Dorm Room Dreams

Hunt family heiress wows internet with her neon SMU Dallas dorm room

Tavia and Ava Hunt at SMU.

Instagram

When it comes to college decor, we've come a long way from the Bed, Bath & Beyond Bed-In-a-Bag — at least at SMU.

Incoming freshman Ava Hunt quickly went viral last week for her frilly, floral, neon, and mirrored dorm room, thanks to an Instagram post from her mother.

The Dallas-based Hunt family is comprised of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark, his wife Tavia, and their three children Gracie, Knobel, and Ava.

Tavia's post includes several photos of the pink-hued pad, which Ava Elizabeth shares with her roommate, also named Ava — but Ava Jacquelyn (no last name, but check those matching Ava neon name signs).

Ultra-feminine brand LoveShackFancy is tagged in the post for its floral bedding, ottomans, and coveted brand-collab Stanley cup.

Ava Hunt SMU dorm room Floral LoveShackFancy items abound.Instagram

Eagle-eyed Realtor.com also ID'd several other luxe items, including a $225 Riki magnifying mirror and a $399 pink and gold desk chair and a $199 iridescent globe lamp, both from Pottery Barn.

The 19-year-old Ava is set to participate in Southern Methodist University's cheer team, and hasn't declared a major yet.

She is a legacy at SMU, with her father Clark attending the university in the '80s and her uncle, FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt, graduating from the school in 2000.

Her grandfather Lamar Hunt, who founded the Dallas Texans (now Kansas City Chiefs) and Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) — and famously coined the term "The Super Bowl" — played football for the Mustangs before graduating in 1956.

Ava Hunt SMU dorm room The two Avas in their dorm room.Instagram

"Today, I left a piece of my heart at SMU," Tavia wrote in her post, which currently has more than 13,000 likes. "I’m wading through emotions as I pass by your now too-clean room, the house is too quiet without your laughter ... You’ve worked so hard to get here. Everything that you do from here on out is for you—for your success, happiness, and God’s glory ... Stay safe. Get sleep. Have faith in yourself. And remember, Mom and Dad are ALWAYS here when you need us. I love you MORE."

Ava responded to her mother's touching tribute in the comments: "I’m not crying you are 😭" and "I love you so much Mom."

August 26 is the first day of classes at SMU.

kansas city chiefs ava hunt tavia hunt southern methodist university smu

RETAIL WATCH

DFW-based Container Store resets stores ahead of Bed Bath & Beyond merger

The Container Store/Facebook

The Container Store is merging with Bed Bath & Beyond.

Bed Bath & Beyond is making a comeback thanks to a North Texas company — sort of. The Container Store, headquartered in Coppell, is merging 98 of its nationwide stores with the once-mighty home goods chain.

On April 6, Bed Bath & Beyond entered into a merger agreement to purchase The Container Store for $150 million. A release says combining the two concepts’ goods will “better serve how customers live today.”

In recent years, both brands have been struggling as part of the “retail apocalypse” of big box stores. In December 2024, The Container Store filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy without shedding any stores. Bed Bath & Beyond, meanwhile, collapsed in summer 2023. After filing for Chapter 11, it liquidated all of its U.S. stores.

According to the release, starting in May, select locations — including those across North Texas — will begin transitioning into a combined "Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond" format. The updated concept aims to blend the Container Store’s signature organizing systems and in-home services with a broader assortment of home goods, furnishings, and everyday essentials.

To prepare for the phased integration of Bed Bath & Beyond products in stores, The Container Store will start streamlining its offerings, cutting around 30 percent of its stock. Select stores will be offering clearance prices on the items starting Friday, April 24. The Container Store will also be opening an hour early on April 25-26, giving early birds an extra 5 percent discount.

“This is a reset with purpose,” said Jen Pape, senior vice president of stores at The Container Store, in a release. “We are actively reshaping our stores to make room for what’s next. By streamlining select categories today, we’re creating the space and flexibility needed to introduce Bed Bath & Beyond products and deliver a more complete home experience for our customers.”

The merger affects six Dallas-Fort Worth Container Store locations and 12 total Texas stores, including:

Arlington — 4000 Arlington Highlands Blvd #101
Dallas — 13710 Dallas Pkwy
Dallas — 7700 W NW Hwy #500
Fairview — 151 East Stacy Rd
Fort Worth — 4601 West Fwy #500
Southlake — 1200 Main St
Austin — 9629 Research Blvd
Friendswood — 18760 Gulf Fwy
Houston — 5466 FM 1960 W
Houston — 2511 Post Oak Blvd
Plano — 8460 Parkwood Blvd
San Antonio — 333 NW Loop 410

shopping mergers organization home goods retail