Shopping News

Dallas interior designer boldly debuts new Design District showroom

With more news of store and restaurant closures coming out every day, it's unusual — but refreshing — to see new businesses setting up shop in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

Interior designer Baron Farha isn't letting these uncertain times ruin his lifelong dream of opening a showroom in the Dallas Design District. His just-opened AF Home specializes in custom furniture, home decor and art crafted by local artists.

Farha studied interior design at the Art Institute of Dallas and has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, managing showrooms, consulting on an array of design projects, and creating furniture and art for showrooms and galleries around the city.

"The idea for AF Home was born many years ago, but it took a while to turn my dream into reality," says Farha. "I've spent the last decade figuring out the moving pieces, while continued to learn from and work with top talents in the industry."

Though home decor stores are in large supply, Farha strives to differentiate AF Home by providing a more custom, personalized experience.

Design services are available to those who are interested, and the online shop and showroom boast a bevy of one-of-a-kind pieces with aesthetics ranging from California-chic to contemporary-modern and farmhouse traditional.

From scouting specific pieces to providing in-home furniture repair, an emphasis is also placed on customer service.

"When you walk into my showroom," he says, "you walk in as a friend, as if you're visiting my home. Clients get service they can't get anywhere else."

Along with the opening of AF Home, Farha is introducing a candle collection called Maison 20, which is now available in store and online.

Candles are crafted of fine oils and clean-burning, natural waxes and come in five scents: Santal, Rose & Oud, Oud & Bergamot, Fig & Almond and Humidor. Proceeds from each Maison 20 purchase benefit the American Cancer Society and additional fragrances will be introduced this fall.

AF Home is located at 377 Howell St., Dallas. Hours are 10 am-5 pm weekdays and by appointment only on weekends.

Interior designer Baron Farha has fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening AF Home in the Dallas Design District.

Photo courtesy of AF Home

Interior designer Baron Farha has fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening AF Home in the Dallas Design District.

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Swedish Fish News

Popular Ikea furniture chain to open 4th Dallas store in Rockwall

IKEA

Ikea sign - instantly recognizable

Dallas-Fort Worth is getting a new Ikea store in Rockwall. Located at Stodghill Road and I-30, it'll be the third Ikea in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and is due to open in December 2025.

Ikea is the world's largest furniture retailer, founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, and known for its simple, modern approach to interior design at an affordable price, its ready-to-assemble furniture, and its amusement-park-like stores.

Ikea will be the anchor in a 65-plus acre mixed-use development with a location chosen for its accessibility not only to the east side of DFW but also to major highways that connect to faraway towns like Texarkana and Little Rock. Rockwall to Texarkana is 155 miles or a 2-hour-and-22-minute drive — surely doable if you're hot to get a great quality mattress at a good price or stock up on Swedish gummy red fish.

According to a release, the store represents Ikea's intention to become more accessible, affordable, and convenient for the many here in the U.S., even those who live in places like Casa View and Mesquite, and the store will offer a new way of reaching customers both in-store and digitally.

The store's footprint is 108,000 square feet — almost a third smaller than the existing locations in Frisco and Grand Prairie, which both span 293,000-plus square feet (although Grand Prairie is one story while Frisco is two-story). There's also a pickup-style store in Southlake that's 10,809 square feet.

“Our expansion goal is simple. We will be where people are, whenever and however they want to experience Ikea," says Ikea U.S. Ceo and Chief Sustainability Officer Javier Quiñones. “We have been testing different store formats to increase customer convenience, make home delivery more cost-efficient, and reach our customers where they live, work, and socialize. IKEA Rockwall represents a key milestone in this ongoing journey.”

Though smaller than the other area behemoths, Rockwall will nonetheless be serving Ikea's trademark meatballs at a new Swedish Deli concept, a Swedish cafe to enjoy meals onsite, and a Swedish Bistro for quick takeaway items that can be enjoyed in the outdoor seating area or at home.

The space will include multiple fully furnished room settings that showcase “local living” solutions reflecting the unique needs of the residents of the local community. Rockwall embroidered pillows, maybe?

Additionally, Ikea Rockwall’s design will include features for improved sustainability, specifically solar power, LEED certified construction, EV chargers, onsite recycling and native plant materials to reduce water consumption.

“We are strongly committed to the communities in which we operate. IKEA Rockwall provides an even more seamless omnichannel shopping experience throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, and we look forward to welcoming residents and surrounding neighbors to this new Ikea experience,” says Ikea U.S. Area Market Manager Rob Parsons.

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