Luxiere - Oklahoma Lifestyle & Real Estate // Edition 42

ON THE COVER: BOLD, VIBRANT & COZY

Neutral is no longer the ne plus ultra of interior design; it’s time to put palettes in drive and embrace striking, vital colors and tactile textures. We asked some of the metro’s top designers to weigh in on ways to make 2023 dazzling.

STORY BY ALEXANDRA BOHANNON

26 A ROUTE 66 SPACE ODDITY

You can find a lot along Route 66 — including destiny. Just ask Mary Beth Babcock, proprietor of Tulsa’s joyfully quirky souvenir shop Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios.

STORY BY ALEXANDRA BOHANNON

34 MAKING HOMES

Brit Portrey, founder and creative director of James Grey Homes and Rentals, is passionate about listening to clients’ stories and dreams; her vision is honoring theirs.

STORY BY KATI HANNA

40 A BREATH IN TIME

Stage painter turned abstract artist Jay Exon says “The inspiration is in the doing.” In less than a decade, his creativity and drive have helped forge a captivating career.

STORY BY VALENTINA GUTIÉRREZ

54 A SHARED IMPERATIVE

Tulsa’s immersive, eye-opening Greenwood Rising History Center isn’t just the story of a massacre; it’s the thoughtfully presented story of Black Wall Street and its community.

STORY BY MICHAEL KINNEY

PIYUSH PATEL

The extraordinarily successful entrepreneur, author, speaker and mentor showcases his exquisite home and recounts a personal history full of seemingly small, perfect decisions.

STORY BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Oklahoma is so many things. We are a young, scrappy state filled with fascinating people, brilliant ideas and remarkable innovation. We’ve seen tragedy and triumph. Oklahoma is beautiful, and poignant. It’s our home. Our people are diverse in every sense of the word — creatively, politically, ethnically and socially. Our collective alchemy lies in our ability to find and celebrate our common ground, the ideas and experiences that inform who we are and who we will become.

Our mission at Luxiere is to explore all of it, but perhaps especially the beauty, the style and the unique blend of future-facing fearlessness and time-honored tradition that are essential to what it means to be an Oklahoman. We also know we must take an unflinching look at our past in order to grow and heal.

Our history and our future are intertwined, and a careful examination of the former can only strengthen and improve the latter. With that in mind, we bring you a story focused on Tulsa’s Greenwood Rising History Center and museum, which tells the remarkable and resilient story of the Greenwood community by bringing the story of Tulsa’s Black Wall Street to life. It’s a story you won’t want to miss.

We’ll also introduce you to Tulsan Mary Beth Babcock, whose quirky gift shop and colorful destination, Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios, is a celebration of Route 66 that is filled with the creations of local artists and goods from Oklahoma businesses.

In the 1970s, Oklahoma captured the imagination of serial entrepreneur Piyush Patel’s father. The family was living in London at the time, and the senior Patel soon moved his young family to El Reno after scouring a map for the perfect location. Years later, the extraordinary ramifications of that move can still be felt. You’ll find this story as fascinating as we did.

Our Woman of Influence, the indefatigable and exuberant Sody Clements, has been the mayor of Nichols Hills off and on for decades. This wealthy enclave, steeped in beauty, is to Clements simply her little hometown. We were mesmerized by her childhood memories and impressed with her dedication to service for the good of others.

Taking our unofficial theme of "home" a step further, we’ve placed a special emphasis on design and have asked intriguing questions of our state’s most talented experts on home design. You’ll find a wealth of information, insight and inspiration in their musings, along with a healthy dose of fun.

This edition of Luxiere encapsulates the essence of Oklahoma and its many complexities. More than that, as is our mission, we celebrate and acknowledge all of it. We hope you find the stories within this issue as interesting, remarkable and beautiful as we do.

Until next time,

STACY D. JOHNSON Publisher, Owner

EDITION NO. 42

DESIGN | nvsble studio

ON THE COVER | Interior design by Marissa Adler Designs, Photography by Kennon Bryce and Brandon Smith

CONTRIBUTORS

Special thanks to all of our Luxiere partners for your contribution of time and talent to make this extraordinary resource.

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Luxiere Oklahoma is published bimonthly, direct-mailed to a curated readership and distributed at select retail locations free of charge for individual use. To request copies, please contact the publisher. For more information, visit www.luxiere.co.

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Advertising claims and the views expressed in this magazine by writers do not necessarily represent those of Luxiere Magazine. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited materials. Originals of manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other materials should not be sent to Luxiere Magazine unless specifically requested to do so in writing. Luxiere Magazine is not responsible for the return of any manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other materials submitted. Luxiere Magazine shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof. Luxiere Magazine shall have no liability for any infringement of copyright or other arising out of publication thereof. Luxiere Magazine reserves the right to edit submissions before publication. Reproduction in any form without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All requests for permission and reprints must be made in writing to Luxiere Magazine, c/o Legal, 2123 N Classen Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73106.

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WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

SODY CLEMENTS

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

Sody Clements, the current and five-time mayor of Nichols Hills, dearly loves her hometown. “When I was growing up, there were 44 children on my one block, and we were all in and out of each other’s houses,” she says. “Nobody knew exactly where we were, but everybody came home for dinner. And we roamed all over Nichols Hills with no regard whatsoever for property lines, or fences or anything. It was great fun. There were always people to play with and the doors were unlocked. Everybody knew whose dogs were whose and recognized, you know, the cars that were in the neighborhood. We’d all walk to school. If it rained, one of the dads in a station wagon would drive up the block, and we’d all just pile in and all go to school together.”

Sody and her husband, Robert Clements, both grew up in Nichols Hills. She attended Nichols Hills Elementary, Casady School, Vanderbilt University and the University of Central Oklahoma, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business. Her family is tightly knit; her two brothers and sister all live within a quarter-mile of one another. Her husband’s family business, Clements Foods, is in its third generation of family management. His two brothers also live within blocks of Sody and Robert. The couple’s grown children, Robert and William, enjoyed a similarly idyllic childhood in their hometown and now make their homes in Dallas and Nantes, France, respectively.

To many if not most Oklahomans, Nichols Hills is the home of the highbrow. For Clements, her 43 fellow marauders and legions of others, one of the toniest enclaves in the region is simply their little Mayberry. Clements loves that people from every corner of our state visit her city to look at Christmas lights, or to trick-or-treat. She loves its history, its sense of community and its safety.

She’s served it, and the rest of her community, extraordinarily well. Clements’ many volunteer projects have benefited the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra (now OKC Philharmonic), Leadership Oklahoma City, Festival of the Arts, Literary Voices, Casady School, All Souls’ Church, YWCA, Lyric Theater, Allied Arts and the Junior League of Oklahoma City. (That’s an abridged list.) She does all this, she said, because it’s fun, and because she was raised to believe that giving back is what you do.

She is extremely grateful to Robert, whose commitment to civic engagement rivals her own: “He makes it so I can volunteer, and he is heavily involved in community activities too. Together we chaired last year’s Allied Arts campaign, and he is chairing the next United Way campaign. Currently we are both passionate about the OKC Phil, and the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.”

As the intermittent mayor of Nichols Hills (more about that later), her civic involvement began, festively, with a parade. Clements said she was a bit of a wallflower in high school, but began blooming in her early 20s. “One of the first things I got involved with was the Nichols Hills parade,” she remembers. “Ann Taylor, who was a former mayor and one of my neighbors, encouraged me to get involved. Then she asked me to be chairman, and I was chairman for about 10 years, I think.” Part of Clements’ sly style is to underplay how hard she works. “Ours is strictly a children’s parade, so we don’t have to organize floats or sponsors or anything. And truly, at nine o’clock on July 4, the children show up on their bicycles and we just go.”

What about that “intermittent mayoring” alluded to earlier? Nichols Hills has a wonderfully egalitarian method for determining its mayor: Its three city councilors simply take turns. “There are three of us on the City Council,” she explains. “And in your third year of service, you automatically get to be mayor. I started in 2009, so this will be my fifth term. Really, the job doesn’t change much. You preside at the meetings; that’s really the only difference.”

