Carmen Menza, The Art Menu's April "Artist of the Month" will be in attendance at Thursday's event.

The sky deck and select apartments will be adorned with works from artists represented by The Art Menu. The Art Menu is an online print gallery that offers limited-edition, reproduction works of art on canvas from an elite group of Dallas-area artists.

Launched in October 2011, the site was founded by David Hobbs, a Dallas-based investment advisor who has always had an interest in art. Hobbs’ sister, a professional artist whose work is featured on the site, initially sparked his interest in the business of the art industry. ”It’s often difficult for artists coming out of art school to promote themselves in an effective way,” says Hobbs, who learned firsthand from helping his sister.

When the economy slowed, another artist friend reached out to Hobbs for business advice. Hobbs and the artist decided to make prints of his work, offering the artwork at a lower price point than the originals, and giving him something to sell in a down economy. After getting the process launched, Hobbs realized that he could do the same thing for more artists, and the idea for The Art Menu was born.

“What differentiates The Art Menu from other online print sites is that we put the artist at the forefront. Our focus is really trying to market the artist themselves, not just the artwork,” says Hobbs.

Caravan 2 by Carmen Menza

Each artist featured on the site is hand selected by The Art Menu’s advisory board. ”All of our artists are high quality, professional artists. Not all of them make their living selling their art, but most would if they could.”

Consumers benefit from The Art Menu because they can get high quality prints at a fraction of the cost of purchasing an original. Additionally, The Art Menu limits the number of prints of each piece to 50 and provides certificates of authenticity.

The Art Menu has a local focus and only represents artists from Dallas. Though it was conceptualized to appeal to local consumers, the advisory board has discovered a much broader reach and have sold prints to buyers across the world — from Oklahoma City to Australia.

The Art Menu will be featuring around 15 prints at the art party and two to three originals from their artist of the month, Carmen Menza. Several other Art Menu artists will be in attendance as well.

The party kicks off at 4:30 p.m. and will last until 7:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public, but guests are asked to please RSVP to info@theartmenu.com.

Where to find it: This photo was taken on on the median on Hi Line Drive. between Oak Lawn Ave. and Slocum Street (Google Map)

Of all the features on LowerOakLawn.com, Love in LOL posts are my very favorite. This week’s installment was particularly fun to work on because, (1) the couple, Kay and Brandon, are beyond adorable, and (2) their photos (by Christopher & Angela at Lucky Pro Photography) are wonderfully done and give some great new ideas for shooting locales in the Dallas Design District.

Kaye, the bride-to-be, and Christopher, photographer extraordinaire, were kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions, giving LOL readers insight into the behind-the-scenes decisions which went into making these engagement photos so successful…

Where to find it: It is taken in front of the vine-covered exterior of Statement Furniture on Slocum Street. (Google Street View)

Kendall: First of all, congratulations on your engagement! How did you and Brandon meet?

Kaye: We actually met on MySpace back in 2007. He sent me a random message, I replied back, and the rest is history.

Where to find it: This lovely sign is located in Main Street Garden, in downtown Dallas. (Google Map)

Kendall: Love online — see, it really can happen folks! Now, I see you took some engagement photos at Main Street Garden downtown. Word is, that is where Brandon proposed. So how did he pop the question?

Kaye: Brandon suggested that we take a walk down the park since it was a nice night outside. As we were walking, we stopped at the big PARK sign, and I told him that I wanted to take a picture of him by the sign. So he started kneeling down, and next thing I know, he pulled out the ring from his pocket and asked me to marry him!

Kendall: Chill bumps. Seriously. Were you surprised?

Kaye: I was so surprised when he proposed. I knew it was coming sooner than later, but I didn’t expect it to happen at that moment! I thought it was really just a random walk in the park.

Where to find it: The alleyway behind Riverfront and Dragon Street –  just off of Howell Street. This warehouse is the home of 7 Senses, an event planning company. (Google Street View)

Main Street Gardens, then. An obvious choice for your engagement photos! How/why did you choose the Design District as your second locale?

Kaye: We have lived in the Alta Design District for about 5 months now. Somehow, Brandon received a link that showcased the Design District as a good spot for engagement photo shoots. I forwarded it to Christopher, our photographer from Lucky Pro Photography, and we both agreed it would be perfect for me and Brandon. Ironically, the link I forwarded was from LowerOakLawn.com, so it was pretty cool when I heard that you wanted to feature us on the blog!

