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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.

 

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…

 

Alice
 

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!

Alice
 

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
 

Daughter of our marketing manager, Alice, Ryan recently modeled in Wisteria’s catalog. Check out our May issue (p. 26).

How old are you?
I turned 11 in April.

Have you ever modeled before?
My grandmother and grandfather are both photographers. They make me pose for pictures ALL the time!

Do you want to model again?
I don’t like to pose for pictures. I like to run around while someone takes my picture.

What’s your favorite outfit?
Right now it is a pair of lace shorts with a denim shirt. I wore it to my friend’s birthday party and thought it looked cute. Now I try to wear it all the time, but my mom won’t let me.

What’s your favorite toy?
I don’t really play with toys that much. My favorite thing to do is put makeup on my girlfriends and my mom.

What’s your favorite food?
Sushi

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A professional tennis player.

What was your favorite part about being in the Wisteria catalog?
Seeing the cool house where the photo shoot was. I want to live there.

What was your least favorite part about being in the catalog?

Waiting around.

Britt
 

“The Akola Project is one of five sustainable development initiatives of The UAPO (Ugandan American Partnership Organization). Since 2007, the project has empowered more than 200 women in Uganda to uplift their families and communities through income-generating crafts, such as jewelry-making, combined with village savings and loans programs. Akola Project sales provide fair wages to the women, many of whom are widows and HIV-positive, so that they can afford medical care and school fees for their children. Additional proceeds contribute to funding The UAPO’s other projects, which include drilling water wells and building vocational centers throughout Uganda.”

We are happy to financially support The Akola Project in its special mission. To learn more, visit akolaproject.org.

Mister-Ry
 

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!

Alice
 

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.

Alice
 

Nora is one of the sweet faces in our Customer Service Center. I’ve worked with her during one of our warehouse sales and can definitely say she is super nice and calm, two attributes I’d think would be very important in place like the Customer Service Center. She’s worked at Wisteria for 4 years.

What are your favorite things about working at Wisteria?
Definitely it’s my co-workers. The girls in my department keep the atmosphere upbeat and fun.

 

What is your favorite place to visit?
That would have to be anywhere with my kids and family. Since moving to Texas four years ago, I miss them all dearly.

What is the one place in the world you’ve never been but would love to go?
I would love to go to Ireland. I’d like to see the history behind my family background.

How would you describe your personal style?
Casual

What is your favorite Wisteria item?
Hands down, it’s The Moorish Chest!

My one indulgence is:
Reality T.V.! Go Housewives!

What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I’m deathly afraid of roller coasters, and I don’t really know why!

Favorite spot in my house:
That’s easy: Floating in the pool!

Favorite food:
I love all seafood. The one exception is Catfish.

Favorite place to watch the sun set:
Anywhere over water. The reflection can be just beautiful.

Britt
 

 

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!

Alice
 

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

 

Alice