She immediately mentions her co-councilors. “I serve on a really great team of city councilmen, Steven Goetzinger and Peter Hoffman. And then we have the most fabulous city manager in the universe, Shane Pate.” Initiatives and issues facing her fair city are similar to those of any municipality — striking a balance between history and progress, paving streets, saving landmarks and ensuring that residents are safe. As mayor, Clements would love to see more residents attending meetings and getting involved.

For her, though, it really is a labor of love on behalf of her beloved home. “I only volunteer for things that are worthwhile or fun. Some of my best, longest friendships have come from things I’ve volunteered on.” Carry on, Madam Mayor! •

LUXIERE’s Woman of Influence is presented by First National Bank of Oklahoma

LEFT TO RIGHT: Son-in-law Thomas Kennedy, Robert M. Clements, Sody Clements, Robert H. Clements, William Clements

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A ROUTE 66 SPACE ODDITY

Mary Beth Babcock’s atomic roadside attraction

BY ALEXANDRA BOHANNON

Mary Beth Babcock wasn’t always getting her kicks on Route 66. That may come as some surprise, given that she’s the owner of a souvenir shop on that storied highway, one that pays loving homage to the quirky energy of all things Mother Road.

And the person who is often the most surprised about that is Babcock herself.

“Route 66 has somehow pulled me to it,” Babcock says, sitting in the living room of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Crashpad — a bungalow-turned-Airbnb decorated in the retro-futurism western aesthetic of her souvenir shop Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios. Both interiors are cozy in their atmosphere, spilling over the brim with personality, Oklahoma-created art, gifts and cosmic tchotchkes.

Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios is in the heart of Tulsa, located just a mile from downtown and a third of the way along the meandering, jerky path Route 66 takes through Oklahoma, starting in Chicago and ending at the Santa Monica pier. The appeal of this road for national and international travelers is well-documented. But what draws the proprietors of these businesses to the route?

For Babcock, the answer is written in the stars.

THERE’S A STARMAN WAITING IN THE SKY

Throughout her early career, Babcock’s passion drove her successes. In 2010, her love of retail and Oklahoma artists led her to create Dwelling Spaces, a beloved Tulsa-centric retail establishment in the heart of downtown (coincidentally on the old alignment of Route 66).

It was during her time owning Dwelling Spaces that the concept of a space cowboy landed in her imagination as a potential mascot for the business. When she asked Tulsa artist and illustrator Jeremy Luthor to illustrate her idea, she loved what she received.

“It was amazing. And then it just sat on my computer,” Babcock says. So there the space cowboy mascot waited, collecting digital dust … until the time was right for his mission to take him out of orbit to Route 66.

GROUND CONTROL TO BUCK ATOM

After a few years, Babcock decided to move on from Dwelling Spaces. The search for her next passion-driven business venture had begun.

“I woke up one day, kind of frustrated,” Babcock remembers after attempting a couple of business projects that her heart “just wasn’t in.”

After fully recognizing that fact, Babcock took time to determine that she wanted a retail business worthy of her passion. What she did next is also etched in her memory: She spoke exactly what she was looking for out loud.

Just 30 minutes later, a real estate listing for the 350-squarefoot ex-service station was posted to Facebook.

“I was like: That’s it! A souvenir shop on Route 66 in a gas station,” Babcock says. She jumped on the listing, and eventually, the property was hers. Now the time was finally right for her space cowboy to experience his true purpose.

“When I got this space, it had that futuristic space-like architecture, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, [my] space cowboy can be our mascot,’” Babcock says.

She knew as she built the business concept that she wanted a roadside attraction. And what better way to utilize her space cowboy than to turn him into a 21-foot fiberglass sculpture?

Utilizing her Route 66 connections, she got in contact with Mark Cline, the owner of Enchanted Castle Studios. Cline is an artist and engineer of fiberglass and mascot characters for attractions nationwide.

Soon, they got to work on the space cowboy christened Buck Atom. The process of fabricating Buck was extensive and took over a year’s worth of fundraising and artistic work (including shipping him across the country on freight trucks). He landed for his first (and only) mission and was installed on May 10, 2019, and was officially dedicated the next day.

MOTHERSHIP AND MOTHER ROAD COLLIDE

When you drive down Route 66, you cannot help but stop and marvel at Buck Atom as he overlooks the Meadow Gold District. This district shines brightly with ample neon signs (thanks to a generous grant for authentic neon signage from the City of Tulsa) and cheery flourishes from hyper-local Route 66 shops.

“It was interesting to see how some people got it,” Babcock reminisces about a time before Buck was installed in the district. “Some people saw the impact [Buck] would have.”

What drew Babcock to Mother Road as a business owner also draws travelers there — looking for the friendly, the unique, the abnormal, seeking stories off the beaten gray interstate and cookie-cutter gas station exit ramp.

“I just feel like that’s my point in life. I feel like Buck and I can provide some smiles to people,” Babcock says with a smile of her own. “There is a lot of serious stuff going on that’s hard to see and hard to watch. If I can just provide a little bit of ‘Everything’s gonna be okay,’ I feel like I’ve done my mission in life.” •

PHOTOGRAPH BY CINDY MCKINNEY

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MAKING HOMES

A conversation with Brit Portrey, founder and creative director of James Grey Homes and Rentals

BY KATI HANNA PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIE CARTWRIGHT

Upon meeting Brit Portrey, one is instantly impressed by her extraordinary talent for asking thought-provoking questions that might help one gain a deeper insight into themselves. She is an accomplished dream maker, and her clients highly value her genuine interest in learning and understanding their unique stories. This is what makes Brit such a gifted builder; she never embarks on any project until she has a thorough comprehension of each client’s story, hopes and motivations.

Brit, tell us a little about yourself and why you wanted to be a homebuilder.

I knew I wanted to build since college, but it was tough trying to tap into the local building community. Since starting in the industry in 2015, I have considered giving up multiple times because I never found a role that was quite the right fit. I didn’t realize what I wanted my role to be until I had my own family. It was at this point in my life that I understood the importance of the home and creating a joyful, safe place for families, where a lifetime of memories can be made. The only way to do this is by listening deeply to the stories our clients share with us and knowing what is important in their lives and in their homes.

You shared a unique client experience that was the genesis for starting James Grey Homes. Tell us about that.

There’s just no one like Faizah [Bhatti]. A successful doctor from Pakistan whose five-foot-tall frame is stuffed to the brim with compassion, Faizah is someone who will bake you a gingerbread cake because you mentioned it once in passing; she’s also the

person who will call you out for making excuses or failing to live up to your potential. She’s fiery, all passion and heart — and when we met to discuss her home, she had a clear vision for what would make her happy. She had always dreamed of having cobalt blue countertops.

At the time of this project, I was working for another company and learned so much about the power in asking the client questions and truly knowing who the client is. I spent time with Faizah, listening and learning, respecting her vision and showing her I cared. She shared with me her journey of leaving her religion, finding a home and love in America and, most importantly, finding herself and a renewed love of her culture during it all. This wasn’t a remodel of her 100-year-old home, it was an homage to her traditions and a celebration of her identity. This was her “why,” and the countertops were at the center of it all. That is where I believe I am uniquely different — by taking this time with Faizah, I understood why the blue cobalt color was so important.

So much of the root of a client’s emotion toward a remodel or build can be found in the tension of what’s happening inside and outside of the client’s home. Faizah’s two-week-on/twoweek-off schedule as a neonatologist at OU Children’s dictated much of the temperament throughout the remodel. Being on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and working specifically with newborns, took an emotional toll on Faizah, and I could see her carrying it with her each time she’d arrive at her home.

I advocated for, and got, all nine feet of those cobalt blue countertops for Faizah. When the countertops were finally installed, I was the only one there. I stayed and waited for Faizah

to return home from a grueling overnight shift. Around 10 a.m., she walked through the doors and saw her cobalt blue countertops, and she cried. Composing herself, Faizah hugged me and said, “It’s because of what you do — allowing me to obsess over hardware, finding solutions for my funky Turkish light fixtures and advocating for these countertops — that I can fill my cup up, and do what I do.”

That’s when I knew I had to form James Grey Homes. I wanted to do more of this, for more people just like Faizah, who just needed to be heard, who needed someone to advocate for their vision, and to be there along the way to make sure things got done right.

