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Exotic Decor at Our Dallas store

Exotic Decor at Our Dallas store

We are fortunate enough to go on several trips a year to such exotic locations as India, China, and South America. During our journeys we stumble across unique items that might be vintage, antiques, or even the last one left. So, every trip, we're sure to bring our empty suitcases to fill with these rare finds so we can carry them back home.

Our Employee’s Home: Paige’s House

Decorative table accent

What is your role at Wisteria? I am the Senior Creative Manager, I manage all the photography for the catalog and web. I direct and edit the photography at the photo shoots and the styling on set.

Handmade Books in Jaipur, India

Making Books by Hand

This company was started when three young friends rented a booth at a trade fair 14 years ago to sell books and bags made of handmade paper. This Indian artisan has grown great lengths since then and now specializes in handmade paper, bags, books, and leather products. They are located in Jaipur, India and also have a small group of designers and workers from a small village outside of Jaipur.

Behind the Scenes – The Houses of VERANDA Book Signing

 Behind-the-Scenes
May 152012
 

We recently had the honor of hosting Lisa Newsom, Founder and former Editor-in-Chief of VERANDA, for a book signing of her new book, The Houses of VERANDA.

Lisa Newsom is not only mom to Andrew, Wisteria’s President, she is also a very accomplished business woman.  She founded VERANDA magazine in 1987 as a showcase for fine design. Trained in fine art, she possesses an eye for composition and an understanding of color. From the very first issue, VERANDA distinguished itself with beautiful visual presentations, as well as substance behind the beauty.

In her first book, The Houses of VERANDA, she takes the reader back into the world’s most beautiful homes. Decorated by prominent designers, the spaces range from classic to modern, romantic to peaceful retreats, and are brought together by an elevated sense of quality and style. These homes from around the country are filled with breathtaking rooms—some of the most spectacular ever featured in the magazine.

Thank you, Lisa for all that you do and for being a role model to all who know you.  Your kindness, generosity and grace are inspiration beyond the pages that you have created…

 

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on May 15, 2012  No Responses »

Dog Blog – Spunky

 Our Furry Friends
May 112012
 

Leah Davies, Wisteria’s Operations Manager for Retail and Flea Market, adopted her dog, Spunky eight years ago. He has been a handful from the beginning!  Spunky, as his name suggests, has quite the personality! Therefore, we are so excited to introduce him as this week’s dog blog…

What’s your favorite pastime?

When I am inside, I spend the day harrassing my brother from another mother, Zoro. We are a true Modern Family! When I go outside, I like to run the fence with my next door neighbor.

What’s the one thing that really makes your hackles stand up?

Anything moving outside. Could be a leaf blowing in the wind or another dog going by. I know this is crazy. My mom has taken me to a local dog whisperer as well as a psychologist. What can I say? I have issues.

What is your favorite toy?

I really like snakes.

Who’s your favorite snuggle buddy?

My mom. Every morning before she goes off to work we have a snuggle session.

Favorite treat?

Anything. I am not picky. If you did not know me you would think my mother never fed me. I wish they had an eating contest for dogs because I would be a contender. I am small but I can EAT!

What is your favorite kind of mischief to get into? 

I don’t think I can choose one thing. When my mom named me Spunky she had not idea what that meant. I can find trouble wherever I go. My mom calls it high maintenance.

If you had to describe your perfect day what would it be?

Hanging out with my cousins Zoro and Kingston during the day with snack breaks as often as possible. Throw in a bit of sunbathing, some playtime with mom, and I am a happy pup!

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on May 11, 2012  No Responses »

Mom’s Lemon Tarts

 Wisteria's Kitchen
May 072012
 

My mom is a great cook! I know it, my husband gains weight eating it, and my daughter asks for seconds only when she is at my parents’ eating my mom’s cooking.  Certainly, I would have this gene of good cooking…After visiting my parents one weekend and seeing how my daughter devoured her risotto, I decided to make it myself. I called my mom, talking with her step by step slaving over the hot stove stirring the risotto for what seemed like hours to get the perfect consistency. I proudly served my meal to my family anticipating everyone’s reaction. After the first bite, my daughter (who was five at the time) says, “It’s not as good as Gramma’s.” Needless to say, I did not receive the cooking gene and I have not made the risotto again. Instead, opting for a delicious and easy boxed risotto from Whole Foods and adding fresh vegetables to the mix.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to share one of my favorite desserts that my mom makes. I remember her making these only when they would host dinner parties at our house. Therefore, making them a special treat that we did not get often. I don’t know what I will pass down to my daughter as that special treat, but I am thankful to my mom for always making me feel special…

