Light My Fire

Cult-fave glass art from Pacific Northwest blows into Dallas' NorthPark Center

A cult favorite in the Pacific Northwest, glassybaby has made its way to Dallas, opening its newest store — and the first in Texas — in NorthPark Center.

More than just beautifully crafted glass votives, drinking glasses, and vases, glassybaby embodies love, craftsmanship, and heartfelt giving, making it the perfect gift for Valentine's Day and year-round.

A gift with meaning
Forget flowers this V-Day and give a gift that will be cherished forever. Each glassybaby is uniquely handcrafted in the U.S. by skilled artisans — over 70 of them — who receive fair wages and on-the-job training.

A company built on giving, glassybaby has donated over $15 million to charitable causes since its founding. In Dallas, a portion of every sale benefits Cancer Support Community North Texas, as well as other local organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Cattle Barons Ball, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and more.

Founder Lee Rhodes is a three-time lung cancer survivor who started glassybaby in her garage 20 years ago. Rhodes had the idea while undergoing chemotherapy when she lit a candle in a piece of art glass and felt healing from it, and wanted others to feel the same.

Each glassybaby piece is named and includes a sentiment card with a poem — for example, the "friendship" candle holders enhance their meaning with:

one silver, the other gold,
but both are equally valuable.
we treasure new and old friendship.
it can remind us of the times
and show us a new perspective.

"We are thrilled to be part of the Dallas community," says Rhodes. “For two decades, glassybaby has produced beautiful, handmade glass votives that give back to the community and promote hope and healing. We can’t wait to expand this mission in the greater Dallas area.”

Experience in-person
While shopping online is convenient, there’s something special about experiencing glassybaby in person. Each piece is uniquely handcrafted, making every glassybaby one-of-a-kind.

At the NorthPark store, you can see the nuances in color, feel the weight of the glass, and select the perfect piece that resonates with you. Plus, exclusive artist-edition pieces are only available in-store.

The ultimate Valentine’s Day gift guide
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance — it’s about celebrating all kinds of love. Whether it’s for a significant other, best friend, family member, or even yourself, glassybaby has the perfect gift to express how you feel.

For your true love: "heart over heels," "amore," "smooch," or "xo" – Beautiful candle holders that symbolize deep love and passion, perfect for Valentine’s Day, weddings, or anniversaries.
For your best buds: "galentine," "horoscope," or "fabulous" — Light up your pal's day with a reminder of how amazing they are.

glassybaby NorthPark A curated Valentine's Day collection awaits in-store.Photo by ASHGPHOTO

Photo by ASHGPHOTO

The new NorthPark Center store is open and ready for browsing.

The gift of glassybaby is appropriate all year and for all sorts of occasions. Each one-of-a kind piece of glass art comes with a distinctive name and inspirational poem to signify a special sentiment, such as Hope, Courage, Strength, and Gratitude, among many others.

With this in mind, here are some ideas for special life moments and thoughtful gestures:

"new leaf" rocker — A meaningful gift for a new dad, recent graduate, or someone embarking on a new journey.
"sunday drinker" – Get a set of these handblown drinking glasses for a perfect housewarming gift.
"awesome ain’t easy" – Celebrate a friend’s success with this encouragement-filled candle holder to remind them of all their hard work.
"wisdom" – A beautiful birthday gift for someone who inspires you.
"open window" – A thoughtful way to cheer up a friend and remind them they’re loved, even in difficult times.
"faith" bloomette – A stunning vase, perfect for sending flowers with a heartfelt touch.
"hugs" – Because everyone needs one, and this candle holder is a warm and meaningful way to show you care.

While hostess gifts like flowers die and chocolates get eaten, a gorgeous glassybaby piece lasts forever.

"open window" offers hope and encouragement.Photo courtesy of glassybaby

Special offer for CultureMap readers
As a welcome to Dallas, glassybaby is offering CultureMap readers an exclusive gift with purchase. Use code CultureMap in-store to receive a complimentary box of 16 palm-wax candles. The new location is located on NorthPark Center's Level One near Nordstrom in the retail space formerly occupied by Diptyque.

home design trends

Warm retreats and natural details are top home design trends this fall

2026 Houzz Fall Design Trends Report, warm interiors

Photo by Teal Thomsen for Canyon Collected Design

Warm-toned spaces are very inviting for fall gatherings.

Trends come and go, but a new Houzz report has unveiled all the ways current home design trends are evolving with the seasons rather than fading into obscurity or becoming dated.

Houzz interviewed nearly 50 home design professionals to determine emerging home design ideas for its 2026 U.S. Fall Design Trends Report. One common goal unites every trend this fall: creating rooms that celebrate the personalities of those who live in it.

These are Houzz's top design trends for fall 2026.

Warmth has become the new standard
One thing that's for certain: homeowners have officially done away with stark white and gray interiors. Warm color palettes first emerged as a design trend in late 2023, and now these inviting tones have transcended trendiness to become the "new baseline."

Homeowners and decorators aren't just making simple swaps, either. They're taking a holistic approach by "layering warm wood tones, earthy colors, multiple textures, and natural materials" throughout the home. This gives rooms "more depth and personality" than the previously in-style monotone interiors, Houzz said.

Bringing back personalization
Houzz predicted minimalist spaces would be on the way out in 2025, and they were correct. The golden era of minimalism has come to an end. Homeowners are instead creating true lived-in looks that blend "character, history, and personal storytelling" over spaces that look like they were plucked straight out of a magazine.

Examples include introducing vintage pieces into a modern space and mixing bold colors, patterns, and textures. Even the simplest accent choices can transform a room into something that feels "thoughtfully assembled over time," the report said.

2026 Houzz Fall Design Trends Report, character and personality matter more than perfection Home design enthusiasts are now prioritizing character and personality over perfection.Photo courtesy of Lavish

Photo by Teal Thomsen for Canyon Collected Design

Warm-toned spaces are very inviting for fall gatherings.

Other than vintage items, homeowners can add a sense of authenticity to their homes through "materials and details that carry a sense of history" like handmade tile, natural stone, aged metals, and original architectural elements.

This also means letting go of the idea of a home's "resale value" in favor of a personal sanctuary, according to the report.

"Pros describe clients asking for homes that feel deeply personal, whether it’s the layouts and materials they choose or the objects they display," Houzz said. "That shift is also giving homeowners more confidence to make individual choices, including unusual tile patterns, expressive wallpaper, distinctive furnishings and colors they love."

Embracing natural materials
Wood cabinets or stone countertops might be the first things that spring to mind under this umbrella, but we're diving deeper than that. Stone furniture pieces, like marble end tables, river stone sinks, and travertine coffee tables are rising in popularity, as are wood light fixtures and wood paneling.

"Pros are seeing more appreciation for the variation, texture, and imperfections that make natural materials feel authentic," the report said. "Handmade and high-variation tile, honed and leathered stone, plaster, and warm wood all contribute to a more tactile look."

Preparing for long-term livability
A separate Houzz report found two thirds of homeowners are planning to stay in their homes for more than a decade, if not longer, and less than half say they are currently living in their "forever home." As the cost of homeownership in Dallas rises, more residents are choosing to live in their current spaces longer, which means eventually renovating to accommodate for the future.

Besides adapting a home for aging in place, design professionals are seeing an uptick in popularity for other amenities to "make a home comfortable to navigate at any stage of life."

"ADUs and secondary suites are being designed to accommodate multigenerational living, extended guest stays, rental income, and future family needs," the report said. "Meanwhile, dedicated wellness amenities like saunas, cold plunges, and meditation spaces offer new ways for a home to support evolving well-being routines."

home design houzz design trends interior design home decor