Girly as my tastes may be, I can’t help but be drawn to the classic patterns and cool colors featured in this collection. The interesting weaves and textures are reminiscent of classic men’s suiting. In fact, the line was inspired by traditional menswear textures, including houndstooth, glen plaid, birdseye, Donegal tweed and matelasse. There is something rustic, yet polished about these prints that I really dig.

Maybe it’s my Austin roots, but I am also totally intrigued by the burnt orange and grey colorways in which the collection is offered. I would have never thought to pair burnt orange with grey; it’s so chic! I even put together a Pinterest board inspired by the line.

Featuring textured solids, coordinating stripes, a midscale pattern, and two statement designs, this collection has a great variety to choose from and coordinate with.

To view more from the Gentleman’s Retreat Collection, you can visit the Pindler & Pindler Showroom located in Suite 715 of the Dallas Design Center or www.pindler.com.

Let’s start with Alta 1900 Lofts. The Design District apartment complex, which opened in late 2009, was recognized by the National Apartment Association (NAA) as a PARAGON award winner. The annual awards program recognizes the multifamily housing industry’s top communities. Alta 1900 Lofts was selected from hundreds of communities across the nation as a top project less than five years old and with over 150 units.

Alta 1900 Lofts is truly a great place to live. Beyond the amenities, the staff (hi Blake!) is super friendly, and they’re always hosting fun resident events, like their happy hour at The Meddlesome Moth on Tuesday evening. I’ve enjoyed many an evening with friends, lounging by their awesome outdoor fireplace, roasting marshmallows for smores and enjoying the company of neighbors!

Not to be outdone, the yet to opened 1400 Hi Line just down the street was honored by the Dallas Business Journal as Dallas’s Multifamily Residential Deal of the Year in 2012. The awards committee was impressed with “posh upgrades and spectacular views of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and Trinity River.” It’s true. The views at 1400 are some of the best I’ve seen. Check out the awesome shot of a 1400 view taken by photographer Steve Hinds.

Though the building is not quite ready for move-in, they have a marketing office open around the corner that is ready to sign leases. The office is set up as a model unit reflecting what a one bedroom in the tower will look like, finishes and all! You can swing by 1635 N Stemmons Fwy. to check it out or schedule a tour by visiting www.1400hiline.com.

I think that is enough bragging for this Friday; just one last congratulations to our outstanding apartment buildings! Other design District business, please send me your accolades so I can brag on you too!

Today we’re listing a much coveted design position, as well as a design sales assistant position. Details on how to apply are listed below. Good luck!

Assistant Designer, EJ Interiors

Fast growing Dallas residential interior design firm EJ Interiors is looking for a full time Interior Designer to work on design projects and design blog. Must have an interior design degree, your own vehicle and be proficient in AutoCAD. Looking for someone who can work independently and is organized, dependable, detail-oriented, energetic, professional and has an eye for style! At least 1 year experience is preferred. A background in marketing, social media, advertising, and PR is a plus.

Email resumes to Emily Larkin at emily@ejinteriors.net.

Sales Assistant, Horizon Italian Tile

Decorative Center Dallas showroom Horizon Italian Tile has an opening for an sales assistant. This is an outside sales position that includes calling on architects and designers, specifying our products for commercial, healthcare, and hospitality projects. Responsibilities include:

Sales Assistant, Minolochi

Promemoria Dallas showroom at Minolochi, a high-end, luxury Italian showroom in the Dallas Design District is seeking a full-time, professional sales assistant. We are considering candidates that meet the following qualifications:

• Sales experience in the furniture industry
• Strong understanding of high-end clientele and luxury goods
• Interior Design experience or background is a plus!
• Confident with a professional sales attitude
• Proficient computer skills
• Honest and reliable with the ability to work with others as a team
• Drug and background check will be performed before any new hires

Though sales experience is preferred, we will also consider candidates who have a background interior design.

