Dallas Dweller: Joslyn Taylor

Dallas is full of colorful characters. There are those you see monthly in the society pages, whose stories are legendary in this town. But, this feature is inspired by the people that I think you should know more about because of their fabulous style, interesting back-story or amazing accomplishments.  Dallas Dweller seeks to introduce you to these fabulous faces.  I met Joslyn Taylor when she was working at D Moms magazine. She is the kind of person who just exudes a effortless vibe of cool. She isn't trying to be chic and cool - she just IS.

Joslyn Taylor

Joslyn Taylor grew up in Northern California, in a bit of a nomadic existence as the child of a professional musician, before decamping to Texas for college. As a result, she always seems to be balancing her dual fondness for a laid back, west coast “hippie” vibe and mannered Southern sensibilities (i.e. she loves a classical marble bust as much as she does incense and shaggy Moroccan wedding blankets.)

Let’s just say, she not afraid to mix things up.

"This seemingly opposed aesthetic has carried over into my career," says Taylor.  "After spending over a decade in corporate America as the Director of Online marketing for a global technology company, I completely switched gears and joined D Magazine partners where I served as the style and market editor of D Home and launched and was executive editor of D Moms, a luxury publication targeted at Intelligent, stylish, culturally-driven mothers. I recently left D to join my dear friend Samantha Sano at her multi-disciplinary design firm, SWOON, the studio."

In addition to her day job, she also authors a lifestyle blog Simple Lovely where she creates content focused on design, fashion, art, and food. But the absolute joy of her life is my family -- hubby Bryan and daughters Audrey (10) and Amelia (6).

Joslyn and her daughters | photo MomFilter.com

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH JOSLYN TAYLOR:

OSC:   Tell me about your latest project. What's keeping you busy?
JT:       In my new role as Principal at Swoon, I’m working alongside Sam to help oversee the studio’s brand and to formally launch our interiors division. Over the past six years, Sam has grown Swoon into a world-class design firm respected for their innovative, fashion-forward graphic design work for clients ranging from Neiman Marcus and the Dallas Museum of Art to the Dallas Cowboys and SMU. The firm started as graphic designers with an inspirational blog, which led to contributing to magazines, photo styling, interior design, and event design. Now we are quite simply a design company – a collective focusing on enhancing life through design. It’s cooperative, it’s unconventional, and it’s a holistic approach. It’s such an exciting thing to be a part of.

OSC:   Where do you go or what do you do to relax and recharge?
JT:       The minute I set foot in the DMA or the Nasher my blood pressure goes down. They are, without a doubt, my happy places.

OSC:   Give me 3 words you feel best describe you.
JT:      Optimistic, Curious and Loyal.

OSC:  What are your favorite restaurants?
JT:      R+D Kitchen (I dream about their crunchy tuna roll and seared Ahi salad), The T Room at Forty Five Ten for lunch with girlfriends and Mr. Mesero for shrimp tacos

OSC:  What are your favorite places to shop?
JT:     TenOverSix for Vena Cava and Rachel Comey. Forty Five Ten for coffee table books, Frédéric Malle perfume and the occasional clothing and shoe splurge. Vieux Design for amazing vintage furnishings

OSC:  What do you like to do with your kids around town that's good family fun?
JT:      A bike ride to White Rock Lake, and pretty much any activity done at Klyde Warren Park are family faves.

OSC:   What's your favorite Dallas festival?
JT:       It’s not technically a festival, but I love the Patio Sessions series at the AT&T Performing Arts Center all the Late Nights activities that happen once a month in the Arts District. Just amazing energy.

OSC:   What do you think makes Dallas such a great place to live, work and raise a family?
JT:       Dallas is in the middle of such exciting creative growth. There’s just a sense that anything is possible and a really encouraging camaraderie. People seem to really be rooting for you. It’s also got amazing shopping, dining, and culture…all the perks of a major urban center but it’s just, well, easy. 

OSC:  Tell me something about you that most people don't know.
JT:      I moved 17 times as a kid. My dad is a musician so we always moved around when he got gigs. In the 80s he played in the band Toto and Rosanna Arquette used to babysit us backstage during concerts.

See. I told you she was cool.