It seems as if every corner of famed interior designer Jan Showers’ Dallas headquarters is dripping in glamour. The stylish, memorable spaces that Showers and her team create have been featured everywhere from Architectural Digest to ELLE Decor, so we couldn’t wait to tour their beyond chic Design District headquarters. We gathered tips on styling bar carts, credenzas and coffee tables (oh my!), swooned over their travel tales of antique hunting through Paris and Venice and joined in the fun with three Jan Showers girls who have found great friendships at work.
photography by kelly christine
“Everything about working here is inspiring,” Charli Anderson says. “Everywhere you look, there is something more beautiful than the next. It’s like working in a jewelry box!” Charli has worked with Jan for eight years as the sales manager where she oversees production of the Jan Showers Collection furniture orders.
Glamorous Retreats is the second book Jan has authored. The first, Glamorous Rooms (with a foreword by Michael Kors), is another great addition to your coffee table book collection.
Veuve is one of Jan’s entertaining staples and favorite champagnes, so it is usually on hand in the office for styling or a celebration!
Charli is wearing a pale pink top from Zara, DL 1961 white jeans and a statement necklace from the Bauble Bar for Nordstrom.
An peak at current inspirations—fabric, paint colors and styling ideas for projects that are on the boards.
A few of Jan’s favorite Benjamin Moore colors are the Spring Thaw, Revere Pewter, Wickham Gray and White Dove. For Donald Kaufman colors, she always loves DK 62, DK 12 and DK 33.
With an office of almost all women, close friendships have quickly formed over the years. Here, the gals gather in a vignette of the showroom for a chat. Charli says: “We truly enjoy each other’s company and want to hang out outside of work. After awhile, it starts to feel like a second family.” Stunning images by Stewart Cohen adorn the wall behind them.
Hardware by P.E. Guerin welcomes guests at the front door of the showroom.
Jan likes to style coffee tables with a stack of books and a piece of glass or ceramic accessory (usually a bowl balanced with something tall like a vase or orchid).
Charli’s approach to style is investing in a few more high end staple pieces and mixing them with budget finds. “Zara has mastered the art of making inexpensive clothes look expensive, so it’s one of my favorite places to shop,” she says. “They make my favorite black pant that I live in during the fall and winter months.” She also loves shopping at J. Crew, Anthropologie, Off Fifth, and local Dallas shop, Milk & Honey.
The inspiration board on Charli’s desk is home to her favorite photos. One of her best career moments over the past eight years at Jan Showers was when the company was named one of the top 100 designers by Architectural Digest in the January 2014 issue.
Gracie’s hand painted wallpaper makes a glam backdrop for the mirrored credenza.
A selection of the gals’ jewelry (including pieces by Jan’s designer daughter Elizabeth Showers) on an Aldo Tura bar cart from the 1950s.
Zara Taitt, the senior interior designer and general manager on staff, goes for a classic style with an edge. She says: “Sometimes the edge is a pop of color, the lines of a top, or details on pants or shoes. Although I love color, neutrals are a great base for a wardrobe that you can easily dress up or down.”
Jan is always inspired by the way Australian designer David Hicks styles bar carts and loves to display vintage barware like decanters, cocktail shakers and glasses along with liquor, stirring sticks and cordials.
Natalie Nix, the showroom manager and PR/marketing guru, calls her approach to fashion bohemian and artsy with a professional vibe. “Jan loves for us to show our style. One of our coworkers went to an event where the dress code was ‘festival chic,'” she says. “I had a close full of things she could borrow!”
Girl Talk—the staff lunches in the office together almost every day. Natalie says: “It’s our time to unwind over sandwiches or salads we make in the kitchen together…or when we all decide to be ‘bad’ one day and order in tacos (always our go to)!”
When getting dressed in the morning, Charli often feels inspired by the Jan Showers hand blown Murano glass lamps (pictured). She says: “You can’t help but want to wear something bright when you are looking at gorgeous shades of turquoise, green, yellow, purple…all day long.”
“I want to be comfortable at work without compromising style. I am in and out of the office several days a week visiting our furniture workrooms, so if I wear a heel, it needs to be a wedge,” she says. “My style is classic, feminine and fun. I love statement necklaces and can never have enough earrings!”
The conference room is often the epicenter of activity in the office and the location for staff meetings, client meetings and presentations.
The conference table uses a Knoll base and custom oval top. The Brno chairs are upholstered in raffia, and the paint color is Farrow & Ball’s Cooking Apple Green.
