Home Sweet Home Goods
New home decor and gift shop solidifies Oak Cliff's shopping cred
If you're shopping for something funky or artisan or just plain unique, you probably already know that Oak Cliff is a solid place to look. Now you can add Set & Co., a new home goods store on a hopping block of West Davis Street, to the list of cool neighborhood shops to check out.
The carefully selected kitchen goodies, furniture, linens, ceramics, and even some clothing and specialty food items are sourced from all over the world. To hear owner Jennifer Littke tell it, the idea is not only for each piece to have a back story, but also to be an important part of the new story created by its owner.
"When you buy something, especially as a gift for someone, it should get used and be a part of their life. It should also last," she says. An interior designer who still works in Los Angeles, Littke opened Set & Co. with her director husband, Adam, at the beginning of May. The vibe is bright and airy, simple and clean, and each item is chosen for its purpose, beauty and quality. (Yes, they do offer wedding registries.)
At Set & Co. you can find glassware from Belgium, brassware from Japan, flatware from England and original sailor shirts from France (which are part of the associates' uniforms). The Littkes are a well-traveled couple, and they fill their store with luxe yet functional finds.
"We're trying to bring a different perspective to Dallas," Jennifer says. "The people here have traveled and expect quality, but there's something to be said for things that are simple yet well-crafted."
A tiny card is propped next to each exquisite item, giving a short background on where it's from and how it's made. A hand-carved dining table and accompanying chairs with brass insets are made by Sawkille, in Rhinebeck, New York. Fragrant beeswax candles are hand-spun by Grain Design in Puget Sound, while each Berti knife is handmade by a single person in Italy. Small-batch bar essentials — from bourbon cherries to elderflower tonic — come from Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. in Charleston and Lexington, while Sqirl jams arrive regularly from California.
It's also not unusual for Set & Co. to collaborate with the artisans it carries, developing lines or finds that are exclusive to the store. Jennifer says as they become more established, she'd like to cultivate relationships with local craftspeople.
"We wanted to be a part of a community and fully embrace this new life when we moved here," she says. (The couple lives in Winnetka Heights.) "Back in the day, you worked where you lived, you were completely enveloped in your community. Oak Cliff is becoming someplace truly special."
