George Stubbs paintings, thanks to another new obsession, Hollister Hovey's incomparable blog. 
And Leopold and Rudoph Blaschka's 19th century astonishing glass sea animals and botanicals, created as teaching tools for universities. Thanks to Ann Williams, Cornell University and the Harvard Museum of Natural History, I'm officially obsessed. 
Specially treated glass creates the impression that the masks are floating, and each sapphire crystal has a different tint to show off the color of the mask.
French writer Michel Butor, known for his experimental prose, wrote a poem for each watch, which has been engraved on the crystal in such a way that you can't see it unless the light hits it right, as in this photo.
As many of my regular blog readers know, I worked for developer Gabriel Barbier-Muller when I was first out of SMU, running his international magazine and books newsstand in the lobby of one of his first buildings at 1530 Main. I've stayed in touch with him during the years, and he was gracious enough to let me photograph his and wife Ann's penthouse apartment in Azure, his latest development. 
This is the view to the left as you exit the elevator on the 27th floor. Not many people realize that the Dallas Barbier-Mullers help shepherd one of the most significant collections of primitive art anywhere in the world. 
As you come off the elevator, this is the view to the right. The Barbier-Muellers own the entire 27th floor.
These primitive bone inlay doors are simply spectacular.
Jessica Beasley is the curator of art at Barbier-Mueller's company, Harwood International. She provided me with some of the information for what's in their penthouse:"There are 11 fine Japanese helmets from the Kamakura, Momoyama, and Edo periods. The oldest dating from around 1185 A.D. They are formed in a variety of shapes and styles." (Many of them are displayed in the kitchen, as seen in the photo above).
"One represents a stylized fish and one has the Big Dipper constellation painted on it. Other helmets are in the forms of a hawk’s talon, a bamboo stalk, and another is in the form of an axe head. They display the great variety and imagination that was incorporated into samurai armor."
They also own pieces from Egypt, such as this sarcophagus located in the apartment's entry hall.
A trio of tiny African chairs in the guest bedroom
Not sure what this is, but it looks pretty cool next to the high tech equipment in the kitchen, doesn't it?
Above, a pair of Samurai sleeves "(kote) with silver cloud design and a chest armor (do) with a deity depicted on the front," below: 
"This is an elaborate 18th century suit of Japanese armor bearing the crest of the important Matsudaira family," writes Beasley. "The helmet is made of silver-lacquered iron and is constructed of 26 plates. It has a half-mask (menpô) with a hair moustache. This suit is intricately made and has fine metalwork fittings in the form of chrysanthemums."
Transparency rules: A glass table with Philippe Starck's Louis Ghost chairs are the only way to go in a sky-high apartment dominated by priceless artifacts. 
This Samurai helmet looks like modern art.
Rosewood and leather Barcelona chairs are classics to pair with primitive art.
Chinese wedding tiara. 
Can you imagine waking up to this, or going to sleep at night with this view? 
I love this whimsical bedside table with its classic Tizio lamp.
This looks like fun.
The linens are charmingly embroidered in Spanish with "buenas noches mi amor."
Samantha Reitmayer's incredibly chic cottage near Knox-Henderson is featured in Design Sponge today. I always kick myself when a national blog (or magazine) discovers a great local talent before I do. Reitmayer has a graphic design company called rovillo + reitmayer, which specializes in design and branding for luxury clients such as Neiman Marcus, the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts and the new Cowboys Stadium, and a host of small creative companies and photographers. 
She also has a fledgling design blog called style/swoon which is gorgeous and clever. Be sure to subscribe to it once you visit, as you'll want to keep coming back. I'll have to stay on my toes from now on.
I talked to Samantha today about doing a story on her and her house and her graphic design company for Modern Luxury, which I write for regularly. She said yes! Better late than never, no?
Last week I found this amazing file box at my local Office Depot for $19. I'm always amazed when I find something chic there. Don't even try to find it online, I looked and there are 398 results of boring stuff. Go to the store.
I'm convinced that people choose home accessories (including dogs and cats) that go with their hair coloring. I'm a redhead, that's why I was attracted to this one instead of the red or black version, which were also for sale. 
I like how the sturdy box top flips open.
Even better, I found these slim, zippered vinyl folders in the same color for stashing paperwork. They go straight into my purse from my desk.
I think they cost around $9. They also come in black and red. I admit to going through a dark phase in my younger years where everything I bought would have been black. I thought it looked more New York. Thank God I'm over that.
The zippered files fit inside the box, too, however the top doesn't close completely.