If you are interested in filling this position, please send your resume to inquiry@minolochi.com.

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Get more updates on job opportunities in the Dallas Design District and network with other local professionals by joining the Lower Oak Lawn LinkedIn Group!

Don’t worry, you’ll still be getting newsy blog posts in your inbox, but I wanted y’all to know that they have been scheduled in advance. If you have any new businesses, events or hot topics to blog about, they will have to wait until after the website wizards give me permission to post again.

In the mean time, feel free to keep sending in tips! I’ll be holding up the fort on Twitter and Facebook, where you can still get up to the minute updates.

I seriously can’t wait to show off what we’ve been working on. I promise, it’s worth the wait! For the nosy folks in the crowd, here’s a sneak preview of what’s to come…

Catch ya on the flip side!

Scott Kerr poses with Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett and wife, Brill, in front of a painting they commissioned from the artist.

This Thursday, May 17, the The Kerr Collection will host an open house debuting fifteen plus new works from Dallas artist Scott Kerr.

Scott is the brother of Sean Kerr, President of The Kerr Collection, a family owned showroom in the Dallas Design District. Scott is the showroom’s exclusive artist. He paints with a Venetian plaster method on solid plywood since regular canvas can’t hold up to his techniques. The photo to the right features one of Scott’s soft abstract works.

“We’re very excited to have so many brilliant new pieces to display in the showroom,” says Gina Campbell, Showroom Manager at The Kerr Collection. “Scott’s work is truly inspired.”

In addition to producing works for The Kerr Collection, Scott does many commissioned pieces. interior designer Anne Williams commissioned a painting from the artist for Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett and his wife, Brill (pictured above).

Designers and the public are invited to enjoy light bites and cool drinks from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. while previewing the new art.

Four months later, the sale is still going strong, offering up a constantly changing supply of designer furnishings.

This Wednesday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Sample Sale Showroom will host an open house. Designers are invited to shop the sale while enjoying light refreshments that will be provided throughout the day.

It’s a great excuse to make your way down to the Design District to look for a deal and check out what’s new in the center while you’re here!

The Sample Sale Room is located in Suite 200 of the Dallas Design Center, between George Cameron Nash and E.C. Dicken.  

A few months ago, driving down Lovers Lane, I spotted a sign in the window of StellaDallas. “Coming soon to the Dallas Design District,” the sign teased. Because I very much live inside my Lower Oak Lawn bubble, I rarely make time to visit the hip, home shops in the rest of the city. A shop as cute as StellaDallas just blocks away? I was beyond excited! My excitement has turned to sheer giddiness as now we’re now just a few short days away from its grand opening.

Home décor junkies are invited to a rockin’ grand opening party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15 at StellaDallas’ new shop in the Design District. Rockin’ you say? Yes, indeed. DJ Lucy Wrubel, a devoted StellaDallas customer, will be spinning tunes as caterers dish up spring-inspired bites and designer cocktails. Guests will enjoy a rare 20 percent discount throughout the evening.

Raffle prizes, including a design consultation with store owner and interior decorator Amber Frazee, will be awarded throughout the evening. In addition to being the first to step into their new space, party goers will be among the first to view the décor
 boutique’s exclusive collection of Lily Pulitzer Home.

StellaDallas is open to the public. It is the exclusive retailer in Dallas for Lily Pulitzer Home, and has a room in its new shop dedicated to the Missoni Home line.

With the move to the Dallas Design District, StellaDallas is also interested in growing the design services side of the business. The venture into offering design services came as a natural evolution, Frazee says.

“Our customers kept asking us for design advice,” she explains. ”Then they started asking for in-home consultations, and the design business just grew and expanded from there.”

Put it on your calendar to come to the grand opening on Tuesday to meet Amber Frazee and her staff and check out this fabulous new shop in the district. Click through the photos below to get a sneak peek of the space!

