Architect D. Stanley Dixon in Discussion with Lauren Rottet, Rottet Studio, and Drew Davis, Partner, Kligerman Architecture & Design, at Visual Comfort & Co.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 10 am to Noon

WHO: D. Stanley Dixon, Atlanta; Lauren Rottet, LA, NYC, Houston; Drew Davis, Partner, Kligerman Architecture, NYC. Moderated by Rebecca Birdwell, NYC, a design industry leader and strategist, she is the former Managing Director of the Design Leadership Network

WHAT: The Eye of the Architect, a riveting panel discussion exploring three firms' bodies of work. 

STREET CRED: Stan Dixon attended Britain’s renowned Attingham Trust School for the Study of Historic Homes and Collections, followed by tutelage in residential design with the esteemed firm of Norman Davenport Askins Architect. 

Lauren Rottet practiced with San Francisco firm Fisher-Friedman Associates; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in Chicago; Keating Mann Jernigan Rottet in LA; DMJM Rottet in LA. 

Drew Davis: Previous tenure at Peter Pennoyer Architects; Yale School of Architecture. 

DECORATIONS: Stan Dixon is an eleven-time winner of the Philip Trammell Shutze Award presented by the Southeast Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Stan was awarded the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Addison Mizner Medal for his work in Palm Beach, and he is a three-time winner of the Southeast Architect of the Year Award given by Veranda magazine and the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.

Lauren Rottet is the only woman to be elevated to Fellow status by both the American Institute of Architects and International Interior Design Association. She also holds the coveted titles of Interior Design Hall of Fame and Interiors (now Contract) Designer of the Year. In 2006, Lauren was inducted as an Inaugural Member of the Women in Design Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was named Boutique Design Designer of the Year. In 2014, she was inducted into Hospitality Design magazine’s legendary Platinum Circle; her furniture and product designs have earned her four gold medals for Best of NeoCon and a Chicago Athenaeum Award. 

BOOKS: Home: The Residential Architecture of D. Stanley Dixon (Rizzoli). Authentic Design: Lauren Rottet and Rottet Studio (Rizzoli). 

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS:  Stan Dixon's edited approach to the classical elements of architecture creates an understated aesthetic that is historically based while embracing influences of modern design. His goal is to interpret individual needs and desires through contextually sensitive work that engages appropriate style, scale, and proportion, giving every building a sense of permanence and delight. The resulting body of work has set an exacting standard.

Lauren Rottet is known for her leadership and creative thinking in the Hospitality Industry developing ground-up hotels, refurbished and repositioned hotels and defining brand identity for such clients as The Dorchester Collection, St. Regis, Starwood, Rosewood, Loews, Marriott Corporation, Hilton, Denihan Hospitality Group, and Valencia.

Drew Davis' understanding of all aspects of the design and construction process from schematic design to the minutiae of the punch list is a noted strength.  

WHERE: Visual Comfort & Co., 2425 West Alabama

TXDW SPONSORS: Visual Comfort & Co., New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

Acclaimed L.A. Designer Oliver Furth, Illustrated Talk, Book Signing, and Afternoon Wine at Roche Bobois

WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 2 to 4 pm

WHO: Designer Oliver Furth, L.A.

WHAT: Illustrated talk and afternoon wine with the delightful Oliver Furth

STREET CRED: Oliver Furth is renowned for his knowledge and expertise in both historical decorative arts and contemporary collectible design. In addition to his design practice, Furth consults for The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and is Chair Emeritus of their Decorative Arts and Design Council. He has curated many exhibitions and shows focusing primarily on the space between fine art and functional design, and he regularly writes and lectures on the subject.

DECORATIONS: AD100, Elle Decor A-List

BOOK: OP! Optimistic Interiors (2024 Rizzoli)

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: Oliver Furth masterfully combines a bipartisan enthusiasm for classical and contemporary influences with California cool, to create sophisticated, livable spaces with relaxed rigor, infused with color and joy.

WHERE: Roche Bobois, 4810 San Felipe, valet parking

TXDW SPONSORS: Roche Bobois, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

"Furth is a true son of Los Angeles, deeply immersed in the city’s rich design history, from the tony mansions of Beverly Hills and Bel Air to the studios of the trailblazing artists and artisans who have colonized L.A.’s scrappy Eastside." – Architectural Digest

"This Los Angeles-based decorator is thoroughly grounded in classical traditions, though he approaches them with aristo irreverence and West Coast optimism.” – Elle Decor

Cocktails with Adam Lippes, OKA Founder Sue Jones, and Marie Flanigan, in Conversation: Becoming Multi-Hyphenate Creators and Building a Design Empire, Moderated by Mieke ten Have, at OKA

WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 6 to 8 pm

WHO: Designer Adam Lippes, NYC; OKA founder Sue Jones, London; designer Marie Flanigan, Houston; Mieke ten Have, NYC.

