Living Floral Author, Margot Shaw signs her book at The Exchange

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Margot Shaw studied art history at Hollins College in Virginia and interior design at the University of Texas.  Shaw was mesmerized and intrigued by the process of planning the flowers for her daughter's wedding.   Working alongside the floral and event designer, she recognized the artistry and inspiration involved in floral design and soon began apprenticing with the same designer. Unable to locate a publication that spoke to her passion, she set about creating one and launched Flower Magazine.

Now the magazine has grown to include features on homes, gardens, entertaining, and lifestyle. Margot is a sought-after speaker at antique & garden shows, museums, botanical gardens and interior design centers; and she will join us on Friday, March 10 at 1:00 to sign her beautiful book, Living Floral.

Customers who are unable to join us on Friday, March 10 can come in or call the store to purchase a book in advance. We’ll have it signed for you and let you pick it up at your convenience. (214)521-3862.

Book Signing on Thursday, November 10

Andrew Oyen and Scott Sottile, from Ferguson & Shamamian, will be here to sign this beautiful book. stop in to meet these renowned architects and leave with the perfect gift for any fan of architecture and design. We are accepting pre orders! If you are unable to join us on Thursday, you may call the store at (214) 521-3862 and make your purchase over the phone. We’ll have your book(s) signed … and you may pick up at your convenience!

Dragons & Pagodas Book Signing

Join us on Friday, October 7 between 2:00 - 3:30 when Aldous Bertram comes to sign his beautiful book, Dragons & Pagodas.

A Chinoiserie expert who has a PhD from the University of Cambridge in Chinese Influence on English Garden Design and Architecture, Aldous Bertram is an artist, illustrator, historian and interior designer whose interiors have been featured in House Beautiful and other design publications. He received his PhD from Cambridge University, specializing in the historical influence of China on English garden design and architecture.

Dragons & Pagodas is organized by theme, including porcelain, color and pattern, flora, fauna, and architecture. Each chapter is bursting with images ranging from grand European summer palaces and whimsical pagoda follies to charming details of screens, porcelain figurines, and ornate plasterwork. Complete with Bertram’s own chinoiserie-inspired watercolors and collages, Dragons & Pagodas is an irresistible confection and an example of chinoiserie in its own right.

We invite you to join us on Friday to meet this talented and charming author and artist. We are accepting pre-sales of Dragons & Pagodas; so if you aren’t able to be with us on Friday, you may purchase your book(s) in advance and we’ll have them signed for you. Then simply pick up at your convenience!

Shopping for Good

We Love May! Every month is a great one at The Exchange but May is particularly exciting around here. You see, May is the month each year when the proceeds from our store make their way out into the world to do good work. This year, 70 non profit agencies, primarily here in Dallas, received grants totaling $500,000.

Most of our customers know that each year the proceeds from our store are given away as grants to agencies which serve the most vulnerable in our community. Dallas is a very philanthropic city; and many people have that agency or issue which is particularly near and dear to their hearts. You'll likely see names on this year’s list which you recognize and others whose names you've never heard. Each and every one does the life-changing work of caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, offering shelter to the homeless, providing comfort to the battered...and changing lives.

We are honored to play a part in the work that they do. And when you shop here, you help them too. Thank you. Remember, at The Exchange you’re Shopping For Good.

If you would like to know a bit more about our store and our story, we invite you to read

About Us on our website.

Florists To The Field Book Signing

Come Meet Floral Design Duo Extraordinaire

Greg Campbell and Erick New!

Friday, April 8, 2022

2:00-3:30 p.m.

Florists to the Field celebrates the work of Greg Campbell and Erick New, two of Memphis’ favorite and most talented florists and co-owners of Garden District.  The book chronicles the pair’s most ambitious effort in their 25-year partnership: one year, seven states, one foreign country and 12 events honoring a beautiful and bountiful collaboration. The motto at Garden District is “Make it happen,” which Campbell and New so beautifully execute in each of their projects ranging from Oregon to the Netherlands.

