Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) named Jennifer Picquet-Reyes, a principal in the firm, as the Director of Hospitality, Historic/Adaptive Reuse. In her new expanded role, Picquet-Reyes will continue to lead project teams while driving and expanding MAA’s adaptive reuse and architectural hospitality footprint.

Picquet-Reyes has been with the firm for 12 years and has made significant contributions in a wide variety of markets. Her new title more accurately reflects the market sectors that have been her primary focus during her tenure at MAA. 

“Jennifer has a unique passion for architecture and creating new spaces,” says Milton Anderson, President of MAA. “She brings a positive energy to the firm and consistently collaborates with clients and consultants to coordinate all phases of a project and deliver the best results. We are fortunate to have her as a leader of the MAA family.” 

Picquet-Reyes is one of three principals at MAA and supports the firm’s commitment to design excellence, familial culture and client service. She contains expert knowledge and experience with historic preservation, LEED certification, adaptive reuse, design, construction schedule, document coordination and construction administration for projects of all types across the country. Picquet-Reyes has helped bring over 20 abandoned buildings back to life in downtown Dallas through her dedication to revitalizing historic buildings. 

MAA is an architecture and design firm based in Dallas with offices in Austin and Charlotte. The firm provides the full spectrum of architectural, interior design and master planning services. 

For more information about MAA, please visit the company’s website merriman-maa.com.

Every day is a great day to celebrate man’s best friend! Kitchen Design Concepts, a design and remodeling company based in Dallas, is sharing tips to ensure your next remodel has your furry family members in mind. For any type of pup, Kitchen Design Concepts has the perfect plan for making your pooch the center of your home! 

The Spa Princess

For dogs that require a bit more pampering, consider adding a doggie spa to your utility room. This modern tile choice and striking white color complements the rest of this Preston Hollow home. The doggie spa design can be tailored to match any style. The designated space will leave your pup feeling like the pampered princess they are, without creating a mess out of bathtime.  

The Sous Chef

If your dog is known to be the best helper in the kitchen, consider adding a pet “hotel” under your counter space. This Highland Park home features a space for your pets right in the kitchen! Your pup can be included in all of the cooking and kitchen action with their own space. The pet hotel can be closed off when not in use to mimic the look of storage cabinets. The space is perfectly hidden from the living room, yet still very much part of the kitchen. The best part? Your furry friend will be close to snack on any cooking scraps in the kitchen!

The Adventure Enthusiast 

If your furry friend is notorious for their thrilling adventures, an outdoor dog washing area is a must. For the pups that spend their days rolling in the mud, chasing squirrels, and going on long walks, owners will appreciate a space to wash off the fun of the day without tracking mud and grime into the home. Was there really ever a great adventure that didn’t create a fit of filth? 

As you plan to celebrate your pup with an extra walk in the park or maybe a few extra treats, we hope you find ways to shower your pup with extra love. Kitchen Design Concepts works to ensure every member of the family is included in the crafting of design, even the four-legged ones! 

Mary-Kathryn Reese is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kitchen Design Concepts. Mary-Kathryn’s business acumen and love for cooking make an ideal recipe for helping clients discover the best possible use of their kitchen space. 

Kitchen Design Concepts provides turnkey remodeling services to Dallas clients through a defined and refined process that shapes partnerships with each client. Kitchen Design Concepts works closely with each client to learn their lifestyles, aesthetic taste, and needs for maximum satisfaction. 

As cooler temperatures have arrived, you may be dreaming of beautiful warm days perfect for enjoying the pool and patio. While the weather may not be noteworthy for outdoor fun, you can still dream of creating an outdoor kitchen oasis. Whether you’re looking for an elevated outdoor entertaining space or want to add value to your home, adding an outdoor kitchen is a way to extend your living space outside and create an entertainment area for lifelong memories with friends and family. Kitchen Design Concepts is sharing five tips for creating an outdoor kitchen that you and your guests will love.

Storage Solutions 

To prevent running in and out of your home to grab plates and platters for your outdoor meal, try adding storage solutions. Creating a space for your outdoor dining ware will make cooking and table setting a breeze. Deep drawers inside cabinets offer more space and greatly improved ease of use for all of your outdoor necessities. 

Smart Cabinet Choice

To survive harsh weather, Kitchen Design Concepts recommends choosing cabinet material made to uphold through a variety of temperature changes and outdoor elements. This Crestwood Oasis outdoor cabinetry is marine-grade and is constructed of polymer to last a lifetime. 

Creative Countertops

Countertops can be both creative and durable. This outdoor kitchen is designed with soapstone countertops, a great option for your outside cooking and entertaining space. Its non-porous qualities protect it from moisture, animal droppings, and other natural elements. The dark blue-gray color complements the cabinetry perfectly while adding a refreshing pop of color.

Complementary Hardware

Hardware is the jewelry of any kitchen and outdoor kitchens aren’t an exception.  Hardware choice can help add personality to your outdoor kitchen and truly make it your own. To finish off this space Amerock “Blackrock” pulls in Satin Nickle were chosen to complement the appliances and cabinetry. 

Make it Your Own

Outdoor kitchens are made for creating memories with family and friends. Add fun outdoor games like cornhole or giant Jenga to give your guests the opportunity to compete. Utilize your space to create generational recipes or try out a new dish. Try Kitchen Design Concept’s recipe for gazpacho to keep you dreaming of warmer weather. 