WHAT: Cocktails and Illustrated talk with Adam Lippes and Sue Jones, exploring Multi-Hyphenate Creators: Building a Design Empire — Balancing Your Design Business while Expanding in Creative Ways 

STREET CRED: Adam Lippes, NYC, began his fashion career at Ralph Lauren before joining Oscar de la Renta, where he became one of the youngest creative directors of a luxury fashion house. Widely published for fashion, interiors, and travel, Adam is a tastemaker who provides an authentic point of reference for the brand’s audience. In addition to his fashion collection, Adam designs home collections for OKA, and is passionate about art, architecture, interiors, antiques, textiles, gardens, and travel. His homes in Brooklyn Heights, his farm in the Berkshires, and his antiques collections have been published numerous times. Adam opens his second retail store in Houston in late April carrying his full fashion collection, as well as home decor and objects.

Sue Jones, London, began her design career at Colefax and Fowler in London before working for Jasper Conran for 10 years. She founded OKA in early 1999 with two friends, Annabel Astor and Lucinda Waterhouse. Together they identified a gap in the UK interiors market to sell a unique range of furniture and accessories by mail order. OKA has grown into an omni-channel retailer operating 13 stores across the UK and three in the US, alongside a well-established online store, a quarterly magazine, and a trade service. Sue holds the role of creative director, overseeing the design and sourcing of the OKA collection.

Marie Flanigan, Houston, is a respected interior designer and clasically trained architect, with 600,000 social media followers, an e-commerce platform, collaborations with Visual Comfort and Annie Selke, and in fall 2024 her second book will be published by Rizzoli. Her projects have appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Vogue, House Beautiful and showcased on HGTV's Property Bothers: Brother vs Brother. 

Mieke ten Have, NYC, is an interiors stylist for national brands, designers, architects and publications, is a former home editor at Vogue and former design editor at large at Elle Decor, and is a contributor to Architectural Digest and Elle Decor UK. Her first book, Interiors Styled by Mieke ten Have publishes October 2024.

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: Adam, Sue, Marie and Mieke dissect and discuss how a designer creates and navigates multi-hyphenate bodies of work, from collaborations with design brands to creating private label, creating a successful e-commerce platform, and opening retail stores. 

WHERE: OKA, 3461 West Alabama, valet parking 

TXDW SPONSORS: OKA, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

Meet Celebrated Designer Mary McDonald: Illustrated Talk and Morning Mimosas, and Preview Her Collection for Patterson Flynn at the New Showroom

WHEN: Wednesday, April 24, 10 am to Noon

WHO: Designer Mary McDonald, L.A., NYC, moderated by Anne Lee Phillips, design contributor Architectural Digest AD Pro, Travel & Leisure, and PaperCity. 

WHAT: Illustrated talk, champagne with Mary McDonald in the new Patterson Flynn showroom 

STREET CRED: Starred in Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators, and Property Envy; projects published in every major design publication

DECORATIONS: Elle Decor A-List, Veranda's Top 25, House Beautiful 100 Best

COLLABORATIONS: Patterson Flynn, Schumacher, Chaddock Home, Hudson Valley Lighting

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: A look at the new Patterson Flynn showroom, the first stand-alone outside of New York, and the first to feature the full portfolio of textiles, wallcoverings, trims, rugs, and broadloom. Mary McDonald's new collection of rugs takes patterns of backgammon boards, classic architectural forms, and European hedge mazes and spins them into commanding designs. 

WHERE: Decorative Center Houston. Illustrated Talk with Mary McDonald, 10 am, 1st Floor Gallery, followed by champagne in the new Patterson Flynn showroom

Decorative Center Houston, 5120 Woodway, valet parking

TXDW SPONSORS: Patterson Flynn, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator, with Author Emily Evans Eerdmans, Illustrated Talk and Book Signing at Kravet Showroom

WHEN: Wednesday, April 24, Noon to 2 pm

WHO: Emily Evans Eerdmans, design historian, founder of Eerdmans Fine Art, a design consultancy and fine and decorative arts gallery, NYC

WHAT: A fascinating look at the life of Mario Buatta, as told by one of his close friends, design historian Emily Eerdmans

STREET CRED: A confidante of Mario Buatta, Emily oversaw the dispersal of Mario's estate, the blockbuster auction at Sotheby's. Author of monographs on Madeleine Castaing, Henri Samuel 

BOOK: Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator (Rizzoli)

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: Anatomy of a Decorator draws upon Buatta’s vast archives and revealing the foundations of his work, which include hundreds of presentation boards, more than eighty scrapbooks chronicling his career, and correspondence with clients and such design notables as John Fowler and Sister Parish, Anatomy of a Decorator illuminates the designer’s work with a focus on influences, process, and evolution. His very last projects, not included in Rizzoli’s comprehensive book on the decorator in 2013, are evaluated and provide a masterclass in decorating à la Buatta: Ribbons, needlepoint, fine English and American antiques, floral chintzes, blue-and-white porcelains, lacquerware, botanicals, vibrant color combinations, and whimsy abound.