Kendall: And how did you like shooting in the Design District?

Kaye: Most of our favorite pictures were shot in the Design District. There are some very cool and interesting spots that has the feel of Deep Ellum, but with an oomph of romanticism in it.

Where to find it: Sky Deck at the Alta Design District apartments.

Kendall: How do your photos reflect your relationship/personality as a couple?

Kaye: Our photos reflect how sweet and loving we are towards one another. Brandon always brings out a smile in me, and he always looks at me in an endearing way, and I think that our pictures have captured those moments.

The green loading dock door shown in the first picture in this post is immediately across the alleyway from the pink wall at LandCo/7Senses. (Google Street View)

Kaye: I like the photo of us with the rustic green door in the background while we’re kissing. I thought it looked pretty amazing!

Kendall: Which is Brandon’s fav?

Kendall: Anything else I should know?

Where to find it: Sky Deck at the Alta Design District apartments.

The only thing I love more than great photography is great photography shot in the Design District. Throw a good love story into the mix I’ll just eat it up!

Today’s “Love in LOL” post shows off the AWESOME work of Raelyn and Laura of HelmutWalker Photography and the story of Allison and Aaron, who chose to shoot their engagement photos in the Dallas Design District…

Kendall: Tell me a little about yourselves…

Allison: I was born in Michigan but my family moved to Frisco when I was seven, so Texas is home to me. Aaron was born and raised in Dallas. I’m currently a nursing student and tend bar at Love Field. Aaron is a computer genius and works for Hewlett Packard. Aaron and I are both musicians. I’m a classically trained vocalist, pianist, and bassoonist and Aaron is a self-taught guitar virtuoso.

Kendall: How did y’all meet?

Allison: We first met when I joined Aaron’s band. Little did I know, that the band had a strict policy on not dating band members. I ended up being in the band for six months and the week I quit he asked me out; that was about 4 years ago.

Kendall: How did you make the decision to shoot in your apartment/the Design District?

Allison: We talked about various places to do the shoot, and when Raelyn {Helmut Walker Photography} suggested we do it at our Design District apartment, I just fell in love with the idea.

We love this apartment, and plan to be here until we can either afford my dream home in the M streets or University Park…or maybe just until we can find a good first home with some personality.

How do your photos reflect your relationship/personality as a couple?

We really wanted to have some musical pictures in our shoot because music is so important to who we are as a couple and how we met. The shots in our apartment were really focused on having some musical element in them, and the ones taken around the Dallas Design District and up on the rooftop theater at Alta were more focused on us just being ourselves.

We love the city of Dallas. It truly is our home, and the Design District is, in our opinion, one of the most artistic and unique neighborhoods in Dallas.

Kendall: Your apartment is so stylish! Which of you takes credit for design?

Allison: I would love to take all of the credit for everything in our apartment, but I can’t. Aaron and I are both pretty artistic people, and Aaron is definitely a big partner in choosing the aesthetic of our space.

Aaron bought me the Warhol print of Beethoven (one of my favorite composers) in our bedroom, which is one of my favorite things that we own.

Aaron also has an unusual obsession with clocks, but they all look so cool, and I never have to wonder what time it is…

Kendall: What did you think about doing the shoot in the Design District?

Allison: We love the Design District and thoroughly enjoyed shooting there. It is so welcoming, artsy, and different from all of the other parts of the city. We love to go look at antique stores and design stores. All of the shops are so unique, and it is always nice to walk around and look at how different the architecture and design elements of the stores are from one another.

Where to find it: East & Orient Co. at 1123 Slocum Street (Google Street View)

Luckily, the weather was beautiful (slightly breezy) so it made it easy to walk around. I think even if we didn’t live here, we would still shoot down here because it reflects who we are: unique, artistic and a little quirky.

Where to find it: The alleyway behind Riverfront and Dragon Street –  just off of Howell Street. This warehouse is the home of 7 Senses, an event planning company. (Google Street View)

Kendall: Which is your favorite photo from the shoot?

Allison: I can play almost any instrument, but I can not play guitar at all, and so we did a few shots of Aaron playing, and then he tried to teach me a chord. In this shot he was singing a love song that we used to play together before we started dating.

