TWO WEEKS IN DALLAS

Wow!! What an amazing fortnight in Dallas starting on October 12 with the official opening of the Dallas/ATT Center for the Performing Arts on through my favorite event in any city anywhere, Two by Two for Aids and Art.

THE COUNTDOWN:
After the grand opening of the Performing Arts Center on October 12, there was a great U2 concert in the fabulous new Cowboys Stadium. It was a fantastic show in a venue unlike any other, especially viewed from John and Jennifer Eagles' great suite.

Then, the opening nights of the Wyly Theater and the Winspear Opera House which were both spectacular!

Following on the heels of that week, Two by Two for Aids and Art week kicked off with the Sotheby's Preview Night--everyone's first peek at the top tier art that was donated by noted artists and gallery owners from L.A. to London to Germany. This year's art was considered the best ever in Two by Two history.

Two nights later, First Look party which is a fun night with lots of fashion/music people and a wonderful fashion show featuring Christian Siriano, winner of last year's Project Runway and sponsored by Dallas' boutique, 4510. Guests also enjoyed a special music perfomance by Gavin Rossdale courtesy of Kirtland Records.

Next, the Two by Two Gala night which is the most glamorous night of the year in Dallas with lots of star power. Artists and art dealers from all over the world come to this event, along with celebrities---this year, Stanley Tucci and Harry Belafonte, honorary chairs, Kenneth Cole, president of amfAR, and featured artist, Peter Doig. Alan Cumming's performance brought the house down---it wowed everyone there!

Harry Belafonte Alan Cumming

Then Jamie Niven of Sotheby's---yes, he is the son of David Niven, and the funniest man on the planet---took the stage for the live auction.

Two by Two went on to make a record breaking $4 million!

Two x Two tent My daughter Elizabeth & I co-chaired the event

Once again, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky opened the doors of their Richard Meier house for every one of these events. Their major art collection is removed each year so that all of the art donated for the event may be displayed. What a show!

