Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:21:54 +0000

“Designers are only as good as their resources”.  It is an age old quote I have heard throughout my life.  My Grandmother said it about her Dallas decorator, my Mother said it about her West Texas male designer, and I have heard this factoid at cocktail parties from Miami to Madrid.

So, it comes as no surprise I set out, early on, to KNOW my fabrics, furniture, and the people who could access me to them.  Brought to the designer via exclusive showrooms in illusive centers around our country, these dealers became imperative to the establishment and success of my venture.

The Dallas Design District became my laboratory as soon as I set up business in San Antonio 25 years ago. Back in those days, the Design Center consisted of a few tightly bound blocks where the entire pulse of décor and design was contained.  We had no Crate and Barrels, West Elms, Target, or any home furnishing mail order catalogs.  It was either a dreary retail furniture store or the Design district for the furnishing of one’s home.

Because San Antonio had no design center, the showrooms had reps that traveled twice a year to make presentations to the “trade”–I preferred to travel to their showrooms, but did appreciate any rep who considered me important enough to be called on.  And, I have never forgotten …..George Nash was one of those very first traveling reps who called on me, treating me like I was “one of them”.  He now owns one of the country’s most chic and elegant showrooms, and has the finest upholstery line I am so proud to have placed in many beautiful homes these past few years when budgets would allow.

Noel Doniel, my fabric rep for the classic Scalamandre line of fabrics always assisted me in the showroom and called on me here in San Antonio.  He greeted me like I was an old friend, and from my first visit to this exclusive dealer, he helped me navigate the ways of the sample check outs and the finessing of custom trimmings.  He treated me like my business (though so small it was back then) was just as valuable as the big Dallas designer and her 2 assistant she had helped before me.

I did a lot of business with Boyd Levinson as a developing designer.  Most of their lines were “over my head”, but by spending so much time in that showroom and visiting with the owners and personell, I gained tremendous insights into the level of design I was looking to anchor.  After Ken Boyd tragically died, I began a wonderful relationship with Joe Demoruelle who is my precious sales rep to this day.  He always goes the extra yard for me and any of the BDG designers, and we trust him implicitly-plus, he has this amazing temperament!  We know he is pestered beyond the imaginable with questions and information on lead times, quotes, finishes, custom sizing, but he never shows any form of irritation! I think he is near sainthood!!

My life as a designer would never be what it is had I not become so familiar with the EC Dicken showroom and its fabulous lines of furnishings.  This family owned, multi line treasure chest has fulfilled so many, many needs for my project requirements throughout the years.  I rarely make a trip to Dallas that  EC Dicken is not my first stop.  I adore Buzz Dicken, and we have developed a special bond that does not involve the excellent customer service and utterly gorgeous furniture I source from them….he provided the final blessing on our family’s acquisition of our beloved shih tzu, Chully Boy.  Buzz has a pair of these unique breed, and we are now forever bonded through this passion we have for our pups.  We love to show off each others dog photos before we discuss anything so mundane as luxury furniture these days!!

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