The Scent Room, Dallas’ first independent, niche perfumery, is now open in the West Village in Uptown Dallas at 3699 McKinney Avenue, Suite 301, located next to Starbucks. The store carries more than 30 independent, hard to find niche perfumes such as Abel (a 100 percent natural line, Acqua Di Sardegna, Eight & Bob, Histories De Parfums, Juliette Has a Gun, Jusbox, Simone Andreoli and many more.

Many of the lines carried are not only virtually impossible to find in stores but also have incredible backstories and beautifully designed bottles, many of them could be considered works of art.

The store’s open concept is inviting and makes it easy to explore. There are no counters so shoppers are free to interact directly with the scents and the knowledgeable store associates who are specially trained in helping shoppers discover their own unique scent.

The in-store experience is designed to be just that … an experience,” explains Deborah Turner, who developed the concept for the store. “Finding the perfect scent takes time. Our guests are free to explore, sit, relax, enjoy a glass of wine or champagne.”

Deborah first became interested in the perfume industry during the early years of dating her husband. She recalls always complimenting him on how wonderful he smelled but never receiving the same compliment from him. One day, she took him to the perfume counter at the department store and made him pick out the scent he liked best.

While she and her husband both loved the scent she chose (Alien by Thierry Mugler), it was so mainstream that people immediately knew what it was. And that’s where the initial idea for The Scent Room was born.

Fast forward a few years later, she and her husband celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary in Italy where they were married. With the idea for The Scent Room still brewing in her mind, visiting a niche perfumery was at the top of her list during their trip. She passed by many but it wasn’t until they were in Siena that she found one she was compelled enough to visit. And that’s where Vincent Gambino, world-renowned perfumer enters the story. It was his knowledge and passion about the stories behind the scents that further fueled Deborah’s motivation for her new project.

Over the next few years, as she continued to develop her own scent “wardrobe,” she became more and more interested in bringing her idea of the perfect perfume discovery experience to Dallas.

Determined to learn from the very best, she contacted Vincent and spent several weeks in his perfume shop in Siena, Italy so she could learn the business. During her time in Italy, she was also able to accompany Vincent to the largest niche perfume show in the world, Escxence. He has since become both her mentor and her muse as she worked to develop the concept for The Scent Room.

“I believe we all want to smell nice, naughty or sexy,” says Deborah. “Whatever it is, it’s part of who we are and who we want to be at a given moment. Scents help create our persona and I’m thrilled to bring this exciting opportunity to the women and men of Dallas.”

A woman of many talents, Deborah, originally from Canada, is also a skilled jewelry designer and former actress and model. She’s appeared in more than 80 television commercials and made multiple guest appearances in television and film.

“While I’ve died a horrible gory death in a slasher movie,” Deborah laughs, “My career highlight as an actress was playing Burt Lancaster’s daughter in the television movie, Barnum.”

Members of the media interested in attending grand opening events should contact lorib@lux214.com.

For more information, visit thescentroom.com or follow them on Facebook at @ScentRoom.

The holidays are for friends, family, and looking ahead to the next chapter in life. Many people are starting that next chapter with an engagement ring. These days, shopping for this engagement ring often includes both partners, and becomes their first major purchase together.

Because fashion is cyclical, it should come as no surprise that art deco, combined with all things vintage, is back in style. Designers like Neil Lane and the eminent Vera Wang are looking to the 30s for inspiration, some manufacturers are reproducing original vintage designs, and estate jewelers are searching for original art deco engagement rings.

Patti Geolat, appraiser / estate jewelry buyer, has a busy month ahead of her. With five shows in December, Geolat is in the holiday mood and wants to share with you some trends she has seen regarding the purchase of vintage engagement rings. I stopped by to ask her what she has noticed in the buying patterns regarding vintage and vintage-inspired engagement rings and this is what she had to say:

The Brand Buyer

This designer-conscious consumer typically has no background in purchasing antique or vintage jewelry, but they are very confident and sure of what they want in their new purchase. They may shop at a local, more traditional retail jewelry store with whom they have an established buying history. Often, they are looking for pieces created by designers they are familiar with from a jeweler they already trust. These traditional retail stores may offer customizable designs, which is very appealing to some buyers who like to have a sense of making the ring their own.

Most traditional stores carry new jewelry, but there are some with pre-owned departments. However, unless they have a fully curated collection of pre-owned jewelry, they are unlikely to have a varied selection of vintage and antique engagement rings.

The Old Is New Buyer

Due to the craze for art deco design, some manufacturers are reproducing new pieces from vintage models, which is a middle ground that some buyers are looking for. If a retail store has experience in selling estate and pre-owned jewelry, they may carry some of these designs. If the store does not have a certain model a buyer wants in stock, they can order it. The newly finished ring is then cast from a vintage model, but usually with modern gemstones.

The Vintage Buyer

This person often has a passion for all things vintage, and recognizes the tremendous value in buying a pre-owned piece of jewelry. For estate jewelry, what you see is what is available, so the chase and search of finding the right piece drives them. They love the history and charm of being part of the legacy of the particular vintage ring. The old adage “They just don’t make them like they used to,” combined with that old world feel is what fuels their passion. Vintage engagement rings are not necessarily all handmade, but the hand-tooling and hand-finishing make each piece special. Estate jewelry also speaks to someone on a budget, because they understand the value of pre-owned jewelry.

Be on the lookout for Patti Geolat’s next show in December. And remember to get an appraisal of that that ring whether it is new or pre-loved. Call Judy for your appointment. jasa@geolat.com 972.239.9314 www.geolat.com

“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude.” –Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon. 

