24 Hours in Big D

I recently started a project that gave me the added benefit of getting re-acquainted with the charms of Dallas.  I’m headed there for a day and thought I’d put together a “wish list” of things to see, stroll and savor in this feast of a city:

1.  Shop the cool Britannia at  Timothy Oulton.

British designer and vintage curator Timothy Oulton is known for hearty, masculine furniture and a boundless love for all things Union Jack.  His expansive spirit seems perfectly suited to Dallas, perhaps why he chose this city for his premier U.S. location.  The store, complete with a submerged yellow submarine, was the toast of the town when it opened its sculpted copper doors in June (photos courtesy of D Home).

2. Check out Mallory Page‘s paintings at Blue Print.

NOLA artist Mallory Page left a career in interior design and is now beloved by designers everywhere.  Her luminous abstract works are on exhibit at Blue Print, a home design mecca set in a restored 1920s home.

Courtesy D Home

Blue Print (via HousesGardensPeople)

3. A little work, a little sunshine.

Dallas’s white-hot Design District is such a departure from the immersive, vertical experience of the D&D showrooms.  It’s lovely to break up showroom appointments with a little plein air window shopping (or perhaps some grilled peach soup at the Meddlesome Moth).  These images by David Kozlowski capture some of the charming detail:

Unlike the trade-only showrooms of NY/LA, Dallas’ Design District welcomes all who wish to peruse its collections.  One of my favorite galleries is Muzeion, with its eclectic mix of rare, ancient treasures and contemporary fine art (photos by me).

On a recent visit, this Luis Ramos sculpture caught my eye:

Wind down with dinner at Local.

There’s no shortage of great restaurants in this town, but I can’t wait to go back to this Deep Ellum spot for the cool vibe and insanely good food.  The space has a stripped-down glamour that’s totally in sync with the area:

Courtesy Dallas Observer

Courtesy Southern Living

Since it’s my wish list, I might start the next day with a hair o’ the dog at Local chef  Tracy Miller’s newest brunch-centric venture.  Remember, what happens in Dallas…