Derrick Chen has been operating the vintage furniture and upholstery company Back Alley Furniture out of his wife’s grandparent’s impressive Farmers Branch estate for the past year and half. “I’ve talked about it for the past 6 months to a year, but it’s time to expand the business,” says Chen. “Most people set up appointments and came and browsed, but they were more impressed with the house,” he says with a laugh. He’s opening the doors to the 1,000-square-foot retail spot at 1028 Elm Street in downtown Carrollton this Saturday, March 20 from 10 am to 6 pm.
SMU graduate Chen specializes in finding mid-century, Victorian, and French provincial pieces that need a little TLC. The furniture may be reupholstered and repainted before they put it out on the floor, or they may sell the piece “as-is.” Customers can also pick out a piece and customize it with their choice of fabric, nailhead, piping, and paint. They’ll also accept drop-ins, too. If you have an armchair that needs some work, drop it off at the store and Chen’s network of upholsters will get to work updating the style. Creativity runs in the family, as Chen’s wife Chandra is one of three who owns The Three, a photography, stationary, and vintage sign shop.
Back Alley Furniture is open on Saturdays. Contact them at 469-867-6812.