Raelyn and Laura take such intimate shots without being cheesy; they really captured who we are and the love we have for each other.

I also love this second guitar shot because I love the way our apartment looks in the background. I also love the look on Aaron’s face as I attempt to play a chord. I look like I’m having a ball and possibly making some pretty music, but Aaron’s face says, “Oh God, what is she doing??” He loves me anyway!

Kendall: And Aaron’s favorite?

Allison: Aaron’s favorites were the ones where we are sitting on the stairs at Seven Senses. He says I have the craziest, most genuine laugh he’s ever heard, and he can tell I was laughing in this picture.

This picture made me think, “Oh my God, we’re not 20 year old kids playing in a rock band together anymore…we’re adults…we’re getting married,” which is completely crazy and exciting to us!

Kendall: So, when are you two tying the knot?

Allison: We are getting married on October 10, 2010 at the Old Red Museum, trying to pay homage to the city we love by celebrating our wedding in a Dallas history and culture museum. Also, 10.10.10 is binary code, which Aaron is pretty stoked about. (So he is at least a little computer nerdy!)

Thanks thank you so much to Aaaron and Allison for sharing their photos with LowerOakLawn.com and we wish you both many blessing on a happy, healthy and long marriage!

Living in the Design District has its perks — great proximity, awesome views and seriously cool apartments. This weekend LOL residents get one more exclusive perk: an invitation to Margaux’s first ever “Welcome to the Neighborhood” party, co-sponsored by Texas Security Bank.

Stop by on Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 pm to enjoy some free food and free spirits. (Be sure to stop by the Texas Security Bank tent first to pick up your food and drink tickets.) Enter to win prizes donated by Design District business owners who will be on hand to tell you more about their unique shops and businesses. Margaux’s will be cooking up some great food, as always.

Complimentary chair massages will be offered by Design District resident and LMT, Valerie Polyakova. (Valerie worked previously as a masseuse at the Ritz Carlton and recently started her own company.)

Representatives from the Trinity Trust and Trinity Strand will also be on hand to talk more about the exciting changes that are happening with the recreational amenities in the area!

To enjoy this event and learn a little more about this exciting neighborhood you call home, please RSVP to your respective property management office.

UPDATE: The event was LAST night! Ooops! Scratch that.

Just a quick reminder that the Alta Design District is hosting a Spring Fling happy hour TONIGHT on their incredible Sky Deck! Food, wine, fun and neighbors — sounds like a good combo to me!

Who: Anyone!
What: Cocktails on the Sky Deck
When: Thursday April 1, 2010, 5-7 pm
Where: Alta Design District Sky Deck, 1531 Inspiration Dr.
Why: To enjoy this warm weather and check out the great view

Alta Design District
1531 Inspiration Dr
Dallas, TX 75207
www.altadesigndistrict.com

The Alta Design District is celebrating February, the month of romance, by hosting weekly movie premieres on their Sky Deck. Up first is the star studded rom-com, Love Actually. Can anyone say girls night at the Alta? I’m in!

Love Actually just happens to be my favorite movie of all time — and not just because it stars the dreamy Colin Firth (aka Mr. Darcy). For those of you who haven’t seen it, I insist that you clear your plans for tomorrow night and check it out. The screening starts at 7:oo pm. No previews like the theaters so be on time! Send RSVPs to designdistrict@zomusa.com.

And just because I couldn’t resist, screen caps from my two favorite scenes!

Up next week: another great rom-com, The Proposal.

Alta Design District
1531 Inspiration Dr
Dallas, TX 75207
www.altadesigndistrict.com

Apartment hunting can be a real PITB. Most leasing offices close at 6, leaving very little post-work time for touring, and pushing any opportunity for a property preview to your already J-P’d weekends. The Alta Design District understands you have a busy schedule and they’re going out of their way to accomodate it by offering “Twilight Tours” on Thursday evenings.

If you can’t make during regular business hours, simply schedule an after-hours tour on any Thursday and an Alta DD leasing manager will stay late to show you the ropes. Besides fitting into your schedule, you’ll also get an exclusive sneak peak of the Alta DD’s incredible nighttime views of downtown Dallas!

These tours are available by appointment only so shoot them an email to designdistrict@zomusa.com or call at 214-954-7210.

