
  • veterans
  • SOCIAL SERVICES
  • ARTS + CULTURE
  • animals
  • lgbtq
  • New Charity
  • Series
  • Delivery Limited
  • DTX Giveaway 2012
  • DTX Ski Magic
  • dtx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Your Home in the Sky
  • DTX Best of 2013
  • DTX Trailblazers
  • Tastemakers Dallas 2017
  • Healthy Perspectives
  • Neighborhood Eats 2015
  • The Art of Making Whiskey
  • DTX International Film Festival
  • DTX Tatum Brown
  • Tastemaker Awards 2016 Dallas
  • DTX McCurley 2014
  • DTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • DTX Beyond presents Party Perfect
  • DTX Texas Health Resources
  • DART 2018
  • Alexan Central
  • State Fair 2018
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Zatar
  • CityLine
  • Vision Veritas
  • Okay to Say
  • Hearts on the Trinity
  • DFW Auto Show 2015
  • Northpark 50
  • Anteks Curated
  • Red Bull Cliff Diving
  • Maggie Louise Confections Dallas
  • Gaia
  • Red Bull Global Rally Cross
  • NorthPark Holiday 2015
  • Ethan's View Dallas
  • DTX City Centre 2013
  • Galleria Dallas
  • Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty Luxury Homes in Dallas Texas
  • DTX Island Time
  • Simpson Property Group SkyHouse
  • DIFFA
  • Lotus Shop
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Dallas
  • Clothes Circuit
  • DTX Tastemakers 2014
  • Elite Dental
  • Elan City Lights
  • Dallas Charity Guide
  • DTX Music Scene 2013
  • One Arts Party at the Plaza
  • J.R. Ewing
  • AMLI Design District Vibrant Living
  • Crest at Oak Park
  • Braun Enterprises Dallas
  • NorthPark
  • Victory Park
  • DTX Common Desk
  • DTX Osborne Advisors
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • DFW Showcase Tour of Homes
  • DTX Neighborhood Eats
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • DTX Auto Awards
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2017
  • Nasher Store
  • Guardian of The Glenlivet
  • Zyn22
  • Dallas Rx
  • Yellow Rose Gala
  • Opendoor
  • DTX Sun and Ski
  • Crow Collection
  • DTX Tastes of the Season
  • Skye of Turtle Creek Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival
  • DTX Charity Challenge
  • DTX Culture Motive
  • DTX Good Eats 2012
  • DTX_15Winks
  • St. Bernard Sports
  • Jose
  • DTX SMU 2014
  • DTX Up to Speed
  • st bernard
  • Ardan West Village
  • DTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Taste the Difference
  • Parktoberfest 2016
  • Bob's Steak and Chop House
  • DTX Smart Luxury
  • DTX Earth Day
  • DTX_Gaylord_Promoted_Series
  • IIDA Lavish
  • Huffhines Art Trails 2017
  • Red Bull Flying Bach Dallas
  • Y+A Real Estate
  • Beauty Basics
  • DTX Pet of the Week
  • Long Cove
  • Charity Challenge 2014
  • Legacy West
  • Wildflower
  • Stillwater Capital
  • Tulum
  • DTX Texas Traveler
  • Dallas DART
  • Soldiers' Angels
  • Alexan Riveredge
  • Ebby Halliday Realtors
  • Zephyr Gin
  • Sixty Five Hundred Scene
  • Christy Berry
  • Entertainment Destination
  • Dallas Art Fair 2015
  • St. Bernard Sports Duck Head
  • Jameson DTX
  • Alara Uptown Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival fall 2017
  • DTX Tastemakers 2015
  • Cottonwood Arts Festival
  • The Taylor
  • Decks in the Park
  • Alexan Henderson
  • Gallery at Turtle Creek
  • Omni Hotel DTX
  • Red on the Runway
  • Whole Foods Dallas 2018
  • Artizone Essential Eats
  • Galleria Dallas Runway Revue
  • State Fair 2016 Promoted
  • Trigger's Toys Ultimate Cocktail Experience
  • Dean's Texas Cuisine
  • Real Weddings Dallas
  • Real Housewives of Dallas
  • Jan Barboglio
  • Wildflower Arts and Music Festival
  • Hearts for Hounds
  • Okay to Say Dallas
  • Indochino Dallas
  • Old Forester Dallas
  • Dallas Apartment Locators
  • Dallas Summer Musicals
  • PSW Real Estate Dallas
  • Paintzen
  • DTX Dave Perry-Miller
  • DTX Reliant
  • Get in the Spirit
  • Bachendorf's
  • Holiday Wonder
  • Village on the Parkway
  • City Lifestyle
  • opportunity knox villa-o restaurant
  • Nasher Summer Sale
  • Simpson Property Group
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2017 Dallas
  • Carlisle & Vine
  • DTX New Beginnings
  • Get in the Game
  • Red Bull Air Race
  • Dallas DanceFest
  • 2015 Dallas Stylemaker
  • Youth With Faces
  • Energy Ogre
  • DTX Renewable You
  • Galleria Dallas Decadence
  • Bella MD
  • Tractorbeam
  • Young Texans Against Cancer
  • Fresh Start Dallas
  • Dallas Farmers Market
  • Soldier's Angels Dallas
  • Shipt
  • Elite Dental
  • Texas Restaurant Association 2017
  • State Fair 2017
  • Scottish Rite
  • Brooklyn Brewery
  • DTX_Stylemakers
  • Alexan Crossings
  • Ascent Victory Park
  • Top Texans Under 30 Dallas
  • Discover Downtown Dallas
  • San Luis Resort Dallas
  • Greystar The Collection
  • FIG Finale
  • Greystar M Line Tower
  • Lincoln Motor Company
  • The Shelby
  • Jonathan Goldwater Events
  • Windrose Tower
  • Gift Guide 2016
  • State Fair of Texas 2016
  • Choctaw Dallas
  • TodayTix Dallas promoted
  • Whole Foods
  • Unbranded 2014
  • Frisco Square
  • Unbranded 2016
  • Circuit of the Americas 2018
  • The Katy
  • Snap Kitchen
  • Partners Card
  • Omni Hotels Dallas
  • Landmark on Lovers
  • Harwood Herd
  • Galveston.com Dallas
  • Holiday Happenings Dallas 2018
  • TenantBase
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2018
  • Hawkins-Welwood Homes
  • The Inner Circle Dallas
  • Eating in Season Dallas
  • ATTPAC Behind the Curtain
  • TodayTix Dallas
  • The Alexan
  • Toyota Music Factory
  • Nosh Box Eatery
  • Wildflower 2018
  • Society Style Dallas 2018
  • Texas Scottish Rite Hospital 2018
  • 5 Mockingbird
  • 4110 Fairmount
  • Visit Taos
  • Allegro Addison
  • Dallas Tastemakers 2018
  • The Village apartments
  • City of Burleson Dallas