WHERE: Decorative Center Houston: Illustrated Talk, Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator, Noon, 1st Floor Gallery, followed by a book signing at Kravet showroom

Decorative Center Houston, 5120 Woodway, valet parking

TXDW SPONSORS: Kravet, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

"A masterclass in decorating à la Buatta: Ribbons, needlepoint, fine English and American antiques, floral chintzes, blue-and-white porcelains, lacquerware, botanicals, vibrant color combinations, and whimsy abound."

Fashion & Design: A Conversation with London Designer Giles Deacon and Claire Vallis, Design Director Sanderson Design Group, at Culp Associates

WHEN: Wednesday, April 24, 2 to 4 pm

WHO: British couture designer and illustrator Giles Deacon and Sanderson Design Group design director Claire Vallis, moderated by Anne Lee Phillips, design contributor Architectural Digest AD Pro, Travel & Leisure, and PaperCity.

WHAT: Illustrated Talk with Giles Deacon and Claire Vallis, followed by a reception at Culp Associates and preview of Giles's romantic new collection of fabric and wallpaper for Sanderson

STREET CRED: Giles Deacon's fashion creations are in the permanent collections of the V&A Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art; recipient of the British Designer of the Year Award. Claire Vallis' creative direction covers all brands in the portfolio, including Sanderson, Harlequin, Morris & Co., Zoffany, Scion, and Clarke & Clarke. 

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: Giles Deacon is known for bespoke fabrics and intricate embellishments that mix fashion, fine art, design, and theater. His new collection for Sanderson is steeped in medieval influences, referencing Greek mythology, and is sublimely theatrical and eccentrically refined.

WHERE: Decorative Center Houston. Illustrated Talk with Giles Deacon and Claire Vallis, 2:00 pm, 1st Floor Gallery, followed by afternoon wine and preview of Giles Deacon's new collection of fabrics and wallpaper for Sanderson, at Culp Associates

Decorative Center Houston, 5120 Woodway, valet parking

TXDW SPONSORS: Culp Associates, Sanderson Design Group, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

Cocktails, Illustrated Talk, and Book Signing with Design Legend Kathryn M. Ireland at James Showroom 

WHEN: Wednesday, April 24, 4 to 6 pm

WHO: Kathryn M. Ireland, L.A.

WHAT: Cocktails, illustrated talk, and book signing with Kathryn M. Ireland, moderated by Hunter Ellis

STREET CRED: Star of Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators, appeared as a design expert on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood Live, Good Day LA, and E! News. On Elle Decor A-List. Clients include Steve Martin, Fran Drescher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ann McNally, and David Mamet.

EXTRACURRICULAR: Kathryn has long developed and hosted Design Retreats each summer at her home in the south of France, and regularly hosts design bootcamps in Los Angeles. At each she offers insight on her favorite local resources, professional expertise, and storied experiences to help others succeed in the design industry. A major force in product manufacturing and has produces her bespoke textile collections, woven collections, and upholstered goods all locally in the United States.

COLLABORATONS: Grange, Scalamandre, C2 Paints

BOOK: A Life in Design: Celebrating 30 Years of Interiors (Cico)

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: 30th anniversary of her legendary design and textile business. Known for sympathetic restorations of landmark residences and hotels, she brings the best attributes of grand European style and cool California chic to every project. A die-hard fan of bold color, layering of pattern and texture, and the beauty of imperfection. 

WHERE: Decorative Center Houston: Kathryn M. Ireland Illustrated Talk, 4 pm, 1st Floor Gallery, followed by cocktails and book signing at James showroom

Decorative Center Houston, 5120 Woodway, valet parking

TXDW SPONSORS: James showroom, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

Private Label Design and Development with Digital Printing Gurus Kyra and Rob Hartnett from Twenty2, and Andrée Chalaron and Stacy Bain from Counterpart Studios, at Hastens

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 11 am to 1 pm

WHO: Digital printing gurus Kyra and Rob Hartnett, founders Twenty2 Wallpaper & Textiles (NY), and Andrée Chalaron and Stacy Bain, founders Counterpart Studios, Austin. Moderarated by Laurann Claridge.  

WHAT: Private Label Design and Development: The brave new world of digital fabric and wallpaper for customization of projects and private label collections for designers and architects

STREET CRED: Twenty2 Wallpaper + Textiles: Kyra and Rob Hartnett have some of the most advanced digital printing technology in the industry, producing on demand some of the most beloved wallpaper and textile collections on the market, for some of the most well-known designers in the the business, Kelly Wearstler being one.

