Dallas

By Dorothy Weaver -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 4/1/2001

Color, sparkle, and shine illuminate Whitehurst Imports new 1878 Dallas Trade Mart (DTM) showroom. There are mouth-blown ornaments from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Italy, and licenses from the National Wildlife Federation and Playboy Collectibles. The best of the past blends with the present in the expanded Victorian collection. There are new designs by June McKenna, Anita Rosenberg, and Cynthia Klein.

The party spirit is high at Fred Hill Inc., 2949 DTM. Honoring all occasions are Stephen Lawrence giftwraps, ribbons, and bows, and Frances Meyer scrapbooking accessories. Fred Hill is serving his seventh term as the Texas State Representative for District 112 (a total of 11 years). Carol Detwiler is showroom manager.

Amscan, which debuted 53 years ago as American Scandinavia, launched a "gotcha covered" assortment of 30,000 SKUs, at its new showroom, 271 World Trade Center (WTC). With 35 inside artists, an upscale gift line, home decor, garden, wedding and baby essentials, and seasonal creations, the line is flourishing. The firm manufacturers its own napkins and candles, and has everything for the party but the people. Deborah Hailey is regional sales manager, gift division.

TJ Collections moved across the DTM atrium to showroom 1410. Heartwarming Santas and snowmen boost the spirit.

The new Taylors on Nine, 9018 WTC, just below Taylors on Ten, space 10010, presents more style. Featured are Currey & Co.'s dramatic lighting; Things from All Over's lost wax cast bronzes, hand-carved exotic wood pieces, and authentic antiques; hand-carved mirrors from Embellishment; and Eyeliza throws in faux furs and suedes, shimmery velvets and silks, along with a selection of embellishments for throws and pillows.

Inge's Christmas Heirlooms (Inge-glas) and Birgit's Christmas Collection of mouth-blown German ornaments adorned with star crowns cast a spectrum of color in the new space at 2432 DTM. The company is replete with more than 6,000 antique glass-blower molds dating from the 1850s. New designs are created yearly to represent the Christmas traditions of today. Limited editions and collectibles harmonize with the latest introductions. Depictions include fantasy creations, hearts of love, shamrocks, patriotic, spring blooms, trick-or-treat fun, Christmas calories, and corporate.

S.S. Sarna, newly located to 370 WTC, is blazing new trails. Garden accessories, windchimes, ground stakes, copper and resin nostalgic sculptures, terra-cotta decorative accents, resin musical carousel horses, frames, clocks, and a Christmas category are among the diverse offerings from this vendor. Some items even have a southwestern motif.