Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/536142
MURALS FOR ALL FROM FROMENTAL Alexander Girard's Color Wheel ottoman in three hues A lexander Girard is known for his fine hand in color and textiles, but what jump-started that fame was his 1952 hire at Herman Miller when Charles Eames brought him into the fold to be director of design for textiles. Fast forward to 1967, when he designs the Girard Color Wheel Ottoman for Herman Miller, which serves up his adage: "Art is only art when it is synonymous with living." Thus, the ottoman is proportioned to serve equally as footrest, extra seat or coffee table. In four pinwheel colors, $2,099, at Design Within Reach, dwr.com. Holly Moore T he Loveliest on Mahon Street in Uptown bills itself as a "fine embroidery and heirlooms store, specializing in textiles from around the world, and curiosities for the home." Co-owners and Abilene natives Britni and Kelsey Wood and mom Joni have an eye for stylish goods with a fair-trade bent. SMU grads Britni and Kelsey worked and traveled around the U.S. before returning to Dallas, bringing with them a passion for beautiful textiles and goods discovered in Santa Fe, Carmel, Palm Springs and Marfa. Dallas seemed the perfect spot to open up shop. "We fell in love with the city; there's so much fun shopping here," says 29-year-old Kelsey, a corporate communications major who has worked in special events and scheduling for George W. and Laura Bush, Ann Romney and former Fox Broadcasting Company exec Kevin Reilly. Britni, 30, has been head style editor for Martha Stewart Weddings and worked for Anthropologie, launching its wedding line, Beholden. Joni, who leaves most of the day-to-day store operations to her daughters, owned a popular children's clothing store in Abilene. "Some days get crazy with us all working together, but we all have our different strengths," Kelsey says. "I was the motivator behind starting the store, and I focus more on the business side. Joni does the styling. She can make anything look great." Nestled in a charming Victorian-style carriage house with a pink door and cactus garden out front, the store is around the corner from Blue Print and within walking distance of Stanley Korshak. Eighty percent of the inventory is fair trade — a business model that drives almost everything they buy for the store, including Rwanda baskets imported by a 21-year-old girl in San Diego. STYLED TO PERFECTION F or a decade, Fromental has hand-made scenic wall coverings for luxury hotels such as The Goring in London with a high price to match. Now you can achieve the look for less with wallpapers released under the Studio Fromental label. Hand- drawn artwork, custom to a client's room specs, is printed on papers or paper-backed silks and linens. Imprimé is a classic chinoiserie scene in 22 colorways; Woodsmoke, with its black ground, pink flowers and green leaves, feels especially fresh. From $140 per yard, to the trade at George Cameron Nash. Anne Lee Phillips of FORTUNE "When we purchase one basket wholesale, it provides water for a family in Rwanda for two weeks," Kelsey says. Look for other hand- loomed, antique and fair-trade blankets and pillows, plus a large selection of tabletop linens, guest towels, runners and robes produced in Tuscany by a family of eighth-generation weavers. In-store monogramming is also a huge hit at The Loveliest. The women are already planning to expand the concept. "We want to make The Loveliest more than just a retail store," Kelsey says. "It could mean starting our own fair-trade company or offering design services. We've always dreamed big." 2417 Mahon St., 214.484.7376, theloveliestcompany.com. Rebecca Sherman L ondon-based couture fabric house Evitavonni has made the leap to Texas, landing at Culp Associates. Founded in 2007 by young British couple Michel and Kate Erwich, and produced by specialist weavers, including some of the UK's few remaining heritage mills, the group includes the Portrait collection in wool, linen and silk inspired by fabrics worn by Greta Garbo and Grace Kelly. The Astaire collection woolen tweeds and traditional checks are sourced from a tailoring mill where swells like Winston Churchill and Fred Astaire had bespoke suits fashioned. To the trade at Culp Associates, Dallas Design Center, 214.651.0510, culpassociates.com. Rebecca Sherman PUDDLE JUMPING A t the age of 99, legendary Danish-American furniture designer Jens Risom is still full of new ideas. At Risom's suggestion, Design Within Reach, which carries his iconic mid-century designs, teamed him with a young designer to refashion his original cabinet series. DWR paired Risom with 31-year-old Atlanta industrial designer Chris Hardy, who had previously designed only one table for the company. Unveiled in May, the Ven Storage Collection updates Risom's precision craftsmanship and design with Hardy's concept of customization. Preconfigured pieces in walnut or oak can be fitted with brass or stainless-steel hardware; the modular units can be configured with drawers, cabinets and open shelves. Hardy also redesigned the metal legs, so that the cabinets appear to float elegantly above them. "It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," Hardy says. "I challenged myself to get a deep sense of his style, and I drove around looking for his vintage pieces and analyzed the way they were produced. But the best part was getting to know Jens and his family." $5,885 to $12,485, at Design Within Reach, dwr.com. Rebecca Sherman MEETING OF THE MINDS Studio Fromental's Imprimé in Woodsmoke Double dresser in walnut and brass from DWR's Ven Storage Collection Designer Jens Risom and Atlanta-based furniture designer Chris Hardy Studio Fromental's Imprimé in English Rose From left: Britni, Joni and Kelsey Wood at The Loveliest Inside The Loveliest Evitavonni collection at Culp Associates