There are many homebuilders in the area; what makes James Grey Homes different?

I believe the secret sauce of James Grey Homes is that we consider ourselves homemakers. It’s why the first thing we do in a new client relationship is ask our clients their “why,” and listen hard and lean in when they answer. We see homes not as four walls and a roof, but as the space you will spend your most vulnerable moments. We believe there is a reverence to what we do, and that belief shows up in every part of our work.

The other way we distinguish ourselves is through the James Grey client experience; we have built a very intentional client experience from the first to the last meeting. At any time during the building or renovation, our clients have access to all

the details of their project. Our clients know every member of the team that will work on their home. We focus on building trust in the first client meeting, and work hard to maintain it throughout the life of the project.

You also own James Grey Rentals. Tell us why this company makes a perfect sister company for James Grey Homes.

When COVID began, many people were affected financially and looking for ways to diversify their income sources. We knew there was a need in the Oklahoma City market and started James Grey Rentals in 2020. Our goal with this company was to create Airbnb rentals and provide top-notch rental management services for families in the Oklahoma City metro.

The two connect by providing a solution to one another. Usually, two factors that stand in the way of people starting a large remodel are cash and the need for a temporary home. James Grey Rentals helps clients with both because it gives clients a place to stay during their remodel and an avenue for passive income in the future.

Who is your ideal client?

Our clients are wanting a new home built or a remodel or repairs for their current home, and they are also looking for a team that has a strong desire to know them and their dreams. Our team will listen, find your why and advocate for our clients’ best interests from start to finish.

For our rental company, our ideal clients are looking for a property management company that — while providing the operational and janitorial management services — also wants to form a unique visitor experience rooted in the client’s story, history and personality. If that’s also important to you, we’re a great fit.

As a business owner, what has been your greatest success to date?

I was visiting home recently and attending my parents’ church when one of the elders, Sister Sandra, struck up a conversation with me telling me all there was to know about my business. Coming from a little mill town in Louisiana, you know you’ve made it when your parents tell their church friends about your company. We get to do some amazing things at James Grey, but nothing beats making your parents proud.

Where do you see James Grey Homes in 5 years?

We want to be uniquely positioned as the alternative to the typical frustrating, procrastinating, dictatorial builders who apply their vision to your home, rather than taking the time to discover and value your vision for your home. We want to create so much demand for empathetic and thoughtful builders that we simply can’t do it all ourselves, and thus a spectrum of other nontraditional builders and companies begins to grow in our market to meet the rising demand for something better than what we’ve always had. For our company, I want the young women on my team to confidently be running their projects from start to finish, slowly working me out of a job.

Yet most of all, I want more families in my city to have spaces that look and feel like their very own definition of home — a definition that has always been there, but just needed a little help getting to the surface.

We all enjoy life’s luxuries; what do you consider to be your favorite “luxiere” in life?

Working with Justin, my husband and business partner, and being able to bring our children along from time to time, is a real luxury. In truth, there is no such thing as “work/life balance.” It’s all just life, so having the opportunity to include my family in my work really does feel like a gift. Turns out, you can be a homemaker and a homemaker all at once, and it’s great. I’ll never take it for granted. •

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A BREATH IN TIME

Jay Exon’s creative journey from backstage to spotlight

BY VALENTINA GUTIÉRREZ

Tulsa artist Jay Exon’s first brush with creation, so to speak, came as an apprentice painting backdrops and scenery for stage productions. Less than a decade after leaving that craft to become a full-time artist, he is a celebrated and sought-after painter of abstract works, having never lost his sense of theatricality.

As he puts it, “I paint as if treasure hunting, inspired by possibilities in pursuit of the novel.” We caught up with the busy brush-wielder for a quick chat about his early influences, current inspirations, advice for aspiring artists and more.

When did your interest in art begin?

As Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Luckily, I’ve found a way to channel the playful spirit of my inner child into my work as a painter.

Can you tell us about your apprenticeship with Richard Ellis and how it shaped your approach to painting scenery for the theater?

I asked for a structured apprenticeship from a master scenic artist. This experience brought me a full appreciation for and practice of construction, drafting, color theory, materials, contrast and proportion on a scenic scale — all of which translated into my current studio practice.

How did you make the transition from painting for the theater to becoming a full-time independent artist?

Continuing on my own, the work I began to create and the vision I developed expanded my approach to painting on a studio scale.

Can you discuss how you developed this style and what inspires you?

My inspiration occurs only after laying down a color and diving in. The work develops by little discoveries, serendipitous happenings and unexpected occurrences that come to life on the canvas. The inspiration is in the doing.

Can you tell us about any upcoming exhibitions or projects you have in the works?

I will be painting live at the Howell Gallery on  April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out on their creative journeys?

Paint 100 paintings in 100 days. If you can do that and are satisfied with your work, then you can be a painter. Stick with it. Make as much art as you can. Natural talent is largely illusion and has very little to do with success in any endeavor. One becomes proficient with enough practice. Put in the hours. Above all, don’t doubt your capabilities.

How would you define Art?

Art is the expression of a breath in time, a fluid message to be experienced by the viewer. •

“CRAB LEGS. MARKET PRICE” 24 x 36” acrylic on canvas

“TEAM BUILDING” 48 x 48” acrylic on canvas

Design by: Thomson + Thomson

BOLD, VIBRANT & COZY

2023’s unapologetic and personality-driven home design trends

BY ALEXANDRA BOHANNON

As the careful tradeoff and balance between the practical and the artistic, the way you go about designing and styling a home can have as much to say about you as any personality test. And we don’t see that any more prominently than in 2023’s design trends, which can be summarized in two words: big personality.

In the most recent era of contemporary interior design, it was all about trimming down to artistic essentials to make a statement, such as the use of square shapes and a lighter neutral color palette.

2023 says that we’re done with that.

While it may be an exaggeration to call 2023’s design trends purely maximalist, they’re certainly not overly edited. Ornate ceilings, intricately patterned floors, bold colors and deep wood tones may grab the attention, but they invite you to relax and sink in, not overwhelm.

Considering the world as it has been since the start of the ’20s, it makes a lot of sense to shift the home to becoming a cozy and comforting paradise — a place of rest and full hearts — as we’ve been spending a large portion of the past few years centered here.

So whether you’re already a die-hard fan of the newest wave of vibrant design or you have a home interior that leans more contemporary, sleek and neutral — never fear. Explore our collection of advice and design wisdom from some of the top designers in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

Trust us, if there’s anyone that can be relied upon to make a home reflect the real you, it’s them.

MARISSA ADLER: MARISSA ADLER DESIGNS

What are some colors and shapes that are popular in the homes you’re designing right now?

2023 is off to a refreshingly fun start. Clients are embracing the use of color much more.

The last several years, design trends had been much more color-neutral. We are definitely seeing our clients want to warm and brighten things up. Vibrant blues have been at the top of the list, with beautiful greens frequently blending in too.

For shapes and overall aesthetic, we are still seeing a preference for lots of clean lines; stacked tile, smooth furnishings and symmetry still reign. For expression and character, the use of textures has been a popular way to bring personality and warmth to these otherwise “clean” designs. The move to more sustainable furnishings is another emerging trend.

What questions should you ask a prospective interior designer or interior design firm to gauge if they’re a good fit for you and your home?

When you’re trying to find the right designer for your home, it’s important to know the the style of work and how they work.

I would start by asking what services they offer. Defining the scope of work is very important. Do you need full scale interior design for a new build or remodel? Are you looking for space planning and new furnishings? Do you just want to freshen your existing space with what you have?

This decision leads to [asking] the next question. How do you charge and what is the budget? Setting realistic expectations for time and money are an important first step to help your project finish with the same enthusiasm it starts with.

Consider how you would like to be involved. Some clients like things pared down to one or two options to choose from and some want to be involved by going to showrooms and seeing multiple options available. Ask how the design concepts might be presented.

Your house is one of the biggest investments you make and asking the right questions from the start will help you assemble a team to make it home!

NICOLE RICKEY: NICOLE RICKEY INTERIOR DESIGN

Describe what you’re seeing as prominent 2023 design trends. [We’re seeing] bold accent colors, dramatic natural stone countertops, warm earthy tones, mixed metals and soft rounded edges in architecture and in furniture.