They’re pewter pros, gurus of gunmetal—the rock stars of rose gold. Yes, f. is for frank jewelers are the metal mavens of the Dallas Design District. Their carefully handcrafted baubles have stolen the hearts of men and women, housewives and hipsters in Dallas and across the nation.

In preparation of the release of their 2012 collection, f. is for frank is hosting a sale, making room for the new by discounting pieces from last year’s line.

With prices up to 40 percent off, a discount bigger than we’ve ever seen from them, you’re sure to score a pretty sweet deal. The selection is great, with several styles being offered in several metals. But quantities are limited, and once they’re gone, that’s it.

Browse the sale page, or better yet, swing by the store to get a closer look.

While I don’t always agree with their critiques, I love how the authors keep me in the know about what’s new in the Dallas arts scene. I stay pretty on top of the visual arts happenings through my work in the Design District, but it’s fun to read about what’s going on in the performing arts.

An established FrontRow fan, I was pretty excited last November when they decided to take a leap from the virtual to the actual, hosting FrontRowLive, a culture-packed, art-filled party at the Dallas Contemporary. Hundreds of culture crazed enthusiasts turned out, and the event was such a success that they’re offering up seconds!

FrontRow Live will be hosted, once again, at the Dallas Contemporary in the Dallas Design District on May 31. Headlining performers are Portland electro-pop act STRFKR, French musician Onra and Austin-based DJ Ben Aqua.

The reasonably-priced $15 ticket includes music, food, free beverages, art and all sorts of other surprises. If last year’s event is any indication, the surprises might come as a shock to even the organizers!

Registration is now open at dmagazinefrontrowlive.eventbrite.com. I’ve been told tickets are selling quickly, so I recommend you scoop yours up ASAP.

Read more about this year’s event and get the latest on performers and artists as they’re announced at www.frontrow.dmagazine.com.

Today’s installment of the Now Hiring series brings you three attractive job offers from prominent Design District showrooms, two of which are part time. Information for applying to each of these jobs is listed below. Good luck!

Showroom Sales (Part Time), Artemide Lighting

Update 5/15/12: This position has been filled.

Artemide Lighting in Decorative Center Dallas is looking for a part time employee for showroom sales. Please send resumes to David Simcik at dsimcik@artemide.net.

Showroom Assistant, Robert Allen Beacon Hill

When you join The Robert Allen Group, the nation’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of decorative fabrics and home furnishings, you join an exciting company that is known for its vision, style, creativity and commitment to quality and service. Our showroom works exclusively with interior designers, decorators and architects offering the best of fine fabrics, home furnishings and accessories.

In this full-time position, you will provide critical support to the showroom sales staff, manager and clients. Your primary responsibility will be to professionally run the memo room for the Dallas showroom, processing memo requests, memo returns and replenishment orders while maintaining a well organized inventory of memo samples. Additionally, you will ensure clients are greeted warmly and assisted in a timely manner; you will answer incoming phone calls and assist with special events and projects as well as a performing a variety of administrative support and house keeping duties.

You must have excellent customer service skills both over the phone and in person as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks.  Textile knowledge and/or industry experience as well as general computer skills highly desired. Previous showroom experience or similar retail experience preferred.

We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Life and Disability Insurance.

To apply, please call James Campbell at (214) 741-5454.

Assistant (Part Time), Donghia 

Donghia, Inc. is at the forefront of the luxury home furnishings industry representing American design at its best. Donghia’s collection of furniture, textiles, wallcoverings, lighting and accessories are sold exclusively to interior designers and architects throughout the U.S. and the world. Donghia’s showroom in the Dallas Design Center is seeking a part time assistant to work 21 hours a week. Job responsibilities and qualifications include:

• Assisting in the sample library
• Maintaining all showroom displays
• Strong organizational skills
• Client interaction
• Punctual

Please send resumes to Lance Wallace at lwallace@donghia.com.

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Get more updates on job opportunities in the Dallas Design District and network with other local professionals by joining the Lower Oak Lawn LinkedIn Group!