Allan Knight and Cearan Henley
Allan Knight and Associates
For nearly two decades, Allan M. Knight has reigned as an expert in contemporary glamour. He developed his brand, Allan Knight and Associates, in 1999 with co-founder Ben Goldfarb, and today his 40,000-square-foot Dallas showroom is full of high-end pieces from leading designers, European and Asian antiques and his own lines of furnishings, textiles, lighting and upholstery. In addition to juggling interior design ventures–he has no fewer than six major residential projects underway–Knight continues to grow the brand with his husband and design partner, Cearan Henley. In a tribute to the city that has fostered their burgeoning business, the dynamic duo share their must-visits for a perfect day in Dallas.
9 a.m. Enjoy an organic egg-white-and-veggie burrito at Start on Lemmon Avenue, and then head to Ascension in the Dallas Design District, near our showroom, for a cup to go of the strongest, best coffee in town.
10 a.m. Visit the Nasher Sculpture Center, which holds one of the world’s best collections of contemporary sculpture. A stroll through the outdoor gardens in springtime is a must.
12 p.m. For lunch, try some grilled fish at the new Flying Fish on Irving Boulevard. Our favorites are the spicy grilled catfish (Cearan’s order) and the Mexican shrimp cocktail (Allan’s)–it’s a meal unto itself.
1 p.m. Get outside for some fresh air with a walk on the Trinity Strand Trail, which winds through the Design District. If it’s raining, get a good workout with a yoga session instead at Equinox in Highland Park.
2 p.m. Drive through the tony Preston Hollow and Bluffview neighborhoods, where many of our design projects are, to take in the varied architecture and beautiful landscapes.
3 p.m. Stop by Bird Bakery in Highland Park Village for coffee and a cupcake (Allan’s favorite) or a chicken salad sandwich (Cearan’s pick–he always needs protein).
4 p.m. Head to the Inwood Theatre for a matinee foreign or independent film. The iconic 1947-built theater has been restored to its original splendor, including painted murals and neon-lit panels. While you wait for your movie to start, grab a martini at the beautifully outfitted Art Deco Inwood Lounge.
6 p.m. Have a pre-dinner martini at Hillstone in University Park (we are regulars here and even have our own server) before ending the night with a meal at Gemma on Henderson Avenue, known for a creative menu.
