Quick question: what do a curved velvet sofa, a well-hung piece of art and a SOLD sign have in common?
More than you'd think. And on Wednesday, November 4, a room full of Dallas design lovers is going to talk about exactly that.
Our own Katie Bankston of The Bankston Group has a seat on the panel at the Z Gallerie Style & Design Forum, and she's the only real estate agent in the lineup. Picture it: an art expert, an interior designer, a retail buyer, an HGTV home stager, and Katie, the one who sees what all that good design does when a home hits the market.
The details
- What: Style & Design Forum, a lively conversation on design, art, real estate and staging
- When: Wednesday, November 4, 5:30 to 7:30 PM
- Where: Z Gallerie, 2923 N. Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
- Who: Five Dallas tastemakers, including Katie Bankston of The Bankston Group at The Agency Dallas
Wait, why is a real estate agent on a design panel?
Because design isn't just about pretty. It's the first thing buyers feel when they walk through the front door, long before they read the square footage.
Katie spends her days walking homes with buyers and sellers across North Texas. She sees which paint colors make people linger, which rooms get a second look, and which overstuffed bookshelves quietly send buyers back to the car. The designers on stage bring the vision. Katie brings the view from the showing.
So, who is Katie?
- The builder's agent. Graham Hart Home Builder trusts her with six communities across Dallas-Fort Worth, including Park Hill in Colleyville, Dove Station in Grapevine, The Grove in North Richland Hills and Waterfall Ranch in Waxahachie.
- The land record holder. She holds the Colleyville price-per-acre record, topping $2 million an acre on a Park Hill homesite.
- A certified interior decorator. Yes, really. She can tell you which finishes will pay you back before a builder picks them or a seller lists.
- Licensed in three states. Texas, Colorado and South Carolina, which makes her a secret weapon for families moving to DFW.
- 2026 MetroTex 40 Under 40. One of just ten REALTORS® in this year's class.
So when the designers talk about what makes a room beautiful, Katie can tell you what makes it sell.
What to expect
- An honest, fun conversation between people who live and breathe design
- Ideas you can steal for your own home, whether you're selling next spring or just tired of your living room
- An evening in one of Henderson Avenue's most styled showrooms
- Katie's take on what Dallas buyers are responding to right now
Bring your questions
Wondering if that bold accent wall is helping or hurting? Whether to stage, paint or leave it all alone before you list? Katie is your person. Come say hello after the panel and bring your best "should I or shouldn't I" question.
Builders, this one's for you too. If you're planning your next community or spec home, grab Katie after the panel and ask how today's design choices show up on closing day.
See you on Henderson
Grab a friend who loves design (or one who could use a little help in that department) and come early. We'll save you a spot in the front row of the conversation.
Quick answers
When is the Z Gallerie Style & Design Forum? Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
Where is it? Z Gallerie, 2923 N. Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206.
Is a real estate agent on the panel? Yes. Katie Bankston of The Bankston Group at The Agency Dallas is the panel's real estate voice, alongside an art expert, an interior designer, a retail buyer and an HGTV home stager.
About Katie Bankston
Katie Bankston is the Principal of The Bankston Group at The Agency Dallas. She is the builder partner agent for Graham Hart Home Builder across six Dallas-Fort Worth communities, holds the Colleyville land price-per-acre record, and is a certified interior decorator licensed in Texas, Colorado and South Carolina. Buying, selling or building in Colleyville, Grapevine, Southlake or anywhere in DFW? Connect with Katie and The Bankston Group at txrootsglobalre.com.