CHAIRS, CHAIRS, CHAIRS If I had to chose one design element that I have a weakness for, it would be chairs. They are simply irresistible to me. I guess there is a very good reason for this passion of mine....a room has little character with simple upholstered pieces...yes, they make a room inviting and comfortable and every room needs them, but for the most part, they add little personality to the setting. One can completely change the look of a room, simply by changing the chairs. Just ask my husband!! We have a room that I love to redecorate----I have done this most frequently by changing one pair of chairs with another (over and over and over!). You get the idea. The next time you look at what I like to call a "character chair" i.e. one that is not fully upholstered, think about how it might change the entire look of a room. I like to add chairs to my furniture collection that will work in many different interiors. Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about: JSC Syrie chair JSC Gigi chair JSC Clark chair JSC Carleton chair Keep in mind that these are not always the most comfortable chairs in the room...they need to be reasonably comfortable, but you will have plenty of other seating in the room for that purpose. These chairs are all about making a statement----although I would never make a statement with a chair that is also an instrument of torture! HERE IS MY CHAIR HALL OF FAME: the iconic Frances Elkins Loop chair late 18th c. Italian Klismos style chair JSC Loop dining chair JSC Daphne chair SOME SPECIAL CHAIRS WE HAVE IN MY ANTIQUES SHOWROOM RIGHT NOW: So, remember, when putting together a room, don't forget the character chair. It will be the element that makes your room memorable {other than a wonderful piece of art!}. This is a good time to mention buying sustainable furniture. As you can see, some of my favorite chairs are over 200 years old. I continue to be appalled at the number of people who should know better but continue to buy furniture that will be disposed of within the next 5-10 years if not less! I love the old Chinese saying "BUY THE BEST AND ONLY CRY ONCE." What an amazingly true statement. I might add, buy second or third rate, and cry every time you try to sell it or have to rid yourself of it. Remember---quality does matter---it always has and always will. I have a few other things on my mind this month.... CRUSHES MAD MEN---ok, ok, I know I'm obsessed but it just gets better and smarter every season. The clothes, the sets, the acting and most especially the writing!! I was recently asked which current movies were inspiring to me and I simply could not think of anything that is more inspiring to me on every level than this show. If you aren't watching, rent the first and second season which is a great way to see it with no commercials to fast forward through. You can also download it from iTunes on your laptop---fun to watch when you're on a plane. I love Burt Cooper's office with the Rothko, Japanese screen and Hollywood regency furnishings with Asian influences. Betty and Don Draper have just redecorated their living room---it is 1963 when Hollywood regency was all the rage. FASHION---love the great dresses this fall that have been inspired by MM!! ART---can't wait to see the Kandinsky show at the Guggenheim and Georgia O'Keefe's abstract show at The Whitney along with two interesting and creative new shows at the Dallas Museum of Art called All the World's a Stage and the Performance/Art show. Kandinsky's Several Circles - The Guggenheim O'Keeffe's Series I-No. 1 - The Whitney Pietro Paolini's Bacchi Concert - DMA All the World's a Stage Yinks's Shonibare's Un Ballo in Maschera - DMA Performance/Art DALLAS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS---it's finally here!! Dallas has an arts district that is simply stunning with the Winspear Opera House designed by Norman Foster and the Wyly Theater by Rem Koolhass to add to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Meyerson Symphony Hall and the Nasher Sculpture Garden. If you don't live in Dallas, there has never been a better time to come. TWO BY TWO BENEFITING AIDS AND ART----The art this year is better than ever and, I am happy to say the event is sold out. Dallas continues to support the arts. My daughter, Elizabeth Showers, and I are co-chairing it this year. It will again be in the amazing Rachofsky House hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky who are two of the most dedicated people I know---they are truly remarkable and give so much of themselves to both the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR. To see all the art that will be up for auction, go to http://2x2online.org/. You will find works from Brice Marden, Francesco Clemente, Marlene Dumas, Olafur Eliasson along with over 100 other works. You may place a bid online, so enjoy!! Francesco Clemente's Allegory a pair of Norman Cherner armchairs, c. 1958 The Rachofsky House DESIGN In addition to my book, Glamorous Rooms, I am so excited about several other books by designers that will be out this fall. Nancy Corzine, Kelly Wearstler, Suzanne Kasler and several others will be available later this month. I plan to buy copies of all of the above to add to my library. I just returned from a book signing party in New York that was held in the beautiful A. Rudin showroom at the D & D building. It was a lovely party and lots of people attended. My furniture collection is now represented by this showroom. By the way, if you live in New York or you are going to be there on October 29, be sure to go by and see Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of Elle Décor. She will be signing her new book, Style and Substance at 11 a.m. that day. While you are there, be sure to check out all of the wonderful furniture lines that are represented! THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE---I know most people went to see this movie to see how much Anna Wintour is like the Meryl Streep character in Devil Wears Prada, but they came away amazed at what it takes to put a magazine issue together. Grace Coddington is a revelation and creative genius (as Anna admits at the end of the movie). If you love art, how can you not love what Grace does on a monthly basis? PEEVES Not too many this month....already mentioned furniture that is not sustainable and that is disposable. Most of you already know how I feel about wenge wood and cheap finishes that require no craftsmanship as I have written about this several times in the past. REALITY TV SHOWS---sorry, I simply cannot get excited about watching these shows with manufactured dramas. Why watch them when you can watch shows that are well written with great production values? We as a society need people to admire. Who wants to watch a train wreck? By the way, don't Hollywood producers have any new and creative ideas----how many shows and magazine articles can they do on the Dallas stereotype (big hair, bad accents, shopaholics, ect.) which is totally unrepresentative of that city? DOOM AND GLOOM ATTITUDES---we will never have a good recovery from the current recession if we cannot get away from listening to talking heads 24/7 with this kind of attitude. Yes, we all need to save and that is a good thing, but to not spend at all will keep our economy stagnant. I cannot even talk about the negative radio/tv commentators that irresponsibly stir up hatred and fear with no regard for the consequences of their actions. More next month on getting ready for the holidays with some new and interesting ideas for gifts, decorating for the holidays and much more. And, please, enjoy fall---look around and appreciate all that this season has to offer. http://www.twitter.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jan-Showers/91838712518

FABULOUS FALL

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love fall---cooler weather, leaves turning, birds flying south, fires in the fire place, grown up movies returning to the screen, fall clothes - always my favorites - and, most especially, doing a little redecorating. Something about the cool air and fall colors simply makes me want to change things indoors.

Flowers are the first thing that I think about changing in the fall. I love white flowers in the summer and as long as it's warm outside, but with the cooler temperatures, other colors and flowers come to mind. Oak Leaf Hydrangeas with branches from oak trees come to mind as do branches with berries.

Pillows that looked perfect in summer may suddenly look too light and there is nothing like new pillows to freshen a room.

Displays of glass are another great way to change things this time of the year. Ambers and aubergines as they remind me of fall. Greens are wonderful anytime of the year as are blues, but the deeper they are, the better.

If you are thinking of replacing lamps anyway, consider certain colors to freshen your room. Of course, I think white ceramic or glass are great year round, but you might consider other colors to work with a fall scheme that will still look right when spring/summer roll around next year.

And, if you are thinking of reupholstering a chair or sofa, there are some stunning fabrics that you will love for fall and all year. Silk velvets---so luxurious and great visually. A few of my favorites......

Paint is one of the least expensive ways to change a room....we have just painted a room a wonderful carmel color in the showroom. In the aubergine family there is a very subtle color that looks great in the fall/winter or in spring/summer.

Click on each color chip for more information.

CELEBRATING FABULOUS FALL AT JAN SHOWERS

We have been redesigning our showroom in the Dallas Design District for the past couple of months in order to get ready for fall. If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, please come by and take a look at new paint colors as well as lots of wonderful new antiques----chairs, lamps, rugs, mirrors and chandeliers.

GLAMOROUS ROOMS

Another great way to get ready for fall----pick up your copy of Glamorous Rooms. Lots of great ideas for any time of the year!!

Please visit my Facebook & Twitter pages to see where book signings will be held across the US...