Bold and thick-veined marble is big for 2023. But one thing that’s surprising about this marble is that it’s not just being used in countertops. What’s a way someone can incorporate marble that’s interesting and surprising?

We are thinking outside the box, using marble for custom dining tables, coffee tables, floating shelves and mitered tub surrounds; my husband Shane just had a custom conference table fabricated for his design office. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind masterpiece created entirely out of two slabs of marble.

You’ve just announced a lighting line. How do you incorporate interesting lighting choices into the homes you design?

I’ve spent many years seeking out unique brands and companies that offer exquisite lighting fixtures. When creating an interior design, the decorative lighting fixture is always the statement piece in the room. It definitely adds the wow factor when properly chosen! Proper scale is vital, as well as considering how the design elements in the room are tied together and enhanced by [its] crown jewel.

LEFT: Design by: Marissa Adler Designs

BELOW/BELOW RIGHT: Design by: Nicole Rickey Interior Design

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRANDON SMITH

PHOTOGRAPH BY NIMBLE IMAGE

PHOTOGRAPH BY NIMBLE IMAGE

AMBER FOSTER: THROWN DESIGN & WINE

2023 is the year of the return of personality and boldness to homes. So if someone has already embraced all-neutral interiors, how can they incorporate these trends into their home without a complete redecoration?

Wallpaper, wallpaper, wallpaper! It is just such a fun way to incorporate color, pattern and texture all at the same time. There are so many amazing options out there now when it comes to deciding on a wallpaper. And for those that might not be in a home for that long, or are wary of wallpaper going out of style — which I don’t see happening anytime soon — there are great removable papers as well.

Another great way to incorporate color is by adding a beautiful piece of pottery with a lush green plant. I love finding pots for the plants for my clients that are unique, and always top them off with a fun colored moss or a mix of colored rocks.

What might be the easiest way would be to swap out those neutral pillows for some vibrant, colorful ones. Add some fringe or some cool trim to make them feel even more unique. I love to make my pillows reversible too, so you can always keep it feeling fresh and new.

How do you successfully style the bold color choices and big wallpaper patterns that are so prominent right now?

If I choose a wallpaper that has multiple colors, I stick to the same shades and tones of those colors to decorate the room around. A trick I use sometimes is finding the color on my paint deck and using one of the colors on the same strip as a guide because they typically are in the same color family. If a wallpaper has a light blue, I will select a darker shade of that color to accessorize with.

When styling using multiple patterns in a space, it’s important to keep scale in mind. If you start with a large-scale floral on the walls, then bring in smaller patterns in your textiles. Make sure all your colors and patterns go together by first creating a mood board so you can see it all together on the same page before committing.

KATELYNN HENRY: HENRY HOME INTERIORS

Vintage and antiques are big right now, not just as a response to supply-chain issues but as an eco-friendly solution. How does someone go about using vintage alongside new pieces?

I think it’s always interesting to mix antiques with contemporary pieces. But don’t just buy something old to buy it. Make sure it has special meaning to you.

It’s important for me to work with things that are special to clients, no matter the style.

Is there any trend for 2023 that you’re surprised about?

I’m really loving how warmer tones are making an appearance again. It’s more of the softer earth tones, but we’ve seen so many more fabrics and rugs with earth tones in them.

It makes sense since the past few years have been dominated by shades of green and bringing the outdoors in. Earthier, softer tones are a natural follow-up. It’s intriguing to see how these softer tones are elevating spaces while maintaining an all-around cozier ambiance.

Design by: Thrown Design & Wine

Design by: Henry Home Interiors in collaboration with SRS Design

HANNAH SUTTER: HANNAH SUTTER INTERIORS

How do you style bold patterned or mural wallpapers to ensure their longevity?

I always try to create a balance. If I’m using a really gorgeous chinoiserie wallpaper or mural, I keep the furniture layered in front of it a little more simple and classic with smaller prints or solids.

You have to be careful when selecting wallpaper, especially for large spaces. I always try to choose something that will remain classic. As for smaller areas like powder rooms, nurseries or office nooks, I would say choose whatever your heart desires. Wallpaper can easily be replaced.

What are tips on incorporating existing artwork into a redesign of a room or space?

I think art can be its own thing for just about any space. Especially good art that is well collected and curated. It never hurts to pull colors from the art itself. I try to avoid using the art as a “theme.” To be honest, I like laying art in last vs. first.

LEFT & ABOVE: Design by: Hannah Sutter Interiors

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRANDON SMITH

KENNON BRYCE

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRANDON SMITH / KENNON BRYCE

ASHFORD THOMSON: THOMSON + THOMSON

Interesting flooring is very popular for 2023. How do you guide a client to finding a floor that’s perfect for them? How would someone know if they’ll keep loving their dramatic floor for years to come?

It’s possible to select an impactful floor that is also timeless. We will always be a fan of black and white marble or terrazzo checkerboard flooring. It’s a nod to early 20th-century interiors, but the contrast can create a great backdrop to a modern aesthetic as well. It evokes a sense of elegance and grandeur and can shift to either traditional or modern design.

Arches have not gone out of style for 2023. What shapes of arches are in and which are out for 2023? Any tips on styling arches in a home?

We will always love arches! Arches are an ageless way of adding architectural interest. We expect to see a lot of simple, round arches in 2023, but we’re personally excited to incorporate more ornate arches, such as the ogee and cinquefoil arches.

ABOVE & RIGHT: Design by: Thomson + Thomson

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNON BRYCE

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNON BRYCE

KELSEY McGREGOR: KELSEY LEIGH DESIGN CO.

What’s the number one detail or interior design flourish you’re incorporating a lot in homes right now?

Natural stone is in every single one of our projects. We have been using a variety of styles in flooring, backsplashes, accent walls, countertops…anywhere it’s appropriate to be incorporated. A favorite of ours that lends to our high-end look is a Diana Royal marble tile floor. We’ve also used a sliced pebble as shower floor tile and wrapped a vent hood with natural stone detailing.

The Versailles pattern, mixing rectangular and square shaped stone in a variety of sizes, is back. We’ve been using this pattern in kitchen backsplashes and on shower walls. It’s a beautiful way to give tiling more texture and an organic feel alongside the natural stone. We’re also loving the variety of stone in slabs for kitchen or bathroom backsplashes. We’re moving toward unique cuts of earth and swapping in soap stones, quartzite, marble and granite in lieu of man-made quartz. The authentic movement and veining that those Earth-made slabs produce can’t be beat visually.

How do you incorporate more cozy textures and organic shapes (a couple of prominent 2023 trends) into a home?

We work from background to foreground layering texture into our room designs. We’ll start big picture with elements like plastered walls paired with reclaimed wood beams, then come in with a variety of textiles.

A few vignettes we are intentional in using to give texture to a space include wall paneling, stone walls, kitchen backsplashes and furniture. Textiles in linen, velvet and leather are a must, and our new favorite flooring for a major textural moment is wire-brushed French oak wood flooring with a matte finish.

ABOVE & RIGHT: Design by: Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

JENNIFER WELCH: JENNIFER WELCH INTERIOR DESIGN

Since 2023 is all about a return to personality in homes, what are some straightforward ways to add drama and luxury without having to perform a large-scale remodel or redesign?

Hang fabulous art on your walls. Fabulous doesn’t mean expensive. Find unique pieces from local artists and let your walls make a statement.

I also recommend switching out any mediocre light fixtures to something more impactful. Light fixtures should be considered as pieces of art that are unique and add character, depth and definition to the space. I think a well-curated home with fantastic lighting is always in!

What’s the reason you entered into designing fabric collections? How do you guide clients into picking the fabrics and upholstery perfect for their spaces?

Link Outdoor fabrics invited me to collaborate with them on a collection, and I jumped at the chance. The beauty of outdoor fabrics is that they have become softer and better and now can be used indoors.

Outdoor fabrics are constructed to be stain-resistant and easily cleaned, plus the longevity is off the charts. Link is fantastic at creating outdoor fabrics that have the touch and feel of indoor fabrics. •

We asked our featured designers to describe the design trends developing for 2023 in five words. Here’s what they had to say.

