Lettrefina Closes Store, Fire Damages Dallas Upholstery Warehouse, and More News in Texas

Texas is full of great designers and makers, and new things are happening every day in the Lone Star State. To help you keep up with all the design news and goings-on in the area, AD PRO is here with what you need to know this week.

Closings

Lettrefina Linens + Monograms Closes Brick-and-Mortar Store

Houston-based bespoke linens and monograms company Lettrefina has closed its brick-and-mortar location in Upper Kirby after six years, and is transitioning the business to online and appointment-only. “Walk-in traffic was becoming less important, as most clients/designers don’t decide on a whim to invest in brand-new custom linens, so it was only natural to go the route of closing my retail space in favor of online and appointment-only,” owner Elizabeth Kappler tells AD PRO. Kappler is available to meet one-on-one with clients to advise on the design process, and product is also available online.

Sales

Jan Showers’s February Sale Is Going On Now

The annual February sale at Jan Showers has arrived. From now through February 28, shoppers can look for 20-to-75% off antiques, and a large selection of Jan Showers Collection floor samples at the showroom in the Dallas Design Center.

In the News

Fire Damages Dallas Upholstery Warehouse

A three-alarm fire raged Thursday afternoon through a Dallas Design District upholstery warehouse in the 2400 block of Irving Boulevard. The building was quickly evacuated, and the fire was contained a few hours later, with no injuries reported. The warehouse did suffer substantial property loss in the fire, however. The blaze was later determined by investigators to be accidental in nature, according to CBS DFW.

Events

Have Lunch With John Robshaw at the James Showroom

The prince of block prints is coming to Texas. The James showroom in Decorative Center Houston will host John Robshaw for lunch on Wednesday, February 12. Robshaw will reveal the details of his newly launched performance line of textiles. The event runs from 12 noon to 2 p.m., and guests can RSVP to [email protected].

AIA Houston to Host Architecture Tour

The AIA Houston Interior Architecture Committee is hosting an Interior Architecture Tour on Saturday, February 15, at architecture offices in the Sawyer Yards/Washington corridor area. The self-guided tour, which is $10 general admission, includes interactive presentations at the following firms: Bexhill, Four Square Design Studio, Humanscale, Kinneymorrow Architecture, and WHL Spaces. Tickets are available through the AIA Houston.

Hires

Gensler Names New Principals

Gensler has announced the appointment of six new principals within its Houston, Austin, and Dallas offices. Kirk Funkhouser, Lillian Giering, Lance Hosey, Johnny Kousparis, Luis Santi, and Cherrie Wysong have all been promoted to principal in their respective Texas offices.

Preservation

Historic Houston Commerce Towers Set for Renovation

The Commerce Towers, a 25-story downtown condominium building, is set to undergo a renovation that will include modern updates to the exterior, the lobby, and amenity areas in keeping with the historic character of the building, according to the Houston Chronicle. The 1928 building, designed by architect Joseph Finger, originally housed the Chamber of Commerce.