Ingredients

2½ lbs ripe red tomatoes 

1 small Vidalia onion (½ lb), peeled and cut into rough 1” chunks

1 small cucumber (½ lb), peeled and seeded

1 medium red bell pepper, cored and seeded

¼ cup fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

1 large garlic clove, peeled

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 

2 tbsp sherry red vinegar or red wine vinegar 

¾ tsp fine sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. To prepare your veggies, place your blender bowl, a medium serving bowl, and a small bowl on the counter. Core the tomatoes and cut them into rough 1” chunks. Reserve about ¼ cup of the juicy tomato seeds and place them in your small bowl (we’ll use them as a garnish later). Add half of the tomato chunks to the blender, and the other half to your serving bowl. Add all of the onion chunks to the blender. 

2. Cut off about one-fourth of the cucumber. Finely chop that piece and place it in the small bowl. Slice the rest of the cucumber into rough 1” chunks, and divide them between the blender and the serving bowl.

3. To the blender, add the basil, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and about 10 twists of fresh black pepper. Securely fasten the lid and blend, starting on low and increasing to high speed, until the mixture is completely smooth for about 2 minutes.

4. Pour the contents of the serving bowl (the remaining chunks of tomato, cucumber, and bell pepper) into the blender. Fasten the lid and blend for just 10 to 20 seconds, until the ingredients are broken up into small pieces. Stop there, or blend a little longer if you prefer smaller pieces.

5. Add a small pinch of salt to the small bowl of garnishes, stir, and store it in the fridge. Chill the soup for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours. 

6. Before serving, taste, and add additional salt (I sometimes add another ¼ tsp) and/or black pepper if necessary. To serve, divide the soup into small bowls or cups, and top with the reserved cucumber and bell pepper. Top with a few tiny or torn basil leaves and a light sprinkle of pepper. Leftover servings keep well, covered and refrigerated, for 3 to 4 days. 

Recipe by: Mary-Kathryn Reese

Mary-Kathryn Reese is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kitchen Design Concepts. Mary-Kathryn’s business acumen and love for cooking make an ideal recipe for helping clients discover the best possible use of their kitchen space. 

Kitchen Design Concepts provides turnkey remodeling services to Dallas clients through a defined and refined process that shapes partnerships with each client. Kitchen Design Concepts works closely with each client to learn their lifestyles, aesthetic taste, and needs for maximum satisfaction.

Fairmont Dallas, the iconic hotel located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District that has been home to decades of Dallasites’ romantic evenings, celebrations, and nuptials, is honoring love in the form of fine dining this Valentine’s Day. The hotel’s Pyramid Restaurant, located on the lobby-level steps away from the famed Venetian Room, is offering a four course pre-fixe menu designed by Executive Chef Jean-Francois Fortin.

The four course menu is offered at $150 per couple with the option of adding specially selected wine pairings for each course for an additional $70 per couple. 

1. Appetizer choice of:

• Sicilian Crab Cake served with shaved fennel salad, burnt lemon, and Romanesco sauce 

• Compressed Margarita Watermelon served with Tajín feta cheese, watermelon radish, and micro greens

2. Second Course soup:

• Massan Curry Soup finished with Yukon gold potato, coconut crema, and garnished with toasted coconut 

3. Entreé choice of:

• Beef Tenderloin served with butternut potato ancho pave, smoked crimini mushrooms, and braised radish

• Seared Sea Bass served with blood orange beurre blanc, tiple corn polenta cake, asparagus, and frisée salad 

4. Dessert Course choice of:

• Raspberry Delight raspberry mousse served garnished with dark chocolate and candied pistachio

• Chocolate Five Textures a favorite multi textural dessert served with chocolate sauce and fresh berries

Following dinner service, guests are invited to enjoy a nightcap in the luxurious, warm, and romantically lit Pyramid Bar or to take a romantic stroll through the surrounding Arts District.

Reservations for Saturday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 14 may be made on OpenTable or by calling the restaurant at 214-720-5249. Fairmont Dallas is located at 1717 N Akard Street in Dallas, Texas.

A Dallas home located in the Lake Highlands neighborhood recently underwent a primary bath remodel which won the 2023 National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) North Texas Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award for Residential Bathroom over $100,000. Kitchen Design Concepts, a Dallas-based home design and remodeling company, designed and executed the primary bath remodel. The home was built in the 1960s and the homeowners wanted to reflect the home’s midcentury history with elements of modern design.

The 1962 home was purchased by its current owners several years ago and has since been updated with midcentury modern design elements throughout the home. Most recently, the primary bathroom was extensively renovated to include more shower floor space, more storage, the elimination of the bathtub, semi-privacy for the commode, a conversion to a tankless water heater, featuring a midcentury-inspired design.

“The spatial layout was very important in this project, and the first thing addressed during the design consultation,” said Rebecca Sutton, Kitchen Design Concepts Residential Designer.  “Previously, the bathroom had narrow walk paths, an unused tub on carpet, a zero-privacy commode, and a closet with no door. We added square footage by eliminating a hall closet then completely reconfigured the space by ‘flipping’ the vanities and cabinet storage and doubled the shower in size. With the tub gone, the commode was moved to the adjacent wall, with a frosted glass partition to gain privacy from the bathroom entry.”

The midcentury elements of this design were incorporated by including natural wood-toned floating cabinetry in a stain to mimic a walnut/teak color. The floating cabinetry added storage and ergonomically friendly use of the new shower. While the design was primarily inspired by midcentury modern elements, hints of Scandinavian influence can be seen in the project’s  clean lines, practical storage solutions and emphasis on light.

The final bathroom is a stunning yet functional primary bathroom and closet suite with a midcentury-inspired palette. The 174-square-foot suite was enlarged to encompass 192 square feet overall. 

This bathroom won the 2023 NARI North Texas CotY Award for “Residential Bathroom over $100,000” and previously won the 2022 NKBA Texas North Plains KABA for the “Contemporary Bath Large” category.