“Colorful, polished, meaningful, sustainable, warm”

Marissa Adler, Marissa Adler Designs

“Less neutral, more color/patterns”

Hannah Sutter, Hannah Sutter Interiors

“Maximal, eclectic, warm, natural, sculptural”

Ashford Thomson, Thomson + Thomson

“Textural, bold, vibrant, unique, natural”

Amber Foster, Thrown Design & Wine

“Curved furniture, textured woods, bold”

Katelynn Henry, Henry Home Interiors

“Textural, vintage, organic, patterned, European-influenced”

Kelsey McGregor, Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

“Maximalism, minimalism, traditional and transitional”

Jennifer Welch, Jennifer Welch Interior Design

2023’S DESIGN TRENDS IN FIVE WORDS

Design by: Jennifer Welch Interior Design

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSH WELCH

A SHARED IMPERATIVE

Tulsa’s Greenwood Rising History Center looks beyond violence to context and community

BY MICHAEL KINNEY

In May of 2021, Tulsa marked the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. People from around Oklahoma and the rest of the country converged in the Greenwood District to commemorate the tragic events that took place May 31-June 1 in 1921.

The history of the Tulsa massacre was in the mainstream news and part of the public conversation, as many people found themselves hearing for the first time about the tragedy that left hundreds dead, more than $27 million in property damaged and destroyed, thousands of survivors’ lives altered and untold generational wealth erased from existence.

More than 35 square blocks that were known as “Black Wall Street,” one of the nation’s wealthiest black communities, had been eviscerated — and for nearly a century, its story was kept out of the spotlight. Until 2019, the state of Oklahoma did not include the massacre as a mandatory part of public school curriculums.

Despite that, there had been growing interest in the Tulsa Race Massacre even before the centennial. One of the primary responses was the Greenwood Rising History Center, which is an interactive museum that brings the story of Tulsa’s Black Wall Street to life.

“Greenwood Rising is an immersive experience around the history of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, which was the historic African American community,” says Greenwood Rising Curator Hannibal B. Johnson. “The idea is not to just share the local history, but contextualize that history with other history from the United States during that period.”   Johnson is an attorney and the author of Black Wall Street 100: An American City Grapples With Its Historical Racial Trauma . He has also been with the Greenwood Rising project since its inception.

“I was in on the ground floor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission. We started in 2015,” Johnson says. “We were started by Senator Kevin Matthews of Oklahoma. The jewel in the crown really was Greenwood Rising — this teaching facility, this museum that we wanted to create. So, we worked with Local Projects, which is an exhibit design firm of national acclaim located in Manhattan. My role as local curator was really to construct the narrative. The museum is primarily a narrative facility.”   Greenwood Rising, at 23 N. Greenwood Ave. in Tulsa, opened its doors for the first time in June of 2021 during the centennial anniversary. The 11,000-square-foot museum takes visitors on a journey through time that starts before the massacre and continues through the rebirth of Greenwood. It is divided into four distinct galleries: The Greenwood Spirt, Arc of Oppression, Changing Fortunes and Journey to Reconciliation.

“Greenwood Rising is an immersive experience for understanding the history of African American history in Tulsa, specifically the rise and demise and rebirth of the Greenwood District and the area effectively known as Black Wall Street,” says Executive Director Raymond Doswell.

Instead of filling the site with just photographs, audio stations and artwork, Greenwood Rising officials wanted to give museum-goers a feel of what life was like on Black Wall Street by using holograms and interactive features. An example includes being able to go into a barbershop and listen to barbers talk about the current events of the early 1900s.

“And the idea here is that we want this space to be accessible and engaging for all folks,” Johnson says. “And we know from research that people have various learning styles. There are people who are kinesthetic learners. They learn by sort of engaging with the environment. There are people who are visual learners. There are verbal linguistic learners. So we wanted this facility to appeal to all kinds of learners, so that there’d be something for everyone to see and engage with that would be meaningful to them. And that everyone would get the core message.”

A young boy is transported back in time where he can see and hear barbers from the Greenwood District discuss the current events of the early 1900s through an immersive holographic experience.

Johnson said that message is the foundation of Greenwood Rising.

“The core message is the imperative of our shared humanity — the imperative of recognizing each other as fellow travelers, as fellow human beings entitled to dignity and respect,” Johnson says. “And when that doesn’t happen, when there’s not that celebration of humanity and difference, really bad things can happen. And those really bad things are things that we want to prevent. We prevent them by knowing, not ignoring.”

Doswell took over as the Greenwood Rising executive director in January after a nearly three-decade stint as vice president of the Negro Leagues Museum. He sees his new position in Tulsa as a chance to tell the complete story of Black Wall Street and not just the incomplete narratives that have proliferated through the media.

“You don’t want to just dwell on one side of it. Everything is nuanced. We can say, for example, Black Wall Street was important because you had the wealth of black people here,”

Doswell says. “But it wasn’t a utopia. You know, it wasn’t necessarily an oasis because there were still poor blacks in and around this area too. We’re trying to understand, too, what the motivations of whites were in why they felt so slighted or whatever, that they wanted to attack the black community. It wasn’t just pure racism. There were economic reasons, and those are things we need to explore more in the exhibition.”

In the two years since the Greenwood Rising History Center opened its doors, men, women and children of all races, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds have visited and experienced it. Regardless of who comes through the front doors, the focus is on the people of Greenwood.

“I want folks to understand that the narrative here is not the narrative of the massacre,” Johnson says. “We don’t have a massacre museum. We have a museum that celebrates Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District. The massacre is an event that occurred in the context of a community. The museum is about the full breadth of that community.” •

feel

function

best, so does life.”

Are you sick and tired of looking so … tired?

Our faces play a large part in how we present ourselves to the world. Our faces contribute to how attractive we feel and are a significant means of expression and communication. Unfortunately, over time, gravity, sun exposure, genetics, and years of facial expression can cause our skin to droop, sag, and crease to the point that we no longer feel like ourselves when we look in the mirror.

We do everything we can to reverse these effects from expensive creams and trending at-home treatments, but with no results. A facelift, clinically known as a RHYTIDECTOMY, is a facial surgery designed to correct visible signs of aging that appear on the face over time by removing excess skin, repositioning underlying muscles and tissues, and tightening facial contours for an overall more youthful appearance.

In addition, a BLEPHAROPLASTY (eyelid surgery)might be in order to correct sagging skin over or under your eyes, giving you a more refreshed aesthetic.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Anureet Bajaj uses her talent and artistry to create natural-looking results that aim to recapture the appearance of your youth rather than changing your features to look artificial.

Anureet Bajaj, M.D. Plastic Surgeon

WHO WE’RE FASCINATED WITH:

PIYUSH PATEL

Intellectual Man of Mastery

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN MIERS

The scene: late 1970s London. A young man furrows his brow as he studies a map of the United States, searching for his future. He’s looking for the most auspicious city for he and his wife to launch their new adventure and raise their two young boys, while pursuing their entrepreneurial American dreams. This visionary young man is father to Piyush Patel, whom you’ll meet shortly.

In a “Eureka!” moment, Patel’s father finds the perfect place: El Reno, Oklahoma.

“My dad saw that the two major highways in the United States, Hwy. 81 and Rt. 66, cross right here in El Reno. He decided that’s where we should go,” says Patel, whose own remarkable story sprang from his parents’ plucky decision. The Patel family opened a small hotel, a couple of blocks from that fateful crossroads. “My dad was literally like, ‘Let’s go to the middle of America. That’s where all the cars are going to pass.’”

Fantastical? Not if you’re a Patel. Father and son alike have the rare ability to evaluate data, toss in a dash of imagination and find enormous opportunity. They think fast and find solutions. Like moving to El Reno. It was from this little Oklahoma hometown that young Piyush began to dream.

His bedroom walls were covered with ingeniously repurposed pictures of sports cars. “Growing up, I really wanted car posters,” he remembers. But the family didn’t have funds for extravagances like that. “So my dad said, ‘What we can do is go to the library, and ask for the Car and Driver magazines that they’re going to throw away. And those can be your posters.’” And I remember thinking ‘One day, I’m going to have these sports cars.’” And he does. Six, including a McLaren, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.

