Urban Reserve Sneak Peeks

Urban Reserve, Diane Cheatham's development of fifty sustainable design, modern single-family residences is located on a 13-acre plot off Forest Lane and Central Expressway (map). The project has been in the works for over two years, and the first residence, at 51 Vanguard Way designed by Lionel Morrison, was recently completed. Other designs are in varying stages of the process; all are dramatic and definitively modern.
Nods to ecological sensitivity include narrower streets (less asphalt allowing water run-off), and design criteria including goal home energy efficiency 20% above market average, native and drought-tolerant adaptive plantings, and rainwater irrigation schemes.
Homes are priced between $400K and over $2M. Completion of the entire development is anticipated in 2009. A full news story appeared earlier this month in the Dallas Morning News.

Mod Offerings

Century Modern in Deep Ellum is featuring a 15% off sale. Lula B's has a few good mod pieces in stock, and several other posters are offering tasty modern treats:

Recent reproduction Eames lounger and ottoman, $750
1970s vintage velvet sofa, $700
Vintage vinyl swivel chair, $60

Interactive Occasional Furniture

Part art installation, part children's science museum exhibit (remember the Van de Graaff static electricity inducing spheres?), the interactive Ripple LED table senses movements over its surface and the light patterns change accordingly. The table cames in a selection of sizes and lighting colors. The sleek curves of the table make it a nice piece even when it's not illuminated.

Top Modern Skylines

Dallas comes in at #18 on this list, which is led off with Hong Kong, Chicago, Shanghai, New York, and Tokyo. Given credit for having seven buildings towering over 200 meters, along with the 186-meter Reunion Tower and its distinctive green-tinged night appearance, Dallas is picked as a shining beacon of the western prairies. I've always been partial to a good skyline, and the other city views are real lookers too.