The 70s are back in fashion: velvet, florals, suede, and fringe are everywhere. Models strut down the runways in flowing, couture boho looks and collar necklaces, just like Ali McGraw. Fashion is cyclical, and there are similar movements in the jewelry consumers are buying these days. 

“In times past, some people did not feel they could define themselves stylistically, so they would shop by brand,” explains Patti Geolat. “In the late 70s, buyers became much more brand conscious. It seems to be a generational thing.  People now are setting their own standards and their own styles. There are certain periods of time where people tended to wear sets of jewelry; now not only do they not need the match, but they will go out of their way to make sure they don't match. I will often wear fine jewelry with nice large gemstones that are reasonably expensive, right next to costume jewelry in the same outfit. Sometimes even in the same layers of necklaces."

For the majority of the 20^th century, jewelry was primarily hand finished or hand fabricated. While many of the component parts of jewelry from the 40s and 50s were mass produced, craftsmen would still assemble, hand finish, and hand polish the piece.  As demand was driven by the availability of jewelry at lower prices, mass production exploded. “I can show two pieces of jewelry to a consumer, and they can see the difference in quality and craftsmanship,” says Geolat.

“Estate and vintage jewelry that was being produced in the mid-century, when the price of gold was around $200 per ounce, may be heavier relative to jewelry that is being produced today.  For this reason, buying estate jewelry at this time, can be a tremendous value”.

While most estate dealers specialize in one era—promoting Victorian or all gold, for example—Geolat’s collection is the exact opposite. Dealing in everything from designer vintage to expensive contemporary jewelry, Geolat’s collection includes pieces that are under $200 to over $1,000,000.

Whether you are buying or selling, Patti Geolat is an expert in her field and can provide guidance to you. For those looking to acquire their first piece of estate jewelry, “I would suggest that the primary reason to buy something is because you like it and it speaks to you. Then, if you're fortunate enough to own it for a long time and it has increased in value, that's an added bonus."

For more information, please contact Judy Asa at jasa@geolat.com

If someone asked you to look through your contacts and make a list of the people you consider to be among your most trusted advisors, who would you include? Would the list include an Attorney? Would the list include a Doctor, Banker or Insurance Agent? We thought so. What about a qualified Appraiser? Aaahhh… most people don’t think about that! Here are 4 unexpected benefits you gain by working with an Appraiser on a regular basis.

You Make Better Choices- Once you form a relationship with an Appraiser you’ll find that you make better choices regarding a variety of valuation decisions. Some assume that having an item appraised is a one-and-done process. It’s truly not and here’s why. Your insurance coverage needs will change as you move throughout various life stages. For example, you might opt for more insurance coverage earlier in your life, thus spending more money on insurance premiums because replacing the item could be cost prohibitive. Later in life you might opt for less coverage when your ability to replace the item may be easier to do without the added assistance of insurance coverage. 

Insurance rates change and so do values. What was once the most highly sought after and precious item 3 decades ago, might not be so hot today, thus making the item less costly to replace. A certified appraiser can help you evaluate these cycles every 3-5 years and guide you through determining the best course of action for your particular life stage.

 You’ll Make New Purchases With A Greater Sense Of Confidence- Acquiring an item of value, may come with a degree of uncertainty. We at Geolat frequently provide our clients with “New Purchase Consultations” as well as providing “How to Buy”business card sized tips * to keep with you as a handy reminder of what to-do when you’re making a buying decision. Most of our clients find it easy (and reassuring) to know they can simply call us to let us know they’d like to bring new items in for an appointment. Your trusted appraiser gives you the peace of mind in confirming your new acquisitions.   

You’ll Be Less Likely to Overlook Maintenance & More Likely to Prevent Loss - Assessment of the condition of your property is part of every appraisal we provide. This alerts you to any items that might be in need of attention, before you suffer an unexpected loss. This is especially helpful with your valuable scheduled pieces.

You’ll be more comfortable when talking to your lawyer, financial advisor,  accountant or estate planner- No one ever wants to find an attorney in the heat of a crisis, during a time when they need one most. The same is true with an Appraiser. Whether your needs include bankruptcy, divorce, estate settlement or some other form of support, Geolat is here to help you.  When you need appraisal advice, it is far better to already have a relationship with someone who is familiar with you and your family. Your Appraiser might also be able to provide options you had not considered. 

About Patti Geolat & The Geolat Advantage- Like all experts who provide you with professional services throughout the stages of your life, you can not underestimate the intangible value you will receive when you work with Geolat.  From having expert knowledge and over 30 years of experience at your fingertips, to guiding you through a maze of insurance coverage options (which we’ll be expanding upon soon) we make buying, selling and appraising a very personalized, easy and convenient process.

Patti Geolat’s distinguished reputation as the go-to appraiser in Dallas, as well as nationally, has been unsurpassed for the past 30 years. Her opinion is valued by the jewelry industry and the worldwide media alike. Patti’s 15 years of experience on the Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors, including 9 years as the Board Chair, offers you a hard to find perspective on value, insurance and best practices.

* For your copy of our “How to Buy” business card sized tips,

please email your request to Judy Asa at jasa@geolat.com.

Chef Kent Rathbun's burger and bbq restaurant in Plano will be opening in June.

We are looking for exceptional applicants, who are passionate about hospitality, to join the team at our newest location at 8100 Dallas Parkway, Plano, Tx.  Ideal candidates will have prior restaurant experience. Benefits are available for full-time employees.  Apply online at: http://kentrathbun.com/careers/