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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.

 

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and I wish all the moms out there a very happy Mother’s Day. In honor of this day, we asked people in the office to share some memories or thoughts about their mothers.

Project Manager, Lauren with her mother Lisa.Our Project Manager Lauren had this to say: “My mother’s strength and perseverance inspires me every day.  I am so thankful to have her in my life, and I do not know what I would do without her!” She is featured above with her mother Lisa.

 

Our Head Designer, Marlene with her mother, sister, and niece.Head Designer, Marlene shared this about her mom: “My mom is very special to me.  She is my biggest supporter and is always there for me. Whether it was getting up at 6 am to go to an all day long synchronized swimming meet to coach me and be a judge (she always gave me high scores!), going to Stoneworks Rock Climbing gym to rock climb with me, or attending one of my fashion competitions, she was always there for me cheering me on in all of my crazy activities and endeavors.” Marlene is pictured above with her mother, sister, and niece.

 

Our Director of Customer Service, Donna with her mother on a cruise last year.Director of Customer Service, Donna said: “When I think about my mum, childhood memories of summers spent at lake come to mind. We could always count on her to play in the water with all the kids. She was the same way when her grandchildren were young too. Today, she still loves the water but enjoys it more from the deck of a ship!” The picture above is of Donna and her mother on a cruise last year.

 

Our Creative Director, Jim's mother.Our Creative Director, Jim wanted to share this about his mother: “I’m marking my first ever Mother’s Day without Joan Marie Scelp Starr Cartwright Lauria, a quite unforgettable mom. She was the granddaughter of Italian immigrants (and for a short time, literally married to the mob), an aspiring singer (and proud owner of a Dean Martin autograph), and everybody’s favorite aunt (Aunt Joanie). If you’d met my dad, you’d know hers was the gene pool that turned me into an artist and writer. I only wish my own children had known her better. So here’s to Mom.” His mother is pictured above.

 

Digital Media Specialist, Toni and her sugar (mom).Digital Media Specialist, Toni: “My mom is my sugar.  She’s the best there is.” Toni and her sugar are pictured above.

 

My mother, me, and my sister celebrating Mother's Day last year.Last but not least, I wanted to share something about my mom also: “I am so grateful to have a mother that has been by my side and supported me in everything I done. It has helped me become the person I am today. I love you mom!” My mother, my sister, and I are pictured above celebrating Mother’s Day last year.

 

Thanks to everyone who shared about their mothers. Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Nikki
 

Austin, Tx

Austin! I love this city! This is my favorite city in Texas and possibly the country. I am fortunate enough to have a ton of friends that live there, so it is easy for me to visit often. I could come up with a month’s worth of activities for you to do while in Austin, but for now, here are five of my favorite places to visit.

Barton Springs. The best place to stay cool in Austin.

1. Barton Springs – During the summer, which lasts 8 months out of the year here, this is a great place to go to stay cool. It is a man-made swimming pool in the heart of Zilker Park.

Toy Joy, toy store. This is a great place for both kids and adults to have fun.

2. Toy Joy - This is the best toy store ever! Great for kids and adults. You’ll never know what they will have.

Franks, this place has the best hot dogs ever!

3. Franks - They call themselves the “Purveyors of Artisan Sausage.” This place has the fanciest and most delicious hot dogs ever. Franks is also known for their bacon infused vodka.

Peter Pan Mini Golf has been around since 1946.

 

4. Peter Pan Mini Golf - This place has been around since 1946. There is a variety of huge characters on their two 18-hole putt putt golf courses. Great people watching can be done here and they allow you to bring in your own beverages.

South Congress is a must stop place in Austin. Full of independently owned shops, restaurants, and food trucks.

5. South Congress - you can spend an entire afternoon down here. It is full of great boutiques, restaurants/food trucks, and different art galleries.

Nikki
 

Our coastal inspired living room.

Our May catalog with a new summer look will be in mailboxes starting next week, but we wanted to give you a chance to preview the collection early. Here are some of the new items that you will find.  Shop and see them all here!

Nikki
 

Boozehound decided to stop at the Little Czech Bakery in West, Texas on his way to Austin a few weeks ago.

Boozehound wanted to make a stop at the Little Czech Bakery in West, Texas, on his way to Austin a few weeks ago. He loves their kolaches. His favorite is the jalapeno cheddar sausage kolache. Who knows where we will find him next.

Nikki
 

Featured Wisteria Item: Louis XVI End Chair- Royal Blue w7113

March/ April cover of Lonny Magazine.

 

Lonny featured our Louis XVI End Chair- Royal Blue in their April issue.

Nikki
 

We have tons of accessories and tabletop items at our Flea Market!

If you are in the Dallas area and have not stopped by our Flea Market you’re missing out. The Flea Market has been open for a month and a half now and we are adding new items every week. You can find a huge selection of clearance, Objet de Ding (items that have cosmetic flaws), and overstock items. These items are 50% or more of their original prices. See our store page for hours.

Nikki
 

In honor of National Grilled Cheese Month, here is my recipe for a Southwest Grilled Cheese.

Image and Recipe from NPR.

April is National Grilled Cheese Month! In honor of it we are going to be posting a different grilled cheese recipe every Monday throughout April. To get things started here is my recipe for my Southwest Grilled Cheese.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup sliced red onion

3 tablespoons mayo

2 teaspoons chipotle chilies in adobo sauce or 1/4 teaspoon of ground chipotle powder

2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped

4 slices of jalapeno  bread (or sourdough)

4 ounces shredded or thinly sliced sharp cheddar (I substituted pepper jack for cheddar)

1/2 large avocado

 

Instructions:

In skillet melt 1 tablespoon of butter and then saute the onions until they are caramelized. Remove from heat.

In a small bowl combine mayo, chipotle chilies or powder, and cilantro.

Spread remaining 2 tablespoons of butter on one side of each of the 4 slices of bread. Place buttered sides down on clean work space and spread a thin layer of the chipotle sauce on each slice of bread.  Pile on cheese, avocado, and grilled onions to one side of the bread and then add the additional slice of bread to the top.

Place sandwiches in a preheated skillet and cook about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Nikki
 

Different decorative knobs to update dressers and cabinets.

Image Courtesy of Southern Living

One of the easiest ways to update a piece of furniture is to change out the hardware. New knobs can change the look of your dresser or cabinets instantly. I recently added knobs to my plain dresser to update the look and add a little personality to it. This is one of the easiest DIY that I have ever done!

If your piece of furniture has knobs already then the only thing you need to do is remove the old knobs and screw in the ones. My dresser did not have existing knobs. So, I just measured on the drawers where I wanted to place them and drilled a hole (I did make sure that my drill bit was similar size to the screw attached to the knob). Once the hole was drilled, I just screwed in the knobs and within 5 minutes had an updated dresser!

Nikki
 

The White House vegetable garden is one of my favorites.

Image of the White House Garden  Courtesy Of Associated Press  

Today is the first day of spring, although here in Texas it has felt like spring for the last couple of weeks! The beginning of spring means that it is gardening season; this past weekend I made a list of the vegetables and herbs I wanted to grow this year.  I am definitely planting some tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, and bell peppers.  I can’t wait until I get to make  fresh garden salsa!  A tip that I am going to try this year is to plant Marigolds around my garden; the roots of the Marigolds produce a chemical that repels certain types of beetles and other bugs.  What are you planting in your garden? Do you have any  gardening tips to share?

 

Nikki
 

Featured Wisteria Product: Ceramic Cumulus Stool w6081

This Old House April 2012 Cover.Our Ceramic Cumulus Stool was featured in the April 2012 issue of This Old House.

Nikki