See NEW pictures of the Alta Design District on Flickr:

[flickr album=72157623124489055 num=10 size=Square]

Alta Design District
1531 Inspiration Drive
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 954-7210
www.altadesigndistrict.com

*PITB = Pain in the Butt

Last week the Alta Design District hosted a happy hour, giving residents the opportunity to eat, drink, socialize and meet their neighbors. It was hosted in the Alta’s club room which was a great venue for a happy hour — plenty of tables and seating plus a pool table and several TVs! The event was sponsored by Texas Security Bank, a community bank that’s based just a few blocks away in the Dallas Design District.

I had a great time getting to know some of the residents and getting their opinions on life in the Design District. The most frequently asked question, hand down, was “When will The Moth open?” According to my sources, the grand opening is set for March.

Check out the snapshots I took at the event below or on Flickr.

Daniel Damany, Assistant Manager at the Alta Design District and a friend

Amy Stokes and Will Gehrig

Residents and their guests enjoyed appetizers, wine and beer.

Shon Cass, Texas Security Bank and Andrew Bode

Amanda Adrian, Property Director at the Alta Design District and moi (Kendall)

See more snapshots from the happy hour event on Flickr.

UPDATE 12/15/09: This event has been canceled.

The Alta Design District is debuting their newly opened Sky Deck next Thursday, December 17 at a Christmas Tree Lighting party. Design District neighbors and all Dallasites are invited to a festive holiday party where guests can mix, mingle and see the city’s best lights!

The Sky Deck boasts one of the city’s best views of downtown, uptown and Victory. I had the opportunity to check it out last week and took some awesome pictures of the view (see below).

Wine and light appetizers will be served. Large outdoor heaters will be on hand but be sure to bundle up since the Sky Deck is outdoors. (See it as a great opportunity to show off that cute new winter coat!)

Complimentary valet parking will be available in front of Alta Design District on Inspiration Drive.  Please RSVP to designdistrict@zomusa.com by Monday, December 14th if you plan on attending!

[flickr album=72157622830309677 num=5 size=Square]

You recycle religiously, drive a hybrid and haven’t used a plastic bag since Al Gore won the Nobel Prize, but you still can’t help but feel guilty at the toll apartment living is taking on your carbon footprint. Tree hugging apartment dwellers delight! The Alta Design District’s “green units” allow you to get your green on without compromising your renter status, budget or style. Check out the pictures below to get a sneak peek inside the apartment and learn the eco-friendly features it offers.

1. Post-Consumer Tile Backsplash

The Alta Design District’s green apartments are finished out differently from their other units. The tile back splash is made from post-consumer glass. And until today I had no idea what that meant. The best description I could find was on an Oregon Metro government page:

Post-consumer material is an end product that has completed its life cycle as a consumer item and would otherwise have been disposed of as a solid waste. Post-consumer materials include recyclables collected in commercial and residential recycling programs, such as office paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics and metals.

So basically, it’s a fancy way of saying “recycled”. The glass tile is a pretty onyx color and is very striking against the light counter tops.

2. Bamboo Veneer Cabinets

As I  mentioned in my other post about the Alta One Bedroom units, I love that this floorplan offers tons of cabinet space! The green unit cabinets are finished with bamboo veneer. Stylish and eco-friendly: a great combination!

3. Concrete Countertops with Recycled Glass Accents

My favorite green feature is the countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms. They are crafted out of a light colored concrete and speckled with recycled glass accents. The picture doesn’t do them justice. The recycled glass gives off an awesome sparkle effect when the sun shines through the window!

4. Energy Star Appliances

I am also a fan of the energy star appliances. I’d imagine these could save you a bit of cash on your electricity and water bills! The green units come stocked with an energy star dishwasher, fridge, washer and dryer.

5. Woven Bamboo Flooring

The flooring is really unique looking and it is made out of bamboo. Bamboo grows really quickly and helps reduce carbon dioxide in the air, making it a great renewable alternative to cutting down trees for wood floors.

6. Low VOC Wall Paint

Low VOC wall paint is better for the ozone and way healthier than regular paint. Another little green touch that truly makes a difference!

There you have it. Stylish, chic green living in the heart of the Dallas Design District! Head on over to altadesigndistrict.com to check out the floorplans they offer for their green units or stop in to see their green “mini model” today!

Alta Design District
1531 Inspiration Drive
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 954-7210
www.altadesigndistrict.com

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