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
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
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.
Everyone needs a good sofa. Why? Because it’s the centerpiece of your living room. It’s the gathering place for guests. And it’s your official napping spot. So, don’t skimp on this special piece. A lot of thought should go into choosing your sofa. That’s exactly why we suggest choosing one that a lot of thought has gone into creating it. All of our sofas are handmade, many of them are made with recycled and environmentally-friendly materials, and some of them are even made in the United States!
To me, few things are more glorious than a farmers’ market. People watching, food, sampling that food and talking to those people, all while being outside! Ahhh! I wish I was strolling through one now.
Last weekend I went to a farmers’ market. If you’re in the Dallas area, the White Rock Farmers’ Market is a great one. And this coming weekend, I plan on visiting another, St. Michael’s Farmer’s Market.
Do you have any markets you love? And what do you usually buy there? I’d love some new ideas on beloved produce!
Close your eyes and imagine for a moment you’re in some kind of Narnia dream. But instead of walking through the wardrobe into a snowy, forest world, you actually step out onto a beach. Yes, you can see blue waters in the distance. But what overwhelms you most about this place is the brightness of it all: The sunny light and the white, white sandy shore. It’s quiet, except for the slight rushing of waves, and you’re warm (but not hot). Something about it is almost cozy. The whiteness wraps you up like a warm blanket and an open fireplace in the winter.
That dreamy-like state is what I’d love my home to feel like all year round. Below is some inspiration, and here’s some pinspiration, if you’re feeling the same way.
Image via thedesignfiles.net
Image via abeachcottage.com
Image via yannderet.comImage via simplyseleta.typepad.com
Whenever I think about lazy summer days, watching movies ’til 3am, I think about Something’s Gotta Give. A trip to the beach is just outta reach for me, so I’m gonna have to get my fix from this classic, romantic comedy. I love the scenery, the sense of humor, and most importantly, the fabulous home!
The house really is absolutely amazing. I’d move into it in a heartbeat. Something about that simple, classic, casual style is so warm and actually attainable.
Here are some of the things I think would help make a regular home into a Something’s Gotta Give home.
1. Woodblock Print Napkins – Floral 2. Farmer’s Basket 3. Handmade Clay Pitcher 4. Hanging Street Lantern
5. Linen Hand-Embroidered Pillow – Natural 6. Basket Weave Pillow – Navy Rectangle
7. Zigzag Indigo Ikat Pillow 8. Distressed European Wall Clock 9. Curule-Style Rattan Stool
10. Extendable Dining Table 11. Wicker-Like Dining Chair 12. Sea Grass Rug 13. Handmade Cocktail Glasses
14. Hercule Poirot Wine Bottle Candleholders 15. Simply Slipcovered Sofa 16. Slipcovered Dining Chair
17. Turned Wood Candlestick – Natural Trumpet 18. Turned Wood Candlestick – Natural Baluster
19. The Houses of Veranda 20. Blue Dhurrie Rug 21. Wooden Parat
Few people can hold a candle to Janell when it comes to most-awesome-accent. Janell is one of the many nice and smart people in the finance department, and I love listening to her talk because she has an Antiguan accent!
What is your job here?
Finance Manager
What are your favorite things about working at Wisteria?
There’s never a dull day working at Wisteria. You can never be bored or short on entertainment.
What is one thing about you people probably don’t know?
I hate fruits. I won’t even touch a banana!
What is your favorite place to visit?
My homeland, Antigua. It’s a beautiful island in the Caribbean with 365 beaches.
What is the one place in the world you’ve never been but would love to go?
China
How would you describe your personal style?
Stylish and chic
What is your favorite Wisteria item?
The Colorblock Painted Canvases
My one indulgence is:
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
Favorite spot in my house:
My bed
Favorite food:
Anything from home (Antigua), but if I had to pick one, I would say pepperpot. It’s a soup-like stew with lots of vegetables and meats (mainly spinach and pork) and Caribbean-style dumplings. It’s also the national dish.
My pet’s name is:
I haven’t had a pet since I was a little girl. Back then, I had a dog named Prince.
Favorite place to watch the sun set:
The beach
Andrew and Shannon with Andrew's family
For us, celebrating any holiday is about celebrating family. This especially rings true when it comes to holidays like July 4th, when we truly can be thankful for how the efforts of our forefathers have allowed us to celebrate the way we want to celebrate, whether that’s with fireworks and a parade or a simple family picnic.
If you’re looking to add some adventure to your festivities, here are some interesting traditions we thought would be fun to visit:
For even more ideas, visit our pinterest board.
So how do you celebrate? We’d love to know if you’ve visited one of the places above.
One of our employees, Kameilia, is due any day now–due to deliver her first baby! She’s been making her final preparations in creating the perfect little nest in which to bring home her bundle of joy. Her and her husband opted not to find out the sex of the baby, so they created a sweet, gender-neutral nursery. Have a look for yourself.
Image via theteachercooks.com.
In Texas, the summers can be brutal. By August, I’m coming up with new ways to cool off, from freezing random foods to leaving the house in the morning with my hair still wet. One of my favorite ways to refresh from the summer heat is with cake! Here’s a fresh, fruity recipe to have on hand when the dog days of summer come barking!
Mandarin Orange Cake
Ingredients:
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin orange segments
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed or whipping cream
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees. Grease a 9×13 pan (or I use a nonstick one). (You can also make this as a layer cake as shown above, but I like the pan version; it makes me feel like I have more cake!) In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and mandarin oranges (with their juice). Mix until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan, and pop it in the oven for 30ish minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on it; it’s ready when a toothpick stuck in it comes out clean. While it’s baking, prepare the frosting by mixing together the whipped cream, pineapples, and pudding mix.
Once the cake comes out of the oven, let it cool. If you can wait, you may even consider placing it in the refrigerator to cool completely. Then top the cake with the frosting, and enjoy!
If you’re like most people, you’d agree an item on sale is better than paying full price. We chose a couple of our favorite full priced items and paired them with some of our sale items. So, you can mix them with some of the cool Wisteria products you already have or opt for the less expensive option in their place.
1. Stacked Sideboard – White 2. Men’s Travel Laundry Bag 3. Bone Inlaid Bedside Table
4. Kantha Jacket – Blue/Aqua 5. Venetian Glass Mirror
Betcha didn’t know our friend Boozehound had a green thumb! In fact, in the above shot he’s proudly sitting next to his prized swiss chard plant. He also has a very nice vineyard ’round back.