    the art of living

    Make your house a home with these easy-to-implement tips from Texas designexperts

    Caitlin M. Ryan
    Nov 1, 2012 | 9:17 am
    • You want your house to shine, and it will sparkle much brighter if you dustlight bulbs and clean light covers, says interior designer Janus Lazaris.
      Photo by Adrienne Breaux
    • A clean home is a welcoming home. Finally set down — and stick to — a cleaningschedule this fall, suggests Apartment Therapy's Adrienne Breaux.
      Photo by Adrienne Breaux
    • Flowers bring life to a room, says Texas Monthly writer-at-large Kristie RamirezHoitsma.
      Photo by Adrienne Breaux
    • Set up the guest room weeks before your company arrives, suggests Janus Lazaris.
      Photo by Adrienne Breaux

    You've signed the papers, you've got the keys and now you're staring at a whole lot of blank walls. You've spent the past decade moving from place to place, city to city, focusing on your career. Now you're ready to make a true home — but you haven't the slightest idea how.

    That's the position in which many ambitious young professionals find themselves. They may have seen the world, but they can't see how to turn a house into a home.

    To help conjure up the courage to create a comfortable abode — and invite company over — we called in the experts. Some of the state's reigning interior designers, bloggers and editors have come to our aid with tips they learned the hard way for creating a warm, welcoming sanctuary and entertaining space.

     Adrienne Breaux, editor at Apartment Therapy

     1. Get it clean — and keep it clean

    Home feels like home when it's filled with friends and family, and you're more likely to invite folks over when you're not worried they'll spot your dust bunnies or stumble on the pile of laundry that springs up in that one corner of your bedroom. Finally set down — and stick to — a cleaning schedule this fall.

     2. Go ahead and buy yourself confidence

    Your home doesn't have to be perfect to enjoy it, but give yourself permission to start the process of making your dream home. Buy yourself a few needed (or wanted) pieces that will give you confidence to entertain.

     3. Focus, experiment, breathe — and then enjoy

    Focus your time, energy and brilliance on DIY projects, new home items or furniture layout rearrangements that work for you. (And don't be afraid to experiment until you strike just the right note.) But if you're still worried, remember: Low lighting and lots of bourbon can make any space look design magazine-worthy.

     Kristie Ramirez Hoitsma, Texas Monthly writer-at-large and editor of Texas Style & Substance

     1) Always have a good mix of music

    Even if just one person is coming over, create some background noise with something other than your television. A neutral mix of Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson and Van Morrison never offends.

     2) A few flowers go a long way

    They add life to a room. You don't have to go nuts with $12 stems of peonies. Orchids or succulents are big-impact, inexpensive and long-lasting.