Counterpart Studios and its collaboration with the iconic Fort Lonesome and ELIO — fabric and wallpaper featuring embroidery and collage  — Stunning! 

COLLABORATONS: Twenty2: Collaborations with designers is closely guarded information, but with permission to divulge, Kelly Wearstler is one, as is Rebecca Atwood, Maison C, and Rule of Three's Paige Cleveland. 

Counterpart Studios develops, curates, creates, and enables — working in the service of bold potential and decadent ideas for the designer, and partnering with visionary artists, including the iconic Fort Lonesome  for embroidered wallpapers and fabric and exuberant ELOI for collaged wallpapers and fabric.  

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: Twenty2 can take any document or design — or even just an idea — and translate it into wallpaper, murals, and fabrics. Their capabilities include product development, eco-conscious digital printing, sampling, and shipping. An end product to Twenty2 digital printing — Custom chainstitch embroidered wallpaper and fabrics from Counterpart Studios X Fort Lonesome. 

WHERE: The new Hastens showroom

4444 Westheimer in River Oaks District, facing Westheimer; valet parking at Hastens entrance

TXDW SPONSORS: Hastens, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

Afternoon Wine with Pop Artist & Illustrator Donald Robertson, Salon Talk, Book Signing of Sofa King Great (say it fast) and Exhibition of Works, at C2 Art

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2 to 4 pm

WHO: Pop artist and illustrator Donald Robertson @drawbertson

WHAT: Afternoon wine, salon talk, signing of Sofa King Great (say it fast) and exhibition of illustrations with the always fascinating and entertaining Donald Robertson @drawbertson

STREET CRED: Launch of VivaGlam! for MAC Cosmetics; creative director Glamour, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan; 200k followers on Instagram @drawbertson

EXTRACURRICULAR: Art events with legendary retail emporium Colette in Paris, Bergdorf Goodman window display takeover, Cadillac pop-art installation at Miami Art Basel

COLLABORATONS: Fashion collaborations with Giles Deacon, Jenna Lyons for J. Crew, Alice and Olivia, Veronica Beard, noted floral and fragrance creator Eric Buterbaugh, Mark Cross, Mattel, where he re-designed the Barbie Style Guide, Max Mara Weekend unveiled during Milan Fashion Week, Westwing Collection of dinnerware and textiles.

Robertson is currently excited for his pop up gallery space at the Royal Poinciana in Palm Beach, titled 'Drawbertson'.

BOOK: Sofa King Great (Print, The Book Agency 2024); a stunning tome more like a work of art than a book, with 400 pages of Drawbertson's work and a crazy number of pre-sales.

WHERE: C2 Art, 3306 Mercer, valet parking

TXDW SPONSORS: C2 Art, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

"Whether he's painting walnuts or Birkins, you can always spot a piece of his infamous art and style." — from Drawbertson's "stress release" 

Cocktails with Chairish Co-Founder Anna Brockway in Conversation with Park House Co-Founder Deborah Scott and First Look at the Hot, New Members-Only Social Club Park House Houston and the Chairish Gallery.

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 5 to 7 pm

WHO: Chairish co-founder Anna Brockway and Park House co-founder Deborah Scott

WHAT: Cocktails and Salon Talk with Chairish co-founder Anna Brockway and Park House co-founder Deborah Scott and first look at the hot, new members-only social club Park House Houston and the Chairish Gallery

STREET CRED: Launched in 2013 in San Francisco, Chairish is the leading online source for designers and the design industry for home furnishings, art, and jewelry, with 1.2 million vintage, contemporary, and made-to-order products and 40,000 verified design professionals. 

Park House Dallas and Houston take inspiration from some of the world’s top social clubs in London — Anabelle’s, 5 Hertford Street, George, The Arts Club and SoHo House. Park House Dallas opened in 2018 with a 6,500 waitlist. 

WHY YOU CAN'T MISS: How did Chairish get to where it is today, in just over a decade? Private Club Design. Innovative formats for purchasing art, making art less intimidating. And .... first look at the extraodinary Park House Houston designed by L.A. firm, Studio Collective. 

WHERE: Park House Houston, 4411 San Felipe, valet parking

TXDW SPONSORS: Park House, Chairish, New Orleans Auction Galleries, The Houstonian, Noeka Home

"The #1 can’t live without decorating app that will change the way you shop for furniture online.” — Architectural Digest about Chairish

The most private of members-only social clubs, Park House Dallas and now Houston, is a mix of enclaves for the wordly such as London's 5 Hertford Street, The Art's Club, Annabel's, George and SoHo House. — PaperCity, March 2024