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(Continued) A Romp Through Decorative Arts History with Oliver Furth at Roche Bobois. The Roche Bobois showroom transformed into a chic lecture hall as guests perched on colorful Bombom settees and translucent Ava chairs to take in the philosophy and mantras of designer/decorative arts curator Oliver Furth, in from Los Angeles. Furth's illustrated talk was followed by a book signing of his just released Rizzoli volume, OP! Optimistic Interiors. The buzzy afternoon amounted to a museum-worthy view of this AD100 and Elle Decor A-List talent's nuanced eye and immense knowledge of the centuries- spanning history of decorative arts, from the ancient world to today's avatars at the intersection of fine art and functional design. Furth also possesses serious museum cred: He consults for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and is chair emeritus of its Decorative Arts and Design Council. Seen: Avant-Art gallerists Abigail Henningsen Haley and Ally Ondarza; Michael Mandola; Found's Ruth Davis; Will Kolb; Katherine Castello; Meredith Grover; artist Angela Fabbri; Roche Bobois' Dana Shihab in from NYC, and Houston-based Balbina González; Denise Partridge; Magen Pastor; Jennifer Greer Hartmann; Margot Stevens; Julie Pratz; and Sheila Tanner. Catherine D. Anspon Oliver Furth Takeaway: • "I revel in creating an intertwined dialogue, between an 18th-century Regency writing desk, an antique Sultanabad carpet, and Joyce Lin's contemporary Log chair made from acrylic, wood, and automotive paint." • "I am anti-beige. Beige is the safe choice, but it's really no choice." • "Rooms tell us what they want to be." The Big Business of Design. At British furniture emporium OKA (which has since shuttered its stores), guests joined designer Adam Lippes, OKA co-founder Sue Jones, designer Marie Flanigan, and moderator Mieke ten Have for cocktails and conversation. The topic: Becoming Multi- Hyphenate Creators and Building a Design Empire. Tastemaker Adam Lippes began his fashion career at Ralph Lauren before joining Oscar de la Renta where he became one of the youngest creative directors of a major fashion house. He launched his first fashion label in 2004 and recently opened a boutique in Houston in River Oaks District carrying his full fashion collection as well as home design objects. Houston interior designer Marie Flanigan is a classically trained architect, with a thriving design business, e-commerce platform, and collaborations with Visual Comfort and Annie Selke. Her second book will be published this fall. Moderator Mieke ten Have is an interiors stylist for national brands and her second book will also be published this season. Seen: Oliver Furth, Kara and Ray Childress, Courtney Sarofim, Ellen Brown, Palmer Brown, Mia Smith, Taylor Barnett, Cathy Chapman, Catherine Olasky, Mackenzie Snuggs, Jack Vielhauer, Tracy Motley, Alli Ryan Winter, Larissa Fadeyev, Greta Barrett, Laurann Claridge, and Carol Isaak Barden. Caitlin Hsu Big Business of Design Takeaway: • "Just saying 'No' is so important." — Marie Flanigan • "You need an incredible team. No-brainer." — Adam Lippes • "Designing clothes and decorating a house is all part of the same DNA." — Adam Lippes • "Surround yourself with people who inspire you." — Marie Flanigan Illustrated Talk and Morning Mimosas with Mary McDonald. Celebrated designer Mary McDonald was in conversation with moderator Anne Lee Phillips and previewed her new rug collection with Patterson Flynn at the new Patterson Flynn showroom in Decorative Center Houston. Seen: Patterson Flynn's Peter Touma, Pam Marshall, and Samantha Roberts; as well as Randy Powers, Nicole Zarr, Oscar Banta- Guevara, Ashton Taylor Oberhauser, Mary-Bennett Sigal, Ally Phillips, Sally Green, Ferrell Harper, Madison Osborn, Kat Bertron, Katie O'Neil, Amanda Mosley, Wayne Smith and Denny Lyons, Susanna Moldawer, Elisabeth McCabe, Caroline Read, Talbot Cooley, Cleo Epley, Blaine Mooring, Cassidy Weidner, Paul Brockman, Armando Juarez, Gabriel Juarez, and Kari Roundy. Anne Lee Phillips Mary McDonald Takeaway: • Inspiration can come from anywhere. McDonald takes pictures of everything that inspires her to use later. (See: backgammon board design on rugs for Patterson Flynn). • Ideas are easy — it's the execution that takes expertise. • To create great designs, you have to take risks and be unafraid of being theatrical. Be willing to put your stamp on something. • Change the scale of a pattern from another era to make it fresh. Kaila Brinkman at Hästens Ginger Hartford at Hästens Giles Deacon at Sanderson and Culp Shannon Mann Meg Lonergan at Patterson Flynn Dinner Tarek El-Bjeirmi Ceron at Park House Cathy Chapman Ray & Kara Childress at OKA 100