Clearly, one of Patel’s superpowers is harnessing the improbable. Need more evidence? Here’s the story of how he met Lisa, his wife of more than 25 years. For someone whose first entrepreneurial foray was digital illustration instruction for visual effects and animation, their meeting was remarkably … analog. Of course, it was in the ’80s.

“My wife and I were eighth grade pen pals back in the early ’80s,” he says, smiling. At the time, the OU-Nebraska football rivalry was a major thing, and Lisa is from Nebraska. “Her assignment for her writing classroom was to pick a school and write them a letter.” Lisa picked Norman on a map of Oklahoma, but then moved her finger a smidge to the left. For the second time in his young life, someone pointed to El Reno on a map and changed Patel’s life.

“There were three sections of eighth grade English, and I was in the section that got her letter. And the teacher said, ‘Alright, everybody write her back.’ So we all wrote her a letter … and she wrote me back, and I wrote her back. And we did that until we were freshmen in college. I’d never seen a picture of her. And I just remember that before I met her, I was talking to her on the phone and I hung up the phone and I looked at my buddy and I said, ‘I’m gonna marry this girl.’ And he goes, ‘You’re out of your mind.’” That buddy would be the best man at the Patels’ wedding.

Although his career has been staggeringly successful, money was never Patel’s driver. It’s part of what makes him such an interesting study. He launched his company, Digital-Tutors, during the dot-com heyday of the early aughts, unwittingly creating a delivery platform whose value soon made itself known, eventually outshining the teaching content.

At first, the company, which offered digital effects and illustration classes, mailed lessons to clients on DVDs, which was cumbersome and limited the company’s ability to grow. In 2000, with encouragement from a student, he posted the videos online and his company DigitalTutors soon became the world’s largest digital training library, used by global companies including Pixar, NASA, Microsoft and Dreamworks.

“We were like four years before YouTube. Little did we know we had built the first YouTube, right?” he asks. “But in reality, we were so concerned with the content that we were like, ‘No, no, people only want the content, not this platform.’” Of course, the realization soon struck that it was the streaming platform that was the real game-changer.

What happened next? Fast forward to 2014. “I get this call one day and the guy said, ‘Hey, we’d like to buy your company.’ And I distinctly remember saying, ‘It’s hard to buy something that’s not for sale’ … I had 42 full-time employees here in Oklahoma City, and 500 contractors all around the world.” Six weeks later, Patel had sold the company. “A lot of it was just the realization that if something was to happen to me, there was really no way for my wife to turn that equity into cash. She wouldn’t know how to run the company. My son was too young at the time, so I had no exit plan.”

The Patel garage featuring three of six high-performance sports cars

LEFT:

U-shaped island with centrally positioned cooktop with granite-encased pizza oven as a backdrop.

Plus, the interested party, Pluralsight LLC, gave Patel 45 million excellent reasons to sell. Today, he pursues new dreams: “I work as a mentor and advisor for entrepreneurs at all stages in their careers. I help business leaders realize their own dreams, and I give them the tools to help make that possible,” he says.

As of this writing, the Patels have founded and sold a groundbreaking company, raised their son Nick, now a college student, built an exquisite home more akin to a luxurious mountain resort, bought a vineyard and produced their own house wines, plus they now live a stone’s throw from Patel’s parents, for whom he also built a home. Patel is also an award-winning author, sought-after motivational speaker and coach, and is now working toward a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, after which he will pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. “My goal is to open a practice where I exclusively work with founders and entrepreneurs and their families.” He’s got a slew of ideas, and he’s running full throttle into the future. •

ABOVE: 2,900-bottle capacity wine room with a Venetian plaster ceiling.

OPPOSITE: The Patels’ THX-certified multi-tiered Dolby Atmos theater room.

LIST ABOUT THAT HOUSE

Luxiere went one-on-one with Travis Neely, whose firm Neely+Queen Interior Design worked with the Patels to bring their dream home to life.

LUXIERE: The Patel home is in a league of its own — could you outline for our readers a few of its truly unique features/design elements?

TN: Thank you so much for your kind words. Their home is truly remarkable. One of the most inspirational design elements of the home became evident throughout the building process, and has become the defining feature for the Patels. A significant amount of steel was used to construct the home: exterior beams defining the curb appeal, beams in the entry and living area and the structural support for the floating staircase. The steel arrived on site with a reddish protective coating, and as the home started taking shape, Piyush came to us and stated he wanted to keep the steel red. He had grown to love it and wanted it to be highlighted. We therefore selected a more permanent red coating for all exposed steel, and #redsteelhouse was born. We then incorporated a bit of red into nearly every room.

LUXIERE: Was there a vibe you were going for?

TN: From architectural concept to the completed home, the Patels had a fairly significant evolution in their aesthetic desire. They travel often, and over the course of the initial design phase, when the floorplan was being developed in conjunction with Bockus Payne Architecture, they would come back with pictures of spaces they liked from the hotels in which they stayed. These photographs became the springboard for the design inspiration. The final goal was to create a personal resort for the Patels where they could live in the luxury they enjoyed while traveling. Upon completion, Piyush thanked us for helping create an oasis for their family.

LUXIERE: What were the most important things for the Patels?

TN: The Patels truly love to entertain, so they needed the square footage to accommodate large gatherings; however, it was incredibly important for them to feel comfortable in their home from day to day. Though some of the spaces are quite large, great care was taken to space plan and fully design each room to be inviting and useable.

As an example, in the entertainment suite of the home, a variety of areas were laid out to provide multiple conversation areas for guests to gather, yet they also function nicely for daily use. There is a seating group which can also function as a second living area. Off to the side is a restaurant quality bar where a professional bartender can be brought in to tend parties, and it also functions nicely for the Patels to fix drinks for themselves. Another area facilitates video game play where two televisions are positioned in an opposing 90-degree angle to keep players from seeing what each other is doing, a request of Piyush for the games he plays with his son.

Also in this area is a vestibule leading to their state-of-the-art theater. At the time it was built, it was the only privately owned Dolby Atmos theater installed in Oklahoma. The cinematic experience is incomparable. The entertainment suite also has a large, sliding glass door that leads to the show car garage where Piyush keeps his favorite cars. This door can be opened to accommodate even more guests when necessary.

Piyush also thrives in the kitchen. He often includes his dinner guests in portions of the meal preparation process, so he asked for a large, highly functional kitchen with multiple “zones” to enable others to be involved. The solution includes a more formal side where all of the daily use items are positioned. The focal point of this area is a large U-shaped island in the core where the cooktop is centrally positioned with plenty of countertops for others to congregate. The backdrop is a pizza oven encased in book matched granite. The second half of the kitchen is a scullery with an assortment of other items that may not be utilized as frequently. This area can also function as a catering kitchen for larger parties.

LUXIERE: Which elements/ideas/directions do you find the most magical?

TN: As I mentioned, the theater is my favorite space in the home. I love film, and treasure the cinematic experience even more. I hold certification from THX in home theater design, and creating a home theater that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also acoustically optimal is something I truly enjoy.

Overall, the Patels were simply incredible clients! They afforded us the opportunity to pay intricate attention to every aspect of their home, including detailed space planning, custom ceiling details, custom lighting features, custom knives cut to create one-of-a-kind baseboards and so much more. Also, I would be remiss without stating the opportunity to work with Tom Krone Construction on this project was one of the highlights of my career. His attention to detail feeds my soul.

WHAT IS PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP)?

PRP is a high concentration of platelets that helps mimic the healing process that occurs in the body after injury. PRP consists of removing red and white blood cells, which delays healing and concentrating the platelets, thereby increasing the role in growth and healing.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

When introduced to the scalp, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) will trigger a number of biological activities through the release of glykoproteins activating hair follicle growth factors, increasing hair density, strength, quality and volume significantly.

PRP INJECTIONS ARE SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT

PRP injections have a low cost-to-benefit ratio, and can be as valuable as an alternate treatment for alopecia. Typical sessions include 3 consecutive sessions where intradermal injections are spaced 3-4 weeks apart, with a 6 month booster following the start of therapy. It can be used in combination with other hair restoration modalities (monoxidil, anti-androgen prescriptions, etc.). Results can be seen as early as 2 months. Treatment is specified to each patient and outcomes vary from person to person.