A sampling of their events include Wilson Gardens in Arkansas where the pair placed a long communal table in the middle of a cotton field, so guests look like they’re dining within a cumulus cloud. At Camflor, a farm in Watsonville, California, Campbell and New staged a party in an avocado grove, complete with Mexican music and cowboy hats.

Aside from the photographic visual delights of this book, its pages hold an interesting and inspiring testament to how agrarian life—particularly in the American South—is pivoting and reconstituting itself for the modern moment. 

We invite you to join us on April 8 to meet this charming and talented pair! If you are unable to join us, we are accepting pre orders for their beautiful book.

Simply call the store at (214) 521-3862 or stop by in person. The book is also available on our website.

Alexandre de Vogüé signs Vaux Le Vicomte

Not everyone grows up in a French Baroque chateau so impressive that the Palace of Versailles was based upon its design principles, but Alexandre de Vogüé, our speaker, did so at Vaux‑le‑Vicomte, the largest private estate in France listed as a Historic Monument. The story of Vaux‑ le‑Vicomte begins, however, more than 350 years ago, when Nicolas Fouquet purchased a modest property and demolished three villages to expand it. Vaux-le-Vicomte’s rich history began in 1641 and was classified as a historical monument in 1875.

This volume traces the château’s history from the seventeenth century through the Belle Époque, World War I, and its public opening in 1968. Exclu­sive photography and archival documents offer unprecedented access to the château, furnishings, and gardens, and illuminate the extraordinary secrets of court life and centuries of celebrations that include the enchanting candlelit tours held today.

This extraordinary book is an exclusive look inside the château that inspired the design of Versailles and today continues to enchant visitors and film directors alike.

Join us on Thursday, February 17 between 2:00 and 3:30 when we welcome Alexandre de Vogüé to The Exchange.  Stop  in to meet this talented author and leave with a signed copy of this beautiful book.

A Book Signing with Architect Andrew Cogar

The best architecture of any period long endures, only if there are architects who have the genius to preserve it with the latest functionality for modern families. Such an architect is Andrew Cogar, who served in the 1990s as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army—a wholly practical and demanding job—while stationed in Bavaria, where he became immersed in Old World urbanism. This experience perfectly melded with the new urbanist principles he had learned at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture. Today, he is president of Historical Concepts, a traditional architecture and planning firm in Atlanta and New York. He is nationally acclaimed in his field and serves on the Board of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. Earlier this year, he and his partners published Visions of Home: Timeless Design, Modern Sensibility.

Through engaging stories that inform, Andrew Cogar shows how to reimagine the traditional home--whether an elegant Greek Revival pavilion, a chic Hamptons summer house, or a reinterpretation of a historic Charleston single house--to capture one's unique point of view. Visions of Home is an invaluable resource for those who enjoy the warmth and charm of traditional architecture.

Join us on Thursday, February 10 between 2:00 and 3:30 when we welcome this talented and engaging architect and author to St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange!  

Join Us To Meet James Farmer!

Join us on Wednesday, November 17 between 1:30 and 3:00 when we welcome James Farmer to the store! He will be signing copies of his brand new book, Arriving Home: A Gracious Southern Welcome.

James Farmer is a Southern author, interior designer, and charming speaker known for his ability to create beautifully familiar and welcoming homes. To James, a home engages all of the senses - the pleasantries of colors and materials, the feel of the doorknob warmed by the sun, the sound of the closing door, and the taste of supper on the table. Through his design firm, James works with clients to truly create a home.

