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TIME IS Precious Ruby cabochon cuff We typically avoid conspicuous consumption — except when the object in question is covered in some 1,200 flawless diamonds totaling 140 carats, such as with Swiss watchmaker Hublot's Big Bang Five Million. Billed as the most expensive timepiece in the world, it required 17 craftsmen over the course of 14 months to complete it. Currently the sole Big Bang Five Million is being exhibited throughout Asia. $5,000,000, through the Hublot boutique. Seth Vaughan Wish List from India needlifestyle.com G Tailored to Perfection SHAYNA FONTANA old, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and diamonds — don't you wish that a wise man would come bearing such magnificent gifts. When Heather Asbury isn't designing home interiors, she's traveling throughout India selecting the finest of precious jewels. "I've been a collector of these amazing handmade Indian treasures for over a decade, but creating custom jewelry is my new passion," she says. "I hand-sketched this ruby cuff after seeing a vintage trim on one of my interior design projects. The cuff was hand-crafted in India by my jeweler there, and has ruby cabochons and rough-cut and rose-cut diamonds set in sterling and 14K gold" ($5,900). So, if you're still working on a wish list, consider a monogrammed horn cuff, rough-cut diamond bangles, pearl drop earrings or a tassel necklace. Beats the heck out of frankincense and myrrh. By appointment at Rare Gems of India, 214.649.4584; raregemsofindia.com. Max Trowbridge Ligne Roset Dallas with pup Poocho. Ploum sofa by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec; Pumpkin armchair by Pierre Paulin; both for Ligne Roset. I Cool & Collected Ligne Roset has relocated from its former Uptown location to fresh digs on Hi Line Drive, with new owners at the helm: Brittany and Adam Branscum. Dallas Ligne Roset marks the couple's second Texas store (the other is in Houston) for the celebrated French furniture retailer. Collections from sleek European designers include Nils, Togo, Ploum, Amy, Tolbiac and Et Cetera, housed in a 5,000-square-foot showroom designed by O Architecture that's open to designers and the public. 1710 Hi Line Dr., 214.749.0064; ligne-roset-usa.com. Catherine D. Anspon Bradley Fert's andiron allure Eric Prokesh's eclectic abundance shade of orange with wall hangings reminiscent of the famed Barnes collection. Willard Brown himself maintains three spaces, two of which are devoted to classical pieces (chief among them, medieval alms dishes from Nuremberg), while the third focuses on pedigreed mid-century creations. 1333A Oaklawn Ave., 214.748.8359; brownandcompanyantiques@gmail.com. Seth Vaughan Forty Five Ten hosts Shawn Hecox and Samantha Hitchcock of The Woods as they reveal their bespoke jewelry, December 6 and 7, while jeweler and home decor maven Kimberly McDonald makes a personal appearance with her nature-inspired collections … Neiman Marcus NorthPark welcomes two guests December 14: California designer Devon Leigh shows off her jewelry collection while Jim O'Leary, director of design at Waterford Crystal, presents the latest collection … Tis the season for great hair. Get blown away with limited-time offers all month at The Hair Bar … Danish design house Leolux debuts their sculptural statement chairs and tables exclusively at modern furniture retailer and design DECEMBER | PAGE 8 | 2013 studio Cantoni … Grab your cameras! Santa returns to The Plaza at Preston Center December 7, 14 and 21, 11 am to 4 pm … It's that time of year. Preview the new collections and latest timepieces at Bachendorf's 25th Anniversary Watch Event December 7. Receive a complimentary watch winder with every $5,000 automatic timepiece purchase. Lauren Scheinin T H E R E S I D E N T E X P E R T S. MATHEWS-NICHOL S.COM | 214.350.0711 SHAYNA FONTANA I t's craftsmanship, pure and simple: Greubel Forsey creates timepieces for the true devotee. Stephen Forsey, the Brit half of the partnership, and Robert Greubel, the French half, started their business in 1999, tucked away in the Swiss watchmaking region of La Chaux-de-Fonds. For years they worked together at Renaud & Papi (owned by Audemars Piguet), but their passion for miniaturized mechanisms and luxury watches piqued when they questioned their careers. "We couldn't accept that everything had been done, that there was nothing left to discover or explore," Forsey says. These watchmakers engineer and handcraft each mechanical piece to perfection, with a fascination for the tourbillon. "The idea behind the tourbillon," Forsey says, "is to cheat and harness gravity, to enable us to get a perfect performance. The heart of the mechanical watch is a bit like the human heart: It has a beat to it." Their collection consists of six styles, each with a distinctive character. The GMT, Forsey's current favorite, was inspired by the duo's travels and masterfully handles changing time zones. Without reading the analog hands, one can determine the time via a rotating three-dimensional globe. "We show 24 major cities around the world on the back of the timepiece, and the disc rotates in real time," Forsey says of the truly modern masterpiece, which has evolved from a 500-yearold craft. Greubel Forsey GMT in white gold with alligator strap $595,000, at deBoulle; greubelforsey.com Max Trowbridge Willard Brown SHAYNA FONTANA We're not talking CST, only GMT SHAYNA FONTANA Bounty of the Bygone Antiquarian Willard Brown has taken over the antiques collective previously known as Mews II and rebranded it Brown & Co. What has not changed is the quality of the assemblages offered by the establishment's 17 dealers. Eric Prokesh offers incomparable pieces that span the centuries; we spotted everything from an arresting Scandinavian sleigh bed to a Fornasetti lamp. Marlyss Skipwith still fills the front room with fine continental and American items that communicate an easy elegance. B. Gover trades in the curious, novel and witty. Keven Fowler vends impressive statement pieces, from Parisian portals and Italian tables with pietra dura tops to monumental lighting fixtures. The blithe and intelligent range at Greta Owens includes framed pressed flora and a faux-bois console that still haunts me. Also, in the mix are John Bobbit with a dense assortment of ornamental pieces and Sabella by Matthew Rzechula's custom stone fireplace surrounds and flooring. The real coup, though, is the arrival of Bradley Ferst of Mongrel Hill Fireplace and his unparalleled assortment of andirons, from massive bronze sets to exquisitely detailed roaring griffins. Ferst's booth is painted an unusual t's open season at needlifestyle.com. If you're the type of man who leans toward the casual side of life, conveniently curated online, you need to shop now. Launched by Dallas' Matt Alexander, the site offers everything from menswear and furniture to literature and coffee. Alexander, a bi-Texan (his parents are from Texas and London, so he carries a dual citizenship), graduated from SMU with an English literature degree before switching gears to the online apparel industry. Unlike the usual e-commerce sale sites that fill your inbox daily with merchandise offers, Need Lifestyle releases new styles on the first Tuesday of every month, with a designated theme. "Each month will be shot by a different photographer and will showcase a completely different style-set," says Alexander, who also features original editorial each month. "I'm really passionate about this site being a useful and educational resource for men." Currently carrying labels such as Jiberish from Colorado and Nudie Jeans from Sweden, Alexander plans to grow a national audience, but localize Need to each city. "Right now, Need is for the entire country — a sort of one size fits all. However, since we're based in Dallas, I do cater to our weather and needs when choosing the month's inventory." needlifestyle.com. Lauren Scheinin