RegenPRP® works for both men and women!

• Radio frequency microneedling

• True skin tightening

• Pore size reduction

• Reduce texture

• More comfortable than other RF microneedling technologies

• Smooth and tighten crepey skin around the eyes

• Stimulates collagen

• Minimal downtime (if any)

GANACHE PATISSERIE

SELF-CARE AT ITS SWEETEST

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

Tiny little daily luxuries make life sweeter. It’s a universal truth. We know this. Why, then, do we constantly find ourselves just slogging along as though we don’t know that there are simple, delicious delights to be had, easily and daily?

Europeans seem better equipped to make a habit of this notion of intentional daily pleasures. Case in point: One tried-and-true way they build pleasant moments into the week is by stopping in at their neighborhood patisserie every few days. Maybe more. It happens here in the New World, too. The Oklahoma City ex-pat community has discovered Ganache Patisserie, which they visit in droves. Their lead is well worth following.

Add Ganache Patisserie — 13230 Pawnee Dr. in Chisholm Creek — to your orbit and watch. Like any good-for-you routine, at first you’ll have to make a point of remembering to stop off, but after a couple of weeks it will become a wonderful habit. You’ll find yourself smiling more. You’ll no longer see the point of eating a mass-produced croissant; fresh or nothing! And that little bit of alchemy, that dab of magic, is precisely why husband and wife team Matt Ruggi and Laura Szyld opened their French pastry shop and café five years ago. It’s incredibly laborintensive because they do it beautifully right. Neither would have it any other way.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNON BRYCE

“I had this guy, an older man. He sat down by that column right there,” Ruggi says. “And he calls me over. He had a quiche and a croissant … and he was almost in tears. And he got me in tears. Because he was saying that since he was deployed however many years ago in Europe, he hadn’t had a pastry like that that made him feel that way. So to me, ultimately, that’s what it is — I share a piece of me. We put all our passion into what we do and make someone happy with it.”

The couple met more than a decade ago in Szyld’s native Argentina, through a mutual friend. Ruggi was working in accounting and Szyld held a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, having decided to follow her passion. She comes from a family of doctors, and had been all set to follow that path herself. “I always said that I was going to be a doctor. But then I realized that in all my spare time the only thing I wanted to do was cook for my friends and family,” she explains. “So it came to a point where I chose to dedicate my life to the thing that I enjoyed the most. And that’s a good thing, even though I love medicine and math and everything. It’s just a matter of doing every day what I love.”

Ruggi and Szyld started dating, and soon decided to go into business together. “We started doing some catering together; we put a catering company together. That went really well,” Ruggi says. “Then we went to Italy, to Europe. And then we decided to move to the States.” The move to Europe was to further hone their culinary craft. Ruggi’s formal education until then had been in accounting, an asset for sure, and he augmented that with pastry chef training. Connecticut was their first home stateside, because Szyld had family in the Northeast.

The couple came to Oklahoma thanks to Szyld’s dad, who was then working at the University of Oklahoma. “He was like, ‘This place is a hidden gem. You have to really come and check it out.’ We’d always wanted to open a place. When we moved to Connecticut, I worked at a hotel for visa purposes,” she says. All the while, she and Ruggi were imagining their own patisserie.

It can be easy to miss the sweet little storefront amid all the hubbub and giant neon guitars in the Chisholm Creek shopping and entertainment center — but through its little door is an immaculate, sunny space dotted with tables and a comfy sofa arranged around the pièce de resistance: the pastry and confection case. As alluring as fine jewels, crafted from the best ingredients in the world, with every component made by hand … this is the essence of Ganache.

“Nothing that we do can be made in less than two days,” Szyld says. Even something simple-seeming, like a mousse cake, is intricately involved with its four layers of cake and myriad components. “You have to bake them before you make mousse … Cake layers will last one or two days in the fridge while you get everything else done. Then you make your own ganaches that actually go into the freezer to be moldable. Then you make your fruit fillings.” On the fourth day, she says, it’s ready to assemble. With a latte, mousse cake makes a satisfying, sweet pick-me-up — or breakfast (we won’t judge).

Szyld and Ruggi also want you to know they’re equally happy to bring Ganache to you. The macaron towers or dessert bars are show-stoppers, just the ticket for a graduation party, baby shower or birthday celebration.

Ganache Patisserie has an outpost at the Museum Store at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and recently bought a building in the Britton District to house its production kitchen as demand for its artisanal goods increases. Around the corner from the original Ganache is the couple’s other sweetery, Domenico Coffee & Dessert Bar. Restraint is thrown straight out the window at Domenico. Huge, decadent milkshakes and sundaes are big enough for a crowd, and topped with Ganache-grade confections. The “All In,” for example, is 25(!) scoops of ice cream topped with everything: cookies, candies, whipped cream, sauces, chocolate pieces, nuts, chocolate-covered strawberries and more. Big or small in scale, a sweeter life awaits. •

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNON BRYCE

PRACTICING PATISSERIE

Employ these pro tips to make the most out of your local patisserie — it’s a utility player if you know how to optimize it.

Croissants, cookies, macarons. Buy two or three days’ worth if fresh, but not more. The whole idea is that you don’t stock up in bulk, rather savor beautiful pastries freshly made. A sensory treat achieved in a matter of moments.

Buy frozen goods. Call Matt or Laura ahead of time and they’ll package up luxurious pans of frozen pastries, croissants and such to provision your home. Pull out a pan and bake them whenever the mood strikes, or unexpected company arrives.

Soups and quiches. The hectic pace we keep can make eating well more difficult than we’d like. With Ganache’s quiches, soups and other to-go savories, you can enjoy top-quality, hand crafted meals made with gorgeous ingredients any day of the week. Literally.

Daily coffee. Instead of getting something brownish at a drivethru, pause for a moment and let the lovely people at Ganache caffeinate you. Local. Better. Nicer.

Luncheon. Sandwiches, soups, salads and quiches anchor the lunchtime fare and have become such favorites that minirebellions ensue when Ganache attempts to switch up the menu.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNON BRYCE

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNON BRYCE

THE MARKET

Seven top-tier experts weigh in on the conditions and variables affecting the Oklahoma City metro’s real estate market

THE EXPERTS

Buying or selling property in this climate may seem more complicated than ever.

How will recent factors affect your deal? We asked several of the metro’s pros for their perspective on the status and trajectory of Oklahoma City’s housing market in 2023.

WYATT POINDEXTER

The Wyatt Poindexter Group, Keller Williams Elite

The latest data shows that the real estate market in Oklahoma has witnessed an upsurge in both sales and prices during the last year. The Wyatt Poindexter Group has achieved remarkable success in 2023 by selling upscale luxury residences, vacant land and second homes intended for vacation purposes. Our clientele includes several cash-paying buyers who have been referred to us through our network of Keller Williams luxury Realtors across various states. The market east of I-35, specifically in Oakdale, Arcadia, Jones and Edmond, is rapidly expanding and the demand is very high. These areas are likely experiencing increased demand due to their proximity to local amenities, schools, having more land and newer neighborhoods. The biggest issue right now is the disconnect between sellers and buyers. Buyers want to lowball, and sellers want last year’s price. While buyers are getting a bit more breathing room now, they should keep in mind that it’s still a seller’s market while they consider their options. The first step for a successful transaction is to find a listing Realtor who knows the area and comes highly recommended. An experienced Realtor will work closely with you to price your home competitively while fielding questions and offers from prospective buyers.

LAUREN TOPPINS Broker, Cherrywood

If I had to describe the Oklahoma real estate market in a few words, I would say it is full of opportunity. Luckily, I have space for a few more words so I will explain. When rates were at historic lows, houses were moving so quickly that many people, like first time home buyers, didn’t have the chance to enter the market. While rates aren’t the only factor in home buying, they play a key role in affordability and market speed. The current rates have created opportunities for buyers to take advantage of new products and programs, view homes and make informed decisions — and win offers. The market is heading toward more balance between buyer and seller, but low inventory continues to be an issue. Low inventory creates an opportunity for sellers to maximize home value, gain equity and find serious, qualified buyers. Let’s not forget about investors too. Home values are continuing to increase, and simple supply and demand tells us that won’t be stopping anytime soon. According to RentCafe there are over 43.7 million households nationwide that live in rentals. In Oklahoma City 11 zip codes reported more renters than homeowners. So, whether you are a buyer, seller or investor, there’s opportunity in today’s market.

