MCKINNEY, TEXAS

While at the Dallas Gift Show last month,

I had the pleasure of visiting the charming

historic town square in McKinney, Texas.

Charming as it is the main reason I wanted

to come was to see GRAY LIVING.  Randal Weeks
 the owner of AIDAN GRAY HOME  opened
this store, and I was very excited

to finally get to see it.

This is not only a place to display the

products of AIDAN GRAY, it is a

lifestyle store and boutique specializing

in a European rustic chic collection of

new and vintage home furnishings and

accessories for the entire house.

Besides the great merchandise and the

creative displays the building itself

makes for a great setting.  Two floors.

brick walls and wood floors are

a great backdrop.

He carries all my favorite lines, along

with AIDAN GRAY, there is DASH & ALBERT 

rugs, PINE CONE HILL and POM POM AT HOME

bedding.

Around the corner is PATINA GREEN

where the fabulous food came from

for the Aidan Gray lunches and

party for the new Dallas showroom.

This is a family run store that perfectly balances

home decor items, and yummy local bites.

The "home" side of the store is loaded with

furnishings from Europe as well as repurposed

pieces like cabinets made from found shutters.

The restaurant side has a smal

deli that features freshly-made dishes

with local ingredients put togeother

by market chef Robert.

They are also know for ladies

rest room that has some

wonderful old pieces to distract you.

This beautiful lady is Roberts wife's

mother Luann, and designer of the place Kaci,

was out taking care of all the events the

store gets involved in.  Kaci orginized the

events at Aidan Gray that turned out so well.

Visiting McKinney was a perfect diversion

from the trade show and I suggest a

visit if you find yourself in Dallas.

Gray Living

113 N. Kentucky Street

972-542-00333

Patina Green Home and Market

116 N. Tennessee

972-548-9141

NEW FROM SUGARBOO DESIGNS

I was in Atlanta for the Gift Show and

have come home with lots of great things to

show you. I was delighted to see the new pillows that SUGARBOO DESIGNS  add to an already

great assortment.  These veered away from

their black on neutral theme and
Rebecca has added a little color.

Some of these you will recognize from

the Art Prints that have been in the line.

Stacking Animals is one of my favorites.

The applique hearts has been updated,

now with white hearts on a linen

background opposed to the reverse.

I really like the simplicity of these new

black and white ones.

There are also a few new Art Prints.

This is Mae Mae, named after the

family dog.

If you look very close you will see that

the entire background of this bright

cheerful flower has xo over and over.

I can see this in a mostly white contemporary

room, I think it would be stunning.

How charming would this be hung

in a child's room.  Something they

could take with them to college and

forever.

A couple of seasons ago Rebecca

put her talent on some paper goods

and it was a run away hit.  Now we

have more fun things to write on.

These are all pads 6.5" x 10".

We have had this fabulous wood garland

with the heart at the end for a while

Now we have it with a cross

I hope this has brought some smiles.

SUGARBOO DESIGNS has love

and happiness written all over it.