The golden rule of shopping for one-of-kind fab finds was in the air at Lawndale Art Center Friday night when design-savvy patrons occupied the galleries for this year's Design Fair preview evening, underwritten in part by Poggenpohl Design Studio.
You know what we're talking about: Grab it now and forever hold your piece — or forever hold your peace.
With more than two-thirds of the some 20 vendors fresh on the scene — and a new space layout that maximized flow and merchandise visibility —plastic was swiped as 300-plus early birds earned first dibs at the on-trend vintage and modern goods. Surely, by design of party chairs Martha Claire Tompkins and Pepper Paratore, the signature potations courtesy of Deep Eddy Vodka and Saint Arnold Brewing Co. suds had a hand in setting the gabby and lucrative mood.
Because what's the point of cash if you can't spend it?
While the first and third floors were teeming with displays of clothing, jewelry, furniture, rugs, household items, cosmetics, art, books, lighting, the second floor loft had curious passersby wondering about all the high tech activity bubbling at a special section dubbed the Texas Co-Op.
There, curators Scott Cartwright and Jenny Lynn Weitz-Amaré Cartwright were just embarking on a creative, three-dimensional live printing venture with designers Nick Bontrager, Tony Garbarini, Kellee Kimbro, Keith Moy and Daniel Szymanowski that will churn out new polylactide wares all weekend long.
Making her business debut was Clear Lake-native Amanda Medsger, whose label Oudvark offered a melange of rustic and industrial in a collection of tabletop lighting and wall sconces forged from re-purposed wood beams, found stones and Edison-style bulbs. A slice of South Austin humor in Deeyn Rhodes' Nannie Inez boutique had guests chuckling at a naughty four-piece tea set decorated with sketches of women in the buff.
Compliments to chef Barbara McKnight, owner of Culinaire, for the yummy passed appetizers of chicken empanadas, brisket tostadas and ahi tuna with strawberries atop wantan chips. Her special salt rub and spiced nuts were hot items at the sale.
Relishing in form and function were Bill Arning, Michael Mandola, Jeff Shell, Mark Pondes, Jenni Rebecca Stephenson, Matthew Wettergreen, Paul Middendorf, Rusty Bienvenue, Brian James, Lindsey George and Jim Petersen, Josh Pazda and Chris Goins.
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Lawndale Art Center's Design Fair continues on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5.
The Design Fair preview party drew a large crowd who got an early start on purchases.
