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92 TEXAS DESIGN WEEK HOUSTON Wraps Up YEAR 2 DAY FOUR H GTV star Vern Yip touched down from Atlanta to Decorative Center Houston for a keynote in the gleaming first-floor gallery, introduced by DCH owner Charles Cohen, in from New York. After the talk, Yip signed copies of his new book, Vern Yip's Design Wise (Running Press), in the Fabricut showroom, where manager Tod Tremont directed the line for books snaking down the hall. In the crowd: Ann Tiffany, Donna Sonnier, Casey Drost, Karen Davis, Karen DeGeurin, Laura Reddick, Ilse Benard, and Susan Fruit. Ellie Cullman and Claire Ratliff of AD 100 design firm Cullman & Kravis were in from New York, along with Marshall Watson and Kate Reid of Marshall Watson Interiors, for an inspiring keynote extolling classic interiors, in the gallery of Decorative Center Houston. A reception and book signings followed in the beautiful Wells Abbott showroom, where owner Lauren Hudson hosted. Cullman and Watson signed their respective new books From Classic to Contemporary: Decorating with Cullman & Kravis (The Monacelli Press) and The Art of Elegance: Classic Interiors (Rizzoli). Seen: Decorative Center Houston's Charles Cohen. Stephen Fredericks, Jillian O'Neill, Karen Sierra, Susanne Pritchard, Laurie Morian, Brock Hudson, Jane Wood, Colleen Colby, Felicia Baker, and Ruthie Melies. Sponsors: Wells Abbott, Porcelanosa, Circa Lighting. Luxe magazine hosted an afternoon gathering with Karen Pulaski, founder of Tribute Goods, in the Stark Carpet showroom. Seen: Luxe's Amy McAnally, Stark manager Joe Thomas, Molly Jodeit, Summer Daniel, Laney McGarry, Pamela O'Brien, Kelly Gale Amen, Diane Landers, Mary Hilton, Carol Lamadrid, Brittany Cooper, Victoria Goldstein, and Dawn Ginn. Sponsors: Luxe, Stark Carpet showroom, Tribute Goods, Porcelanosa, and Circa Lighting. The design crowd moved from DCH to Circa Lighting in River Oaks, where Gale Singer, owner of Circa Lighting, hosted two of the company's star designers and celebrated decorators, Alexa Hampton and J. Randall Powers. Cocktails were passed and the party moved next door to Avalon Diner for burgers, fries, and a lively conversation with Hampton and Powers, introduced by Singer, in from Savannah. Her brother, you see, is Andy Singer, who founded the multi-billion dollar lighting behemoth Visual Comfort, which manufactures lighting designed by Hampton, Powers, Kelly Wearstler, Thomas O'Brien, Aerin Lauder, and a slew of other greats. Seen: Angel Rios, Richard Flowers, Bill Caudell, Catherine and Dean Guiffre, Rajani Alvarado, Ben Johnston, LeTricia Wilbanks, Lindsey Herod, Aaron Laine, Mindy Martin, and Ryan Reitmeyer. Sponsors: Circa Lighting and Porcelanosa. CLOSING NIGHT Baccarat in River Oaks District opened the crystal vaults and joined forces with David Brown of David Brown Flowers and Ben Johnston to host closing night for Texas Design Week Houston, benefit- ting Covenant House Texas. In from New York, Baccarat president Jim Shreve and execs Ward Simmons and Wilkin Cabrera, and Houston manager Vicki Rusca greeted guests. Towering glasses of champagne kept waiters juggling in the packed salon until some tore them- selves away to walk the sidewalk and check the wares at Diptyque, Bonpoint, Dior, Etro (where L.A. designer Orlando Sorio was signing his cheeky new book), and Thornwood Gallery, then a spot of vodka at Toulouse restaurant. Seen: Etro's Sonya Shernak, Carla Munoz, River Oaks District's Jennifer Rivera, Johnathon Kok, Bill Stubbs, and Erich Ploog. Sponsors: Baccarat, River Oaks District, Porcelanosa, Circa Lighting. (continued from page 90) Leslie Carothers Laura Flora Laura & Michael Umansky Angel Rios & Richard Flowers Tracey Shingledecker, Kelly O'Donnell, Leighton Hale at Back Row Home Isabel David at Neiman Marcus Dean & Catherine Giuffre Mariana Barran Goodall, Ellen Wagnon Virginia Mary Brown, Ruth Davis at Biscuit Marcus & DeeAnn Thigpen Julie Dodson, Linda Eyles Bill Caudell Design disciples at David Sutherland