Wyatt Poindexter Lauren Toppins David G. Oliver Joy Baresel Chris George Brad Reeser Ty Burnett

DAVID G. OLIVER

The Wyatt Poindexter Group, Keller Williams Elite

As of March 2023, the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area real estate market remains strong with a large influx of relocation buyers. The inventory of non-new construction homes is still tight and prices have remained stable, with the rapid increase in prices of 2021 and 2022 having ended. Homeowners looking to sell can still do so quickly if their home is priced appropriately. While interest rates have affected certain price points, the lack of inventory has helped keep the days on market shorter. In March, new listings fell by 20% compared to the same month last year, signaling a great time to sell. Despite this, the overall average transaction price was 98.4% of the list price and the overall days on market was 19.5, suggesting the market is still holding up well compared to other metropolitan areas.

JOY BARESEL CEO/Broker, Engel & Völkers

From a historical standpoint, Oklahoma real estate is off to a good start. Oklahoma has traditionally maintained a modest and steady growth curve. Over the past two years, like most of the country, we witnessed an abnormally accelerated growth rate. While no one expects us to maintain that trajectory, many have wondered what 2023 has in store for those looking to buy, sell and invest in real estate.

To get back on track and beat 2019 year-over-year (Y/Y), our last pre-COVID year, would at first seem like a fair minimum standard. What we’ve seen is that both January and February 2023 have outperformed 2020 MLSOK results Y/Y and February nearly edged out 2021 Y/Y. A welcome surprise! Suppose we remove those odd/ outlying years. In that case, it’s plausible that we could be back on the pre-pandemic track of steady growth, which is part of what we all love about Oklahoma.

While interest rates try to figure out what the “new normal” will be, we are seeing the housing inventory grow closer to around a 4-month supply as opposed to the less-than-1-month supply we saw not long ago. This shift leaves intact upside for sellers and more options for buyers. For reference, a 6-month supply is considered a balanced market for both buyers and seller. While it’s too early to know if this is a seasonal shift or a more permanent one, it’s definitely a more even market than in the past few years. One thing we know for sure is that Oklahomans are resilient; it’s just part of our DNA. Oklahomans are moving forward.

CHRIS GEORGE

Chris George Homes, Chinowth & Cohen

The Oklahoma City market is experiencing a trend where homes that are priced similar to last year are being sold across all areas and price ranges, especially in the city core and historic areas. As always in real estate, pricing must meet with overall condition and the location of the home. There are still homes that are seeing multiple offers when priced correctly. Walkability and close proximity to commercial districts continue to be in demand, as these areas still remain low in inventory.

Getting your home ready to go on the market is more crucial than ever to secure offers. Spending the money to ensure the curb appeal and inside overall condition is at its best is a must in today’s market. Having your home look “magazine ready” is a sure way to get buyers’ attention and obtain the best and highest price for your home. Buyers are making sure that they are making a smart purchase and the home fulfills most or all of their needs.

BRAD REESER

Keller Williams Central Oklahoma

It’s definitely an interesting real estate market considering everything that’s going on today. We’re lucky to still be seeing a lot of movement across a number of price ranges. One thing is for sure: Buyers are not looking for a “job” unless they can get a drastic discount. They are, however, willing to pay higher prices for updated, move-in-ready homes. Our average days-on-market for homes of that nature is 4 days. In 2023! Through this changing market, real estate continues to be a sound investment.

TY BURNETT Advisor, Engel & Völkers

It’s hard not to get caught up in the MSM headlines about falling home prices. The truth is that these falling home prices are mainly happening on the coasts and larger cities, where they saw drastic relocation and price increases during the pandemic or were already cost prohibitive. The OKC metro market is significantly less volatile. This time a year ago, local home inventory bottomed out. Since then, inventory has steadily increased while prices have still risen, indicating demand for homes remains strong. Although the cost of borrowing is higher than it’s been in a while, the market is normalizing. At the end of the day, there is still an undersupply of homes overall, but that changes as you creep into the luxury home segments. •

The material and information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. You should not rely upon this material or information as a basis for making business, legal or other decisions.

RECORD BREAKING $156,538,639 CLOSED IN 2022

$3,900,000 | 3900 N Grant Drive www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$3,250,000

$2,006,170

$1,800,000

$1,695,000 | 1608 Saratoga Way www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$1,595,000

$1,500,00

$1,495,000 | 433 Oak Summit Road www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

5629 N. Classen Blvd | Oklahoma City, OK

| 3624 Winding Lake Circle www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

| 38 Park Street www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

| 20885 Alba Court www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

| 117 Lower Greenway www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

LISTED BY: Wyatt Poindexter, Keller Williams Elite 405-417-5466 OKLuxuryHomes.com

| 14709 Dalea Drive www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

CLOSED IN 2022

$1,395,000 | 3517 Quail Creek Road www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$1,375,000 | 2889 Labelle Rue www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$1,360,000 | 5832 Oliver Court www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$1,200,000 | 57 Water Street www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

$1,099,000 | 1323 N Dewey Avenue www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$899,000 | 22 Firefly Lane www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

$875,000 | 25 Boulevard Street www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

$824,900 | 9401 E Memorial Road www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$760,000 | 27 Redbud Street www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

$670,000 | 15 Redbud Lane www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

$475,000 | 2249 Santa Monica Street www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$350,000 | 8412 Stonehurst Court www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$290,000 | 71 Water Street www.CarltonLandingRealty.com

$285,000 | 9300 Farmhouse Lane www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$260,000 | Shoreline Boulevard www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

$229,950 | 5800 Promenade Square www.OKLuxuryHomes.com

LISTED

Wyatt

Keller Williams Elite 405-417-5466 OKLuxuryHomes.com 5629 N. Classen Blvd | Oklahoma City, OK

BY:

Poindexter,

Sugar Hill 400 DEEP FORK CIRCLE

Located just outside Oklahoma City, experience the transitional masterpiece unlike ANY residence in Oklahoma. Drawing some architectural and scenic inspiration from a famous $72.5M Aspen property, you’ll quickly find every inch of this home was thoughtfully and functionally designed with resort-style amenities: garden room, see-through fireplace, celebrity style closets, and luxury spa bathroom. The basement and wine cellar take after T. Boone Pickens’ Mesa Vista estate, permissibly of course. All in all, this revered property was built to impress, and that may be an understatement.

DAVID BOHANON JD, DEVELOPER-BROKER

DBOHANON@BLACKSTONECOM.COM

405.850.0987

MODERN URBAN LIVING

24 Custom Single Family Gated Homes

Executive Garden Offices from 3,000+ SF

Gated Executive Garage Condos

Walking Trails, Ponds, Fountains, Parks

SPRING 2023

“74” Full Service Restaurant Scheduled to Open

NW 72nd & N Classen Blvd East of Nichols Hills WilshirePoint.com

Only 10 minutes south of historic Norman, you’ll find New Urbanism Community — offering 540 acres of front porch living, fresh air and food, with a focus on reconnecting family and community through nature. It’s unlike any of its kind in Oklahoma.

Stop. Pause. Listen.

SECOND FLOOR

THE JOY BARESEL PORTFOLIO OF FINE HOMES

joy.baresel @ evrealestate.com joybaresel.evrealestate.com Instagram: @

1309 REDBUD HOLLOW, EDMOND $1,400,000

5016 WATER OAK WAY, EDMOND $1,400,000

1831 DRAKESTONE, NICHOLS HILLS $1,500,000

3900 NW PLUM CREEK, STONEMILL $1,700,000

2530 W WILSHIRE, NICHOLS HILLS $2,500,000

325 NW 15TH ST, HERITAGE HILLS $1,899,000

1912 GUILFORD CT, NORMAN $725,000

12104 SW 51ST ST, MUSTANG $399,900

209 NW 20TH ST, HERITAGE HILLS $415,000

joybaresel

Joy Baresel / CEO Private Office Real Estate Advisor, Broker +1 405-826-7465