     3) Stock the pantry with good snacks

    This is easy but something that people often forget. Always have wasabi almonds, crackers and a block of cheese. All of these things are affordable and keep forever, plus they are a good balance of textures and flavors. You're more likely to have friends over when you know you don't have to run out to the grocery to sate even the smallest appetite.

     Janus Lazaris, owner and interior designer at JanusDesign

     1) The "giving home" is always ready for company

    Give yourself enough time to plan, organize and create. Start early by setting up the guest room weeks before your company arrives. Think about menus, events and schedules before the doorbell rings. A simple game plan will work wonders in eliminating stress.

     2) Now that autumn nights begin early, turn on the lights

    Your home will sparkle much brighter if you dust light bulbs and clean light covers. This is also a good time to polish glass, silver and other shiny surfaces so they reflect light better.

     3) Keep warm and cozy

    Don't forget rugs, wraps, pillows and blankets! November is the time to layer your home in warm and cozy textures. Drape a distinctive blanket over the back of the sofa. Add inviting pillows and a rug, and place firewood so it is ready for a cold night.

    Put these ideas in motion, and next time a friend unexpectedly rings your doorbell, you won't have to hide behind the couch.

    unspecifiedseries554589752
    series/dtx-comforts-of-home-2012
    news/home-design
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Dallas intel delivered daily.

    House of style

    How to dress up your home for the holidays, Texas-style

    Jacob Swain
    Nov 25, 2012 | 12:36 pm
    • Arctic animal ornaments at Pottery Barn holiday 2012
      Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn
    • Vintage ornaments on a tree stump in a feed-store bucket
      Photo courtesy of D'Ette Cole
    • Newsprint star, holiday decorations
      Photo courtesy of D'Ette Cole
    • West Elm mercury glass vases holiday 2012
      Photo courtesy of West Elm

    The holidays can be as stressful — or stress-free — as you make them. We know the routine too well: shopping, waiting in line, sitting in traffic, eating, drinking, watching the shipping charges load onto your bill, cleaning, entertaining, cooking, making a Starbucks run, more shopping.

    The one place that should feel relaxing is your home. But before you deck your halls with the same tired tannenbaum, tinsel and twinkle lights, we urge you to breathe deeply, set your inner grinch free and take a fresh approach to decorating this season. Honestly, must we always put out mother’s miniature crystal Christmas tree?

    To find out how to dress the house for the season, we asked a few Texas experts to share their thoughts on the latest trends. Here’s to simplicity, comfort, style, a little sparkle and good cheer.

    D’Ette Cole, designer, Red

    Mix organic materials with simple yet elegant accents
    Sophisticated holidays emerge from just a few simple touches in elemental, organic materials. Black ink and ecru, repeated in elegant paper ornaments, create a crisp and timeless color palette. Glittering garlands perfectly trim a tabletop, and well-appointed lighting brings luxury, warmth and radiance.

    Play with the written word
    Celebrate the modern with graphic, amply scaled holiday decor, sparsely appointed and grouped for effect. Newsprint stars and gift wrap create a smart, savvy graphic edge, while vintage letters, even initials, provide shapely symbols. Set with tinsel trees, which beget holiday cheer and light the way through the season with minimal hassle and maximum effect.

    Add bursts of color spots
    Bring spunk to a winter wonderland with colorful, one-of-a-kind, vintage ornaments. A white-washed stump or a glittered tree branch set in a feed-store bucket create an inspired twist on a holiday favorite.

    Jeff Moss, Buyer, Breed &Co.

    Let there be light
    Battery-powered lights are big. A set of batteries can last as much as a week or more on LED lights, because they hardly use any power at all. Plus they are very bright.

    Use skinny trees in all the right places
    Put them on tables, stick them on mantels, place them on your dresser. Some look like something that Dr. Seuss would have, others are more traditional, and some are wrapped in burlap and covered in kind of a sugared frost. Any place that you’ve got space needs a tiny, skinny tree.

    Wrap it up right
    You can go anyplace and find cheap ribbon for Christmas but not the real stuff — the wired stuff that is made of velvet. Do deep-red velvet and gold. A nice ribbon holds it shape. Try and find one that is shiny red on one side and gold on the other side, so it is reversible.

    Annie Downing, interior designer and owner, perusehome.com

    Add glamour, glitter and shine
    Anything that sparkles is a must for holiday decor this season. Glittery ornaments, mercury glass candlesticks, pine cones covered in glitter, glittery houses — they convey that feeling of a winter wonderland.

    Go retro and vintage
    Mix felt garlands and wreaths with your current holiday pieces. It’s fun to jumble the old with the new.

    Get back to nature
    Bring the outdoors in. Evergreen, twigs, branches, mushrooms and animal ornaments (bears, deer, owls) are inspired by the season. Bottle brush trees are fantastic as well. Magnolia wreaths and garlands never go out of style.

    series554589752
    series/dtx-comforts-of-home-2012
    news/home-design
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Dallas intel delivered daily.
    Loading...