Reclaiming Rustic-Chic

Dallas Farmers Market claims first Texas outpost of popular home decor company

Dallasites who can't get enough of rustic-chic design have a new shopping destination, and it's not in Waco. Urban Farmhouse Designs, a popular Oklahoma City purveyor of reclaimed wood home furnishings and decor, has opened its second location — and the first in Texas — at the Dallas Farmers Market.

The 10,500-square-foot showroom is across from The Market, at 1011 S. Pearl Expy. One of the company's cool beliefs is that if wood can be given a second chance, so can people. Its mantra of "reclaimed furniture made by reclaimed people" means that the company employs workers from halfway houses and local artisans in need of a hand up.

"The Dallas Farmers Market is a natural fit for our flagship store because it is a destination spot with food, vendors, and events and it celebrates all things local," says co-owner Cherami Thomas. "Half of our customers are from Texas, so now they won't need to schedule a road trip to buy furnishings made in the U.S.A. while supporting the community."

Cherami and her husband, Jason, started Urban Farmhouse Designs in 2013, building custom dining tables out of reclaimed materials in their garage. Now the company rescues vintage wood and artifacts from idled railroad cars, barns, and other relics of the past, giving them a new life. The pieces proudly wear the signs of time and use: knots, dents, and nail holes, all reminders of the wood's rich history.

"This is an exciting time for the neighborhood, and Urban Farmhouse Designs will be a welcome addition," says Brian Bergersen, partner at DF Market Holdings, LLC, who is leading the area's massive redevelopment and revitalization efforts. "Dallasites have watched the Farmers Market transform into an energetic community, ushering in a wave of urban living where people are able to work, live, shop, play, and relax, all in the same in-town neighborhood."

Designers, builders, decorators, and craftsmen regularly travel from all over the country to the original Oklahoma location. Besides being beautiful, the repurposed creations lessen the environmental impact that traditional forest harvesting has and instead recycles beautiful old wood, preserving pieces of America's past.

"We are ecstatic about this addition to the Dallas Farmers Market," says Kourtny Garrett, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc. "It delivers a significant soft-goods anchor that is unique to this market, and we predict it will serve nearby residents as well as attract regional shoppers."

Fans no longer have to drive to Oklahoma to shop at Urban Farmhouse Designs.

Photo by Ashley Tobar

Fans no longer have to drive to Oklahoma to shop at Urban Farmhouse Designs.

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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