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 Meatball News

Sleek furniture store IKEA to open first location in Dallas

IKEA

IKEA's signature Billy cabinet

Dallas finally gets its own IKEA store. According to a release, the Swedish-born furniture company is opening a new location — the first in Dallas proper — to debut in late 2025.

Called IKEA Dallas - University Park, the store will be located at The Shops at Park Lane, the center at US-75 and Park Lane that's home to stores such as Whole Foods Market, American Girl, Saks Off 5th, and Home Goods.

The address is 8080 Park Ln., and they're not specifying exactly which storefront it will occupy, but it will be a smaller-format store at 63,000 square feet than its suburban siblings such as Frisco where the square footage is 310,000 square feet.

IKEA is on a journey to become more accessible, affordable, and convenient, with smaller "urban" stores that have a limited inventory of items sold on site: 3,200 articles.

IKEA's entire range will not be available for immediate takeaway; big furniture items like beds and couches, for example, can only be ordered online, with options for store pick-up or home delivery at a minimal fee.

Nonetheless, the Park Lane will be two levels and will be the 11th store in Texas: Currently, there are five full-sized IKEA stores, three "Plan and Order Points with pick up, and two smaller-format stores opening in San Marcos and Rockwall.

IKEA Rockwall, which just celebrated its groundbreaking, will comprise 108,875 square feet and the store be built from the ground up. IKEA Dallas-University Park will be built in an existing building at The Shops at Park Lane, which building it is, they do not say.

The Rockwall store will have a new Swedish Deli cafe where they'll serve meals onsite, as well as their Swedish Bistro takeout concept, serving their signature Swedish meatballs which they also offer in a delectable plant-based version as well, you should totally try it if you have not already.

Park Lane will have food, as well, although no word on whether there'll be a cafe.

"At IKEA, we want to create a better everyday life for the many people and one way we can do that is by bringing IKEA close to where people live, work, socialize and shop, says IKEA US CEO Javier Quiñones in a statement. :The opening of IKEA Dallas - University Park is a perfect example of our strategy to develop smaller, more accessible urban store formats, bringing a more connected and accessible IKEA experience to everyone."

shopping openings