Tim Conlin, a Dallas based fashion designer, and his wife built their home during the height of the pandemic. “We had a few things on our wish list, and the outdoor entertainment space was a must. Growing up in Kentucky, my parent’s house was a myriad of different outdoor spaces.”
The rest of the family includes two teenagers, Dixie a Cavalier King Charles, and Annie a Belgian Warmblood that my daughter rides on the equestrian circuit.
Originally from Kentucky, Tim shares his love of all things “Kentucky” across his social media content. “There is such a rich history beyond the bourbon and thoroughbreds that every time I visit, I do all the touristy things."
How do you like to entertain? What is the vibe (where, feeling, how)?
Our back patio is basically our “outdoor living room”. My son & daughter use it as movie nights for their friends. During football season I love to have family and friends over to watch a game with the fireplace going.
When creating an outdoor entertainment space, good lighting is the key. The fireplace always provides a warm centerpiece and bistro lights, oversized lanterns and candles do their part to provide more intimate lighting. While we live in the metroplex of Dallas, it is exceptionally quiet outside at night. I love the sound of our neighbor’s lab who announces his presence with a few barks as he patrols his yard each night.
What are you drinking?
My heritage dictates that I must answer with bourbon, especially in classic old-fashioned cocktail. However, I do love drinks like a Negroni that are also made with bitters. Of course, a cocktail is naked without some snacks to nosh on like Virginia peanuts.
What are you wearing? A cashmere turtleneck from Proper Cloth and white jeans works for so many occasions. As the weather gets cooler I layer up with a classic “grandpa” cardigan.
What are you listening to?
Either jazz or “yacht rock”. I started listening to jazz in college when the local rock station played jazz for two hours on Sunday night. Since I was always studying on Sunday nights, the jazz music was a calming presence each week. Since then, I have always loved to have music playing in the house and jazz music streams 24/7 in my walk-in closet.
What is your favorite room in your house? When it comes to “public” rooms, my favorite is our outdoor living room. I am probably out there 10 months out of the year.
My favorite “private” room is my primary closet. One key to a happy marriage, is “his” and “hers” closets. I designed mine to look like a classic men’s store (ala Sid Mashburn). 
What are you most excited about this fall?
Driving my 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer on a crisp fall day. I am always afraid it will overheat in the Texas heat. Fall and winter are great for tooling around in this classic American woody. When our kids were younger, we used to tie our Christmas tree to the top just like a Norman Rockwell painting. Last Christmas we loaded up all the presents for the trip to the grandparents house. I love those memories.
Let’s play this or that…
- ACC OR SEC: SEC. While I graduated from the University of Kentucky, I have visited several other SEC schools (Alabama, Georgia, Vandy, South Carolina) for football games and just love the classic tailgating atmosphere that these schools bring!
- Wine or Cocktail: Happy hour always starts with a cocktail (i.e. Bourbon Old Fashion), but I love a glass of wine with a good meal.
- Red OR White: White most of the year, but nothing better than red in the fall/winter months.
- Bourbon or tequila: Bourbon. They don’t call my home state the “Kentucky Tequila Trail” for nothing. Bourbon all day, unless on vacation with a “marg”. And of course my Half Past Seven “Antler Rocks Glasses” will be in heavy rotation this fall.
- Outside or Inside: Outside. As a kid in the summer, I never came home till it was dark out. As I have grown older, I still hold on to that love of always wanting to be outside whenever possible.
- UK Football or Basketball? Kentucky basketball. The intensity and pressure to win in basketball is far more intense than football. Even if the football team isn’t playing well, the tailgating and the game is a great distraction. In basketball, if we lose, the whole day is a wreck.
- Smash Burger or Gourmet? Gourmet. My kids make fun of my cooking skills (or lack thereof). However, I do make a mean “turkey burger” with a special focaccia bread, Swiss cheese and steak sauce.
We loved sitting down with our very first How He Hosts: Tim Conlin. Be sure to follow @tim.conlin for more.