James is the author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling books A Time to Plant; Sip & Savor; Porch Living; Wreaths For All Seasons; A Time To Cook; Dinner on the Grounds; A Time to Celebrate and A Place to Call Home. His most recent publication, Arriving Home - A Gracious Southern Welcome explores the homes and designs of projects from South Georgia to Connecticut. Rooted in traditional styles, colors, and beautiful textures, James Farmer’s work embodies the true feeling of home

In addition, his work has been published in various magazines including Southern Living, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Southern Home, FLOWER and more. As a frequent event speaker and guest, James’s natural grace and warm personality light up any room. Whether designing homes or sharing his gardening expertise, James Farmer is a treasure and we are delighted to welcome him back to St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange!

Calling All Francophiles!

Sharon Santoni, an author, blogger and the founder of a quarterly magazine dedicated to sharing her love of French provincial life, is coming to the United States…and will make a stop at St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange on Thursday, November 11. Join us to meet the charming and gracious Sharon Santoni.

She will be signing her book, My French Country Home on November 11 between 2:00 - 3:30. British born Sharon Santoni is married to a Frenchman and has spent most of her life in France. This beautiful book offers entertaining ideas for each season of the year, with French flair of course. From her home in the Normandy countryside she shares her knowledge about buying French antiques, home and garden designs, gracious entertaining… and naturally, the French food!

Santoni’s magazine and blog has garnered her a large and loyal following in this country; and we are delighted to host her during her United States visit! Stop by on Thursday to meet her and leave with a signed book. It’s the perfect gift for your favorite Francophile!

Gray Malin Book Signing!

Join us on Thursday, October 21 between 2:00 and 4:00 when we welcome fine-art and aerial photographer Gray Malin to the store! Gray will be signing his newest book,

Gray Malin: The Essential Collection.

This magnificent book celebrates the first decade of work from the renowned artist, featuring beloved images from his most iconic shoots, as well as new material that has never been seen or published. Journey high above Manhattan's skyline, return to the sunny beaches of Positano, and take a stroll through the Parker Palm Springs with Gray's unforgettable animal guests. With vibrant imagery from all seven continents and stories behind each series, this stunning volume invites you into the captivating world of Gray Malin.

We've made sure to be well stocked with all kinds of Gray Malin merchandise! So join us and help give this Dallas native a Texas sized welcome home. If you can’t make it on Thursday, we are accepting pre-orders. You may order your book on our website; and we’ll have it signed and ready for you to pick up at your convenience. https://www.smwexchange.com/shop/gray-malin-the-essential-collection

Calling the store works too! (214)521-3862.

Join us for a Book Signing with Maegan Brown!

On October 13 from 2:00 - 4:00 we’ll host Maegan Brown, The BakerMama, and author of Spectacular Spreads and Beautiful Boards.  

Maegan will sign her books and demonstrate how she creates her beautiful boards! Join us for a fun afternoon and be inspired for your next party.  For large groups or small, Maegan’s ideas help us all to present food in such fun and creative ways!

Her first book is filled with recipes and snack boards for any occasion.  Her new book, Spectacular Spreads is all about laying out delicious and impressive spreads for holidays, birthdays, cocktail hours and baby showers.  She also included super simple build-your-own breakfast, lunch and dinner spreads which make any meal festive and special.

We are accepting pre-orders, in case you aren’t able to join us for the event. You may secure your book early; and then pick it up at your convenience!

Suzanne Kasler Book Signing!

On Friday, October 8 we welcome Suzanne Kasler from 2:00 - 3:30 when she’ll sign her 

latest design book,

Sophisticated Simplicity.

Inspired by architecture, art, fashion, and travel, renowned designer Suzanne Kasler designs spaces and products that are luminous, distinctive, and timeless.  In this inspiring collection of recent residences in town, in the country, and at the shore, the designer reflects on mixing the high and the low, the traditional and the contemporary, the new and the old – creating signature interiors that convey a sophisticated simplicity. The result is a wealth of original ideas for design professionals and anyone with a passion for interior design – an essential addition to every design library.

Suzanne’s work has been published in major design magazines, including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Veranda. She has been named to Architectural Digest’s AD100 and Elle Décor’s A-List. In addition to designing timeless interiors for her clients, Suzanne has produced signature lines for Ballard Designs, Hickory Chair, Lee Jofa and Visual Comfort.