Lemon Tarts

 ½             cup fresh lemon juice

Grated rind of 2 lemons (be careful to avoid the white pith)

2              cups sugar

1              cup butter

4              eggs, well beaten

Combine rind, juice, sugar and butter in top of double boiler over simmering water. Stir occasionally until butter is melted (about 10 minutes).

Stir in eggs (when adding eggs make sure they are room temperature and add a little of the hot liquid to the eggs before adding so they will not cook immediately upon entering the hot liquid).

Cook, stirring occasionally (about 10 minutes more) until the filling piles a little when you pour from spoon on top of mixture.

Store in jars in refrigerator and use as needed. Fills about 6 dozen tiny tart shells. Can top the lemon curd with whipping cream, blueberries or raspberries.

Tart Shells
 
2              sticks butter (1/2 pound)

2              3 oz packages cream cheese

2              cups sifted all purpose flour

Let butter and cheese soften in bowl at room temperature. Blend cream cheese and butter together (I use my hands although it’s messy).  Add flour gradually until it is all worked in and blended. Chill mixture. Then shape in small balls (approximately ¾ inch) and press into tiny muffin tins.

Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes. After cooling, store in plastic bags in freezer until needed.

One last thing…in the picture above, you will notice behind the tarts there is a photograph. In that photograph is my mom as a young girl having lunch at Neiman Marcus, in Dallas, with her mom, sister, and father.

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on May 7, 2012  No Responses »

The Nate Berkus Show

 Our Community
May 032012
 

We are so excited to announce that we will be on The Nate Berkus Show on Monday, May 7th!!!

In December, The Nate Berkus Show called to ask if our owners, Andrew and Shannon Newsom, would like to come to New York and tell their story of how they started Wisteria. They also asked if we would want to help give away a room to a young family who had recently adopted a child.  You can imagine our excitement!  Nate and his team of designers and producers have been such big advocates of our products over the years that we were happy to go!

We started designing room scenes, shipping furniture and stuffing gift bags all in preparation for our trip. With the great team at Wisteria, and I do mean GREAT, we got it all together in a matter of days. Here are a few snapshots from our taping for you to enjoy…

 

Be sure to check your local stations to see what station and time the Nate Berkus Show is airing in your area!

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on May 3, 2012  No Responses »

Shop Talk

 Shop Talk, Uncategorized
May 012012
 

Oh my!  There is a lot of exciting things happening at our Dallas store! Rooms being built, vignettes being set up and daily deliveries of our best and rare finds from across the world! We are proud to introduce a lot of new products for May.

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on May 1, 2012  No Responses »

Akola Trunk Show

 Meet Our Artisans
Apr 252012
 

 

In 2006, Brittany Merrill founded the Ugandan American Partnership Organization (The UAPO) after traveling to the border of Congo and Uganda to teach at a boarding school. During her stay she met Sarah, a local woman who was caring for twenty-four children. Moved by Sarah’s faith and dedication, Brittany partnered with Sarah to build an orphanage home for her growing ministry. Since that time, the UAPO has initiated five development projects across Uganda including the building of two orphanage homes with the capacity to house over 200 needy children and drilled over 20 clean water wells.

In 2007, UAPO partnered with another strong woman of faith, Alice Dramundru. Alice lost her husband to AIDS and pledged to dedicate her life to helping women and children in need. She started to train woman on how to make a variety of crafts, including the paper necklaces of the Akola project to sell in the US and local Ugandan markets. Since 2007, over 200 Ugandan women have been empowered by the Akola Project and have generated over $250,000 to provide for their families and communities.

We are proud to partner with UAPO and the Akola Project to sell their unique handmade jewelry at our Dallas store, where we recently hosted a trunk show, and in our May 2012 catalog. Thank you to all who have been a part of this partnership and have taught me that we can all make a difference!

