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Christine Allison on Imported Influences

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A few years ago, I asked well-known Dallas designer Sherry Hayslip for her thoughts on local architectural style. I was trying to get her to despair with me about the preponderance of imported styles in the city—the exaggerated chateaux, haciendas, villas, and castles that seemed to be popping up everywhere. “Does architecture in Dallas always have to be derivative?” I asked. “Why hasn’t the idea of regional design ever really taken off?”

I was surprised by Hayslip’s answer, and it has informed my thinking ever since.

“Of all the states, of all the regions, Texas has had multiple influences,” she said. “Think of the six flags of Texas. Our land was owned by Spain, then France, then Mexico. Our readiness to accept these influences makes sense. We’re not just importing design from thousands of miles away. The ‘Texans’ brought it here themselves.”

Hayslip’s insight about our multiple cultural foundations—and how they might influence our design consciousness—has logic to it. And I realize now that my original lament was knee-jerk. Our city will always be derivative and, increasingly, far from being a liability, this desire to incorporate outside influences will define us and be our strength. Which is why, when the editors almost tongue in cheek suggested we do a story on “preppy style,” I took it as another confirmation of Hayslip’s theory. It made sense that Dallas, as one of the fastest growing cities in the country, would have Northeasterners importing a preppy sensibility—in all of its color, chintz, and grosgrain ribbon glory. And of course, as you will see with the houses of designers Susan Palma and Muffin Lemak, as well as Ann Fox’s latest project, the look is smashing. What’s more, like so many styles that have been imported from other regions and countries, our preppy look has a Dallas spin: sunnier and certainly more visually outspoken than anything you’d find in Martha’s Vineyard.

I also want to direct your attention to our “Before and After” feature by Denise Gee. Gee has contributed to D Home for several issues now, and the experience she brings from her many years at Better Homes and Gardens, Coastal Living, and scouting for Traditional Home and Country Home has helped us take your local home and garden magazine to even higher levels. Gee moved to Dallas almost a year ago: another newcomer to Dallas, another imported take on style, and, yes, another influence making this city a remarkable place to be. Enjoy this issue, and let me hear from you.

Christine Allison
Editor and Publisher
[email protected]

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