We are accepting pre-orders for this beautiful book! Call the store or stop by to secure your book; and we’ll have it signed and ready for you to pick up at your convenience. (214) 521-3862.

A Book Signing with Cathy Kincaid and Hannah Cecil Gurney

Esteemed interior designer Cathy Kincaid’s inspiring book provides a fresh approach to combining classic and contemporary design with a refined sensibility.

Known for her carefully nuanced color palettes and attention to detail, Cathy Kincaid creates warm and gracious interiors. Her worldly taste in collecting art and furnishings, her intricate layering of patterns, and the customized details are hallmarks of her style. Presented are varied residences, ranging from a ship captain’s cottage and a 1920s Spanish Colonial to a bucolic farmhouse and a family house in the country, in such locations as Dallas, Connecticut, and the South of France.

Sprinkled throughout is Kincaid’s advice on such topics as selecting the right lighting, whether it be sconces or lamps; ways to showcase blue-and-white porcelain; and suggestions for how to edit one’s home.

Renowned for its elegant hand-painted wallpapers and textiles, de Gournay creates some of the most beautiful interiors in the world. The chic, London-based Hannah Cecil Gurney is the director of de Gournay, the design house best known for its elaborate hand-painted wall coverings

As a child, her father’s office and showroom were situated in the lower ground floor of their London home; when the entire house was covered in the sumptuous and vibrant de Gournay wall coverings she naturally grew to love layered and rich interiors.

Celebrated for its hand-painted chinoiserie wallpapers, sumptuous patterns of colorful flora and varied birdlife, the company produces additional collections that explore historical themes, such as nineteenth-century French pastoral scenes or exotic Brazilian landscapes bursting with wildlife. De Gournay also crafts more abstracted designs that fit well with modern interiors.

This volume showcases de Gournay designs, in beautiful interiors created by top designers the world over. The book explores de Gournay interiors in both city and country settings, how to take inspiration from English stately homes, and how custom wallpaper designs are created.

Full of inspiring interiors and design ideas, de Gournay is an in-depth look at the stunning creations of one of the most prestigious and influential design houses of today.

We are honored to welcome Cathy Kincaid and Hannah Cecil Gurney to St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange for a two-day signing event. Join us on Thursday, September 16 or Friday, September 17 between 2:00 and 3:30 to meet these talented and charming women…and of course to leave with their beautiful books.

If you cannot make it to the store, we are happy to let you pre-order book(s). We’ll have them signed for you and you may pick them up at your convenience. Stop by or call (214)521-3862.

We Are Booked For Fall!

We are thrilled to host an exciting group of authors to the store this fall! Mark your calendars and plan to join us when each of these talented authors come to St. Michael's Woman's Exchange to sign their books.

Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages for more detailed information about each one, as we get closer.

If any of these dates pose a problem for you, we always offer pre-sale of books prior to a book signing. So you can purchase the book and we'll have it signed for you. You simply pick it up at your convenience!

Summer Sale!

It's time for our annual Summer Sale! Enjoy 50% Off on select merchandise from all around the store. Decorative gifts for your home and tabletop...Stationery...Books...Gourmet...Puzzles...

Children's items...Paper Goods…and so much more.

Shop early for the best selection!

5 Highland Park Village

Open Monday - Saturday 9:30 - 5:00

(214) 521-3862

Shop Once. Give Twice.

We love every month of the year around here...but for us, May is particularly special! Most of our customers know that each year the proceeds from our store are given away as grants to agencies which serve the most vulnerable in our community. And it happens each May! Check out this year's list of 69 agencies, won't you? You'll likely see names you recognize and others whose names you've never heard. Each and every one does the life-changing work of caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, offering shelter to the homeless, providing comfort to the battered...and changing lives.

We are honored to assist in their important work; and each time you shop in our store, you support

them too.