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on April 25, 2012  No Responses »

Earth Day

 This Month's Holidays
Apr 202012
 

On April 22, more than one billion people from around the globe participated in Earth Day 2012 and help Mobilize the Earth™. People of all nationalities and backgrounds gathered to celebrate their love of our planet and unite to work together for its protection. You, too, can help create a sustainable future by calling upon friends, families, organizations, and governments to do their part.

To learn more, visit www.earthday.org

Courtesy noneexistence.tumblr.com

 

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on April 20, 2012  No Responses »

Cat Blog – Crosby

 Our Furry Friends
Apr 132012
 

Katie, our Merchandising Manager, entertains us daily with hilarious tales of her cat, Crosby.  He has so much personality he even has his own board on Pinterest! It took some scheduling, but we were finally able to sit down with Crosby, because we moustache him a few questions . . .

What’s your favorite pastime?

I enjoy staring at the ceiling fan, attacking my own feet, sitting like a meerkat, climbing in and on everything, chasing butterflies in the yard. In my downtime, I like to watch TV. I am a fan of The Real Housewives (guilty pleasure!), sports (especially the Puppy Bowl Kitten Half-Time Show), and Star Wars.

What’s the one thing that really makes your hackles stand up?

When people sneeze, bugs in the house, and the other cats drinking out of my water glass.

What’s your favorite toy?

I love playing fetch with twist ties, ribbons or peacock feathers.

Who’s your favorite snuggle buddy?

Anyone! If you’re sitting down, I will find your lap and give you a hug and some cuddles, but you had better reciprocate! If you are lying down, I will use your face as a pillow and make biscuits on your throat.

Favorite treat?

Chocolate ice cream, cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips.

What is your favorite kind mischief to get into?

One of my nicknames is Mew-dini because I like to play hide and seek–you never know where you’ll find me. My latest trick is escaping out of my collar and pulling a disappearing act out the doggy door meant for the 80 pound pups I live with.

I also like to bop the other cats on the head and chase them around. I’m just trying to play, but I get hissed at every time.

If you had to describe your perfect day, what would it be?

Wake everyone up by making biscuits on their heads, then a little frolic in the yard over the morning coffee. Follow that up with general oversight of the day’s activities. The place really runs much smoother when I am in the middle of everything. I’d squeeze in a few cat naps of course, and close out the day with some TV time and then off to bed!

 

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on April 13, 2012  No Responses »

Stylist Tip-Adding a Rug

 Ask Our Designer
Apr 122012
 

A great way to update a room is to add a tactile or visual interest by adding a patterned rug.  Our favorite is our Handwoven Rustic Rug which adds texture with the hand sewn cotton and wool. Along with its staggered design makes it a unique piece in any room.
In regards to size, I don’t know if there is a perfect size.  I think a lot of it depends on personal preference.  If you are unsure of what would look right, just make sure that there is an even border of flooring around all four sides, or at least that borders of flooring opposite each other are even. Don’t get a rug so large that it touches the baseboard around the room.

If you have a large room that doesn’t have a definable space, I suggest putting the front legs of furniture pieces on the rug and the back legs off.  However, more importantly, you might want to make sure the rug is placed in a balanced fashion in the room.

 

 

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on April 12, 2012  No Responses »

Behind the Scenes with Dwell with Dignity

 Behind-the-Scenes
Apr 102012
 

We are so excited to be a part of the upcoming Thrift Studio by Dwell with Dignity!  Thrift Studio in Dallas is a bi-annual 30 day pop up shop created to provide financial viability and fundraising for Dwell with Dignity through selling the overstock of donated, gently used furniture, housewares, accessories and high end designer finds to the public.

Our Style Director, Mary Jane Ryburn has been busy putting our vignette together using Wisteria items along with repurposed items from Dwell with Dignity’s Thrift Store.  Chairs have been reupholstered, walls painted and pictures hung on the walls.  Mary Jane has created a beautiful space that is a must see! Here are a few pictures of what happened behind the scenes…

 

The pop-up thrift store will be open from April 14th – May 12th, Tuesday – Saturday from 10AM – 5:30PM.  Sunday noon- 5:00PM.
It is located at 1250 Slocum Drive, Suite 550 in the Design Center

All proceeds go to benefit the future work, growth, organization and structure of Dwell with Dignity!

 

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Alice
 Posted by Alice on April 10, 2012  No Responses »
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