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In the foyer, two Lucas Samaras sculptures flank the entry area — from left, Wire Hanger Chair (Vesta), 1989, and Wire Hanger Chair (Couples), 1986. Above them, Meredyth Sparks' Warsaw (Found), 2008 CHASING PERFECTION A GLIMPSE INTO ALDEN AND JANELLE PINNELL'S WAY OF LIFE, WHERE AN UNCOMPROMISING SEARCH FOR THE SWEET SPOT IN ART AND DESIGN NEVER ENDS. IN Alden Pinnell's upstairs home office, there is a mound of black stereo equipment on the floor — the middle of the floor, to be exact. "It's balanced on something like pennies, and if you sit in one specific spot on the couch," says his wife, Janelle, "the sound is close to perfection … It's the sweet spot." The equipment, it seems, is on loan from a friend. The Pinnells are testing the high-fidelity paraphernalia with an ear to adding "audiophile" to their ever-growing list of mastered quests. You see, when the Pinnells take on an interest, they become fanatical about it — a habit that typically results in a new collection, a very profitable return or simply great cocktail conversation. Alden, along with business partner Russell Moon, founded SkinCeuticals in 1997 — a Garland-based professional skincare line marketed to dermatologists, spas and plastic surgeon offices. The year 2004 saw sales reaching $35 million; the following year ended with acquirement by L'Oréal Paris. Worldly travels and a New York apartment for Alden and Janelle came next, along with a focus to really collect contemporary art, all while planning the renovation of an historic DP&L, Co. building in Dallas. That remodel project, now known as The Power Station, involved taking three condominiums — once inhabited by Alden, Brady Wood and Brandt Wood — and combining them into a primary residence for the Pinnells, with an art-gallery exhibition space for artists. They immersed themselves in art history classes at The Museum of Modern Art and conducted endless research on Kunsthalles, or artist-run exhibition spaces. Says Alden, "We did a tremendous amount of studio visits all over Asia and around the world." See? No half-hearted cramming there. With a first baby on the way, however, the Pinnells scrapped their two years of prodding and planning to renovate The Power Station and "live with art." The top priority on their conquest list became a search for the perfect piece of Dallas real estate or an already constructed residence for their family. "We had always admired the house," Janelle says of the '90s-era glass-walled home they now inhabit with their two small children. "A friend suggested we look at it, and we made an offer within 24 hours." It's thought to be the last home noted architect Bud Oglesby designed — constructed for art collector I.C. Deal; he and his wife were the sole homeowners before the Pinnells' purchase. "Deal and his wife donated 125 contemporary drawings to the DMA," Alden says. "I remember seeing great art, Picassos and such, in this house." The slate floors, soaring ceilings and openness beg for focal points from an art collection. "It's a house that needs art," Janelle adds. With hundreds of art pieces already in their possession, the Pinnells turned their attention to furnishings, calling upon decorator Brant McFarlain to collaborate. McFarlain immediately ordered a remodel of the his-and-her master baths, placed current furniture and assisted in the procurement and building of new items. Art purchasing happens quickly with Alden and Janelle, but upholstered pieces are a methodical process. A running file of furniture and design items brims with pieces they would like to own, especially ones found on trips or usually seen first in their stacks of design books. "It's very slow and very curated," Alden says. "We want the house to be relatively spare, as we want the art to be what is looked at most." BY BROOKE HORTENSTINE. PHOTOGRAPHY KA YEUNG. ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE BUD OGLESBY. DESIGN COLLABORATION BRANT MCFARLAIN. FLORAL DESIGN GRANGE HALL. MARCH | PAGE 54 | 2012