We’ve been right here at #5 Highland Park Village for 63 years offering elegant gifts for adults and children alike, finding decorative accessories for your homes, printing your stationery and invitations and wrapping your gifts. And as long as there is need in Dallas, you’ll know where to find us. This year, our cumulative giving surpassed $10 million! Thank You.

For more information about how it all works and our story… smwexchange.com/about-us

Anne Neilson Book Signing!

Perfectly timed for Mother’s Day gift giving, we’ll have Anne Neilson at The Exchange on April 20. Stop in early to pre-order a signed book if you can’t join us on Tuesday; and then pick it up at your convenience. We hope you’ll join us though to meet this charming and talented artist and author.

A lifelong artist, Anne Neilson is known for her ethereal Angel paintings. Neilson's paintings are reflections of her faith and serve as comfort and inspiration to those who know her work. We offer a wide variety of products from her Anne Neilson Home line, including her acrylic tray, Inspirational Cards, Porcelain Trinket Trays, Notecards and Magnets. And of course we always offer her beautiful book, Angels in Our Midst, as well as the newer book of devotions entitled, Angels: Devotions and Art to Encourage, Refresh and Inspire. We invite you to join us on Tuesday, April 20 to meet Anne Neilson in person...and of course to leave with a signed copy of one of her books!

Working Together For Dallas

Well the ice has melted and normal weather has returned to Dallas! For many, lives are returning to “pandemic normal”. We shed our puffy coats and a single layer of clothing is sufficient again. However for the most vulnerable among us, life is even harder this week than it was before the winter storm. Many of the agencies who so faithfully serve them had water pipes burst and suffered much damage to their facilities. These non profits are working double time right now to meet unprecedented need…and to repair the damage to their facilities caused by the frigid weather. When the place of shelter has no heat or water a crisis is made worse.

Each year since 1958, the proceeds from our store are distributed in the form of grants to these very agencies. These non profits shelter the homeless and the battered, feed the hungry and provide comfort to the sick. They are the large, well-known groups and the small ones working under the radar. We are honored to assist them all in the life changing work they do. This year. And every year.

To see the list of the current year’s beneficiaries, visit the “About Us” page on our website.

Each time you purchase a gift for treasured friends and family or select a decorative accessory for yourself or ask us to gift wrap a special purchase, you support this good work too. So far, distributions total $10 million! There is still work to do however; so we hope to see you very soon at The Exchange! Right now the store is all decked out in springtime finery! Stop in to take a peek. And each time you make a purchase, the good work continues.

Shop with us in person at #5 Highland Park Village, our home for 63 years.  Or visit our online shop.  

Book Signing with Jennifer Pickens

Entertaining at the White House: Decades of Presidential Traditions richly documents 60 years of entertaining customs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. With beautifully appointed design, it offers readers an insider’s invitation into the White House’s greatest events and intimate insight into the planning, innovation, and unparalleled generosity that went into these occasions created by each of the first families, from the Kennedys to the Trumps.

Dallas native, Jennifer B. Pickens portrays the pomp and pageantry of state dinners, the family-friendly festivities of popular American traditions, and more hosted at the iconic address. Pickens shares details of how each first couple used their own personal style to to shape each event during their tenure as residents at America’s House. Charming anecdotes from presidents, first ladies, White House staff, and reporters, along with insightful photos, fill this beautiful book.

In addition to details such as invitations, place settings, flowers, china, food, and fashion, Entertaining at the White House also spotlights the iconic performers at events during this time, from Bob Hope to America’s own amazing military musicians and vocalists.

Jennifer Boswell Pickens is a White House traditions and East Wing expert, historian, author, speaker, and event planner. As such, she has conducted numerous interviews with members of America’s first families, White House social secretaries, chiefs of staff, presidential aides, White House insiders, and Executive Residence staff.

Entertaining at the White House will make a beautiful gift this holiday season. Join us on December 11 to have the author personally sign your copy. Presale available as well!